March 16, Colombo (LNW): Former MP Sajin Vass Gunawardena has been formally indicted before the Colombo High Court on corruption-related charges involving the alleged accumulation of substantial unexplained assets.

The indictments were submitted today (16) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) as part of its ongoing investigation into the former legislator’s financial dealings.

Authorities claim that Gunawardena is suspected of acquiring assets valued at approximately Rs. 243.8 million through unlawful means. The allegations centre on wealth that investigators believe cannot be justified by his declared income during his time in public office.

Gunawardena had earlier been taken into custody by officers attached to the anti-corruption commission. According to officials, the arrest took place when he appeared before the commission to record a statement in connection with the investigation.

Following his arrest, the former MP was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama ordered that he be remanded in custody until March 24 while further legal proceedings continue.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, has underscored the importance of creating a more reliable and transparent environment for foreign investors, noting that such reforms would play a crucial role in accelerating the country’s economic recovery and long-term development.

Speaking during an interactive discussion with journalists and representatives of policy research organisations last Friday (13), the ambassador stressed that Sri Lanka should focus on establishing a business climate that is fair, open and predictable.

According to him, international investors carefully assess the regulatory and administrative framework of a country before committing funds, and therefore stability and clarity are essential.

He pointed out that companies looking to invest overseas often have to engage with several government institutions and regulatory bodies. As a result, a system that ensures transparency and consistency across all sectors would make the country more attractive to foreign partners.

Commenting on Sri Lanka’s current economic trajectory, Qi observed that the country appears to be gradually regaining stability. He noted that tourism earnings and worker remittances have been rising in recent months, while inflation and interest rates have largely remained within single-digit levels. These indicators, he said, suggest that the economy is moving in a positive direction.

However, he also acknowledged that a number of long-standing structural challenges continue to hinder the pace of economic growth. Addressing such deep-rooted issues, he remarked, requires sustained policy efforts and cannot be resolved overnight.

Drawing on a traditional Chinese proverb about the value of perseverance and hard work, the ambassador encouraged Sri Lanka to pursue continuous self-improvement and long-term planning in its economic strategy. He emphasised that while agriculture remains important, the country should place greater emphasis on strengthening its industrial base and developing value-added sectors.

Qi also highlighted the importance of simplifying procedures for investors. Referring to China’s own experience, he said efficient administrative systems — particularly one-stop service platforms — can significantly reduce delays and improve investor confidence.

He explained that in many Chinese cities, including Shanghai, foreign investors are able to complete most formalities through a single integrated system, often even before arriving in the country. Such digital and centralised services, he said, help streamline approvals and reduce bureaucratic obstacles.

The ambassador added that improving transparency alone would not be sufficient. In his view, Sri Lanka should also focus on making approval processes faster and more efficient so that investors can move from planning to implementation without unnecessary delays.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police have issued a clarification outlining the legal provisions that empower officers to stop vehicles and request documentation from motorists, addressing several misconceptions circulating among the public.

According to the police, the authority to signal a driver to halt is primarily granted under Section 162 of the Motor Traffic Act. This provision requires motorists to comply with any verbal instruction or hand signal issued by a police officer who is in uniform and carrying out official duties. Such directions may include orders to stop, slow down, reverse, or move to a particular side of the road in order to maintain safe traffic flow.

Police officials also dismissed the widespread belief that only officers attached to the Traffic Division have the power to stop vehicles. They emphasised that any police officer wearing the official uniform has the legal right to do so. While the Traffic Division specialises in road-related enforcement, the broader mandate of the police service includes preventing offences and identifying individuals who may be involved in unlawful activity.

As part of this authority, officers may request drivers to produce essential documents such as their driving licence, National Identity Card and proof of vehicle insurance, particularly when there is a suspicion that a traffic rule has been violated.

The police further clarified that a single officer is legally sufficient to stop a vehicle and initiate legal proceedings if an offence is detected. There is no requirement under the Motor Traffic Act for another officer to be present as a witness during such an encounter.

Nevertheless, police personnel often conduct roadside checks in teams for operational efficiency and safety reasons.

