January 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lankan authorities have reported a notable decline in fatal road accidents, following the introduction of a special vehicle inspection operation in December 2024.
According to the latest figures from the Sri Lanka Police, there were 129 road accidents between January 1 and 25, 2025, a decrease compared to the 155 accidents reported during the same period in 2024.
In particular, the Police highlighted a significant reduction in the number of fatal accidents, with 26 fewer fatalities recorded this year than in the previous year.
This decline has been welcomed as a positive outcome of the newly implemented road safety measures.
The special vehicle inspection operation, which was launched to enhance road safety, remains ongoing. Officers are actively inspecting vehicles to ensure compliance with safety regulations, and additional measures have been introduced to curb reckless driving.
In a further step to deter dangerous driving, plainclothes officers have been stationed on public transport routes to monitor and apprehend individuals engaging in reckless or unsafe driving behaviours.
The Police have emphasised their commitment to continuing these efforts, with the aim of further reducing road accidents and fatalities across the country.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): Yoshitha Rajapaksa has been granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following his arrest in connection with a money laundering investigation.
The court set his bail conditions at two surety bonds, each valued at Rs. 50 million.
The decision to grant bail comes after Rajapaksa was remanded earlier this week as part of the ongoing investigation into his alleged involvement in illicit financial activities.
The charges relate to the purchase of property worth Rs. 34 million in Ratmalana, which is believed to be linked to violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has enjoyed a remarkable surge in tourist arrivals in the first three weeks of January 2025, with provisional figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) revealing that over 177,000 international visitors have arrived on the island so far.
This marks a significant 19 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, when 148,898 tourists visited the country.
Between January 1 and 22, a total of 177,403 people arrived in Sri Lanka, equating to an average of approximately 8,063 arrivals per day.
The weekly average is around 59,000, a promising sign that the tourism sector is rebounding strongly after challenges in recent years.
India continues to be the largest source of tourists, contributing 17.4 per cent of all arrivals. This is followed by the Russian Federation, which accounts for 14.4 per cent of the total influx.
The United Kingdom, traditionally a major market for Sri Lankan tourism, remains in third place, with 8.4 per cent of the arrivals. Germany, another key European market, is close behind, contributing 6.6 per cent of the total number of tourists.
In addition to these top markets, Sri Lanka has also seen interest from other significant countries, including China, Australia, France, the United States, Poland, and the Netherlands.
The variety of international visitors highlights the island’s growing appeal as a destination for diverse travellers, with people from across the globe seeking to explore its rich culture, stunning landscapes, and renowned hospitality.
Industry experts are optimistic that the strong start to the year will continue, with many expecting tourism numbers to rise further in the coming months as Sri Lanka continues to promote its attractions to new and returning visitors.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who was taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on charges of money laundering, is set to appear before court again today (27).
His arrest, which took place on January 25 near the Beliatta Expressway entrance, follows an investigation into alleged financial misconduct.
After his arrest, Rajapaksa was swiftly brought to the CID headquarters in Colombo, where he underwent questioning for several hours. Following this, he was presented before Colombo’s Additional Magistrate Pavithra Sanjeevani at the Aluthkade No. 05 Court.
The magistrate ordered his remand until today, pending further legal proceedings.
The charges against Rajapaksa stem from an investigation into the purchase of a property in Ratmalana, which included a house and land valued at a staggering Rs. 34 million.
The transaction is believed to have been conducted in a manner that violates the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, prompting authorities to take action.
The case has drawn significant public attention due to Rajapaksa’s high-profile family background, which has amplified interest in the investigation.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): Minister Bimal Rathnayake has expressed optimism that the upcoming Local Government (LG) elections will be held in Sri Lanka during either the second or fourth week of April 2025.
Speaking to the press in Jaffna, the Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the elections proceed as planned.
Rathnayake revealed that the government, in collaboration with all political parties, has already submitted a draft bill to Parliament that seeks to amend the Local Authorities Elections Act, facilitating the much-awaited elections.
This move follows extensive discussions and agreement amongst political leaders, signalling a united front for the smooth conduct of the local elections.
Whilst acknowledging that several petitions have been lodged in court by different parties, the Minister was confident that these legal proceedings would not create significant obstacles.
“Although various parties have taken their concerns to the courts, we do not anticipate these petitions hindering the election process,” Rathnayake stated. “The judiciary will reach its decision in due course, but we are hopeful that it will not delay the elections significantly, as the court has a set timeframe to issue its verdict.”
Rathnayake also emphasised that the Election Commission, with all legal matters taken into consideration, is expected to set the election date for either mid-April or towards the end of the month.
He noted, “We firmly believe that the elections will be held in the second or fourth week of April, allowing the local government bodies to be formed promptly.”
In addition to his comments on the LG elections, the Minister also mentioned the government’s plans for provincial council elections.
He reassured the public that the government intends to proceed with these elections for the Northern Province and across the country without further delays, underlining the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its electoral promises.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Navy on January 26 assumed command of the multinational maritime training initiative Combined Task Force (CTF) 154 during a formal change-of-command ceremony held in Bahrain.
This significant leadership transition saw Egyptian Navy Commodore Haytham Khalil hand over the reins to Sri Lankan Navy Commodore KMH Bettage, marking a notable milestone for Sri Lanka.
This is the first time that a task force within the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) has been led by Sri Lanka, which officially joined the CMF in November 2023.
CTF 154, which was established in May 2023, plays a pivotal role in facilitating multinational maritime training throughout the Middle East.
The task force enables member nations to conduct essential training and cooperation across various maritime operations, helping to maintain security and stability in one of the world’s busiest and most strategic maritime regions.
Under the leadership of Commodore Khalil, CTF 154 achieved significant progress, introducing monthly Maritime Security Enhanced Training sessions that covered critical topics such as navigation, safety at sea, firefighting, public relations, and crisis management during pollution events.
These training sessions were in addition to fostering key partnerships with other maritime organisations, including the European Union Naval Force, and strengthening relationships with other regional stakeholders.
Khalil reflected on his tenure, stating, “Our joint efforts have substantially improved maritime security and deepened cooperation across the region. Your unwavering commitment to these initiatives has delivered outstanding results, boosting readiness and operational capacity. It has been an honour to lead such a talented and unified team.”
The task force’s training initiatives are held at various locations throughout the region, with particular focus on five core areas: maritime awareness, law, interdiction, rescue, and leadership development. Each training programme is carefully tailored to meet the needs of CMF partner nations, offering opportunities for both foundational and advanced learning.
Through these efforts, CTF 154 provides crucial training without the need for ships or aircraft, making it accessible to nations across the Middle East.
Commodore Bettage, who now leads CTF 154, emphasised the importance of collaboration and training in safeguarding global maritime security.
“I believe that training and cooperation are vital to maintaining the flow of maritime commerce and securing vital sea routes. By strengthening partnerships between nations and industries, we can jointly address emerging threats and optimise maritime operations. This, in turn, will bolster global trade and contribute to economic growth,” he remarked.
The CMF, headquartered in Bahrain, is the largest multinational naval coalition globally, comprising 46 nations committed to upholding international maritime law and ensuring the free and secure movement of goods across the seas.
In addition to CTF 154, the CMF operates several other task forces, including CTF 150, which focuses on maritime security in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, and CTF 151, which tackles regional counter-piracy efforts.
Other task forces are dedicated to ensuring maritime security in the Arabian Gulf and Red Sea, areas critical to global trade and energy transport.
By taking command of CTF 154, Sri Lanka’s participation in the Combined Maritime Forces is further cemented, reinforcing its commitment to fostering international collaboration and ensuring the safety of vital shipping routes in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Education has confirmed that the new school term for the 2025 academic year officially begins today (27).
The term will be structured into three distinct phases, aimed at providing a well-paced academic calendar for both students and educators.
The first phase of the term will run from today until March 14, offering a solid six-week period for students to engage with their studies.
Following this, the second phase will take place from April 1 to April 11, providing a brief yet intensive stretch of learning before a short break.
The final phase of the first school term will be held from April 21 to May 9. This phased approach to the academic calendar is expected to help streamline educational activities, while also allowing students to maintain focus and adapt to a varied learning rhythm.
The Ministry has also expressed confidence that this adjusted term structure will better support the needs of students and teachers, ensuring a balanced workload throughout the term.
Educational authorities are encouraging both parents and students to stay informed about the dates and plan accordingly for the smooth continuation of the academic year.
January 27, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thunder showers will occur at times in Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts, with a few showers being likely to occur in North-Central, North-Western and Central provinces and in Trincomalee district, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (27).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at few places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces during the evening or night.
Cloudy skies can be expected over Southern half of the island.
Fairly strong winds of (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slope of the central hills and Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Matale and Hambantota districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during 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 or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Batticaloa to Colombo via Hambantota and Galle. Showers may occur at few places in the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (50-55) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Sri Lanka’s apparel export earnings reached $4.7 billion in 2024, reflecting a 5% year-on-year (y-o-y) growth, according to the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF). When combined with the country’s textile exports, the total export value surpassed $5 billion, showcasing the resilience of the industry despite local and global challenges.
Compared to the pre-pandemic benchmark of 2019, when exports were $5.3 billion, 2024 figures reflect a 10.3% shortfall. This underscores the need for focused interventions to reclaim lost ground and exceed pre-pandemic levels.
