November 16, Colombo (LNW): Governor of Sri Lanka’s Southern Province Bandula Harischandra has died unexpectedly at the age of 62, according to official sources.
He is said to have fallen critically ill and passed away while undergoing treatment at Colombo National Hospital late last night, despite efforts by medical staff to stabilise his condition.
Harischandra was widely regarded as a seasoned public servant, having spent more than three decades in government administration. A former pupil of Sri Palee College in Horana, he later read for his degree at the University of Kelaniya before embarking on a long career in the Sri Lanka Administrative Service.
Beginning his service in 1991 as Assistant District Commissioner of Elections in Ampara, he went on to hold a succession of posts, including a similar role in Galle. His administrative journey took him through several key appointments in the Galle District, among them Divisional Secretary of Galle Four Gravets, Additional District Secretary, and eventually Acting District Secretary.
His leadership experience later broadened with appointments as District Secretary for Ratnapura and subsequently Hambantota. Harischandra also occupied senior posts at the national level, including Secretary to the Ministry of Social Empowerment, Welfare and Kandyan Heritage, Secretary to the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and Additional Controller General at the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
Southern Province Governor Bandula Harischandra Passes Away
MPs Urge Shift to Eco-Friendly Bags Amid Confusion Over Polythene Charges
November 16, Colombo (LNW): A parliamentary committee has urged the government to explore the creation of a sturdier, eco-friendly paper carrier as a practical alternative to the polythene bags still widely used across the country.
The recommendation came from the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Environment, Agriculture and Resource Sustainability, which revisited the recent move to introduce a fee for polythene bags at the point of purchase.
Committee members said the proposal had stirred both public interest and uncertainty, prompting a closer look at whether the charge would genuinely curb reliance on polythene.
Committee chair Hector Appuhamy told officials that the policy’s effectiveness must be assessed carefully, noting that similar measures abroad had succeeded only when combined with accessible substitutes.
He added that environmentally sound paper bags—properly designed to withstand heavy use—could help both consumers and retailers transition away from single-use plastics.
Appuhamy also pressed for clarity on who had established the pricing mechanism for the proposed polythene charge. Officials replied that, contrary to public perception, the relevant Gazette notice did not actually stipulate a mandatory payment, suggesting that implementation details remain unsettled.
The Committee signalled that it will continue monitoring the issue, with several members hinting that broader reforms may be needed to meaningfully cut plastic waste in the long term.
Police Commission Shuffles Senior Leadership in Wide-Ranging Overhaul
November 16, Colombo (LNW): In a significant reshuffle of top-tier police positions, the National Police Commission has reassigned several senior officers.
Under the changes, Senior Deputy Inspector General Sanjeewa Dharmaratne leaves his role overseeing the Western Province to take charge of Police Administration. His successor in the Western Province will be Senior DIG S. C. Medawatte, who previously headed Training and Advanced Training.
Senior DIG Ranmal Kodituwakku has been handed additional responsibilities, now supervising the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women alongside his existing command of the Crime and Traffic Directorate.
Further north, Senior DIG T. C. A. Dhanapala has been reassigned from the Northern Province to lead policing in the North Central Province. Replacing him in the Northern Province is Senior DIG G. M. H. B. Siriwardena, who had been covering duties at Police Headquarters as well as the North Central Province.
In another key appointment, DIG N. L. C. Sampath Kumara has taken charge of the elite Special Task Force.
Earlier in the day, it emerged that Senior DIG Lalith Pathinayake had been relieved of his acting role overseeing the Police Administration Division pending disciplinary proceedings. Despite this, he will remain in his substantive post as Senior DIG in charge of the Central Province.
Low-level atmospheric disturbance develops into a low pressure system: Heavy falls above 100 mm expected (Nov 16)
November 16, Colombo (LNW): The low-level atmospheric disturbance to the East of the island developed in to a low pressure system, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (16).
Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the other areas of the island after 1.00 p.m.
Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Northern and Eastern provinces. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places elsewhere.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Southern provinces during the early hours of the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Pottuvil to Mannar via Trincomalee and Kankasanthurai. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in other sea areas around the island during the afternoon or night.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 40 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Colombo via Kankasanthurai, Mannar and Puttalam.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Trincomalee to Colombo via Kankasanthurai, Mannar and Puttalam will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Stalled Rail Projects Expose Deep Cracks in Public Sector Delivery
Sri Lanka’s infrastructure development drive has suffered another blow, with a parliamentary oversight committee revealing that the long-delayed Kelani Valley Railway Line Project made virtually no progress in 2024 despite receiving Rs. 250 million in public funds. The finding raises serious concerns over chronic inefficiency in state institutions and casts doubt over whether the Rs. 840 million allocated for 2025 will also go unused.
According to the Parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development, officials from the Department of Railways failed to show any meaningful physical advancement when questioned. The Committee’s report, issued through the Parliament Secretariat, notes that the project’s performance represents not just administrative weakness but a systemic failure in the public sector’s ability to execute priority national projects.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has already voiced frustration at the sluggish state of infrastructure implementation, repeatedly asking why agencies fail to deliver despite receiving the required funds. The Kelani Valley Railway Line intended to modernise a vital commuter corridor—has now become a symbol of stalled development.
Committee members warn that without a detailed, time-bound execution plan, even the Rs. 1 billion total allocation will be of little use. “Targets will never be met unless institutions come with clear deliverables and deadlines,” the Committee observed, signalling that Parliament is losing patience with vague explanations.
The situation is not limited to one project. The Committee also scrutinised the Thambuttegama Railway Station Development Project, where officials again failed to provide satisfactory technical or financial justification. The repeated inability of agencies to present coherent data or progress updates suggests deeper structural issues ranging from poor project management capacity to weak accountability systems.
Chaired by SJB MP S.M. Marikkar, the Committee examined progress across key ministries: Energy; Ports, Shipping and Civil Aviation; Housing, Construction and Water Supply; and Transport, Highways and Urban Development. Across these sectors, members identified a recurring pattern delays, incomplete data, and lack of coordination. Institutions were instructed to return with actionable plans rather than “generic technical narratives” that fail to answer fundamental questions on timelines and outcomes.
The Committee has summoned the Department of Railways, Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), and other agencies for a follow-up appearance, demanding accurate progress reports and updated implementation plans. The SLTB’s slow bus procurement process, delayed rural bridge construction, and overdue maintenance of Colombo apartment complexes under the UDA were also flagged as areas of concern.
The Ports Authority was directed to table its long-pending report on turning Galle Port into a financially viable operation another case where bureaucratic inertia has stalled decision-making.
Not all agencies performed poorly. The National Water Supply and Drainage Board was singled out for previous strong performance, highlighting that some institutions still meet expected standards when proper planning, leadership, and accountability structures are in place.The broader implications, however, are clear: Sri Lanka’s development agenda risks derailment not due to lack of funding, but due to entrenched public-sector inefficiency. Unless ministries adopt modern project management practices and enforce strict timelines, billions in taxpayer money will continue to be allocated but not actually spent on the people it is meant to serve
Bloated Public Sector Drains Sri Lanka amid Skills Crisis
Sri Lanka’s public sector long criticized for inefficiency, political patronage and weak productivity is again under scrutiny as the government plans to add 75,000 more recruits while pledging to “rightsize” the system over the next five years.
Deputy Minister of Industries Chathuranga Abeysinghe, speaking at a Deloitte post-budget forum, acknowledged what successive administrations have avoided admitting.
“We have to accept the reality. The public service is bloated not at the skilled or executive level, but at the bottom tiers where past governments hired supporters,” he said. The new intake, he insisted, is targeted at critical skill-shortage categories: nurses, teachers, engineers, and technical professionals.
Sri Lanka’s public sector including ministries, departments, state-owned enterprises and statutory boards now stands at around 1.35 million employees, with an “approved cadre” of nearly 1.5 million. This makes the state machinery larger than the combined workforces of the country’s top private-sector employers. Productivity, however, has not kept pace.
One of the most heavily criticized categories is the “Development Officer” cadre—graduates recruited en masse during political cycles. As of December 2024, there were 102,681 Development Officers, despite an approved cadre of 77,796.
Many are assigned to district or divisional offices that lack even the basic space or resources to utilise them effectively. Government officials admit that most cannot demonstrate job-related skills, IT literacy, or basic communication competence, raising questions about their economic contribution.
