June 30, Colombo (LNW): A man previously flagged for suspected involvement in extremist activities has been taken into custody after he was found recording video near a high-profile religious gathering in Colombo.

The individual, identified as 27-year-old Mohamed Shafrool, also known by the alias “Podi Zaharan”, was arrested in the vicinity of a mosque in Bambalapitiya where a major spiritual convention of the Dawoodi Bohra community is presently underway.

The arrest was made on Friday by officers from the Bambalapitiya police division following reports of a person behaving suspiciously near the convention site.

Shafrool, reportedly a resident of Kandy, was observed recording video footage close to the area where the event was being held, prompting swift action from law enforcement officials stationed nearby.

Authorities have confirmed that the suspect has a prior history with the security services. He had previously been detained in connection with investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, a series of coordinated attacks that deeply shook the nation and led to extensive counterterrorism operations across the island.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): Assistant Superintendent of Police F.U. Wootler, who is also a practising Attorney-at-Law, has been officially appointed as the new spokesperson for the Sri Lanka Police.

His appointment marks a step up from his previous role as Assistant Director within the Police Media Division, where he was closely involved in managing communication strategies and liaising with the press.

The position was previously held by Senior Superintendent of Police and Attorney-at-Law Buddhika Manatunga, who has now been transferred to lead police operations in the Polonnaruwa Division.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): Former Cabinet Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and one-time Director General of the Board of Investment (BOI), Jayantha Edirisinghe, appeared before the Colombo High Court today (30) as they faced formal indictments over alleged financial misconduct linked to state resources.

The legal action, initiated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), centres on accusations that the pair were responsible for a financial loss exceeding Rs. 1.7 million to the state.

The case pertains to the use of BOI funds for a series of newspaper advertisements that were published to mark the second anniversary of the swearing-in of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa in 2014.

The charges were read out before High Court Judge Pradeep Abeyratne during a scheduled hearing. Prosecutors contend that the promotional material had no direct bearing on the official mandate of the BOI and was instead a politically motivated expenditure, raising questions about the misuse of public funds for partisan purposes.

Both defendants were granted bail following the submission of indictments. Conditions of their release include reporting to relevant authorities and a restriction on foreign travel pending further proceedings.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court has raised constitutional concerns over several provisions within the proposed Electricity Amendment Bill, according to a formal announcement made in Parliament by Deputy Speaker Dr Rizvie Salih.

Delivering the Court’s determination, Dr Salih informed the House that certain sections of the draft legislation have been deemed inconsistent with the Constitution.

As a result, these particular provisions—if left unaltered—would require not only the backing of a two-thirds majority in Parliament but also the endorsement of the public through a national referendum.

However, the Deputy Speaker went on to clarify that these constitutional barriers can be bypassed if the relevant sections of the bill are revised in accordance with the Supreme Court’s recommendations.

Such amendments would allow the legislation to proceed through Parliament under standard approval mechanisms, avoiding the need for a public vote.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): The cost of printed books in Sri Lanka has surged by approximately 20 per cent, prompting alarm among industry stakeholders who warn that the tax-driven price hike could deal a serious blow to the country’s publishing and literary sectors.

Speaking at the anniversary gathering of the National Book Traders Association, Samantha Indeewara, President of the Sri Lanka Book Publishers’ Association, drew attention to the recent introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) and Nation Building Tax (NBT) on printed publications.

He noted that the shift marks a dramatic departure from previous tax policy, where printed books had been exempt from VAT.

According to Indeewara, confusion has arisen over the application of taxes to different product categories, particularly with officials failing to distinguish between stationery and books. “There has been a misunderstanding. Stationery already carried a small VAT component—around 3 per cent—but printed books were taxed at zero. That has now jumped to 18 percent, a significant and sudden increase,” he explained.

The revised tax policy, introduced in January 2024, has drawn sharp criticism from within the industry, with many fearing long-term damage to reading culture and educational accessibility. Indeewara also revealed that the industry had received correspondence from the Presidential Secretariat around a month ago, indicating that an internal review of VAT implications was underway, though no definitive outcome has been communicated.

Gamini Moragoda, Patron of the National Book Traders Association, also voiced concern, describing the new tax framework as unprecedented and detrimental. “We are now seeing a tax imposed on books that is unlike anything found in most parts of the world. This is a policy reversal not seen in 75 years, and its consequences will be felt most acutely by students and families. If this persists, books will soon be out of reach for the average child,” he stated.

Industry leaders are calling on policymakers to re-examine the decision urgently, warning that continued taxation on books could lead to a decline in literacy, further strain on publishers, and reduced access to learning materials for future generations.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): In a move aimed at reinforcing operational efficiency and leadership across multiple branches of law enforcement, the Sri Lanka Police Headquarters has confirmed a series of senior-level officer transfers.

Amongst the significant appointments, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) H.W.I.S. Muthumala, who previously headed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), will now lead the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women.

SSP K.C. Ariyawansa, formerly serving in the Gampola Division, has been entrusted with the leadership of the Central Crimes Investigation Bureau.

In the sphere of police training and leadership development, SSP C. Gunaratna, previously the Director of the Police Cadet Division, will assume directorship of the Sri Lanka Police Academy. He will continue to oversee the Cadet Division, ensuring continuity and cohesion in police training standards.

Meanwhile, SSP B.A.E. Prasanna will take charge of the Kebithigollewa Division, having previously served in Mount Lavinia, while SSP A.J. Gunasekara, who was formerly responsible for the Bureau for the Investigation of Abuse of Children and Women, has been appointed to the Mount Lavinia Division in exchange.

Further transfers include SSP B.D. Gunasekara, who will shift from the Badulla Division to assume duties in the Colombo Central Division. Additionally, SSP Y.B. Krishantha has been reassigned from Kebithigollewa to the Field Force Headquarters.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has launched a nationwide mosquito eradication drive today (30), marking the start of a week-long campaign aimed at curbing the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya.

The initiative, which will run until July 05, comes in response to a notable surge in infections following recent bouts of heavy rainfall across the island.

With stagnant water providing ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, health officials are stepping up efforts to tackle the root causes of disease outbreaks. The campaign is being spearheaded by the National Dengue Control Unit and involves coordinated action in 16 districts, where more than 1,000 specialised teams have been mobilised to carry out inspections, cleaning operations, and educational outreach.

According to the latest figures from the National Dengue Control Unit, over 28,000 dengue cases have been recorded since the beginning of the year, with the Western Province bearing the brunt of the epidemic.

Alarmingly, 16 deaths linked to the disease have been confirmed during this period, prompting renewed urgency among health authorities.

The campaign will prioritise areas that have been flagged as high-risk, including densely populated neighbourhoods and neglected urban zones with poor waste management.

Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions identified as hotspots are being given particular attention, with community involvement being strongly encouraged.

Dr Prashila Samarawira, a community health expert at the National Dengue Control Unit, noted that public participation is critical to the success of the campaign.

She stressed the importance of household vigilance, urging residents to eliminate breeding grounds by clearing gutters, covering water storage containers, and discarding items that can collect rainwater.

Public health officials hope that this intensified national effort will help curb the current outbreak and set a foundation for sustained mosquito control throughout the year.

The government has also called on schools, workplaces, and local councils to support the campaign through coordinated clean-up activities and awareness programmes.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Parliament is meeting in a special session today (30), commencing at 9:30 a.m., to receive the Government’s Mid-Year Fiscal Strategy Statement.

The session is being held under the direction of Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne, following a formal request from the Prime Minister in line with Standing Order 16.

This annual presentation is a statutory requirement under Section 11 of the State Financial Management Act No. 44 of 2024, which obliges the Government to deliver a comprehensive overview of its fiscal approach by June 30 each year.

The statement is expected to shed light on revenue policies, expenditure trends, debt strategies, and broader macroeconomic objectives for the second half of the year.

Today’s proceedings are considered crucial, as they offer Parliament an opportunity to scrutinise the financial direction of the Government at a time of ongoing economic adjustment and recovery.

The presentation will be followed by a debate on the adjournment motion, allowing Members of Parliament to raise concerns, propose alternatives, and engage in dialogue until 4:30 p.m.

Parliament will next meet on July 8, 9, and 11, when attention is expected to return to pending legislation and policy matters carried over from the previous sessions.

June 30, Colombo (LNW): A wave of tragic incidents involving fishing boats has prompted the Ministry of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources to launch a formal investigation into the causes of several recent capsizings in Sri Lankan waters.

Deputy Minister Rathna Gamage announced that a dedicated committee has been established to examine the circumstances surrounding the accidents and to recommend preventive measures aimed at safeguarding the country’s fishing community.

The decision follows a string of maritime accidents reported over the past three days, which have claimed the lives of at least five fishermen, with two others still unaccounted for. The incidents have raised alarm across coastal regions, with many calling for urgent improvements in maritime safety protocols.

In the most recent incident, a fishing vessel carrying six crew members capsized early this morning off Paravi Wella Beach in Tangalle. Four of the fishermen were rescued through the efforts of nearby boats, while search teams recovered the body of one missing crew member later in the afternoon. One fisherman remains missing, with rescue operations continuing under challenging sea conditions.

Yesterday, police confirmed that the bodies of two brothers—Nadun Kumara and Duminda Nadun Kumara—were found washed ashore at Bentota Beach. The pair, residents of Aluthgama, had been declared missing after their boat overturned in rough waters near Moragalla, Beruwala on June 28.

Additionally, a separate accident that occurred off the coast of Galle on June 27 resulted in the deaths of two more fishermen, whose bodies were recovered the following day. The vessel, which had departed from Dondra Fisheries Harbour with five men aboard, encountered severe weather conditions before capsizing. The remaining two crew members were successfully rescued.

Deputy Minister Gamage emphasised the urgent need to address these recurring incidents through a comprehensive review of safety practices, vessel readiness, and early warning systems. The newly appointed committee is expected to consult with the Navy, the Meteorological Department, and fishing community leaders to compile a detailed report.