May 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption watchdog Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has revealed a significant spike in public engagement during the early part of 2025, with more than 1,250 complaints received in just three months.
From Janury 01 to March 31, the Commission reported a total of 1,267 formal grievances, highlighting persistent concerns over the integrity of public institutions.
In response, the Commission intensified its operational activity, conducting 24 targeted raids across various parts of the country. These actions resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals allegedly involved in bribery or corrupt practices.
The arrests spanned a broad cross-section of public service roles, reflecting the widespread nature of the issue.
Amongst those apprehended were officials from critical sectors, including a principal of a government school, a labour ministry officer, and a representative from the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
The Commission also detained a public health inspector, a field officer, a justice ministry employee, and a revenue department assessor. Notably, six civilians with alleged links to illicit dealings were also amongst those taken into custody.
The Commission has since moved swiftly in taking legal action, initiating 21 cases against 24 individuals in the first quarter of the year.
CIABOC officials have encouraged continued cooperation from the public whilst pledging to maintain momentum in investigations and prosecutions.
May 05, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has entered the final phase of preparations for the upcoming local elections, with the Election Commission confirming that polling station setup is set to begin this morning (05).
The country is bracing for a major democratic exercise, with over 17 million eligible citizens expected to cast their vote tomorrow across more than 13,700 polling centres nationwide.
The 2025 local polls, scheduled for tomorrow (May 06), will see representatives elected to 339 local government bodies. Voting is due to commence at 7:00 a.m. and conclude at 4:00 p.m., with the Election Commission assuring the public that all administrative and logistical arrangements are in place to ensure a smooth process.
Chairman R.M.A.L. Ratnayake called upon all government personnel assigned to election duty to report as instructed, underscoring the importance of maintaining discipline and readiness in the final hours before polling begins.
For those who have yet to receive their official polling cards, the Commission has made provisions for collection from local post offices today and on election day itself. Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Police has confirmed that more than 65,000 officers have been mobilised to provide security and maintain order during the election period.
Senior Superintendent of Police Buddhika Manathunga stated that officers would be stationed at polling stations and across high-risk areas to prevent disruptions or illegal activity.
In parallel, civil society observers will be closely monitoring proceedings. The People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has deployed approximately 3,000 trained monitors across the island to safeguard the integrity of the vote and provide independent assessments.
As a result of the election, several public services have been temporarily suspended. The Ministry of Education has announced that all state schools will be closed today and tomorrow, with normal operations resuming on May 07. Similarly, the University Grants Commission has ordered all universities closed for students over the same period, though this closure does not apply to faculty or administrative staff.
The election has also impacted government operations beyond the education sector. The Department of Government Information has informed the public that counters issuing vehicle revenue licences in the Western Province will be closed on May 05 06, as many staff members have been assigned election-related duties.
Vehicle owners due to renew their licences during this period will be granted an extension, with no penalties applied if they complete the renewal on the next working day.
Additionally, the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT) has announced that its headquarters in Narahenpita, Colombo 05, will remain shut on May 05 06. The premises have been designated for use as a polling centre, and thus all routine public services at the site will be suspended.
May 05, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have intensified their crackdown on election-related misconduct ahead of Sri Lanka’s 2025 Local Government polls, with police confirming the arrest of multiple candidates and party affiliates within a 24-hour period.
Eight individuals contesting in the upcoming local elections were detained between 6 a.m. yesterday (04) and the same hour this (05) morning, following alleged breaches of electoral regulations, according to officials.
Law enforcement sources also reported that five supporters affiliated with various political factions were apprehended during the same window.
These latest detentions form part of a broader nationwide effort to curb violations during the critical lead-up to polling day. Since early March, the cumulative number of arrested candidates has climbed to 54, whilst 204 individuals identified as political party supporters have also been taken into custody on similar charges.
In addition to the arrests, 46 vehicles believed to have been used in connection with illegal campaign activities have been impounded. These include vehicles suspected of unauthorised transport of voters, unlawful display of campaign materials, and improper use of state or hired transport services in contravention of election laws.
Police have reiterated that they will enforce election regulations with zero tolerance, particularly during the current cooling-off period in which all campaigning is strictly prohibited. Surveillance has been heightened in key urban and rural districts, with officers monitoring both physical and digital platforms for violations.
The Election Commission has already warned candidates and supporters that any breach—ranging from public disorder to illegal promotional activity—will be met with swift legal consequences.
May 05, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva and Southern provinces and in Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts after 1.00 p.m., with Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm being likely to occur at some places, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (05).
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places elsewhere of the island during the afternoon or night.
Showers may occur in the Western province and in Mannar, Puttalam, Galle and Matara 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.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central and Uva provinces and in Ampara and Polonnaruwa districts during the morning.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Hambantota via Puttalam, Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places over the other sea areas around the island during the afternoon or night.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
May 04, Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Southern provinces and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya and Ampara districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in a warning this (04) afternoon.
There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.
May 04, Colombo (LNW): The National Credit Guarantee Institution Limited (NCGIL) which commenced its operations in January, has this week issued the first set of guarantees to three Financial Institutions (FIs) to partly cover the loans approved by them for three Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Under the guarantee program, NCGIL is providing individual guarantee cover to its Shareholder Financial Institutions (SFIs) to encourage them to grant loans for viable projects based on cash flows instead of depending on tangible securities.
This is the first program of this nature operated at national level with the involvement of Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) and Financial Institutions for supporting Sri Lankan MSMEs who are the backbone of the country’s economy.
NCGIL, a Public Private Partnership between the GOSL and chosen 13 Participatory Financial Institutions (PFIs) was incorporated with the prime objective of providing a solution to one of the common challenges faced by local MSMEs, namely access to finance through the formal banking channels in Sri Lanka.
A US $ 50 million long term funding received by the GOSL from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been invested in NCGIL accounting for 90% stake, whilst the balance 10% shareholding with an investment of $ 5.375 million is with 13 leading Financial Institutions including eight Commercial Banks, two Specialised Banks and three Licenced Finance Companies namely Peoples Bank, Bank of Ceylon, Regional Development Bank, Commercial Bank, Hatton National Bank, Sampath Bank, Seylan Bank, National Development Bank, Nations Trust Bank, Sanasa Development Bank, LB Finance, Central Finance and Citizens Development Business Finance.
The program is now on and any MSME (with an annual turnover of less than Rs. 1 billion) who already runs a viable business or has a viable business proposal (start-up) could now apply for a Term Loan from any of the 13 FIs and the FIs can approach NCGIL for a credit guarantee (currently up to 67% of the principal loan amount approved by them) to partially cover their credit risk.
The minimum and maximum size of the Term Loans considered by the SFIs, for CAPEX or Permanent Working Capital requirements, are Rs. 500,000 and Rs. 25 million respectively.
The issuance of the first three guarantees of NCGIL to CDB, Commercial Bank and Hatton National Bank took place recently to partly cover the loans approved by these Financial Institutions to three of their MSMEs engaged in Agri projects.
May 04, Colombo (LNW): A flight operated by SriLankan Airlines from Chennai to Colombo was subjected to an intensive security check on Friday (3 May), following a cross-border alert regarding a suspected individual wanted in India.
The inspection, which delayed a subsequent departure to Singapore, was carried out in full coordination with local aviation and security authorities.
According to an official statement issued by the national carrier, SriLankan Airlines Flight UL 122, operated by Airbus A330-200 aircraft bearing registration 4R-ALS, landed at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at 11:59 AM.
Upon arrival, it was flagged for a comprehensive security inspection after the Chennai Area Control Centre raised concerns about a suspect believed to be onboard the aircraft.
Authorities initiated a full-scale inspection, which included a detailed sweep of the cabin, cargo holds, and luggage compartments.
All passengers were also thoroughly screened in accordance with standard aviation security procedures. Officials have confirmed that the inspection did not uncover any threats, and the aircraft was later cleared for further operations.
However, due to the time required for the security protocols, the next scheduled flight using the same aircraft—Flight UL 308 bound for Singapore—was delayed. Passengers waiting to board were notified of the situation and provided with support by airline staff, including updates on rescheduled departure times.
“SriLankan Airlines places the utmost priority on the safety and security of its passengers and crew,” the airline stated. “We remain committed to upholding the highest standards of aviation safety, and such precautionary actions, while inconvenient, are essential in today’s global threat environment.”
Airport operations continued without further disruption, and security officials assured the public that the situation was handled professionally with no cause for alarm. The airline has since resumed normal operations.
This incident underscores the increasing need for international cooperation in aviation safety. The prompt communication between Indian and Sri Lankan authorities allowed for a timely and controlled response, minimizing risk and ensuring the safety of all onboard.
