November 02, Colombo (LNW): Following the tragic bus accident involving students and faculty of the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) occurred yesterday (01) morningnear the Ambagas junction on the Dunhinda-Badulla road, the Defence Ministry of Sri Lanka issued a statement regarding the event.
The bus, transporting 42 individuals from KDU’s Southern Campus in Sooriyawewa, faced a serious accident that left two female students dead and injured 40 others, who were promptly hospitalised, the statement read.
The passengers included 36 students from the university’s 39th intake, alongside three lecturers, a supervising instructor, a senior military officer overseeing the group, and the bus driver.
The Ministry further stated that the two students who tragically lost their lives were residents of Kurunegala and Nivithigala. Of those hospitalised at Badulla General Hospital, seven individuals are being treated in intensive care, with one reported to be in critical condition.
KDU’s Vice-Chancellor expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, assuring that the university is providing complete support for the funeral arrangements.
Following instructions from the Defence Secretary, a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 412 helicopter has been stationed at Diyatalawa Air Force Base, prepared to airlift critically injured individuals to Colombo for advanced medical care if necessary.
Preliminary information suggests that the accident may have resulted from a mechanical issue with the bus.
The Ministry of Defence extended its gratitude to the local community members for their swift response, which was instrumental in rescuing the injured, and to Dr. Palita Rajapaksa and the hospital staff for their immediate, dedicated service.
November 02, Colombo (LNW): The Presidential Secretariat has clarified recent reports suggesting that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security detail has been reduced, labelling them as entirely false.
In a statement, the Secretariat affirmed that all entitlements under the Presidents’ Entitlements Act No. 4 of 1986 are being fully upheld for Rajapaksa, dismissing any claims to the contrary.
The Secretariat emphasised that Rajapaksa retains his full benefits as outlined by the law, including his official residence in Colombo 07, along with a pension and a secretary’s allowance.
Additionally, his official vehicles, consisting of a 2008 Mercedes Benz 600 Maybach, a 2017 Toyota Land Cruiser, and a 2013 Mercedes Benz G63 AMG 4×4, remain at his disposal.
For these, he receives a monthly fuel allowance of 1,950 litres, along with three dedicated drivers.
Rajapaksa’s security is provided by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security. His protection detail comprises a combination of military and police personnel, including seven army officers, 56 other army ranks, and 180 police officers.
This extensive security team also includes specialised roles, such as 29 police drivers, and incorporates three commando officers and additional unit officers to maintain close protection.
To ensure that former presidents’ privileges remain relevant and appropriate, a Cabinet sub-committee has been established to assess these entitlements.
Future modifications, if any, will be based on the recommendations of this committee, according to the Secretariat.
November 02, Colombo (LNW): Doctors at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle have begun a 24-hour token strike, organised by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
The action, announced by GMOA Treasurer Dr. Ubhaya Bandara Warakagoda, is in response to alleged threats made by one doctor against several of their colleagues within the hospital.
The strike reflects growing concerns within the hospital’s medical community over internal safety and professional conduct, prompting the GMOA to call for immediate action to address the situation.
Dr. Warakagoda emphasised the importance of maintaining a safe and respectful environment for medical practitioners, particularly in settings where teamwork and collaboration are essential for patient care.
The GMOA has urged hospital authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly to prevent similar incidents in future and to uphold professional standards among healthcare staff.
November 02, Colombo (LNW):The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning during thundershowers as the atmospheric conditions are favourable further for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology warned in its daily weather forecast today (02).
Showers or thundershowers will occur in the most parts of the island during the evening or night, and showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Western, Southern North-western and Northern provinces during the morning as well, the statement read.
Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva and North-central provinces.
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 at several places in the sea areas around the Island.
Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota, and variable in direction in the other sea areas around the island. Wind speed will be (20-30) kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island can be moderate at times. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Dr Hans Wijayasuriya, former CEO of Axiata Group, has been appointed Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy in Sri Lanka: This role supports the nation’s shift to a digital economy, with a focus on building digital infrastructure and inclusivity: Wijayasuriya will step down from Axiata on 15 January 2025 after a 30-year tenure, transitioning into his advisory role: The appointment has been made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
SJB Leader and former Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticises President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over what he described as showing “signs of media repression” by urging certain channels to practice “democratic journalism”: emphasises the President does not need to tell the journalists how to do their job, asserting that media is one of the core pillars of democracy: blames Dissanayake for maintaining double standards about his views on the media, which, according to Premadasa, are contradictory pre and post-presidential election.
The Presidential Secretariat denies reports that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s security detail has been reduced, affirming his entitlements per the Presidents’ Entitlements Act of 1986: Rajapaksa receives a pension, official residence, and vehicle allowance, with security provided by seven army officers, 56 army personnel, and 180 police officers: A Cabinet sub-committee will review former presidents’ privileges for future adjustments.
Sri Lanka’s Palali–Achchuveli main road in the Northern Province was reopened after 30 years, following President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s directive: Closed during the civil war and for 15 years post-war, its reopening comes after public requests and security clearance by the Defence Ministry, fulfilling a longstanding demand from the Northern Province’s residents.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration is introducing an online appointment system for passport applications, set to launch soon: Currently, 50,000 blank passports are available, with an additional 100,000 expected in November and 150,000 in December, aiming to streamline the application process and meet demand effectively.
