November 09, Colombo (LNW): Swift coordination between military intelligence and law enforcement agencies has resulted in two major operations uncovering large-scale narcotics and illegal forest product trafficking in the south of the island, officials confirmed yesterday.
Acting on intelligence provided by the Sri Lanka Army, officers from the Colombo Organised Crimes Division carried out a decisive raid in the Mitiyagoda–Godagama area on November 08.
The operation led to the arrest of six suspects and the seizure of 5.42 kilogrammes of heroin, with an estimated street value of around Rs. 75 million. Investigators also recovered more than Rs. 10.8 million in cash believed to be linked to the drug trade.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while the Galle District Anti-Narcotics Unit has taken over the investigation.
In a separate operation conducted in the Kotapola area of Matara, Army Intelligence officers teamed up with Deniyaya Wildlife officials to intercept a group suspected of smuggling wallapatta (Gyrinops walla), a rare and highly valuable fragrant wood used in the production of agarwood. Three residents of Deniyaya were arrested with 110.45 kilogrammes of wallapatta, worth an estimated Rs. 662 million.
Authorities believe both incidents are linked to broader organised networks engaged in illegal resource extraction and drug trafficking. Security sources said the operations underscore the growing importance of intelligence-led policing and inter-agency cooperation in dismantling such criminal enterprises.
Further inquiries are underway to trace the origins of the confiscated goods and identify additional suspects connected to both rackets.
Army Intelligence Tips Lead to Major Drug and Wallapatta Busts in Southern Sri Lanka
Records Tumble as Young Swimmers Shine at Inter-International Schools Championship
November 09, Colombo (LNW): The opening day of the 30th Inter-International Schools Swimming Championship 2025 got off to an electrifying start at the Sugathadasa Swimming Pool Complex on Saturday (08), with several long-standing records rewritten in a remarkable display of young talent.
Leading the charge was 15-year-old Jayden de Silva of Stafford International School, who stunned spectators by breaking a decade-old record in the Boys’ Under-16 100m backstroke.
The national squad swimmer clocked an impressive 1:04.25 to secure gold, surpassing the previous mark of 1:05.84 set by Vihanga Perera of Gateway College in 2015.
De Silva’s teammate, Shaqib Riyaj, kept Stafford’s winning momentum alive by storming to victory in the Boys’ Under-20 50m breaststroke. Riyaj set a new meet record of 30.87 seconds, improving on the 31.36-second benchmark held by Wycherley International’s Vinul Senanayake from last year.
Gateway College’s rising star Hashel Senarath made waves in the Boys’ Under-14 division, rewriting two meet records within hours. He clinched the 200m individual medley title with a time of 2:30.88—breaking a record unchallenged for seven years—before powering through the 50m butterfly in 28.38 seconds to erase a nine-year-old mark.
Not to be outdone, Okitha Gunasekara of Elizabeth Moir School smashed the Boys’ Under-20 200m individual medley record with a commanding swim of 2:14.78, while Lyceum Ratnapura’s Ometh Pathirana claimed the Boys’ Under-10 100m freestyle crown in 1:15.38, shaving precious milliseconds off the previous record.
Lyceum Ratnapura’s Visakya Dias also made her presence felt, breaking two Under-12 records—one in the 100m freestyle with a time of 1:08.90 and another in the 50m breaststroke with 39.04. Lyceum Panadura’s Sandini Nihinsa added to the excitement by setting a new Girls’ Under-10 100m freestyle record of 1:20.75, while Sasha Rajapakse of The British School powered to gold in the Girls’ Under-16 100m freestyle, rewriting the record books with a brilliant 1:02.01.
The day closed with cheers echoing across the pool complex, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable weekend of fierce competition and record-breaking performances.
Health Minister Orders Immediate Recruitment to Tackle Shortage of Nursing Lecturers
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Health and Mass Media Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has directed officials to fast-track the recruitment of nursing lecturers in response to a serious staffing gap across nursing colleges nationwide.
At present, only 220 lecturers are serving in nursing education institutions, although the approved cadre is 395 — leaving a shortfall of 175.
The shortage has reportedly placed mounting pressure on training programmes and affected the smooth functioning of several nursing schools.
The issue was taken up during a meeting held with the Nursing College Principals’ Association, where Minister Jayatissa stressed the urgent need to strengthen teaching capacity in the sector.
