February 13, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move towards enhancing the country’s public administration and supporting sustainable development, the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations, has launched the “Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration” Joint Programme.

The initiative, known as ‘One Registry,’ is a major step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, a cornerstone for ensuring equitable access to essential public services for all citizens.

Launched recently in Colombo, the programme is a joint effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with financial backing from the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund.

This ambitious initiative aligns with the Government’s broader digital transformation strategy, aiming to create an inclusive digital environment that empowers vulnerable populations and fosters sustainable development across the nation.

The launch event was attended by an array of distinguished figures, including Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Public Administration Minister Dr A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and UN representatives, including Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, and Azusa Kubota, UNDP Sri Lanka’s Resident Representative.

Other notable attendees included representatives from various development agencies, the private sector, and civil society organisations, all of whom expressed strong support for the programme.

Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya underscored the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “Strengthening the CRVS system is pivotal in advancing our digital agenda and improving public administration. This programme will ensure that every Sri Lankan citizen has access to vital services and the right to a legal identity, promoting transparency, inclusivity, and national progress.”

The programme is designed around three core pillars: the digitalisation of civil registration processes, the creation of an interoperable registry connected to key government agencies, and efforts to increase public awareness and digital literacy.

These initiatives are intended to complement existing national digital projects such as the e-NIC (electronic National Identity Card) and the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI), working towards a unified and digitally inclusive society.

Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the initiative for the country’s digital future: “The CRVS system is a vital component of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, ensuring that all citizens have access to legal identity and that high-quality data is available to inform data-driven policymaking. With the right policies and strategic partnerships, digital technologies can accelerate sustainable development and ensure greater accountability in governance. We are committed to supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in creating a people-centred system that leaves no one behind.”

The initiative is also backed by the European Union, with Bredal, a representative from the EU Global Gateway, expressing their support: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP, and WHO through the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund to help modernise the country’s CRVS system. This will facilitate equitable access to public services. The EU Global Gateway’s investment in digitalisation is essential in advancing progress across interconnected SDGs, and we are ready to share our expertise in digitalisation and data protection to support these efforts.”

The ‘One Registry – Everyone Counts!’ project is a key component of Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by laying the foundation for scalable and sustainable reforms.

The initiative promises to bolster data-driven policymaking, enhance digital inclusion, and create a more robust, efficient, and transparent public service system, ultimately contributing to the country’s broader vision of a digitally empowered future for all its citizens.

February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Power has confirmed that a planned one-hour power outage will take place today (13), between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

The power cut is part of ongoing measures to manage the electricity supply efficiently.

Although the exact times for specific regions have yet to be detailed, the Ministry has advised the public to anticipate the temporary interruption and make necessary arrangements.

Localised schedules will be shared later, providing more clarity on which areas will be affected during the designated period.

The Ministry has assured that further updates will be issued as soon as the final schedule is confirmed.

In the meantime, residents and businesses are urged to prepare for the brief disruption in power supply.

Previous Report:

February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced that a final decision regarding the continuation of power cuts will be made public later today (13).

According to CEB Chairman Dr Thilak Siyambalapitya, the official statement will be issued at 10:00 a.m. this morning.

Earlier this week, the CEB was forced to implement nationwide power outages on Monday (10) and Tuesday (11) due to a technical fault at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.

The incident occurred when the plant’s automatic protocol system disconnected all three of its generators, leading to a widespread island-wide blackout on Sunday (9).

In response, the CEB put in place scheduled power cuts lasting for one-and-a-half hours, which affected the entire island between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each day. The decision was made in an effort to regulate electricity demand and avoid further strain on the grid.

However, no power interruptions were required on Wednesday (12), as the CEB was able to manage the electricity load effectively, particularly given the lower demand associated with the Poya Day holiday.

The available generation capacity was deemed sufficient to meet the day’s needs, and as a result, normal service was restored.

February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has responded to recent claims suggesting inaccuracies in an advisory opinion issued by the Attorney General on January 27, 2025.

The Association, which represents the legal professionals working within the department, has labelled these circulating statements as “factually incorrect and misleading.”

In a detailed statement released yesterday (12), the Legal Officers’ Association, the sole trade union representing lawyers in the Attorney General’s Department, reaffirmed that all internal procedures and established practices were diligently followed in relation to the advisory in question.

They underscored that the advice given was in line with standard protocol and was thoroughly scrutinised by the relevant authorities before being issued.

Expressing unwavering support for the Attorney General, the Association made it clear that they have full confidence in both his decisions and the entire team of officers involved in the decision-making process.

The statement further emphasised the Association’s commitment to defending the integrity of the Attorney General’s office and made it known that they would not hesitate to take a stand against any efforts aimed at removing the Attorney General from his position.