Motorists have also been reminded that ignoring or refusing to comply with a lawful order from a police officer constitutes an offence. Authorities noted that obstructing an officer in the execution of their duties could result in fines or legal action before a Magistrate’s Court.

Police urged drivers to cooperate during routine checks, stressing that such measures are intended to improve road safety and assist in the detection of traffic violations and other criminal activities.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Cybersecurity specialist Asela Waidyalankara has cautioned the public about a deceptive website that is posing as the official Fuel Pass platform in an attempt to collect users’ personal information.

In a message shared on X, Waidyalankara explained that the fraudulent site has been created to closely resemble the legitimate government system, making it easy for unsuspecting users to be misled.

He stressed that the website is not connected to the official Fuel Pass programme and warned that individuals who enter their details could expose sensitive information to cybercriminals.

He urged the public to exercise extreme caution when accessing online services related to fuel registration and to verify website addresses carefully before providing any personal data.

Waidyalankara emphasised that increased public awareness and careful online behaviour are essential to preventing such scams, urging people to report suspicious websites to the relevant authorities so that action can be taken quickly.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Former Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Mohamed Uvais has urged the government to consider lowering fuel taxes in order to cushion the public and businesses from further price instability as tensions affecting global oil supply routes continue to escalate.

Addressing a media briefing, Uvais pointed out that disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most critical oil transit corridors — are already creating uncertainty in the international energy market.

He cautioned that any further escalation, particularly involving shipping lanes near the Middle East and the Red Sea region, could have far-reaching consequences for oil-importing countries such as Sri Lanka.

Uvais noted that another vital maritime route located between Yemen and the African coastline carries a significant share of global petroleum shipments. If Iran or groups aligned with it were to interfere with this passage as well, the resulting disruption could severely affect global oil transportation and drive prices higher across international markets.

Sri Lanka, which relies entirely on imported petroleum, is especially vulnerable to such developments. According to Uvais, fuel prices in the country have already risen by Rs. 25 across all categories, reflecting pressure from global market trends. With oil prices projected to climb further, he warned that the economic burden on both industries and ordinary consumers could intensify.

He stressed that the country must strengthen coordination with international fuel suppliers and ensure efficient management of reserves, storage facilities and distribution networks. Maintaining steady supply chains, he said, would be critical in preventing shortages or sudden price shocks.

However, Uvais argued that supply-side management alone would not be sufficient. In his view, the government should intervene by revisiting the tax component included in fuel prices.

He explained that reducing certain levies could help soften the impact of global price increases and prevent excessive volatility in domestic fuel prices. Rather than transferring the full weight of rising costs onto the public, he said, a temporary tax adjustment could provide much-needed relief to households, transport operators and manufacturers.

Uvais also emphasised that geopolitical tensions affecting oil shipping lanes could disrupt a substantial portion of global crude movement if multiple routes become restricted simultaneously. Such a scenario, he warned, would place intense pressure on import-dependent economies.

Given these risks, he called for forward-looking strategies that combine prudent fiscal policy with improved logistical planning to ensure Sri Lanka’s energy supply remains stable during a potentially turbulent period in global oil markets.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Opposition MP Ajith P. Perera has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take a clear decision regarding whether a cabinet member facing serious allegations should continue to serve as Minister of Energy.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian said the responsibility ultimately lies with the President to determine whether the minister concerned should remain in office while the accusations are being examined.

Perera recalled that in the past, members of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) — including Dissanayake himself — had strongly demanded accountability in similar situations. He pointed out that when allegations surfaced over pharmaceutical procurement during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, opposition MPs at the time vigorously called for his removal in Parliament.

According to Perera, those demands eventually led then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe to remove Rambukwella from the health portfolio, demonstrating the importance of upholding ministerial responsibility.

The opposition MP also criticised remarks reportedly made by Nihal Abeysinghe, General Secretary of the National People’s Power (NPP), who had suggested that the Energy Minister had not been removed despite facing significant accusations. Perera described the statement as troubling and said it appeared to contradict the standards of accountability previously advocated by the ruling coalition.

He added that the situation raises broader concerns about transparency and consistency, particularly given that the current administration had campaigned strongly on promises of clean governance and institutional integrity.