He noted that the deficit in qualified lecturers could have long-term implications for healthcare delivery, particularly at a time when the demand for trained nurses continues to rise.
Following the discussions, the Minister instructed ministry officials to resume stalled recruitment processes without further delay. He further ordered that pending examinations and selections for eligible candidates be completed within the next two months to ensure that new appointments can be made promptly.
Central Bank Tightens Vehicle Loan Rules with New Lending Caps
November 09, Colombo (LNW): The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has introduced stricter borrowing limits for vehicle financing, directing banks and financial institutions to enforce new maximum loan-to-value (LTV) ratios from 8 November onwards.
Under the revised framework, loans or leasing facilities for the purchase or use of commercial vehicles must not exceed 70 per cent of the vehicle’s value, while facilities for private vehicles will now be capped at 50 per cent. The move forms part of the Central Bank’s broader macroprudential measures aimed at ensuring responsible lending and curbing excessive credit exposure in the motor sector.
The Central Bank, acting in its role as the country’s Macroprudential Authority, has issued these directions to licensed commercial and specialised banks, finance companies, and registered leasing establishments. Officials said the latest decision follows a comprehensive review of market conditions and risk factors linked to vehicle financing.
The new structure replaces the more detailed four-tier categorisation introduced in July, which had set separate ratios for cars, three-wheelers, and other vehicle types. The simplified classification now consolidates all non-commercial vehicles—including cars, vans, and three-wheelers—under a single category.
According to the Central Bank, the revision is expected to promote greater financial discipline among lenders and borrowers, reduce speculative demand in the motor market, and align credit growth with the country’s overall economic stability objectives.
Financial institutions have been advised to ensure full compliance with the new lending limits and to update their internal credit evaluation processes accordingly.
Maldivian Coast Guard Seizes Sri Lankan Vessel Carrying Massive Drug Haul
November 09, Colombo (LNW): In a major maritime operation, the Maldivian Coast Guard has apprehended six Sri Lankan fishermen aboard a vessel allegedly transporting a large quantity of narcotics, including nearly 300 kilogrammes of heroin and crystal methamphetamine.
Authorities confirmed that the interception took place following a joint intelligence-sharing effort, with crucial information provided by the Sri Lanka Navy leading to the successful seizure.
The vessel was reportedly operating in international waters when it was tracked and stopped by Maldivian naval units.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the illicit cargo may be connected to a well-known Sri Lankan drug trafficker identified by the alias “Dehibale Malli,” who is believed to have links to several transnational smuggling operations in the Indian Ocean region.
Security officials in both countries are said to be coordinating further inquiries to uncover the broader network behind the shipment, which is suspected to be part of a larger trafficking route spanning from South Asia to the Maldives.
The detained crew and the confiscated narcotics have been handed over to Maldivian law enforcement authorities for further questioning, while regional naval forces have reportedly heightened surveillance to prevent similar smuggling attempts in the coming weeks.
Sri Lanka’s Apparel Exporters Warn of Losing Edge Amid Growing Delays at Colombo Port
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s leading apparel exporters have sounded the alarm over worsening inefficiencies at the Colombo Port, warning that persistent delays and outdated systems are driving regional trade away from the island and threatening the country’s hard-earned reputation as a reliable exporter.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday, the Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) said that while Sri Lanka continues to grapple with operational shortcomings, neighbouring economies have surged ahead with modernised, fully digital port systems.
“India’s new Vizhinjam Port, along with established hubs such as Singapore and Dubai, now offer faster vessel turnaround times, real-time cargo tracking, and streamlined digital coordination,” the association noted. “As a result, transshipment volumes that once passed through Colombo are being redirected elsewhere.”
According to JAAF, several international shipping lines have recently opted to skip Colombo altogether—sometimes announcing the change just days before docking—forcing cargo such as fabric, zippers, buttons, and other garment accessories to be offloaded at alternate ports or delayed by several days.
“These disruptions are disastrous for manufacturers working under strict delivery timelines,” JAAF Secretary-General Yohan Lawrence said. “Even a short delay can trigger missed deadlines, contractual penalties, or the need to airfreight goods at significantly higher costs.”
The group attributed much of the problem to structural inefficiencies within port operations, including slow container transfers between terminals, inadequate digital integration, and poor coordination among multiple port agencies.
JAAF has urged the government to prioritise modernisation, calling for “comprehensive operational reform” that includes digitised pre-clearance systems, improved cargo visibility, and unified inter-terminal coordination to restore Colombo’s competitiveness.
The government has yet to respond to the concerns raised by the industry body.
This latest setback comes just weeks after Sri Lankan exporters were hit by a new 20 per cent tariff imposed by the United States, one of the country’s largest apparel markets. Although the rate was reduced from an earlier proposal of 44 per cent, officials had hoped the adjustment would keep Sri Lanka competitive with other key exporters such as Bangladesh and Vietnam.
Industry stakeholders now fear that without urgent port reforms, even that advantage may quickly erode, dealing another blow to one of Sri Lanka’s most vital export sectors.
Nationwide Drive to Distribute Half a Million Coconut Plants Launches
November 09, Colombo (LNW): A large-scale national effort to boost household-level coconut cultivation and support rural livelihoods is set to begin today (09).
The initiative, which aims to distribute 500,000 coconut saplings to families across the island, is expected to make a meaningful contribution to both poverty reduction and agricultural self-sufficiency.
The official launch ceremony will be held under the patronage of Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure Samantha Vidyaratne and Deputy Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Wasantha Piyathissa.
Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m., with several senior government officials and community representatives in attendance.
The project stems from a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment and the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure.
The collaboration seeks to revitalise coconut cultivation while providing tangible benefits to families in rural and semi-urban areas.
Under the scheme, 250,000 families across the country will each receive two young coconut plants free of charge, with the exception of residents in the five districts within the Northern Coconut Triangle—Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, and Vavuniya—where separate development programmes are already in operation.
Officials estimate that the initiative will lead to the establishment of nearly 8,000 acres of new coconut plantations nationwide, enhancing local coconut production over the coming years.
Beneficiaries were identified through the Praja Shakthi National Programme Committee and endorsed by regional coordination bodies. The aim is to empower families to meet their own household coconut requirements directly from their home gardens, reducing dependency on market supply and strengthening community resilience.
2025 A/L Exams Tomorrow: Final Preparations Complete, Authorities Brace for Weather Challenges
November 09. Colombo (LNW): All necessary preparations are now in place for the 2025 G.C.E. Advanced Level examinations, which are scheduled to begin tomorrow (10), according to the Department of Examinations.
This year’s exams will take place at 2,362 centres across the country and will run until December 05. A total of 345,525 students are expected to sit the papers, including 246,521 from schools and 94,004 private candidates.
To ensure the exams proceed without disruption, the Department has also established 325 coordination centres and 32 regional collection points. Officials said these measures are intended to strengthen logistical efficiency and maintain the integrity of the process.
In anticipation of possible adverse weather, the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) has teamed up with the Department of Examinations to implement a joint contingency plan.
The initiative is designed to guarantee that students affected by heavy rain, floods, or other natural events are still able to attend or complete their examinations without undue hardship.
Candidates who may face difficulties due to extreme weather are encouraged to reach out via the 117 hotline or the Department’s dedicated number, 1911.
DMC Director Pradeep Kodippili confirmed that further coordination support is available through the National Examination Emergencies Operations Unit, which can be reached on 0113 668 026, 0113 668 032, 0113 668 087, or 0113 668 119.
These lines, managed from the DMC’s Emergency Operations Room, will remain active throughout the examination period to respond swiftly to any emergencies.
Afternoon showers at most parts of Island: Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm expected (Nov 09)
November 09, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (09).
Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Uva, Southern, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Ampara district.
Showers may occur in Western and Southern provinces and Puttalam district in the morning too.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the other sea areas around the island during the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be North-westerly in direction and speed will be (20-30) kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island will be slight.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Social Security Contribution Levy on Vehicles to Be Collected at Import or Manufacture Stage from April 2026
The government has proposed a change in the method of collecting the Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) on vehicles, shifting the point of taxation to the time of import or manufacture and sale, while exempting it at the after-sales stage, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced in Parliament.
The President explained that the decision was made after observing irregularities in the collection of the levy during vehicle sales. The new system aims to ensure better tax compliance and administrative efficiency in collecting the levy.
Accordingly, the revised process for charging the Social Security Contribution Levy on vehicles will take effect from April 2026, he stated.