July 27, Colombo (LNW): In a concerted effort to curb unlawful maritime practices, the Sri Lanka Navy has apprehended 65 individuals linked to illegal fishing activities during a series of targeted operations carried out between July 09 and 22, 2025.

The operations, spanning key coastal regions, also led to the confiscation of 16 dinghies used in unauthorised fishing ventures.

The coordinated efforts were executed under the direction of the Navy’s Eastern, North Western, and North Central Commands. Patrol teams were active in several high-risk zones including Salpearu, Uppural, Polmalkuda, Nilaveli, and Maleimunthal in the Trincomalee district, as well as Ippantivu and the northern coastal belt of Mannar.

Additionally, several individuals were intercepted whilst attempting to transport marine species such as sea cucumbers and conch shells without the necessary permits.

In the course of the operations, five illegal fishing nets were also seized alongside the impounded vessels. The suspects and confiscated equipment were subsequently handed over to various regional offices of the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, including those in Trincomalee, Echchalampattu, Puttalam, Kuchchaveli, Cod Bay, and Mannar, where legal proceedings are now underway.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): Attorney General Parinda Ranasinghe has established a specialised committee to closely analyse the recent Supreme Court ruling concerning the MV X-Press Pearl maritime disaster, which caused extensive environmental damage off Sri Lanka’s western coast, a report by the Sunday Times disclosed.

The initiative comes in response to the court’s landmark verdict criticising the legal approach taken by the Attorney General’s Department during the initial proceedings.

Comprising two senior officers from the AG’s Department, the committee has been tasked with reviewing the full 361-page judgment and offering recommendations on the next steps.

The verdict found that the actions of the Attorney General at the time of the incident violated the fundamental rights of the petitioners, particularly in relation to the decision to pursue civil litigation in Singapore rather than in Sri Lanka’s own High Court, which holds jurisdiction over maritime affairs.

The Supreme Court described the move as arbitrary and not aligned with the country’s best interests, calling it unreasonable and irrational. As such, the newly appointed committee is expected to scrutinise the legal rationale behind the choice to litigate abroad and explore how best to execute the Supreme Court’s orders going forward.

In addition to reviewing procedural missteps, the committee will also assess mechanisms for securing the US$1 billion in compensation ordered by the court from the Singapore-based X-Press Pearl Group and its local agent.

These entities were held legally responsible for the catastrophic fire and chemical spill that resulted from the vessel’s sinking, one of the worst environmental disasters in Sri Lanka’s maritime history.

The Attorney General’s Department is under increasing pressure to act decisively, both to implement the court’s directive and to restore public confidence in its ability to protect national interests in matters of international litigation and environmental accountability.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Forest Conservation has initiated a focused investigation into the suspected presence and use of firearms within protected forest reserves, following a worrying surge in shootings involving wild animals—particularly elephants.

According to Chandima Palamakumbura, Director General of Forest Conservation, the department has dispatched multiple regional teams to look into reports of illegal hunting activity and the unauthorised carrying of firearms in conservation areas.

The probe aims to uncover the sources of these weapons, identify those responsible, and strengthen enforcement mechanisms within Sri Lanka’s forested regions.

The initiative comes amid growing alarm from conservationists and environmental groups, who have condemned the rising number of incidents involving gun violence against wildlife.

The killings of elephants—many of which are protected under national legislation—have sparked renewed calls for stricter surveillance and harsher penalties for offenders.

Forest authorities have vowed to treat the issue with urgency, noting that protecting biodiversity and maintaining the ecological balance of the country’s forests is a national priority.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): A detailed investigative report concerning the recent death of a student from the Faculty of Technology at Sabaragamuwa University has been formally submitted to the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunil Shantha.

The report, compiled by a five-member independent committee, marks a key development in the ongoing inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.

According to Professor Shantha, the findings will be forwarded to the University Grants Commission (UGC) in the coming week for further review and official disclosure.

The committee’s investigation was extensive, drawing on a wide range of evidence. A committee member revealed that approximately 70 individual testimonies were recorded from fellow students.

In total, more than 150 hours of material were reviewed, which included oral and written statements, as well as photographic evidence, video recordings, and content sourced from social media platforms.

The inquiry was launched amidst growing public concern and student unrest, with many calling for a transparent and thorough examination of the events that led to the student’s death.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has voiced serious concern over the unfolding situation along the Cambodia-Thailand border, where recent unrest has reportedly resulted in casualties, the displacement of civilians, and damage to sites of cultural and historical significance.

In a formal statement issued by the Ministry responsible for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, the Sri Lankan government called on both nations to exercise restraint and resolve their differences through diplomatic engagement.

Emphasising its long-standing commitment to peace and non-violence, Sri Lanka urged all parties to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.

Reflecting the country’s spiritual heritage, the statement underscored Sri Lanka’s adherence to principles rooted in the teachings of the Buddha—particularly those of compassion, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence.

These values, the government stressed, should guide efforts to de-escalate the situation and pave the way for a negotiated settlement.

The statement also conveyed heartfelt sympathies to the communities affected by the recent violence and upheaval. Sri Lanka reaffirmed its conviction that enduring peace in the region can only be achieved through mutual understanding, respect for sovereignty, and a shared commitment to diplomacy.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): A recent session of the Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has brought to light a troubling example of public expenditure lacking in meaningful impact, as over Rs. 2.4 million was reportedly spent on new signage alone for a large-scale reclassification of provincial schools.

The initiative, launched under a previous administration, aimed to rebrand 809 provincial schools as national schools. However, inquiries by the committee revealed that the transformation has been, for the most part, superficial.

The schools in question remain unchanged in terms of infrastructure, staffing, or academic standards—bearing only the new titles without the substantive improvements such a designation would typically imply.

Officials from the Ministry of Education were called before CoPA to explain the rationale behind the spending, which has been criticised for prioritising cosmetic changes over genuine educational development.

Members of the committee expressed concern that the move appears to have been little more than a symbolic gesture, with minimal benefit to students or the broader education system.

In response to the findings, CoPA has instructed the Ministry to compile a detailed report within three months. This report must cover the broader programme to expand the number of national schools to 1,000—a target set by the former government—as well as provide specific updates on 72 related projects initiated under the State Ministry of Education.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): A group of Members of the British Parliament paid a formal visit to Sri Lanka’s central seat of executive power on the afternoon of July 25, engaging in both diplomatic discussion and historical exploration.

The visiting delegation was welcomed at the Presidential Secretariat, where they took part in a brief but cordial meeting with Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, who serves as Secretary to the President.

The dialogue centred on matters of mutual interest, touching upon governance, democratic traditions, and the longstanding ties between the United Kingdom and Sri Lanka.

Following the meeting, the delegation was given a guided tour of some of the Secretariat’s most historically significant spaces. Amongst the highlights were the Presidential Secretariat Library, a repository of state documents and rare volumes, the venerable Old Parliament chamber which once housed the nation’s legislature, and the Cabinet Meeting Hall, where many pivotal decisions in Sri Lanka’s history have been deliberated.

Accompanying the delegation were Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage, and British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, along with several other senior officials from both governments.

July 27, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly strong winds of about 50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern and North-central provinces and in Puttalam, Trincomalee, and Hambantota districts.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Kalpitiya to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota and from Kalpitiya to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee may rough at times.