October 30, Colombo (LNW): A 55-year-old female lawyer has been taken into custody in connection with the killing of Ganemulla Sanjeewa, after investigations revealed that she may have aided the gunman involved in the attack.

Police confirmed that the suspect was arrested in Kadawatha two days ago and is being detained for 72 hours for further questioning.

The attorney, who had previously represented underworld figure Nadun Chinthaka—better known as “Harak Kata”—following his capture in Madagascar, is reportedly under investigation for links to several other criminal incidents. It has also emerged that she once appeared for a suspect detained in India over border violations.

Officials said inquiries are under way into her alleged misuse of her professional position, with evidence suggesting her actions may have supported organised criminal activity.

According to police findings, the lawyer is believed to have provided the assassin with two lawyer’s neckties, allowing him to disguise himself and enter the court premises unnoticed. She is also accused of supplying two law books—used to conceal the firearm—as well as a lawyer’s identification card and a vehicle pass commonly issued to legal practitioners.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): The Central Environment Authority (CEA) has announced that, from April 01, 2026, all plastic water bottles and feeding bottles sold in Sri Lanka must carry the Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) Product Certification Mark, in line with a new directive issued by the Consumer Affairs Authority.

In a public notice, the CEA stated that the regulation aims to enhance consumer safety, particularly for children, by ensuring that bottles used for storing beverages or feeding infants meet national quality standards.

According to the guidelines, reusable plastic bottles intended for carrying liquids must comply with SLS 1616 standards, while infant feeding bottles must adhere to SLS 1306 requirements.

The CEA further clarified that, under Section 12(1) of the Consumer Affairs Authority Act No. 9 of 2003, all locally manufactured bottles are required to display the SLS certification mark, whereas imported bottles must be approved by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI).

It also cautioned that producing, selling, importing, storing, or distributing bottles that fail to meet these standards will be considered a violation of the law.

The directive follows a Gazette notification issued earlier in October by the Consumer Affairs Authority, which introduced mandatory SLS certification for reusable plastic bottles and polymer-based infant feeding bottles to regulate product safety and quality.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): The National Lotteries Board (NLB) has revealed that several politically connected lottery agents have failed to settle large sums owed to the institution, with some debts remaining unpaid for years.

At a briefing, NLB Chairman M.D.C.A. Perera outlined multiple cases involving unpaid dues, political interference, and possible misuse of public money. He noted that several district-level agents, appointed through political recommendations, have continued to operate without remitting their payments for extended periods.

Perera cited specific examples, including Lakisha Tharangika Rajapaksha, appointed in 2016 on the recommendation of former Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, who reportedly owes Rs. 9.8 million dating back to 2019. Official records confirm she is related to the former minister.

Another case involves Disanayaka Mudiyanselage Geetha Nandani, who has an outstanding balance of Rs. 2.1 million since 2019. Her application was linked to an email address belonging to MP Hesha Vithanage, and documents confirm she is his spouse.

Perera stressed that withholding these funds constitutes an offence under the Public Property Act. He added that formal complaints will be lodged with the Fraud Investigation Unit and the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to pursue legal action against those responsible.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has raised concern over a growing number of complaints involving fraudulent overseas job offers circulating on social media platforms.

According to the Bureau, most of these advertisements are fake and have not been authorised or endorsed by the SLBFE. Investigations have uncovered that unlicensed individuals and agencies are using social media to deceive job seekers with false promises of foreign employment.

The Bureau has urged the public to verify the legitimacy of any organisation offering overseas jobs by ensuring it is registered and holds a valid licence from the SLBFE. Prospective applicants are also advised to confirm that the advertised position has been officially approved by the Bureau before making payments or submitting travel documents.

Members of the public who possess information about fraudulent operations or individuals are encouraged to report such cases to the Police Unit of the Special Investigations Division by calling 0112882228 or the SLBFE hotline at 1989.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) witnessed a strong rebound on Wednesday, reversing losses from the previous session as fresh buying interest helped lift investor confidence.

Despite notable fluctuations throughout the day, the market largely sustained an upward trend, with the All-Share Price Index (ASPI) fluctuating by nearly 131 points between the opening and its intraday peak.

After a brief dip near the end of trading, the ASPI closed 87.90 points higher, or 0.39 per cent, at 22,777.12. The S&P SL20 Index also edged up 7.54 points, or 0.12 per cent, to end at 6,210.63, signalling renewed strength in select blue-chip stocks.

The Capital Goods sector led overall market activity, generating LKR 1.08 billion, or 20 per cent of total turnover. DOCK.N was the most active share within the sector, accounting for LKR 286 million in trades, reflecting continued institutional involvement and investor confidence.

Total turnover for the day reached LKR 5.38 billion, with 174.24 million shares traded. Crossings made up around LKR 430 million (8 per cent of total activity), driven mainly by SAMP.N with LKR 127 million, while JKH.N recorded the largest share volume crossing, with 4.5 million shares changing hands.

Market breadth suggested mixed sentiment, with 125 stocks advancing and 105 declining, indicating mild consolidation after a period of upward momentum.

Among notable gainers, WIND.N added 26.02 points to the ASPI, emerging as the day’s strongest contributor, followed by SFCL.N, DIMO.N, NHL.N, and VLL.N. In contrast, BUKI.N was the biggest drag, shedding 18.07 points, while DOCK.N, JKH.N, CARG.N, and CTC.N also weighed on the index.

WIND.N stood out for its trading activity, posting a turnover of LKR 461 million across 2,353 transactions — a sign of robust retail interest and short-term speculative trading.

Overall, the session reflected cautious optimism among investors, as the market stabilised after recent volatility, with buying focused on stocks considered fundamentally sound.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the fastest-ageing nations in Asia, with a significant increase in its elderly population over the past decade, according to public health officials.

Consultant Community Physician Dr Nishani Ubeysekara revealed that people aged 60 and above made up 12 per cent of the population in 2012, a figure that has risen to 18% by 2024.

Addressing a press conference organised by the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr Ubeysekara noted that projections indicate one in four Sri Lankans will be elderly by 2040, with the elderly population expected to reach 25 per cent.

She attributed this demographic shift to a combination of higher life expectancy and falling birth rates, adding that these trends place Sri Lanka among the Asian countries experiencing the fastest growth in their ageing populations.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy has dispatched a special vessel to assist in rescue efforts for a group of fishermen whose multi-day fishing boat met with an accident in waters southeast of the island.

Naval authorities confirmed that the vessel had already departed towards the reported location, approximately 300 nautical miles from the coast. Initial reports indicate that four of the six fishermen on board have been rescued by an Indonesian fishing vessel operating in the area.

The distressed boat had left the Dondra Fisheries Harbour on 31 August for a long-term fishing expedition. According to the Department of Fisheries, the vessel’s owner reported it missing on 16 October after communication was lost.

While contact has been established regarding the four rescued crew members, the search continues for the remaining two fishermen still unaccounted for. A nearby merchant ship has reportedly offered to take the rescued men on board, and arrangements are being made to facilitate their transfer, officials added.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): A comprehensive anti-narcotics campaign is set to launch across Sri Lanka this morning, marking the start of a coordinated national effort to curb drug-related activity.

The initiative, titled “Nation United – National Drive”, will officially commence at 10:00 a.m. with a ceremony at the Sugathadasa Stadium in Colombo, attended by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The nationwide programme will see the National Council on Drug Abuse working in collaboration with district and regional councils, as well as public security committees, to ensure unified action in tackling the country’s drug problem.

October 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka and Pakistan have agreed to work together on new ventures in coastal and marine tourism aimed at strengthening the blue economy, generating employment, and enhancing regional links through sustainable ocean-based initiatives.

The understanding was reached in Islamabad during discussions between Sri Lanka’s Minister of Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Bimal Rathnayake, and Pakistan’s Minister for Maritime Affairs, Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry.

Minister Chaudhry underlined the significant promise of the blue economy for both nations, pointing out that around three billion people worldwide rely on ocean-related industries for their livelihoods. He highlighted Pakistan’s 1,000-kilometre coastline as a vital economic resource and noted that the government is actively advancing maritime tourism through activities such as harbour cruises, recreational fishing, yachting, and heritage tours in coastal hubs including Gwadar and Karachi.

He proposed expanding cooperation by developing joint marine tourism routes or packages linking the two countries’ coastal attractions. This could include ferry connections, cultural exchange initiatives, and coordinated promotional campaigns to boost regional visitor numbers.

Minister Rathnayake welcomed the proposal, noting that Sri Lanka’s Marine Tourism Roadmap focuses on strengthening the coastal economy through sustainable tourism zones and improved infrastructure in areas such as Kalpitiya, Trincomalee, Mannar, and Jaffna. He observed that a collaborative effort would not only stimulate tourism between the two nations but also celebrate their shared maritime and cultural legacies.

Both ministers agreed that enhanced cooperation in marine tourism could foster job creation, promote environmental stewardship, and drive sustainable coastal development, signalling a fresh phase in the Pakistan–Sri Lanka partnership within the blue economy sector.