This strong response from the Legal Officers’ Association comes in the wake of increasing public debate and speculation over the contents of the Attorney General’s recent legal opinion, with some critics questioning its validity and implications. However, the Association’s defence highlights a determination to protect the office from unwarranted political or external pressure.

February 13, Colombo (LNW): Mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (13).

A cold weather can be expected over most parts of the island during the early morning. There is a possibility of ground frost at some places in the Nuwara-Eliya district during the early hours of the morning.  

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western province and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

Marine Weather:

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is scheduled to deliver a keynote address today at the World Governments Summit 2025, held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The World Governments Summit 2025 commenced on February 11 under the theme ‘Shaping Future Governments.’ This prestigious global forum gathers government leaders, international organizations, global policymakers, private sector representatives, and thought leaders.

The objective is to foster international cooperation, explore innovative governance solutions, and inspire the next generation of global leadership.

The President left for the UAE on February 10 following an invitation from UAE President Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. His speech is expected to highlight Sri Lanka’s vision for governance, economic reforms, and international collaboration.

This participation marks a significant step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s global presence and engaging with key international stakeholders.

In a bid to bolster its presence in the Sri Lankan tourism market, Tourism Malaysia has embarked on a strategic Sales Mission to Colombo. T

his initiative aims to deepen collaboration with Sri Lankan travel industry stakeholders, boost visitor numbers, and showcase Malaysia’s diverse travel experiences.

With tourism playing a crucial role in Malaysia’s economy, this campaign underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening ties with Sri Lanka and attracting more Sri Lankan tourists in the coming years.

The mission follows an impressive surge in Sri Lankan tourist arrivals to Malaysia, with 58,015 visitors recorded in 2024.

 This marks a remarkable 122% increase compared to pre-pandemic figures in 2019 when only 26,058 Sri Lankans traveled to Malaysia.

The rise in numbers highlights Malaysia’s growing appeal as a prime travel destination for Sri Lankan tourists.

Enhanced connectivity has played a pivotal role in this growth, with 30 weekly flights from Colombo and a total seat capacity of 4,990, making travel between the two nations more convenient than ever.

Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director of Tourism Malaysia Chennai (South India and Sri Lanka), emphasized the significance of the mission, stating, “Our goal is to reconnect with Sri Lanka’s tourism sector, express gratitude for their unwavering support, and explore new collaborative opportunities.

 The arrival of 45 Malaysian sellers, the largest-ever delegation, demonstrates our dedication to strengthening Malaysia’s position in the Sri Lankan market.”

In anticipation of the Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VMY2026) campaign, Malaysia aims to attract 100,000 Sri Lankan travelers. Mustafa highlighted Malaysia’s diverse appeal, catering to a wide range of travel interests, including Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), destination weddings, and family vacations. “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 approaching, we are eager to showcase new destinations, cultural attractions, and world-class venues,” he added.

The mission serves as a critical step toward increasing tourism exchanges and reinforcing the long-standing relationship between Malaysia and Sri Lanka. The 45-member delegation is focused on fostering partnerships, sharing industry insights, and enhancing connectivity between the two countries’ tourism sectors.

Sri Lanka has emerged as a key source market for Malaysia, ranking among the top 20 in 2024 and second in South Asia, following India.

 To further boost Sri Lankan arrivals, Malaysia plans to introduce exclusive travel packages and promotions tailored specifically for Sri Lankan travelers under the VMY2026 campaign.

Additionally, Malaysia’s tourism authorities are working to promote lesser-known destinations such as Sabah, Sarawak, and Langkawi, extending beyond the popular attractions in Kuala Lumpur.

Malaysia offers a rich variety of travel experiences, including community-based tourism, wedding tourism, medical tourism, and film tourism. Incentives are also being introduced for niche markets such as film production tourism.

Officials emphasized Malaysia’s affordability, particularly in medical tourism, positioning the country as a cost-effective and attractive destination.

Malaysia’s historical and cultural ties with Sri Lanka were also highlighted, with references to shared culinary traditions such as ‘dodol.’

Additionally, several Sri Lankan restaurant chains, including ISSO and Ministry of Crab, have expanded operations to Malaysia, further strengthening bilateral cultural connections.

However, Malaysian officials urged Sri Lanka to enhance its global tourism image by moving beyond war-time perceptions.

High Commissioner of Malaysia to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, Badli Hisham Adam, expressed Malaysia’s openness to exploring visa-free travel for Sri Lankans.

However, he noted that the Sri Lankan government must initiate an official request to facilitate this process. Malaysia has already implemented visa-free entry for several countries, including China and India, as part of its global tourism promotion strategy.

With Malaysia leading ASEAN in international tourist arrivals, welcoming approximately 38 million visitors last year, the Sales Mission to Sri Lanka is a significant step toward further expanding its tourism footprint in the region. By fostering closer ties with Sri Lanka and enhancing accessibility, Malaysia is poised to become an even more attractive destination for Sri Lankan travelers in the years to come