The Sri Lankan government, under the Marxist JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) administration, is moving forward with plans to transform the historic Bogambara Prison in Kandy into a tourism development site.

 Minister Nalinda Jayatissa recently announced that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) will soon be invited for the project, which envisions converting the site into a hub for tourism, cultural, and entertainment activities.

Located in the heart of Kandy, Bogambara Prison is a protected heritage site under the World Heritage Conservation Act.

The prison complex, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest, was previously renovated by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), enhancing its potential as a tourist attraction.

According to Minister Jayatissa, the government aims to lease the site for 50 years, inviting tourism investors to submit proposals that align with both commercial viability and heritage preservation.

However, the plan to lease the property rather than sell it outright reflects the complex status of Bogambara as a heritage site.

While some officials, including former Minister of Urban Development Prasanna Ranatunga, had proposed transferring the property to the Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Tooth Relic) at cost recovery, the current administration appears focused on maximizing its commercial and cultural value through a long-term lease arrangement.

Ranatunga, during a parliamentary advisory committee session, had stressed the need to either recover the public funds spent on renovations or hand the site over for an appropriate investment initiative.

The proposal to transfer the site to the Dalada Maligawa aimed to preserve its cultural and religious value, but it has now given way to the government’s broader economic development goals under the NPP’s vision.

From a viability perspective, converting Bogambara Prison into a tourism site presents several advantages. Its location in the cultural capital of Kandy, close proximity to major attractions such as the Dalada Maligawa, and its architectural uniqueness offer strong appeal to both domestic and international tourists.

Furthermore, the government’s intention to attract proposals that demonstrate financial, environmental, and social potential indicates a desire for responsible and sustainable development.

However, potential investors must navigate challenges tied to heritage regulations and community sensitivities. The prison’s historical significance and symbolic value mean that any development must strike a careful balance between commercialization and preservation.

In conclusion, leasing the Bogambara Prison for tourism development appears to be a viable strategy, provided that it respects the site’s heritage status and garners community support. By leveraging private investment through a structured and regulated process, the government could unlock the site’s potential while ensuring long-term cultural and economic value for Kandy.

In a controversial move that signals both reform and potential redundancy, the Sri Lankan government has announced plans to establish a new Public-Private Partnership (PPP) unit—despite the continued existence of the National Agency for Public-Private Partnership (NAPPP) under the Ministry of Finance.

This decision has stirred public debate, particularly due to the NAPPP’s history and its founding leadership under Thilan Wijesinghe. 

The agency was established with significant backing from international donors, including a US$25 million commitment from the World Bank and technical assistance from the Public-Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF).

These institutions supported the development of Sri Lanka’s PPP policy framework and helped lay the foundation for a structured, transparent approach to private sector engagement in infrastructure development.

Government sources claim the proposed new unit will either function independently or be embedded within sector-specific ministries such as transport or energy. 

The rationale, officials say, is to enhance sectoral expertise, fast-track project execution, and decentralize decision-making by empowering line ministries.

“This is not necessarily a rejection of the existing PPP framework, but rather an evolution,” said a senior official close to the plan. “We need a more agile, sector-focused approach if we are to attract serious investment and deliver timely results.”

However, critics argue that this move risks institutional overlap and inefficiency unless the government clearly defines the respective roles of the new unit and the existing NAPPP.

“Creating parallel systems could result in bureaucratic confusion rather than improved governance,” warned one infrastructure expert.

Policy analysts acknowledge that while the NAPPP helped launch a pipeline of PPP projects across sectors such as energy, transport, and social services, its effectiveness was hampered by institutional bottlenecks, limited sector-specific expertise, and delays in project implementation.

The agency was disbanded under the previous administration but received renewed backing in the 2022 interim budget, which allocated Rs. 250 million (about US$691,000) for its re-establishment.

Beyond domestic objectives, the establishment of a new PPP unit appears influenced by international financial institutions, which have repeatedly called for improved governance, fiduciary controls, and transparency in PPP initiatives.

Donors like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank have emphasized the need for independent oversight, better project vetting, and enhanced stakeholder engagement.

Civil society organizations, too, have long voiced concerns over the opaque nature of previous PPP deals. 

The government claims the new unit will place greater emphasis on transparency, risk management, and public consultation—measures seen as essential for regaining public trust in infrastructure programs.

 Yet the question remains: can Sri Lanka afford to duplicate institutions in its fragile economic state, or will this reform bring the much-needed structural efficiency? 

he coming months will be critical in determining whether this shift will catalyze improved private investment and infrastructure delivery—or merely add another layer to an already complicated system

The Sri Lanka Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) is grappling with a serious shortage of vehicle number plates and persistent disruptions in its outdated vehicle registration system, resulting in major inconveniences for vehicle owners and delays in essential services.

As of May 15, 2025, the Commissioner General of Motor Traffic confirmed a nationwide shortage of number plates, just months after the department had claimed the issue was resolved in late 2024.

The root cause appears to be a breakdown in procurement processes—specifically, the expiration of a supply contract without securing a replacement.

In response, the department has authorized temporary measures, allowing new vehicle owners to display handwritten registration numbers based on letters issued by the DMT since April 28.

Simultaneously, the DMT’s vehicle registration and transfer system, developed in 1996, continues to face frequent crashes due to its inability to cope with growing volumes of data and frequent human errors.

The most recent crash, which occurred last week, brought all DMT operations to a halt for over 24 hours, leaving new vehicle buyers frustrated as delays in receiving registration certificates and number plates grew worse.

Commissioner General Kamal Amarasinghe acknowledged the system’s limitations, noting that the existing software is outdated and incapable of meeting current demands.

 He stressed the urgent need for a fully digitized and integrated registration platform, which would allow seamless interaction between DMT and other departments, such as those handling insurance and driving licenses.

The outdated system is also linked to other serious issues. Reports have emerged of fraudulent issuance of registration certificates using blank, unassigned numbers, as well as the registration of vehicles with cancelled diplomatic number plates—both resulting in significant revenue losses to the government.

Efforts to overhaul the system have faced a series of setbacks. A contract signed in 2018 with a Sri Lankan firm and its foreign partner to implement a new Business Process Re-Engineering (BPR)-based solution has remained dormant due to alleged internal resistance and corruption. Some DMT staff have been interdicted and are now under investigation by the Bribery Commission and the CID.

The original system, created by a local software company, was maintained until December 2024, after which the government declined to renew the contract, citing concerns about corruption. Since January 2025, the system has been operated solely by DMT personnel, further straining operations due to a lack of technical support.

 Amid this turmoil, the Finance Ministry is considering a new, fully digital registration platform that would integrate all motoring-related services. However, until such reforms are implemented, ongoing initiatives—including a proposed e-driving license—remain stalled.

As Sri Lanka’s motor traffic infrastructure struggles to modernize, vehicle owners are left to navigate inefficiencies and delays, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reform and effective governance at the Department of Motor Traffic.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has taken the lead in supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to modernize its border management system through the introduction of an Automated Border Control (ABC) e-Gate system at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

This marks a significant step in the country’s transition toward smarter and more secure travel infrastructure.

The project includes the deployment of a four-lane e-Gate system for arriving and departing passengers, aimed at improving processing efficiency, enhancing national security, and aligning with global travel standards.

While Sri Lanka has yet to issue electronic passports (e-passports), the new system will cater to foreign travelers using eMRTDs and pre-registered Sri Lankan citizens with machine-readable passports (MRTDs).

Recognizing the need for clear operational guidelines, IOM is engaging an international consultant to develop a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for managing the new system.

This will be done in collaboration with the Department of Immigration & Emigration (DI&E) and other relevant agencies to ensure smooth operations, legal compliance, and effective integration with existing processes.

The initiative, which has faced multiple delays since its inception in 2017, is now being fast-tracked under the current government.

A high-level committee within the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation recently reviewed the project’s progress and committed to accelerating approvals and improving inter-agency coordination. The system is being installed with support from a Japanese grant.

Originally, the project saw a slow rollout due to challenges in tender evaluation. A call for bids in December 2021 attracted four offers, yet the contract was only awarded in July 2022 to the highest bidder at Rs. 430 million.

This decision raised concerns, as significantly lower bids—ranging from Rs. 130 million to Rs. 240 million—were rejected without clear explanation.

Official sources suggest immigration authorities may have influenced the procurement timeline, with the chosen bidder later offering a 35% discount from the original quote of US$2.08 million.

Despite the progress, officials from the Finance Ministry caution that the success of the e-Gate system hinges on the issuance of e-passports and upgrading airport systems to support automation.

Current check-in and check-out processes at BIA lack compatibility with modern e-Gate infrastructure, necessitating further technological investment.

 With IOM’s guidance and international expertise, the e-Gate project signals Sri Lanka’s intent to modernize its airport operations and improve border security.

Once fully implemented, the system is expected to significantly reduce passenger congestion and set a new standard for travel efficiency and safety at the country’s main international gateway.

Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, announced yesterday that the Government has approved a proposal to deploy 100 modern, low-entry, and comfortable buses for public transport through a newly established subsidiary company under the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB).

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet press briefing, the Minister explained that the initiative will be launched as a pilot project, with the new buses to be imported and operated along several major transport corridors including Colombo, Makumbura (Kottawa), Kaduwela, Kadawatha, and Moratuwa.

The Minister emphasised that this initial rollout will be state-run, with the possibility of future expansion involving private sector collaboration based on the project’s success. He noted that the initiative was originally proposed in the 2025 Budget and has now received Cabinet approval. The proposal was submitted by the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation, and the new subsidiary company will be formed under the SLTB in accordance with the Companies Act No. 7 of 2007.

Education Deputy Minister Madhura Seneviratne informed Parliament yesterday that the current restriction on admitting local civil students to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) medical faculty will continue until the Government completes a comprehensive review of the country’s medical workforce requirements.

He clarified that the restriction—imposed from the third batch of admissions via the Z-score system through the University Grants Commission—is a temporary measure. Stressing that the Government has no intention of closing any university, the Deputy Minister reiterated that the move is part of an ongoing assessment and not a permanent policy shift.

Responding to a query raised by MP Ravi Karunanayake, Seneviratne noted that while the restriction had drawn criticism, particularly over concerns about its impact on student access, it is solely intended to allow time for a detailed evaluation of Sri Lanka’s future needs for medical practitioners.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several opposition MPs strongly criticised the decision, arguing that it had deprived both local and international students of vital educational opportunities. They called on the Government to reverse the restriction and ensure continued access to medical education through institutions such as KDU.

Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa 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 Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in and Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers