In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the Government of the Philippines has officially extended the validity period of Temporary Residence Visas (TRVs) for Sri Lankan nationals married to Filipino citizens from two years to five years. The move addresses a long-standing concern of the Sri Lankan expatriate community living in the Philippines.
Previously, TRVs were granted for only two years and required frequent renewals, often resulting in the retention of passports for extended periods. This caused major inconveniences, particularly for Sri Lankans who needed to travel for business or urgent personal matters.
The extension follows persistent diplomatic efforts led by Ambassador Chanaka Talpahewa, who, upon assuming office, prioritized the issue. In response to community appeals, the Ambassador engaged in high-level discussions with Philippine government leaders, including the Vice President, Foreign Secretary, Under Secretaries, and key officials across multiple departments and agencies.
Thanks to these coordinated efforts, the Philippine Government has now formally implemented the five-year TRV policy, offering much-needed relief to affected individuals and reaffirming the strengthening bilateral relationshipbetween Sri Lanka and the Philippines.
This development not only enhances the quality of life for Sri Lankans residing in the Philippines but also marks a significant milestone in diplomatic engagement and community-focused foreign policy.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addressing the national World Environment Day ceremony at Nidahas Mawatha in Kegalle, delivered a powerful call to action, declaring that restoring Sri Lanka’s natural environment is a civic and moral duty that spans generations. He emphasized that ecological preservation must become a unifying national mission, transcending politics and bureaucracy.
In his impassioned speech, the President underscored the need to dismantle the entrenched political culture that has enabled environmental destruction for decades. “The political authority behind environmental degradation has been dismantled. The time for change has come,” he told public officials, urging them to abandon outdated practices and align with the government’s commitment to environmental protection.
This year’s national campaign, aligned with the global theme “Beat Plastic Pollution”, is locally anchored by the sub-theme “Let It Sprout”, with a focus on restoration and regeneration. The President stressed that this campaign is not merely symbolic but a tangible commitment to ecological recovery.
Key Initiatives Announced:
Declaration of Bandula Pethiya’s (Bandula Barb) habitat as a protected sanctuary
Gazetting of four new nature reserves, including the Nilgala Conservation Area
Designation of three schools as Eco-Friendly Model Institutions
Launch of a Green Railway Station evaluation system
The ceremony was jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ Secretariat, state institutions, and environmental organisations.
In a deeply personal reflection, President Dissanayake described the environmental changes he has witnessed in his own lifetime—from accessible groundwater in Anuradhapura to water scarcity and dried-up forest ecosystems. “We never imagined shops in Anuradhapura selling water,” he said, painting a stark contrast between past abundance and present scarcity.
Notable Excerpts from the President’s Speech:
“This is not just another speech. It is a deep expression of commitment and responsibility toward our motherland.”
“We are facing a profound ecological tragedy. If this degradation continues, we will leave future generations with an irreversible catastrophe.”
“Sri Lanka has strong environmental laws and a robust state system, but political protection of destruction must end.”
“Either you change, or we will change you.”
The President also addressed the issue of corruption within public service institutions, linking it to environmental decay. He cited recent findings of misconduct in the Immigration Department, Customs, and mining authorities, asserting that systemic reform was essential to achieving environmental goals.
As Sri Lanka grapples with the dual challenges of climate change and ecological degradation, President Dissanayake’s speech marked a definitive shift in tone—signalling a new era of political will and public accountability in environmental governance.
Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva and Eastern provinces and in Vavuniya and Mullaittivu districts during the afternoon or night.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Southern province.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers
June 05, Colombo (LNW): Duminda Dissanayake, a former cabinet minister and the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s organiser for the Anuradhapura District, will remain in custody until June 19, following a ruling by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court.
Dissanayake was taken into custody on May 23 after authorities uncovered a gold-plated T-56 assault rifle at a residential property in Colombo’s Havelock Town. The weapon, which raised serious concerns due to its customised nature and potential symbolic significance, was discovered during a broader operation involving security services.
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) is currently leading inquiries into the case, focusing on how the weapon came to be at the location and whether it is connected to any illicit or politically motivated activities.
Dissanayake was initially remanded a day after his arrest, with investigators citing the need for extended custody to probe deeper into the weapon’s provenance and any possible networks associated with it.
June 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s foreign employment sector—vital for national income and family livelihoods—is facing a crisis of credibility amid revelations of large-scale financial mismanagement and fraud within the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).
Alarming findings unveiled by the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) have cast a shadow over the Bureau’s operations, with unplanned expenditures and fraudulent practices threatening the integrity of overseas job opportunities for thousands of Sri Lankans.
At the centre of the controversy is the SLBFE’s unauthorized spending of more than Rs. 1.3 billion on two initiatives in 2024—the ‘Glocal Fair’ and ‘Vigamanika Harasara’—which were not included in its annual action plan and had no Cabinet approval prior to execution.
These findings came to light during a COPE meeting chaired by Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, where parliamentarians condemned the Bureau for diverting significant public funds away from essential services.
The ‘Vigamanika Harasara’ initiative, aimed at connecting with migrant worker communities in three provinces, cost Rs. 63 million.
However, it was dwarfed by the Rs. 1.259 billion price tag attached to the ‘Glocal Fair’, a programme that purported to bring Foreign Employment Ministry services to rural areas. Notably, the ‘Glocal Fair’ was launched without Cabinet clearance, with approval sought only after the programme was already underway.
COPE members sharply criticised the Bureau for these expenditures, pointing out that only Rs. 2 million had been typically allocated for such outreach programmes in previous years. Questions were also raised about inflated costs—such as trade stalls priced at Rs. 170,000 and Rs. 500,000—suggesting potential procurement irregularities.
“The Bureau has clearly deviated from its core responsibilities,” said COPE Chair Dr. Samaraweera, stressing that resources intended for sustainable development were being misdirected into poorly planned ventures.
Adding to the Bureau’s woes, COPE also flagged the failure of a housing loan initiative named ‘Rataviruwo,’ launched in 2013 in collaboration with the Samurdhi Authority. The Bureau has yet to recover Rs. 100 million from the programme, which never delivered on its objectives. Officials admitted they have no data on who benefitted and were ordered to produce a full report.
Parliamentarians further urged the SLBFE to use its Rs. 18 billion in fixed deposits more strategically. Likewise, the dormant Kuwait Compensation Fund—holding Rs. 5.1 billion as of end-2023—was cited as an untapped resource. Officials said the fund would be used for domestic worker training and to develop a pension scheme for migrant workers.
Most concerning, however, were COPE’s revelations of financial fraud involving employment agencies. Some agencies were reportedly misrepresenting independently migrating workers as agency-sponsored to fraudulently claim a 70% refund on registration fees. A sub-committee will be appointed to investigate these allegations.
June 05, Colombo (LNW): State-owned SriLankan Airlines has taken a bold step towards expansion despite ongoing financial struggles, with the arrival of a new Airbus A330-200 aircraft from France. The wide-body aircraft, which flew low over Colombo and Katunayake before landing at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), marks the airline’s first addition under its renewed fleet expansion plan.
The A330-200, welcomed by large crowds in Colombo, is expected to enhance both long-haul and short-haul international operations. In a statement, SriLankan Airlines said the new aircraft will help improve connectivity between Sri Lanka and global destinations. The fly-past event was seen as a symbolic boost to the airline’s re-fleeting strategy.
Despite the celebration, the airline remains in a precarious financial position. According to Harsha de Silva, Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises, SriLankan Airlines has been incurring losses on 31 out of 45 routes, accumulating a loss of Rs. 3.4 billion by March 2025. Passenger revenue dropped by Rs. 40 billion, although fuel costs decreased by Rs. 23 billion. The airline also holds liabilities of $978 million and Rs. 51 billion in domestic debt, with a bond restructuring involving interest arrears of around $200 million.
The airline’s leadership is now pursuing what has been dubbed the ‘Hayleys Plan’ to expand the fleet to 25 aircraft by leasing five more planes across 2025 and 2026. Chairman Sarath Ganegoda said the company has scrapped previous plans approved by the former government to lease four wide-body aircraft and is currently negotiating new deals under more favorable terms.
Ganegoda noted that although a previous cabinet decision had approved leases with ORIX Aviation and Aergo Capital, those agreements have not progressed. Instead, SriLankan is now focused on acquiring aircraft to re-enter several profitable routes that have been left unserved due to capacity shortages—such as Beijing-Colombo and Nairobi-Colombo, which are considered strategic connections for passengers traveling to Australia.
The airline, which currently operates an all-Airbus fleet of 22 aircraft (nine A330s and 13 A320/A321s), aims to increase its global market share from 35% to 45% over the next five years. However, the financial restructuring process remains incomplete. The 2025 national budget allocated Rs. 20 billion to address the airline’s legacy debt following past losses and mismanagement, including a failed A350 re-fleeting deal.
As part of its recovery and growth strategy, SriLankan is expected to add at least two more aircraft by the end of 2025, positioning itself to compete more effectively on profitable international routes.
June 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has launched the National Credit Guarantee Institution Ltd (NCGIL) to transform small and medium enterprise (SME) financing by enabling cashflow-based lending without the need for traditional collateral.
Established under the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Enhancing Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Financing Project, NCGIL was created with a $50 million ADB loan. It provides participating lenders with a 67% credit guarantee on SME loans, significantly reducing their exposure to risk and encouraging broader lending.
Deputy Finance Minister Harshana Suriyapperuma said the initiative empowers banks to evaluate businesses based on viability and cashflow, rather than fixed assets. “It’s important for banks to understand risk profiles and support SMEs, which are crucial to economic growth,” he said.
He noted that while SMEs are often seen as high-risk due to their limited resilience to economic shocks, NCGIL offers them a new pathway to access finance, especially in the absence of collateral.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka played a key role in the initiative, aligning it with broader financial reforms. Governor. Nandalal Weerasinghe highlighted that NCGIL supports both financial inclusion and systemic stability. He emphasized that lending decisions often depend on banks’ risk appetite, which can exclude underserved sectors. “Some parts of the economy have easier access to credit, while others don’t—mainly due to perceived risk,” he said.
Weerasinghe added that this gap is being addressed through complementary reforms such as enhanced credit information systems and the introduction of modern bankruptcy laws, which would allow struggling businesses to transition to new ownership more efficiently.
ADB’s Country Director for Sri Lanka, Takafumi Kadono, said the institution has not only provided capital but also supported the governance structure and sustainability model of NCGIL. He pointed out that the initiative is particularly significant for women entrepreneurs, who have historically faced greater challenges in securing loans due to lack of collateral.
Kadono added, “This lack of collateral has long been a major obstacle for SMEs. ADB’s support goes beyond funding—it aims to strengthen banking systems, improve lending practices, and promote inclusive financing.”
To ensure long-term success, the Central Bank is also promoting financial literacy across regions, aiming to equip entrepreneurs with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the formal financial system.
The creation of NCGIL is expected to strengthen Sri Lanka’s financial ecosystem and unlock growth potential in the SME sector, which represents a key driver of employment and innovation in the country.
June 05, Colombo (LNW): David Peiris Aviation (DP Aviation) has initiated its first trial flight service from Colombo international airport in Ratmalana to the Jaffna International Airport in Palaly.
This move is part of a broader Government vision to expand local aviation infrastructure and improve regional connectivity. The trial flight, which took place on Monday (2) under the supervision of officials from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL), successfully landed at the Jaffna International Airport at 1.05 p.m..
According to the CAASL’s Department Head, this marks the revival of Colombo – Jaffna air services after a two-year hiatus. “Our goal is to develop strong domestic flight operations across the country. Today’s qualification flight, conducted by DP Aviation, met all regulatory and safety standards,” he said.
The Colombo – Jaffna service, currently in its trial phase, is expected to transition into a regular commercial service soon. DP Aviation has confirmed plans to operate flights three days a week.
Each flight will accommodate 11 passengers with a baggage allowance of seven kilogrammes per person. The total travel time for a one-way journey is nearly 1 hour and 10 minutes, with a round-trip fare set at Rs 68,000.
Discussions are also underway to extend services from Colombo to Jaffna via BIA in Katunayake. The necessary preparations at Katunayake are nearing completion and CAASL has expressed readiness to approve the route upon formal application from the airline.
DP Aviation also revealed its long-term goal of offering international connectivity via Jaffna. This would enable passengers to travel abroad from the Northern region, potentially transforming Jaffna into a new hub for international travel in the future.
The captain of the test flight confirmed that all operational requirements had been met and expressed the airline’s commitment to enhancing regional connectivity. “We are ready to expand our services further and will soon submit applications to operate from Katunayake as well,” he added.
A joint venture organized by the Association of Old Anandians Sports club in UK, and the Musaeus College Old Girls’ Association in UK titled: “PARANA WAADIYA”; a melodious Music Concert was held recently in Wembley, a large suburb in the London Borough of Brent, north-west London, with the participation of a massive assembly of Sri Lankans residing in the UK.
Extremely popular Artists of the current Sri Lankan concert arena, namely: Dumal Warnakulasuriya, an old Anandian as well as famed Sri Lankan Actor and Singer Madhumadhawa Aravinda, Visharad Weerasiri Malwatta, Visharad Anusha Malwatta, Music Visharad Danusha Samanmalee Ratnayake enlightened the said audience with their splendid and spectacular singing performances.
Moreover, Sri Lankans residing in the UK, who have mastered the Art of Music and Dance too contributed by and large to the said event, with their monumental performances in Singing and Dancing. The music of the event was conducted by the Viraaga Orchestra led by Vimarsha Jayasighe.
The Chairman of the Old Anandian’s Sports club, Mr. Chinthaka Gunawardena: and the Chairperson of the Musaeus College Old Girls’ Association Attorney Mrs. Chamila Udagedara; stated that their consecutive organisations are planning on conducting high standard, top-notch music events of the nature, on an yearly basis in the future, for Sri Lankans residing in the UK.
June 05, Colombo (LNW): The government has signalled its readiness to impose a Maximum Retail Price (MRP) on salt in the coming days, should unjustified price increases persist in the local market.
The warning comes amid growing concern that certain importers and wholesale traders are exploiting the current shortfall in domestic salt supply to drive up prices.
Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe addressing journalists at a media briefing expressed firm disapproval of profiteering efforts within the import sector. He clarified that the recent decision to permit salt imports was intended solely as a temporary measure to ease a supply shortage and was never meant to serve as an opportunity for commercial gain at the public’s expense.
Minister Samarasinghe pointed out that the cost of a kilogram of imported salt stands at approximately Rs. 77, even after factoring in a hefty 40% government tax.
“Even if one rounds it up to Rs. 80, it is still possible for wholesalers to earn a decent profit,” he said. “Margins of Rs. 10, Rs. 20 or even Rs. 30 may be justifiable under certain conditions — but anything beyond that would be considered exploitative.”
He went on to issue a direct warning to those attempting to manipulate market dynamics. “If there is any sign of price rigging or attempts to engineer an artificial shortage to inflate prices, the government will not hesitate to enforce a price ceiling without further notice,” the Minister said.