Compounding the problem is the large post-war military structure. Unlike other countries that downsized their armed forces after conflict, Sri Lanka never carried out systematic demobilisation.
Thousands of deserters remain outside the formal workforce, while tens of thousands who joined between 2006 and 2009 will complete their 20-year service soon. Abeysinghe said the government is exploring how to reskill and integrate these personnel into private industry, entrepreneurship, and technical fields.
Although authorities say they will encourage voluntary retirement, officials deny any move toward compulsory downsizing. Instead, the government expects digitalisation and automation within ministries to gradually shrink the workforce organically over the next three to five years.
The public sector burden showed its first slight decline in 2024, but inefficiency remains deeply entrenched. Despite taxpayers funding public education and health, middle-class families are increasingly forced into private alternatives international schools, private tuition, and channelled doctors due to deteriorating service quality. Meanwhile, taxpayer money continues to fund politically hired graduates and loss-making state enterprises.
Analysts also point to the consequences of policy reversals. During the Rajapaksa era several previously privatised entities particularly in the sugar sector were re-nationalised. Those enterprises now require heavy state subsidies for survival, adding yet another drain on public finances.
BOC Doubles Profit as Digital Push and SME Lending Drive 2025 Surge
The Bank of Ceylon has delivered a landmark financial performance in the first nine months of 2025, posting a Profit Before Tax (PBT) of Rs. 87.7 billion—a growth of 133% over the previous year. This dramatic leap highlights the bank’s rapid digital transformation, renewed lending appetite, and deepening support for the small-business sector.
Chairman Kavinda de Zoysa said BOC’s strategy focuses on aligning financial strength with national development goals. “Profitability must translate into empowerment. Our mission is to widen access to finance, foster entrepreneurship, and strengthen economic resilience,” he said.
A significant driver of BOC’s growth was the 62% rise in Net Interest Income, reaching Rs. 153.2 billion due to better margins and steady expansion in lending. The bank’s interest income recorded Rs. 368.1 billion, outpacing the decline in interest expenses and supporting sustainable profitability. Non-fund income, including fees from cards, retail transactions and remittances, grew 11%, continuing the bank’s shift towards digital-based revenue streams.
Operating income surged to Rs. 181.1 billion, while operating expenses rose modestly to Rs. 51.8 billion. BOC’s cost-to-income ratio improved significantly, demonstrating tight cost discipline and efficiency gains.
After tax obligations amounting to Rs. 55.3 billion, the bank posted a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 55.7 billion. CEO Y.A. Jayathilaka described the results as proof of customer confidence and the bank’s long-term strategy of sustainable expansion. “Our commitment is not just to financial growth, but to broad-based opportunity and community impact,” he said.
BOC’s asset base crossed Rs. 5.5 trillion, marking an 11% year-to-date rise, primarily through investments in government securities and resale agreements. The loan book expanded to Rs. 2.5 trillion, signalling improving economic sentiment, while deposits climbed 9% to Rs. 4.6 trillion.
The bank continued to maintain strong credit risk controls, recognising Rs. 18.7 billion in impairments and keeping Stage 3 loan coverage at 56.24%. Capital ratios remained well above regulatory requirements, and liquidity stood at some of the highest levels in the sector.
Digital transformation remained a core focus. The launch of the BizPlus Credit Card in partnership with Mastercard targeted MSME financing needs, while BOC Flex and Smart Remit strengthened digital access for both domestic and overseas customers. The bank also expanded solar generation across branches and joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials to step up sustainability reporting.
BOC widened its physical reach by opening 50 new Agent Banking Centres and operating community-focused Gammana centres. These initiatives, the bank said, are essential to increasing rural financial inclusion.
With international rankings, brand leadership titles, and reaffirmed credit ratings, BOC enters the final quarter of 2025 poised to sustain growth through expanded digital services, risk-balanced lending, and nationwide inclusion programmes.
New Office Tower Marks Turning Point for Port City
Sri Lanka’s flagship Port City Colombo development has gained a fresh boost as a Singapore-led consortium announced a major investment in a new 34-storey commercial tower, marking one of the most significant international commitments to the project this year. The announcement comes at a time when Port City’s broader development activity has accelerated during the first ten months of 2025, offering a glimmer of optimism for a country still navigating its economic recovery.
A consortium headed by Canary Wharf Holdings Pte Ltd has signed an agreement with CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd to develop the Colombo Gateway Tower One, a Grade-A office complex that will introduce 28,000 square metres of premium commercial space. The tower—located on Plot 01-10-04 will span 28 serviceable office floors and include modern retail and leisure facilities aimed at positioning Port City as a competitive business hub in South Asia.
The land on which the tower will rise is part of the reclaimed 269-hectare landscape constructed by CHEC Port City Colombo. The memorandum of understanding was signed by Sharhan Musheen, Chairman of Canary Wharf Holdings Pte Ltd, and Xiong Hongfeng, Managing Director of CHEC Port City Colombo.
While these details form the foundation of the project, the broader context is far more significant: Port City has seen heightened investor engagement and land negotiation activity in the first ten months of this year, signalling renewed foreign interest in Sri Lanka’s post-crisis economic trajectory.
Several parcels within the Financial District and International Island have been under active discussion, with developers looking at opportunities in hospitality, logistics, financial services, and offshore professional services.
Economic analysts point out that this resurgence reflects a shift in investor sentiment following macroeconomic stabilisation, improved foreign reserve levels, and ongoing structural reforms. Port City, designated as a Special Economic Zone with its own regulatory framework, has become a focal point of Sri Lanka’s medium-term growth strategy.
The Canary Wharf-led tower is therefore not just another real-estate project; it is viewed as a bellwether for Port City’s ability to attract sustained, high-value investment. If completed as scheduled—construction is expected to begin in May 2026 with completion slated for June 2029the tower will be among the first large-scale office complexes to become operational in the enclave.
The anticipated spillover benefits include increased employment in construction and professional services, higher demand for business-support industries, and strengthened investor confidence—an essential element for a country seeking to position itself as a regional financial and logistics hub.
For Sri Lanka, which remains under IMF oversight and is pushing hard for export diversification and investment inflows, the momentum in Port City offers a rare but meaningful economic opening. As one senior official privately noted, “Every project that breaks ground in Port City echoes beyond the site it helps reset the country’s investment narrative.”
With more development proposals expected to move to execution in 2026, the Colombo Gateway Tower One may mark the start of Port City’s long-awaited transition from reclaimed land to functioning economic zone, carrying with it significant implications for the national economy in the years ahead.
No Ban on Releasing Drug-Raid Information to Media – Minister Wijepala
Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala yesterday dismissed allegations that the government has banned the release of information on drug-related raids following the arrest of a National People’s Power (NPP) Urban Councillor’s husband over drug smuggling.
Clarifying the matter, the Minister stressed that no circular has been issued prohibiting the dissemination of information to the media, contrary to claims circulating on social media and in political circles.
He explained that the recent police circular—issued after a video went viral showing the arrest of a suspect linked to the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman’s murder—only instructs officers not to release information in a manner that could hinder ongoing investigations.
“There is no ban on releasing information on drug raids. What we have said in the circular is simply that information should not be released in ways that obstruct investigations,” Minister Wijepala stated.
He noted that legal experts and civil society groups have repeatedly raised concerns about police releasing videos of suspects on mainstream and social media immediately after arrests, warning that such actions could compromise investigations and potential prosecutions.
The Minister emphasised that the circular aims to ensure professionalism and protect the integrity of investigations—not to limit media access to information.
Govt to Expand ‘Suwa Seriya’ Ambulance Fleet to 500 with Advanced Technology Integration
The government plans to expand the “Suwa Seriya” ambulance fleet to 500 vehicles, integrating the service with the latest technologies, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced.
He revealed this while addressing a special training programme aimed at enhancing the skills of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at the Suwa Seriya Foundation.
Dr. Jayatissa stated that measures are already underway to modernize the ambulance service by incorporating advanced global technologies to improve efficiency and emergency response capacity.
He further noted that discussions are ongoing with the Indian government to procure 100 additional ambulances for the service.
In addition, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is expected to provide 20 ambulances under loan assistance and another 25 ambulances as a grant, he said.