Performance across key markets revealed mixed outcomes. Exports to the US, Sri Lanka’s largest market, rose by 5.23% to $1.9 billion but remained 19.4% below 2019 levels.
Exports to the UK recorded a strong 7.65% growth, nearing pre-pandemic figures, driven by demand for ethically and sustainably manufactured garments. Growth in the EU was modest at 0.81%, highlighting challenges in a highly regulated and competitive market.
Meanwhile, exports to other destinations increased by 10.13%, reflecting successful penetration into new markets and the industry’s evolving ability to label, pack, and ship directly to third countries on behalf of customers.
To strengthen the industry’s competitiveness, localised fabric production has emerged as a priority. The Eravur Textile Zone, a 300-acre facility, is designed to house textile-dyeing, washing, knitting, and weaving plants.
This project is expected to significantly reduce production costs, save foreign exchange, and enhance Sri Lankan exports’ appeal to global buyers who demand traceability and sustainability.
JAAF Secretary-General Yohan Lawrence highlighted the significance of the Eravur Textile Zone, calling it a “lifeline” for the industry. He stressed that localising fabric production is critical to boosting competitiveness and meeting global market demands.
Analysis of the past five years reveals a gradual recovery for the sector. The pandemic caused a significant dip in 2020, with exports dropping to $4.1 billion, a 22% decline from 2019.
Exports briefly peaked in 2022 but saw setbacks in 2023 due to global inflation and reduced consumer spending. The modest growth of 5% in 2024 also reflects pricing pressures faced by the industry.
JAAF emphasizes the importance of continued collaboration between industry stakeholders and the government.
Critical areas include enhanced market access, infrastructure projects like the Eravur Textile Zone, predictable electricity tariffs, and improved operational efficiency at Colombo Port. Recent electricity tariff adjustments have been welcomed, as Sri Lanka’s energy costs remain high compared to competitors. J
AAF has advocated for energy sector reforms to adopt cost-effective generation and pass savings to consumers.
In a key policy development, Sri Lanka and Indonesia have jointly applied to the UK DCTS authorities for fabric cumulation. If approved, apparel made in Sri Lanka using Indonesian fabric could enter the UK duty-free, boosting competitiveness in that market.
Looking ahead, JAAF is optimistic about surpassing pre-2019 export levels. Strategic investments and reforms could help the industry achieve $6 billion in export earnings, solidifying Sri Lanka’s position as a global leader in quality and ethical manufacturing.
With a focus on sustainability and traceability, the sector remains poised for growth if the right measures are implemented.
Sri Lanka and China have agreed to establish a working group to resume discussions on a long-delayed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), according to Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath.
This decision follows President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent state visit to China, during which both nations reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the bilateral trade agreement.
The FTA discussions, stalled since 2018 due to disagreements over key clauses, are now back on track, with both sides pledging to finalize a comprehensive deal. A joint statement emphasized the principles of equality, mutual benefit, and win-win outcomes.
Sri Lanka expressed gratitude for China’s efforts to promote Sri Lankan exports, while China reiterated its support for Sri Lanka’s tea, gem, and other industries.
Efforts include connecting Sri Lankan enterprises with Chinese importers and facilitating their participation in expos such as the China International Import Expo and other trade platforms.
Negotiations had previously faltered over Sri Lanka’s concerns regarding tariff liberalization timelines, tariff line percentages, and review periods. Sri Lanka sought immediate zero tariffs for 500 items and a 10-year review clause, while China proposed broader liberalization, favoring 90% of tariff lines and a 20-year review.
However, recent virtual negotiations suggest China is now more flexible on these issues.
The geopolitical backdrop adds complexity to the FTA discussions. Analysts highlight Sri Lanka’s delicate position in a proxy cold war involving China, India, and the U.S.
This rivalry has often made Sri Lanka cautious in engaging with major powers. However, the 2022 economic crisis and sovereign debt default have forced the country to seek diversified foreign investments and trade partnerships to stabilize its economy.
During President Dissanayake’s visit, Sri Lanka welcomed increased Chinese investments and committed to fostering a favorable business environment.
The joint statement outlined plans to expand cooperation in logistics, green development, and the digital economy, aiming for sustainable development and economic transformation in Sri Lanka.
China’s renewed interest in the FTA and willingness to address past disagreements reflect its broader strategic goals in the region.
For Sri Lanka, a comprehensive FTA could provide critical economic relief by boosting exports and attracting investments. Both countries appear eager to move forward, signaling a potential breakthrough in their economic partnership.
As the working group begins its deliberations, the focus will be on addressing outstanding issues and achieving a balanced agreement that benefits both nations.
