December 22, Colombo (LNW): Rahul Sharma, a 24-year-old exercise physiologist now based in Melbourne and a former Hong Kong under-19 cricketer, is preparing to take on an ambitious endurance challenge by running from one end of Sri Lanka to the other in just seven days to support childhood cancer research.

Sharma is scheduled to begin his journey on December 24 from Point Pedro, the island’s northernmost town, and reach Dondra Head at the southern tip by December 30.

The route stretches roughly 574 kilometres, meaning he will need to average close to 100 kilometres a day in what is expected to be a physically demanding test of stamina and resilience.

Having travelled to Sri Lanka from Mumbai on December 18, Sharma said the run is aimed at raising a minimum of A$20,000 for the Children’s Cancer Institute in Sydney, which is dedicated to improving treatment outcomes and finding cures for childhood cancers.

Born in India and raised in Hong Kong, Sharma took up cricket at the age of ten and later represented Hong Kong at under-19 level between 2018 and 2019. He believes the challenge, which his team says has not previously been attempted in this format, brings together his background in sport and his professional focus on human performance, while supporting a cause close to his heart.

Adding to the fundraising effort, Hong Kong-based charity Erase Poverty has announced it will contribute HK$10,000 if Sharma successfully completes the run as planned.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Train operations across Sri Lanka are steadily returning to normal in the aftermath of Cyclonic Storm Ditwah, with authorities confirming that close to 70 per cent of the rail network is now functioning again.

Figures issued by the Office of the Commissioner General of Essential Services show that passenger trains are currently running on approximately 1,098 kilometres of track as of December 22.

This represents around 69 per cent of the country’s total railway system, which spans 1,593 kilometres.

Several major routes have already been brought back into service, including large sections of the Northern Line extending to Kankesanthurai, the Southern Line linking Colombo with Matara and Beliatta, as well as selected routes in the Eastern and North Central regions. Officials said priority was given to lines serving high passenger demand and key economic centres.

Despite this progress, a number of rail sections remain closed due to damage caused by the storm. Services are yet to resume on routes connecting areas such as Mannar, Puttalam, Batticaloa and Kandy, along with parts of the hill country line. Repair teams are continuing restoration work, and authorities have indicated that further sections will be reopened in stages as safety checks and repairs are completed.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara has emphasised that the proposed Prevention of Terrorism legislation remains a working draft and will be revised following public consultation before it is presented to the Cabinet or tabled in Parliament.

Speaking today, the Minister said the draft law, prepared by a committee chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne, has been made available on the Ministry of Justice website in Sinhala, Tamil and English. Members of the public have been given until February 28, 2026 to study the document and submit their views, concerns and recommendations.

He explained that all feedback received during this consultation period will be forwarded to the original drafting committee, which will be tasked with reviewing the submissions and introducing amendments where appropriate.

The aim, he noted, is to refine the legislation in a way that balances national security needs with the protection of fundamental rights.

Minister Nanayakkara urged individuals, civil society groups and organisations to actively participate in the process, stressing that broad public engagement is essential to shaping a more balanced and socially responsive law.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department has surpassed a major fiscal milestone after meeting the Government’s full-year revenue target for 2025 several days before the end of the year.

Commissioner General Rukdevi P. H. Fernando confirmed that the department had collected Rs. 2,203 billion by 19 December, achieving the figure set for the entire year.

She described the accomplishment as the largest revenue intake ever recorded by the Inland Revenue Department, reflecting improved compliance and strengthened collection mechanisms.

In a statement, the Commissioner General noted that efforts are continuing to further increase revenue during the remaining days of the year, signalling that the final figures may exceed expectations.

She attributed the achievement to a combination of effective administration and the cooperation of taxpayers across the country.

Fernando also conveyed her appreciation to individuals and businesses for fulfilling their tax obligations, both directly and through indirect taxation. In addition, she acknowledged the commitment of Inland Revenue staff and the support extended by officers in other public and private sector institutions, saying their collective contribution was instrumental in reaching the record-breaking total.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s inflation rate showed further signs of moderation in November 2025, with the National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) indicating a drop to 2.4 per cent, down from 2.7 per cent recorded the previous month, according to newly released official statistics.

Data from the Department of Census and Statistics show that food prices were a key driver of the decline. Food inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in November, compared with 4.1 per cent in October, reflecting softer price pressures on essential items.

In contrast, year-on-year inflation for non-food goods and services remained steady at 1.5 per cent, suggesting relative stability outside the food sector.

On an annual basis, food items accounted for a 1.57 per cent contribution to overall inflation in November 2025 when compared with the same month last year, underlining their continued influence on household spending.

The department also reported that the NCPI for all items stood at 207.2 points in November, marking a slight decline of 0.3 index points from October. Economists say the latest figures point to a gradual easing of cost-of-living pressures, although prices remain sensitive to changes in supply conditions and global trends.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Teachers’ trade unions have warned that they will resort to industrial action if the government fails to deliver a clear response on the proposed extension of school hours by January 05, 2026.

Union representatives met Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya earlier today at the Ministry of Education, where discussions centred on wider education reforms and the controversial plan to lengthen the school day.

The meeting followed growing unease among educators, who argue that any changes must be preceded by proper consultation and clear safeguards for teachers and students alike.

Union officials said they had previously prepared to launch protest action on December 12 but decided to postpone it in the hope that dialogue with the authorities would lead to a resolution.

They noted that during today’s talks, the Prime Minister listened to their concerns and indicated that the issues raised would be reviewed before a final decision is taken.

Despite this assurance, the unions stressed that patience is wearing thin and that meaningful engagement and a firm position from the government are essential to avoid disruption to schools in the coming months.

December 22, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya met with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, at the Prime Minister’s Office on 20 December 2025 to review the country’s response to the recent natural disasters and the progress of relief efforts.

According to an official statement, Mr Franche expressed strong appreciation for the speed and coordination shown by the Government in reaching affected communities and delivering emergency assistance. Drawing on comparisons with crisis responses in other parts of the world, he observed that Sri Lanka has received an unusually high level of international backing, reflecting confidence in the country’s response mechanisms.

He also assured the Prime Minister that he would fully apply both his official role and personal dedication to mobilise continued international support, ensuring that Sri Lanka receives the help required during the recovery phase.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya, in turn, thanked the United Nations for its sustained cooperation and support. She noted that the combined efforts of political leadership and public officials, from district-level administrators to frontline personnel, had played a decisive role in managing the situation effectively.

She further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring transparency and efficiency in the use of international assistance, while prioritising the swift restoration of normal life for families and communities impacted by the disaster.

The discussion was also attended by Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri and Secretary to the Ministry of Education Nalaka Kaluwewa.