November 06, Colombo (LNW): In preparation for the upcoming general election, Sri Lanka Police have initiated a comprehensive security plan across the country. Approximately 10,500 personnel from the Sri Lanka Civil Security Force have been deployed, with additional support from officers in the Tri-Forces to ensure a safe and orderly election process.
The security measures include 131 roadblocks established nationwide, as well as temporary checkpoints at 52 vote counting centers, aimed at enhancing vigilance and maintaining security around critical election sites. This increased security presence is part of a broader strategy to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process and ensure public safety throughout the election period.
November 06, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Administration has reported that four official residences previously occupied by former ministers have yet to be handed over to the government. The residences in question were allocated to former ministers Sanath Nishantha, Mohan De Silva, R. Sampanthan, and Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse.
The Ministry stated that Mohan De Silva’s residence was anticipated to be handed over as of yesterday. Meanwhile, a senior official confirmed that Sanath Nishantha’s residence is scheduled for return by tomorrow, with instructions communicated to his wife.
In the case of former minister R. Sampanthan, the Ministry has urged his relatives to promptly return his official residence. However, some documentation issues are delaying the return of Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapakse’s official residence. Rajapakse clarified that he had already vacated the property several months ago.
The Ministry is working to expedite the return of these government residences to ensure proper allocation and usage of public resources.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that rural development and upgrading the rural people’s social and economic well-being is one of the primary objectives of the government during this term. The President expressed these views during a discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat with members of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service Association (SLAS).
The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early landslide warnings to multiple areas in eight districts, as heavy rainfall continues in parts of the island. Accordingly, a Level 1 (Amber) warning has been issued for several Divisional Secretariat Divisions (DSD) and surrounding areas in the Badulla, Galle, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara and Ratnapura districts
Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has voiced suspicions of a possible plot to assassinate her, similar to the politically motivated assassination of her husband, the late Vijaya Kumaratunga. Furthermore, the former President raised concerns over the reduction in her security detail, claiming that the move poses a direct threat to her safety, referencing past political conspiracies.
The Ministry of Public Administration said that four official residences previously occupied by former ministers have still not been handed over to the government. According to the Ministry, these residences were used by former ministers Sanath Nishantha, Mohan De Silva, R. Sampanthan, and Ajith Rajapakse.
The Court of Appeal has upheld a prison sentence given to former Deputy Minister Shantha Premaratne who was found guilty of the charges of obtaining a bribe of Rs. 50,000 from a woman after promising employment.
A 38-year-old man from Athurugiriya has been remanded until 11 November after being arrested for allegedly publishing an altered Rs. 5,000 currency note featuring the image of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on social media.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando has withdrawn the writ petition filed on his behalf with the Court of Appeal seeking an order to prevent his arrest. The petition had been filed by the ex-minister seeking an order to prevent his arrest over the case related to the unregistered BMW car allegedly belonging to him found parked in a star-class hotel premises in Colombo.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized that Sri Lanka’s core issues remain unresolved, even after 76 years of governance. Speaking at a public meeting in Puthukkudiyiruppu, Dr. Amarasuriya pointed out that despite the end of the war years ago, many citizens continue to struggle with basic problems such as inadequate education and lack of employment opportunities.
A tense situation was reported between villagers and Sri Lankan pastor, Jerome Fernando during the latter’s visit to Meepitiya in Nawalapitiya yesterday. The Nawalapitiya Police had intervened to diffuse the tension between the pastor and area residents. The villagers had alleged that the pastor was building a religious site under the pretext of constructing a rehabilitation centre and that no state entities had been informed in this regard.
The IPL player registration officially closed on November 4, 2024, with an impressive total of 1,574 players (1,165 Indian and 409 overseas) signing up to be part of the mega TATA IPL 2025 Player Auction, which will be held over two days on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The list includes 320 capped players, 1,224 uncapped players, and 30 players from Associate Nations.
November 06, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Southern and Western provinces during the evening or night.
Fairly heavy showers above 50mm are likely at some places.
Several spells of light showers may occur in Northern and North-western provinces.
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 minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers
November 05, Colombo (LNW): In line with the new government’s anti-privatization policy, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has set aside plans for privatization, opting instead to focus on an extensive internal restructuring strategy.
This approach aims to improve the utility’s operational efficiency, service standards, and financial sustainability.
The restructuring initiative was discussed and formalized during a Board of Directors meeting on October 23, where it was decided to reorganize the CEB into independent entities handling distinct aspects of electricity production and distribution.
The legislative foundation for these reforms lies in the new Electricity Act, passed by the Sri Lankan Parliament on June 6, 2024. Originally introduced on April 25, 2024, the bill was debated and later approved with a 44-vote majority. The Act supersedes previous CEB legislation, namely the Ceylon Electricity Board Act No. 17 of 1969 and the Sri Lanka Electricity Act No. 20 of 2009.
It advocates a structural overhaul that divides the state-owned utility into separate corporate units responsible for electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and trade. This unbundling is intended to enable each sector to operate more independently and efficiently.
A critical feature of the new Act is the establishment of the National Electricity Advisory Council, with the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) acting as the primary regulatory authority.
This change aligns with the government’s broader policy goals, aiming to make the CEB more transparent, accountable, and cost-effective.
Additionally, the new legislation envisions a single-buyer model for managing the utility’s finances, supported by stakeholder consultations to ensure open governance.
Despite these forward-looking plans, the legislative process faced a significant hurdle when the proposed bill was challenged in the Supreme Court.
The court ruled that several clauses were inconsistent with the Sri Lankan Constitution, necessitating amendments to bring the bill into compliance before its final approval in Parliament. The previous government addressed these concerns by amending the bill, allowing it to move forward in Parliament.
Under the newly endorsed restructuring framework, the government is set to retain ownership of all power plants and the nation’s transmission and distribution networks, thereby reinforcing its commitment to public ownership of essential utilities.
This move assuages privatization concerns while still allowing for private-sector involvement in certain areas of power generation, transmission, and distribution.
The restructuring also targets substantial improvements in service quality and customer satisfaction, along with efforts to lower Sri Lanka’s electricity costs, setting an ambitious goal to achieve the lowest rates in the region within five years.
The CEB’s leadership views these objectives as critical to meeting the country’s socio-economic needs while also supporting the wellbeing of its employees.
However, trade union representatives, particularly from the opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), have expressed concerns over this restructuring plan. SJB union leader Ananda Palitha argued that the division of CEB employees into newly created entities could lead to fragmentation within the organization.
At a recent press conference, Palitha criticized the government’s restructuring efforts as a continuation of previous policies under a different guise, citing concerns over job security and future privatization risks.
The restructured CEB will not only improve efficiency but is also expected to enhance accountability and transparency within the organization.
November 05, Colombo (LNW): World Trade Expo WTE 2024, inaugurated by Maharashtra’s Governor Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, provided an excellent forum for Sri Lankan businesses to establish meaningful connections with Indian counterparts.
The event concluded with a networking dinner, enabling further engagement and paving the way for promising bilateral trade relationships.
Sri Lanka’s participation underscored the country’s commitment to expanding its presence in India, with positive prospects for future trade collaborations, increased exports, and strengthened economic ties across sectors.
The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, together with the Industrial Development Board and the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka organised the Sri Lanka Pavilion at the fifth edition of the World Trade Expo (WTE 2024).
WTE 2024 was organised by the World Trade Center Mumbai in collaboration with All India Association of Industries (AIAI) from 17 to 18 October with a focus on trade, technology, tourism and education.
Over 30 countries, prominent state governments, institutions and trade bodies offering various opportunities across sectors participated in the event and facilitated bi-lateral trade, investment and education.
Representatives of four Sri Lankan companies in the fields of Ceylon spices, coconut products, cocoa products, dehydrated fruits, and Ceylon tea, took part in the Sri Lankan Pavilion.
The expo was also an effective platform for MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, start-ups and other stakeholders to explore trade possibilities for collaborations, partnerships and technology transfers.
The World Trade Expo was inaugurated by Governor of Maharashtra, Shri C.P. Radhakrishnan, who was the chief guest of the event. Governor Radhakrishnan inaugurated the Sri Lankan pavilion.
On the second day of the Expo, a series of country presentations were conducted to provide insights into various trade and investment landscapes. A
ctg. Consul General of Sri Lanka in Mumbai, Shirani Ariyarathne delivered a presentation on trade, tourism, and investment opportunities in Sri Lanka and its potential for growth and prospective partnerships.
Participants from Sri Lanka introduced new value added cinnamon, coconut and cocoa products, and dehydrated fruits and nuts to the Indian market during the expo.
WTE 2024 concluded with a networking dinner for participants, facilitating valuable connections and discussions for future collaboration. The participating companies were able to establish productive connections that will further boost new business opportunities.
November 05, Colombo (LNW): Following a travel warning from Israel’s National Security Council urging citizens to leave Sri Lanka due to a potential terrorist threat, the number of Israeli tourists in the country has plummeted from 514 to a mere 125.
Sources from the Sri Lanka Tourist Police Unit have reported that the few Israeli visitors still present are primarily located in popular tourist areas such as Ella and various destinations along the Southern coast.
On October 23, the National Security Council advised Israeli nationals to vacate tourist hotspots in the South, East, and West coastal towns due to the identified risk of attacks. It recommended that citizens either move to Colombo, where security forces are more concentrated, or consider leaving the country entirely.
The advisory further urged Israeli tourists to hide any indicators of their nationality and avoid crowded places.
The remaining 125 Israeli tourists hold three-month visas, leading to uncertainty about their intentions to either remain or depart in the coming weeks, according to the sources.
At the time the advisory was issued, Israeli travelers were primarily found in hotspots such as Arugam Bay, Pottuvil, Ahangama, Mirissa, Galle, Hikkaduwa, and Weligama—regions renowned for their surfing opportunities and relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Interestingly, despite the travel advisories from various countries including the US, UK, Australia, Russia, Canada, and New Zealand, tourist arrivals from other key markets have remained robust.
While these nations have cautioned their citizens regarding travel to Sri Lanka, there has not been a significant decrease in tourist numbers. Officials report that security measures have been bolstered across all major tourist locations nationwide.
In the first few days of November alone, over 20,000 international tourists have arrived, with no notable decline in visits following the advisories.
Six of the seven countries that issued warnings, with New Zealand being the exception, are among Sri Lanka’s top 20 source markets, together accounting for approximately 30% of total arrivals for 2024.
The initial advisory from the US Embassy in Colombo indicated credible threats of a potential attack in Arugam Bay, a popular surfing destination on the Eastern coast. This alert was quickly mirrored by similar warnings from other nations, including Israel.
To reassure international visitors, the Sri Lanka Tourist Police have confirmed that extensive security measures are being implemented. As the peak tourism season approaches, the industry aims to sustain its attractiveness to global travelers, striving to achieve a target of 2 million arrivals and $3 billion in revenue.
November 05, Colombo (LNW): Under the new administration of the NPP government, export development is set to gain momentum as Sri Lanka renews its ties with Michelin, the global leader in tire manufacturing.
This partnership established under the new government is expected to boost economic growth through enhanced export strategies that align with Michelin’s international goals.
The collaboration reflects a commitment to supporting local industries and establishing long-term trade relationships that benefit the country’s economy.
This renewed collaboration between Michelin and the NPP-led government highlights a promising future for Sri Lanka’s export framework, positioning the country as a competitive player in the global rubber industry.
The NPP government’s support for Michelin exemplifies its proactive stance in fostering economic resilience and industrial growth, reinforcing Sri Lanka’s presence in international trade.
Michelin, the French tire giant, first entered Sri Lanka in 2018 through its acquisition of Camso-Loadstar, making it the largest French investor and one of the leading exporters in the country.
The company produces solid tires, tracks, and sprockets for the construction and material-handling sectors and employs nearly 6,000 people across the island.
On November 1, a high-profile delegation from Michelin met with Mangala Wijesinghe, the newly appointed Chairman of the Export Development Board (EDB), to discuss strategies for advancing Sri Lanka’s rubber manufacturing sector.
The Michelin delegation included Eric Le Corre, Corporate Vice President of Public Affairs at Michelin’s France headquarters; Koenraad Pringiers, Public Affairs Consultant; and Nilanthi Weliwe, Head of Legal Affairs at Michelin’s local operations.
During the discussions, Michelin’s representatives emphasized the need for proactive government policies to boost local rubber production, which would help increase the volume of value-added rubber products.
They also proposed expanding market access through Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and advocated for the creation of a dedicated rubber zone to enhance the production of diverse rubber products on the island.
The EDB issued a statement underscoring the agency’s commitment to supporting Michelin’s growth in Sri Lanka, with EDB Chief Mangala Wijesinghe assuring that the new government would fully support Michelin’s export objectives through investor-friendly policies.
Michelin is globally recognized as the second-largest tire manufacturer, famous for inventing the detachable tire. With 123 production sites across 26 countries and a commercial presence in 170 nations, Michelin employs around 125,000 people worldwide.
In Asia, Michelin maintains a strong foothold in key markets, including Thailand, China, India, and Sri Lanka.
Since its entry into Sri Lanka in 2018, Michelin has manufactured and exported agricultural and industrial solid tires and tracks, and currently has nearly 6,000 employees throughout the island.
The EDB has closely collaborated with Michelin’s Sri Lankan operations, supporting the participation of technical personnel in workshops on tire compounding, technology, innovation, and research and development from 2018 to 2023.
The EDB also facilitated factory operations during the COVID-19 period, reinforcing its commitment to helping Michelin navigate operational challenges in Sri Lanka.
November 05, Colombo (LNW): Former Minister Johnston Fernando has formally withdrawn a writ petition filed with the Court of Appeal, which had sought to prevent his arrest in connection with an investigation into an unregistered BMW found on a luxury hotel property in Colombo.
The vehicle, allegedly linked to Fernando, became the subject of legal scrutiny following its discovery.
The appeal, initially submitted to the Court of Appeal, was heard by Judges Mohammad Lafar Thahir and P. Kumaran Ratnam.
During this session, Fernando’s legal representatives informed the bench that their client had already secured bail through the Magistrate’s Court, rendering further pursuit of the writ unnecessary.
Consequently, they requested permission to withdraw the petition.
The Court of Appeal granted the request, officially allowing the withdrawal and subsequently dismissing the petition.
This decision effectively concludes Fernando’s bid to prevent his arrest in the matter.
November 05, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has announced a notable change in the format of ballot papers for the upcoming Parliamentary Election, specifically affecting the Polonnaruwa, Monaragala, and Kegalle districts.
In a statement released recently, the Commission revealed that the ballot papers in these regions will feature a single-column layout.
This decision is based on the relatively lower number of recognised political parties and independent candidates contesting in these districts compared to others across the country.
In contrast, ballot papers for the remaining districts will continue to be printed in a two-column format.
This differentiation aims to streamline the voting process in areas where the candidate pool is less extensive, making it easier for voters to navigate their options.
Voters in the affected districts are advised to mark an ‘X’ in the empty box adjacent to the name and symbol of their chosen political party or the designated number and symbol for independent groups.
Additionally, the Election Commission has clarified that voters will have the option to indicate preference votes for up to three candidates after casting their primary vote.
This can be done by marking ‘X’ in the boxes corresponding to the numbers assigned to each candidate on the ballot paper.
This adjustment is designed to enhance voter experience and clarity, ensuring that the electoral process is as straightforward as possible.
The Commission encourages all voters to familiarise themselves with the new format ahead of the election, thereby promoting a smoother and more efficient voting process on polling day.