SriLankan Airlines has encouraged passengers to remain patient in such situations, noting that security-related delays, while unfortunate, are sometimes necessary to ensure safe air travel.
Further investigations regarding the original alert and the identity of the suspect in question are currently underway by Indian authorities.
May 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is setting the stage for a major export overhaul as a high-level delegation from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) met with the Export Development Board (EDB) to initiate the formulation of the National Export Development Plan (NEDP) for 2025-2029.
This significant development, launched on 25 April, marks the beginning of an ambitious strategy to revitalize the nation’s export sector and unlock new global opportunities.
The initiative is rooted in the 2025 Budget under the “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” policy framework, aiming to make exports a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s economic progress.
A central objective set during the discussions is to boost export revenues to $36 billion by 2030. The NEDP is being crafted as part of a policy-based loan (PBL) program in collaboration with the ADB and the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, with the goal of reshaping Sri Lanka’s place in global trade.
Building upon the foundation of the previous National Export Strategy (NES) 2018-2022, the new plan introduces a more targeted, data-driven approach. It emphasizes technological integration, sustainable trade practices, and regulatory reforms to foster a more resilient and competitive export environment.
Key themes that emerged during the initial meeting include the critical need for export diversification to lessen reliance on traditional sectors, tapping into new global markets, and increasing value-added production across industries.
The ADB and EDB stressed the necessity of aligning all stakeholders — including government agencies, the private sector, and development partners — around a unified export vision.
The NEDP will focus heavily on digital transformation within trade processes, enhancing product and market competitiveness, and facilitating access to international value chains, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
ADB representatives highlighted the need for clearly defined leadership from the EDB in overseeing and coordinating the plan’s implementation.
To ensure effective execution, the plan will include the formation of a core implementation team, a structured action plan with measurable milestones, and strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks.
Potential challenges, such as the need for capacity-building, inter-agency coordination, and coherent policies, were acknowledged. Participants agreed that early engagement with stakeholders and continuous communication would be key to fostering trust and ensuring sustained progress.
The EDB reiterated its commitment to the NEDP, recognizing it as a vital component of Sri Lanka’s wider economic reform agenda.
By fostering inclusive growth, enhancing resilience, and promoting sustainable development, the NEDP 2025-2029 is expected to serve as a transformative roadmap for elevating Sri Lanka’s global trade presence over the next five years.
May 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s business confidence is on the decline at present due to significant challenges and uncertainties. The government’s commitment to economic reforms, debt restructuring, and fiscal consolidation is crucial for sustaining a positive trend.
The next few months will be critical in determining whether the BCI continues its negative or upward trajectory or stabilizes in response to evolving economic conditions.
Tariff turmoil shatters business confidence,” business magazine LMD reports, in its soon to be released May edition. In an exclusive release to the Daily FT, the magazine notes that “business sentiment has nosedived, leaving the record-equalling highs of recent months in the rear-view mirror.”
“The LMD-PEPPERCUBE Business Confidence Index (BCI) fell substantially in April – following its record-equalling high of 204 in February – shedding 25 basis points to settle at 172, from 197 in March,” LMD observes.
Despite the decline, however, it explains that the index remains 49 points above its historical median (123) and 28 notches higher than the 12-month average (144). “For perspective, the barometer stood at a lowly 96 at the same time last year,” it adds.
According to PepperCube Consultants, “the free fall in confidence signals a marked shift in business sentiment, primarily driven by external headwinds such as the imposition of US tariffs and growing domestic dissatisfaction with the Budget 2025.”
A spokesperson for the leading magazine says: “As for the direction of the BCI in the near term, much will depend on how the Government navigates the unfolding US-led trade war and delivers on a plethora of Election promises.”
“The outcome of the Provincial Council Elections and the fate of the Sri Lankan Rupee will also be on the watch list of the business community,” he adds.
The BCI reached a six-month high, indicating a positive outlook among business leaders. A majority of business leaders expect higher sales volumes in the coming year, although slightly tempered from February’s peak.
A significant portion of firms are planning to expand their workforce, suggesting a positive outlook for the labor market. The Colombo Stock Exchange saw a record Rs 175 billion in capital raised, indicating investor confidence.
The external debt restructuring process was completed, and the country’s ratings were upgraded, boosting investor confidence. The World Bank projects a revival in domestic demand, which could lead to further positive economic growth.