According to Perera, the public now expects those commitments to be upheld in practice.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Health Dr Nalinda Jayatissa recently visited two of Sri Lanka’s prominent pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities situated within the Pallekele Investment Zone in Kandy, as part of efforts to assess the country’s local medicine production capacity.

The minister toured the production plants operated by Kelun LifeScience (Pvt) Ltd and Celagen Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, both of which play a significant role in supplying medicines to the domestic healthcare sector. Government officials noted that the two facilities collectively manufacture close to 400 varieties of pharmaceutical products used in hospitals and pharmacies across the country.

Authorities also highlighted that these companies are among the few pharmaceutical manufacturers in Sri Lanka to have secured the European Union’s Good Manufacturing Practice certification, a globally recognised quality standard that reflects compliance with strict production and safety requirements.

During the visit, the minister observed several stages of the manufacturing process and reviewed the quality control procedures adopted at the factories. Discussions were also held regarding the companies’ future expansion plans and their potential contribution to strengthening the nation’s pharmaceutical self-sufficiency.

Kelun LifeScience (Pvt) Ltd additionally operates one of the country’s key private facilities for the large-scale production of saline solutions, an essential medical supply widely used in hospitals.

Senior representatives of the two firms, including chairman V. Nadarajah and executive director I. Sathyamoorthy, were present during the inspection and briefed the minister on the operations and ongoing developments within the companies.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Power and Energy has assured the public that electricity supply across the country will remain uninterrupted, despite the recent increase in diesel prices that had raised concerns about the cost of power generation.

Officials from the ministry stated that there are currently no plans to introduce power cuts, emphasising that fuel availability for electricity production remains sufficient.

They noted that adequate quantities of diesel and furnace oil are being supplied by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation to support thermal power plants operating within the national grid.

Energy authorities said the present situation remains manageable due to the contribution of several power sources. In addition to thermal generation, hydroelectric plants continue to supply a significant share of electricity, supported by satisfactory water levels in major reservoirs.

A senior official from the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) explained that renewable energy is also playing an increasingly important role in stabilising supply. Favourable weather conditions, particularly strong sunshine in recent weeks, have helped boost solar power generation and ease pressure on conventional energy sources.

Nevertheless, officials acknowledged that the longer-term outlook could depend heavily on rainfall patterns in the country’s catchment areas. A prolonged dry spell could reduce hydropower output and place greater reliance on fuel-based generation.

Despite these uncertainties, the ministry maintained that the power system remains stable for the time being and that authorities are closely monitoring fuel stocks and weather conditions to ensure a continuous electricity supply.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The government is exploring the possibility of introducing an alternative set of auspicious timings for the upcoming Sinhala New Year rituals if astrologers fail to arrive at a common agreement, Deputy Minister of Buddhist Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake said yesterday.

Speaking to the media, the Deputy Minister explained that the Ministry of Buddhist Affairs has already consulted senior members of the Buddhist clergy, including the Mahanayake Theras and representatives of the Buddha Sasana Council, regarding the ongoing dispute.

According to him, the leading prelates expressed the view that the final Neketh Seettuwa — the traditional schedule of auspicious times for New Year observances — should be one that is broadly acceptable to all parties.

Dissanayake further noted that a fresh round of discussions is scheduled to take place today between the Minister of Buddhist Affairs and several groups of astrologers, many of whom have expressed differing opinions on the timings previously proposed.

He said the government remains hopeful that a unified decision can be reached through dialogue. However, if the consultations fail to produce a consensus, authorities are prepared to consider other options to ensure the public receives clear guidance ahead of the New Year celebrations.

“We expect to arrive at an agreement with the astrologers,” he said, adding that a revised and widely acceptable Neketh Seettuwa is expected to be announced within the next few days.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and Uva provinces after 2.00 pm, the Department of Meteorology said today (16).

A few showers may occur in Eastern Province.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts 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 may occur at a few places in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Pottuvil to Trincomalee via Batticaloa. Showers or thundershowers are likely at a few places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle during the evening or night.

Winds:
Winds will be easterly in direction. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.

State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight.