November 18, Colombo (LNW): A fresh gazette notice has confirmed that the Gambling Regulatory Authority Act, No. 17 of 2025, will officially come into operation on December 01, 2025.
The announcement, dated November 16 and signed by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, marks the final step in bringing the long-debated legislation into force.
Parliament approved the bill with amendments during its Second Reading on August 19, 2025, paving the way for a comprehensive overhaul of Sri Lanka’s gambling framework.
The new Act effectively dissolves several long-standing laws, including the Betting on Horse-Racing Ordinance, the Gaming Ordinance, and the 2010 Casino Business Regulation Act.
Under the new regime, the Gambling Regulatory Authority will serve as a centralised, independent body responsible for supervising all gaming activity in the country. Its mandate extends to issuing binding social-responsibility guidelines, particularly targeting online platforms, offshore gaming operations, and activities conducted aboard vessels or within the Colombo Port City.
New Gambling Regulatory Authority to Take Effect on Dec 01
Is Sri Lanka sacrificing its entrepreneurs for short-term gain?
By Panduka Keerthinanda, Attorney-at-Law
The government’s recent budget, with its well-intentioned promise to build a more equitable society, has brought a familiar refrain: higher taxes on businesses. The new mandate, which subjects every business with a monthly turnover of 3 million LKR to an 18% VAT, is presented as a progressive tool. The objective is noble to fund social programmes and provide a financial lifeline to our most vulnerable citizens. No one can argue with the goal of lifting people out of poverty.
However, we must pause and ask a critical question: At what cost does this revenue come? There is a growing fear that this policy, rather than building a stable and equitable society, will systematically dismantle the very engine of our economy: our high-end entrepreneurs and established small to medium enterprises (SMEs).
The unseen burden on the backbone of the economy
Labelling a business with a 3 million LKR monthly turnover as a “high-income earner” is a fundamental miscalculation. Turnover is not profit. A business generating 36 million LKR annually in revenue may have razor-thin profit margins after accounting for raw material costs, skyrocketing utility bills, employee salaries, loan repayments, and transportation. Imposing an 18% VAT on the total revenue, not profit, can easily push a viable, job-providing enterprise into the red.
Consider a local manufacturer or a tech start up. They are not the corporate giants with vast financial reserves to absorb such shocks. They are the ambitious, the innovative, and the true “antropinurs” (entrepreneurs) who have built something from nothing. This VAT policy does not just tax their income; it taxes their ambition and penalises their success.
The chilling effect on entrepreneurship
The message this policy sends is perilous: “Grow, but not too much.” The 3 million LKR threshold acts not as a gateway to contributing more to society, but as a barrier to growth. Business owners will be incentivised to artificially suppress their turnover to stay below the VAT threshold. This could mean:
Hesitating to hire new employees.
Avoiding investment in new equipment or technology.
Reducing production and scaling back expansion plans.
In essence, the policy actively discourages the growth and scalability we so desperately need to revive our economy. We are not fostering entrepreneurship; we are caging it.
The irony of “Equity”
The ultimate irony is that the quest for equity may create greater inequity. When businesses are stifled, the first to suffer are their employees. Job creation stalls, wages stagnate, and eventually, layoffs begin. The very low-income persons the government aims to support will find fewer employment opportunities. The social programmes funded by this VAT will then have to function as a permanent crutch, rather than a temporary hand-up, because the natural job-creating mechanism of the economy has been damaged.
Furthermore, the increased cost of doing business will inevitably be passed on to the consumer. The 18% VAT will be baked into the price of goods and services, fuelling inflation and eroding the purchasing power of every citizen, including the poor. This creates a vicious cycle where the government taxes to provide support, while its own policies make the cost of living more unaffordable.
We must move beyond simplistic taxation that views businesses as mere piggy banks to be broken for social spending. A truly progressive and equitable system would:
Tax Profit, Not Turnover: The core of the issue. Taxing net income is a fair measure of a company’s ability to pay.
Simplify the Tax Regime: Create a clear, predictable, and easy-to-comply system that encourages formalisation, not evasion.
Invest in the Ecosystem: Use tax revenue not just for consumption (social programmes) but for investment in infrastructure, education, and innovation grants that help businesses grow and create higher-quality jobs in the country.
The goal of a more equitable Sri Lanka is shared by all. But we cannot build a stable house by burning the foundations. Our entrepreneurs are not the enemy; they are our greatest asset. It is time for a policy that nurtures them, not one that cripples them with well-intentioned but ultimately destructive taxes.
The government need to reconsider this approach and collaborate on a framework that fosters both growth and justice, ensuring that our pursuit of equity does not come at the cost of our prosperity.
New Digital Payment System Launched for Sri Lankan Pilgrims Visiting India
November 18, Colombo (LNW): A pilot scheme enabling Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims to use a digital payment service while travelling in India was officially unveiled on Monday (17).
The initiative, spearheaded by the Sri Lankan High Commission in India in collaboration with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), introduces the UPI One World platform to Sri Lankan travellers.
The system allows users to make secure, instant payments throughout India without needing an Indian mobile number, offering a modern alternative to carrying cash.
The launch, held at the High Commission in New Delhi, was attended by senior officials including Ven. Beragama Vimala Buddhi Thera, Administrative Secretary of the Buddhist Pilgrims’ Rest, along with Ravi Kant Sharma and Vivek Garg from NPCI.
Officials highlighted that the platform will also support Sri Lankans visiting India for medical purposes, providing safer and more flexible payment options during their stay.
According to the High Commission, the introduction of UPI One World is a significant step in enhancing the travel experience for Sri Lankan visitors, strengthening people-to-people connections, and reflecting growing collaboration between Sri Lanka and India in digital innovation and tourism facilitation.
Renowned Broadcaster Chithra Kumari Kalubowila Passes Away
November 18, Colombo (LNW): Veteran radio personality and journalist Chithra Kumari Kalubowila has passed away at the age of 68, according to family sources.
Ms. Kalubowila began her distinguished career in broadcasting in 1979, spending several decades at the Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
During her tenure, she rose to the position of Directress of the Sinhala Commercial Service and became a familiar voice and face to generations of listeners and viewers.
An award-winning radio presenter, news anchor, and accomplished radio drama artist, she had been receiving treatment for an illness prior to her death.
Colleagues and fans alike have expressed their condolences, remembering her for her professionalism, warm on-air presence, and lasting contribution to Sri Lanka’s broadcasting landscape.
Cabinet Clears Path to Scrap Long-Standing Parliamentary Pension Scheme
November 18, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet has given the green light for a draft bill aimed at repealing the decades-old Parliamentary Pensions Law to be submitted to Parliament for debate and final approval.
The Cabinet Spokesman confirmed that the proposed legislation, which seeks to abolish pension entitlements for Members of Parliament, has already received the Attorney General’s go-ahead. It will now be published in the government Gazette before being formally placed on the parliamentary agenda.
Ministers had previously agreed, in principle, to do away with the Parliamentary Pensions Law of 1971 during a Cabinet meeting on 16 June 2025. The latest decision effectively moves the long-discussed reform into its final stages.
Woman Handed Life Term Over Heroin Trafficking Case
November 18, Colombo (LNW): A woman has been sentenced to life in prison by the Colombo High Court after being convicted of possessing and distributing more than 42 grammes of heroin.
The ruling, delivered by High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne, followed an extended legal process that examined both the circumstances of her arrest and the wider network allegedly connected to her activities.
The defendant was taken into custody during a Police Narcotics Bureau operation in the Kotte area in mid-September 2021.
Prosecutors later charged her not only with possession and trafficking of 42.23 grammes of heroin, but also with having amassed around Rs. 5 million through illicit drug dealings.
While the court found sufficient evidence to convict her on the narcotics charges, it ruled that the allegation relating to illegal earnings could not be substantiated. As a result, she was cleared of that financial charge.
Court officials noted that the case underscores continuing concerns about small-scale operatives being drawn into larger drug networks.
Anti-narcotics officers said the investigation had provided fresh leads which may support ongoing efforts to disrupt distribution channels in several urban pockets around Colombo.
Minister Says Probe Uncovers Possible Political Links to Criminal Networks
November 18, Colombo (LNW): Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala told Parliament today (18) that investigators have stumbled upon indications of possible ties between certain politicians and underworld figures.
These leads, he said, surfaced during questioning of several recently detained suspects, including individuals associated with Ishara Sewwandi, who was arrested earlier this year.
Speaking during the Committee Stage debate on the 2026 Budget, the Minister confirmed that inquiries are actively progressing, with multiple agencies now examining the alleged connections. He added that, in parallel, international efforts are under way to apprehend a further 80 fugitives sought for organised criminal activity.
Interpol has issued Red Notices for these individuals, and Sri Lankan authorities are said to be working closely with the organisation to coordinate their capture.
Wijepala also reported a series of significant arms recoveries linked to intelligence extracted from a group of gang members detained in Indonesia. Since August 30, security forces have seized seven T-56 rifles, a T81 firearm, six pistols, nine revolvers, two additional weapons and nearly a thousand rounds of ammunition.
Firing Up Soon.. South Africa’s flame-grilled favourite chicken Galito’s to launch in Sri Lanka and Maldives
Galito’s, one of South Africa’s most successful fast-casual exports, is set to tantalize Sri Lankan taste buds with its signature flame-grilled chicken and fiery flavoured sauces. The franchise agreements were signed between Mr Abdul Azeez Mohamed Hilme, Chairman & Managing Director, Abdul Azeez Brothers Pvt.. Ltd and Louis Germishuys, Galito’s International Limited, Founder & CEO, paving the way for the brand’s official entry into Sri Lanka and Maldives
Started in the small town of Nelspruit, South Africa in 1996, Galito’s quickly rose to prominence as a household name in South Africa, celebrated for its authentic flame-grilled flavour, marinated for hours in freshly prepared peri-peri sauces made from real herbs, garlic, lemon, and African bird’s-eye chillies. Over the years, the brand has expanded rapidly, now serving customers in more than 17 countries outside South Africa including Kenya, Canada, Serbia and Bangladesh with 260 stores. Sri Lanka is the latest destination to join this global footprint, offering food lovers a chance to experience the bold South African flavours.
Two Galito’s outlets are scheduled to open in premium locations in Sri Lanka within the next year, offering customers a vibrant dining experience centred on quality, flavour, and innovation. An outlet in the Maldives is also planned for a later stage, further extending the brand’s reach in the region.
Abdul Azeez Brothers Pvt. Ltd. has a proven track record of introducing international food brands to Sri Lanka, the Maldives, with preparation underway for its entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company successfully brought Singapore’s PastaMania to the region, and developed its own Sri Lankan brand, Island Wraps, which is now being prepared for global expansion.
The introduction of Galito’s reflects Abdul Azeez Brothers’ continued commitment to diversifying dining options and creating new culinary experiences for Sri Lankan customers.
Quote – “We are delighted to bring Galito’s to Sri Lanka. Its flame-grilled chicken and authenticfiery sauces have won hearts across the world, and we are confident that Sri Lankan customers will embrace this exciting new experience. The launch strengthens our vision of introducing diverse global cuisines while also building Sri Lanka’s reputation as a hub for international dining.”
Sri Lanka Yet to Fix Accord Concerning US Reciprocal Tariffs
November 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has not yet settled on a final accord with the United States concerning reciprocal tariffs, with negotiations still in progress, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament yesterday (17).
According to the Minister, both nations have engaged in 17 rounds of talks to date. He noted that Sri Lanka had succeeded in pushing for a substantial reduction in certain American tariffs — lowered from 44 per cent to 20 per cent — during these discussions.
He also recalled that former US President Donald Trump had, in an order issued on 13 November, removed duties entirely on several Sri Lankan food exports, a move Colombo continues to view as diplomatically significant.
Reflecting on the broader diplomatic landscape, Herath claimed that Sri Lanka had made considerable headway over the past year. He said the country had revived stalled relationships and opened new channels with a number of states, particularly in regions where engagement had previously been minimal.
In Latin America and the Caribbean, Sri Lanka had established new formal ties with Antigua, Barbuda and Belize, aiming to widen its diplomatic footprint beyond its traditional partners.
The Minister also highlighted a notable increase in high-level foreign visits, with more than 20 heads of state and senior leaders travelling to Sri Lanka in the last year. Over the same period, he said the government concluded upwards of 70 memoranda of understanding with countries across South Asia, East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
Herath further reported that the Foreign Ministry had assisted around 150 overseas firms in exploring investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, while initial discussions had been initiated with roughly 2,000 companies.
The Minister suggested that this growing interest signalled renewed confidence in the country’s economic prospects, although he acknowledged that sustained diplomacy and stable policy frameworks would be essential to convert that interest into long-term partnerships.
Sri Lanka Faces Mounting Concern Over Men’s Mental Health as Suicide Rates Remain High
November 18, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is confronting a persistent mental-health challenge, with men continuing to bear the brunt of conditions such as depression and anxiety.
Fresh assessments from the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicate that the country’s male suicide rate stands at roughly 27 per 100,000 people—far above the global average of 10.5. Women, by comparison, record a rate of around five per 100,000, bringing the national figure to approximately 15 per 100,000.
The WHO’s 2022 analysis highlights striking age-related patterns. Among men, suicide becomes more common with advancing age, peaking among those aged 55 and above at an estimated 65 per 100,000.
For women, the highest rates are found among younger adults, particularly those aged between 17 and 25, where the figure reaches about 10 per 100,000.
The study further notes that the majority of these deaths were caused by hanging, accounting for nearly 70 per cent of recorded cases. Other methods included pesticide ingestion—still an issue in many rural communities—along with a mixture of non-pesticide poisoning and other means.
Globally, the WHO reports that suicide represents more than one in every hundred deaths, with at least twenty attempts for every life lost. In 2019 alone, around 703,000 people across all age groups died by suicide, with lower-middle-income countries—where most of the world’s population lives—bearing the greatest share. Among those aged 15 to 29, suicide ranked as the fourth leading cause of mortality.
Local health workers in Sri Lanka say the figures reflect not only long-standing pressures but also newer stresses, including economic uncertainty and social isolation. Some community organisations are now calling for better early-intervention services, greater public awareness, and more culturally sensitive outreach efforts in the hope of easing the burden on those who feel they have nowhere else to turn.