Despite overall business confidence, investment climate confidence has plummeted to crisis levels. While corporate sentiment is improving, concerns about long-term growth and strategy persist. While inflation is projected to turn positive, it is still below the central bank’s target, and financing pressures will persist.
Sri Lanka faces large T-bill refinancing needs, which could put pressure on the economy.While the government has a strong majority, there are concerns about potential protests and strikes, particularly related to privatization efforts.
May 04, World (LNW): In a move that reeks of audacity, delusion, and dangerous political theatre, US President Donald Trump has once again set social and moral boundaries ablaze—this time by posting an AI-generated image of himself as the Pope.
The digital concoction, shared in the wake of a newly vacant papal seat in the Vatican, is not just an embarrassing act of self-idolisation; it is a cynical exploitation of religious symbolism for political capital and yet another sign of Trump’s relentless campaign to dismantle the norms of democratic and spiritual discourse.
This calculated post—ridiculous in appearance, yet disturbingly effective in impact—goes beyond mere bad taste. It is a grotesque fusion of blasphemy and propaganda, engineered to seduce a base that increasingly mistakes showmanship for sanctity.
By portraying himself as a holy figure, cloaked in papal regalia, Trump is not merely engaging in narcissistic theatre. He is attempting to insert himself into a sacred tradition that represents moral clarity, spiritual humility, and global leadership—values Trump has serially mocked and trampled during and after his presidency.
To appropriate the image of the Pope—particularly during a moment of transition and uncertainty in the Vatican—is to desecrate the universal respect accorded to the papacy across Christian denominations and the wider interfaith world. It sends a chilling message: that no institution, however revered, is immune to being co-opted by Trump’s insatiable need for relevance and domination. This is not just political posturing; it is the weaponisation of faith to serve the petty ambitions of one man.
The image, unmistakably AI-generated, underlines another growing concern: Trump’s enthusiastic embrace of digital manipulation and disinformation. In a post-truth era that he helped define, Trump continues to blur the lines between reality and fabrication, often with a smile and a wink to his followers who either do not know better or, more worryingly, do not care.
By fusing his image with that of the Pope, he is not simply pandering to conservative Catholics—he is exploiting religious reverence to lend legitimacy to his self-declared sanctity.
It is a grim parody of religious imagery, dripping with the hallmarks of authoritarian propaganda. Leaders who see themselves as messianic, above reproach and divinely ordained, often spell danger for democracy.
History offers no shortage of warnings. And yet, here we are—witnessing a man who has faced two impeachments, multiple civil suits, and a barrage of criminal investigations, don the symbolic mantle of the world’s most recognisable religious leader. The image would be laughable were it not so ominous.
This AI Pope post is the latest in Trump’s ongoing campaign to reframe American politics not around policy or principle, but around personality cult and spiritual symbolism. His base is being trained to view him not as a flawed public servant, but as a divine instrument, a prophet misunderstood by the political elite and persecuted by the ‘deep state’. That fantasy is not just delusional—it is corrosive to the foundations of secular democracy.
Trump is not only distorting religion but also corroding the public’s capacity to distinguish between truth and fiction, justice and grievance, democracy and authoritarian spectacle. The use of AI—a technology with vast potential for both benefit and harm—has become, in Trump’s hands, yet another tool for deception. It is part of a broader assault on the institutions that have kept America’s democratic experiment from collapsing under the weight of demagoguery.
America’s founding ideals—pluralism, freedom of belief, a clear separation of church and state—are all insulted by this cheap trick. But perhaps that is the point. Trump has long sought to divide, to enrage, and to inflame. This AI Pope stunt is not a joke; it is a cultural provocation, a calculated gesture aimed at deepening fissures in the national psyche while portraying himself as a victim-saint of an imagined persecution.
For all his claims of devotion and patriotism, Trump’s actions continually reveal a disdain for both the spiritual and democratic legacies he pretends to honour. If democracy is a covenant of shared reality and reason, Trump’s antics are a deliberate effort to tear it up in favour of delusion, spectacle, and blind loyalty.
America, and indeed the wider world, should take this moment seriously. A man who imagines himself Pope is not making a harmless meme—he is signalling a worldview where truth, reverence, and democracy are nothing more than costumes to be worn, mocked, and discarded.
In that vision, there is no room for justice, only power. And in that world, democracy dies not with a bang, but with an AI-generated smirk in white robes.
