August 19, Colombo (LNW): Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sathish Gamage has been ordered to remain in remand custody until September 02, following a court ruling issued by Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali Jayathunga.

The decision comes as investigations continue into serious corruption allegations involving large sums of illicit money.

SSP Gamage, who is currently attached to the Cultural Division of the Police Field Force Headquarters, was apprehended by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. Authorities allege that during his previous appointments overseeing the Galle and Embilipitiya Police Divisions, Gamage engaged in a covert financial operation involving the use of third-party bank accounts.

According to investigators, the senior officer is suspected of establishing three bank accounts under the name of another individual at separate private banking institutions. These accounts were then allegedly used to funnel approximately Rs. 14 million, believed to have been collected in the form of bribes. The funds are said to have come from various sources, including figures linked to organised crime, individuals seeking preferential treatment from law enforcement, and others with known criminal backgrounds.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne confirmed the receipt of a motion of no confidence aimed at the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retired) Aruna Jayasekara.

The motion, formally submitted by members of the opposition, bears the signatures of 31 MPs, including the Leader of the Opposition, Sajith Premadasa.

Addressing the chamber this morning shortly after sittings commenced at 9:30 a.m., the Speaker informed members that the document had been handed over on August 12. Dr Wickramaratne assured the House that he would thoroughly examine its contents before delivering a decision on the next procedural steps.

A no-confidence motion is a serious parliamentary instrument, typically indicating a perceived failure in conduct, policy, or accountability.

Major General Jayasekara, a retired military officer turned politician, has held the deputy portfolio in the Ministry of Defence during a period marked by both security challenges and institutional reforms. His critics have questioned aspects of his leadership, while his supporters argue that he has brought discipline and experience to a sensitive national role.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Election Commission has begun the formal evaluation process for the registration of new political parties ahead of the 2025 electoral calendar.

According to Commissioner-General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake, preliminary interviews are now underway for 47 aspiring political movements that have cleared the initial screening phase. These interviews form part of a multi-stage selection process through which successful applicants may ultimately be granted official party status.

The Commission originally received 83 applications from various groups and individuals following a call for submissions earlier this year in February. However, 36 of these were dismissed outright for not satisfying the basic eligibility criteria set out by the Commission—ranging from administrative shortcomings to incomplete documentation.

Those that met the minimum requirements have now progressed to the first round of formal interviews, where each applicant’s structure, proposed political ideology, and adherence to democratic principles are being scrutinised. The Commission has emphasised that only those with clear organisational frameworks and demonstrable public engagement potential will be considered for the next stage.

Parties that pass the current vetting process will be invited to a second round of interviews, during which more detailed assessments will be made. Following this final stage, qualifying groups will be granted official recognition as political parties for the year 2025.

At present, Sri Lanka has 86 registered political parties, though many of these remain inactive or function with minimal public presence. The introduction of new parties could inject fresh ideas and competition into the democratic arena, especially as the country approaches key elections amid evolving political sentiments and public demands for reform.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): Thusitha Halloluwa, former director of Sri Lanka’s National Lotteries Board (NLB), was taken into police custody in the early hours of Tuesday (19) in the Colpetty area, following days of evasion.

Halloluwa, who had failed to appear before court despite a formal summons, was the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Monday (18). The warrant came after the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) informed the court of Halloluwa’s failure to cooperate with an ongoing criminal investigation.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasena issued the warrant after evaluating the CCD’s report, which pertains to a recent shooting incident involving Halloluwa’s vehicle in Narahenpita. Although no injuries were reported in the incident, it has raised serious concerns and prompted a broader investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack and Halloluwa’s subsequent disappearance.

Sources close to the investigation indicate that police had been actively tracking Halloluwa’s movements over the past several days, culminating in his arrest without incident in Colpetty.

He is expected to be presented before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court later today, where further legal proceedings will be determined, including the possibility of remand custody or conditional bail.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has emerged as a key contributor to India’s foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) over the last five years, according to official figures recently released by the Indian government. The data highlights Sri Lanka’s continued relevance as a top source market for inbound tourism into India, alongside major nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Bangladesh.

The information was shared in the Indian Parliament by Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, who responded in writing to a series of questions regarding the performance of India’s tourism sector since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics reveal a promising rebound in international tourism, with the number of FTAs reaching approximately 9.95 million in 2024—a strong indicator of recovery and growth following the global travel slump.

The minister provided a detailed breakdown of the top 10 countries that consistently contributed to India’s FTAs from 2020 to 2024. The list includes the United States, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Germany, France, and Singapore. Notably, Sri Lanka has maintained a steady presence in this group throughout the five-year period.

In the years 2020 and 2023, Bangladesh topped the chart as the largest source of foreign tourists to India. However, in 2021, 2022, and again in 2024, the United States led the rankings. The UK, Australia, and Canada were also ranked prominently, typically occupying positions within the top five.

The data, compiled in line with the UN World Tourism Organization’s classification of International Tourist Arrivals (ITAs)—which includes both foreign visitors and non-resident nationals—shows a dynamic and resilient tourism landscape in India, with regional neighbours like Sri Lanka playing a vital role.

Sri Lanka’s inclusion in this elite group reflects not only the strong historical and cultural ties between the two nations but also the growing preference among Sri Lankan travellers for India as a destination for medical treatment, pilgrimage, education, and business.

As India continues to strengthen its tourism infrastructure and enhance bilateral travel agreements, countries like Sri Lanka are expected to remain pivotal to its inbound tourism strategy in the years ahead.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): Postal services across the country remain disrupted today (19), as members of the United Postal Trade Union Front extend their island-wide strike, now in its third consecutive day.

The trade union alliance, representing postal workers from various divisions, initiated the industrial action on August 17, pressing for a resolution to a list of 19 long-standing demands concerning working conditions, benefits, and administrative reform.

Chinthaka Bandara, one of the group’s key representatives, stated that the strike is gaining momentum and has received significant backing from across the postal workforce. He affirmed that the action would persist until the authorities take concrete steps to address their concerns.

According to Bandara, union leaders are preparing to formally submit a memorandum to the President today, detailing the workers’ grievances and proposed solutions.

Despite the growing impact on postal operations, Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara played down the scale of the dispute, asserting that the majority of issues raised by the unions have already been resolved.

He urged union leaders to abandon the strike and return to the negotiating table, emphasising the importance of dialogue over disruption.In a separate but equally charged protest, a collective of teachers has been staging a demonstration outside the Presidential Secretariat since yesterday morning.

The group, affiliated with the United Teachers and Parents Organisation, is voicing strong opposition to a recent government decision to scrap a long-standing circular that permitted the enrolment of teachers’ children in local schools.

Indika Abeysinghe, the organisation’s convener, condemned the move as unjust and short-sighted, arguing that it disregards the welfare of educators and their families.

The teachers’ protest carried on through the night, with demonstrators refusing to disperse until their demands are acknowledged.

August 19, Colombo (LNW): A few showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (19).

Mainly fair weather will prevail over elsewhere of the island.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly to westerly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Pottuvil to Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to 45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Pottuvil to Hambantota may be rough at times.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai and Mullaittivu will be moderate.

August 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has seen a noticeable rise in road accidents and related fatalities in 2025, with police data showing a sharp increase compared to the previous year.

According to figures released by the Sri Lanka Police, a total of 1,605 fatal road accidents have been recorded so far this year—171 more than were reported during the same period in 2024.

The death toll has also climbed, with 1,700 lives lost to road accidents, reflecting an increase of 193 fatalities over the previous year’s count.Authorities have identified careless and irresponsible driving as the primary cause behind the surge.

Amongst the most commonly cited factors are driving whilst drowsy or fatigued, and operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol. Police officials warn that such behaviours continue to put both drivers and pedestrians at serious risk.

The rising figures come amid broader concerns over road safety and enforcement in the country. Despite public awareness campaigns and an increased police presence in high-risk zones, reckless driving remains a persistent issue on Sri Lanka’s roads.

Law enforcement agencies have urged motorists to take greater responsibility and adhere strictly to traffic regulations, especially as traffic volumes increase with ongoing economic activity and inter-provincial travel.

In addition, there are renewed calls for tougher penalties and the expansion of road safety education across schools and driving institutions.

Authorities have also hinted at plans to strengthen the use of technology—such as speed cameras and mobile breathalysers—in high-risk areas, as part of a broader push to curb dangerous driving habits.

August 18, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has posted a profit of Rs. 5.31 billion for the quarter ending 30 June 2025, marking a notable financial rebound from the previous quarter’s loss of Rs. 18.47 billion.

This turnaround follows the implementation of revised electricity tariffs in June, a move that analysts say was crucial in pulling the state utility back into profitability. The adjustment came after months of mounting financial strain, exacerbated by a tariff cut introduced in January 2025 shortly after the new government came to power.

That reduction—estimated at around 20 per cent—was widely popular among consumers but led to a substantial revenue shortfall in the first quarter of the year. Despite the improvement, the latest figures still represent a steep year-on-year decline. In the corresponding quarter of 2024, the CEB recorded a profit of Rs. 34.53 billion, making this year’s figure an 85 per cent drop.

The contrast underscores the delicate balance the utility faces between financial sustainability and political pressure to maintain affordable electricity prices.The International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has been working closely with Sri Lanka under its Extended Fund Facility programme, had explicitly called for the reintroduction of cost-reflective electricity pricing as a condition for the release of further financial support.

The tariff revision in June was seen as a direct response to this requirement.While the latest quarterly result signals a return to operational viability, energy sector analysts caution that the CEB’s long-term fiscal health remains uncertain.

Factors such as global energy price volatility, hydropower dependency, and political resistance to regular pricing adjustments continue to pose challenges.The CEB, once a consistent loss-maker burdened by debt and inefficient pricing structures, has made efforts in recent years to reform its operations and improve transparency.

However, as these latest results suggest, profitability can still fluctuate significantly depending on regulatory decisions and external fiscal pressures.

Further reforms—both in terms of pricing mechanisms and operational efficiency—are likely to be necessary to ensure the CEB remains financially stable while meeting the country’s growing energy demands.

August 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have initiated discussions with WhatsApp to enhance the functionality of their recently introduced public complaint number, following an overwhelming response from citizens.

The dedicated WhatsApp line, 071 859 8888, was launched by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya as a direct platform for the public to report instances of police misconduct or inadequate service delivery.

Since its launch, the number has received in excess of 2,000 complaints, surpassing its current technical handling capacity.

According to police sources, the initiative has seen a flood of submissions from across the island, ranging from reports of unprofessional behaviour to concerns over unresolved complaints at local stations. The high volume of messages has prompted urgent discussions with the messaging platform to explore options for expanding its capacity and improving the system’s responsiveness.

Authorities say the move reflects a broader commitment to accountability within the police force and aims to provide the public with a more accessible, transparent avenue for lodging grievances.

Plans are reportedly being developed to integrate the WhatsApp service into a larger digital complaint management system, with features such as automated tracking and categorisation of reports to ensure timely review and action.