Sri Lanka’s external debt reaches US$ 37.5 billion by June 2024, with US$ 503 million in debt service payments being made during the 1H’24, covering both principal and interest: Since April 2022, a debt standstill policy has paused payments to bilateral and commercial creditors, accruing US$ 5.67 billion in principal and US$ 2.53 billion in interest.
US-based Transdigm Group has invested US$ 8.5 million in Sri Lanka to establish SHIELD, a facility by subsidiary AmSafe BirdPort in the Wathupitiwala Export Processing Zone: Relocating from China, SHIELD aims to provide aviation engineering solutions and produce safety accessories for global clients, creating 500 jobs: The investment highlights US interest in diversifying supply chains and expanding trade with Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka’s Department of Animal Production and Health has urged pig farm owners to register at local veterinary offices following the first reported cases of African swine fever in the country: Outbreaks have been confirmed in the Western, Uva, Northern, and North Western provinces, according to K.K. Sarath, Director of the Western Province Animal Production and Health Department.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Internal Affairs has announced stricter residence permit regulations from December 01 2024, with applications limited to family reunification, academic, highly skilled employment, and investment roles: Seasonal work and secondments are excluded: Sri Lankan applicants must apply in neighbouring countries due to local office closures, as Lithuania tightens security measures amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Sri Lankan athletes face a busy 2025 with 11 major international events, including the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from 13–21 September: Key events include the South Asian Senior Championship in April, World Indoor and Relay Championships in China, and the Asian Youth Games in Tashkent: Sri Lanka Athletics is preparing athletes through trials and national events, including the 103rd National Athletic Championship.
November 01, Colombo (LNW): In Colombo, The Asia Foundation, with the backing of Google.org, announced the launch of the APAC Cybersecurity Fund aimed at enhancing the cyber capabilities of over 300,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region.
The event gathered key stakeholders from various sectors to discuss this important initiative. In Sri Lanka specifically, the project seeks to train and equip 13,000 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with the essential skills to effectively tackle cybersecurity threats.
The initiative will implement training sessions across all nine provinces of Sri Lanka. Furthermore, two cyber clinics will be set up at the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology and Uva Wellassa University to boost cybersecurity knowledge among undergraduates. These students will, in turn, leverage their training to assist MSMEs with cybersecurity challenges.
Establishing robust cybersecurity practices within the MSME sector is crucial, as these businesses account for over 50% of the national economic output. This sector comprises nearly all businesses in the country and employs almost half of the workforce.
However, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic decline have severely impacted MSMEs, leading to a reduction of over 15% in their numbers. Many of these enterprises have had to rely heavily on affordable digital tools, including social media and personal mobile devices, for their operations.
As these businesses increasingly adopt digital solutions, they have also become more susceptible to cyber threats.
The rise in internet access in Sri Lanka has led to a corresponding increase in cybercrime, with 14.58 million internet users recorded in 2023, reflecting a 67% penetration rate. Although this figure saw a slight drop in 2024, social media user numbers continued to climb.
Phishing has emerged as the most prevalent form of cybercrime in Sri Lanka, with malicious emails and links redirecting users to fraudulent websites designed to harvest sensitive personal information.
This poses a significant risk to smaller enterprises. Other common scams include impersonation of delivery services, aimed at extracting fees from users, and hacking incidents on platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, where attackers steal login credentials to send fraudulent requests for money.
Addressing these challenges necessitates a unified and sustained effort to bolster cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory mechanisms.
The government’s initiatives, along with programs like the APAC Cybersecurity Fund, aim to strengthen the cybersecurity ecosystem by empowering micro and small businesses, nonprofits, and social enterprises with the skills to navigate the digital landscape safely.
With $15 million in grant support from Google.org, the initiative is set to equip 13,000 SMEs in Sri Lanka with the necessary cybersecurity skills, while also extending support to businesses in Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.
The program will focus on training across all nine provinces and establishing two cyber clinics to enhance the knowledge and capacity of undergraduates.
Despite the significance of the SME and microenterprise segment, which constitutes nearly 50% of domestic production, knowledge and interest in cybersecurity remain low due to various challenges, including limited education and investment.
The Asia Foundation’s program will particularly emphasize the participation of women to enhance their role in economic activities.
Although the Online Safety Act was passed by the Sri Lankan Parliament earlier this year, the absence of a comprehensive Cyber Security Act remains a concern, as discussions on this issue have been ongoing for over five years.
Experts have pointed out that without effective policy frameworks and public engagement, only larger corporations are adequately prepared to address the current cybersecurity challenges.
The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has urged the government to expedite discussions on the draft Cybersecurity Bill to ensure compliance with the upcoming Personal Data Protection Act.
Notably, despite the rising popularity of digital platforms, 79% of Sri Lankans still prefer cash transactions, underscoring the need for enhanced cybersecurity awareness and infrastructure.
November 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s new government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, announced plans to reinvestigate the devastating 2021 X-Press Pearl maritime disaster that heavily impacted the nation’s coastline and marine ecosystem.
A senior minister revealed that this investigation is intended to address accusations of mismanagement, corruption, and delays in compensating affected communities. To date, Sri Lanka has struggled to secure substantial compensation for the disaster’s environmental impact, leaving many affected fishermen without adequate support.
The Singapore-registered MV X-Press Pearl caught fire near Negombo, Sri Lanka, in May 2021, releasing harmful chemicals, plastic pellets, and other pollutants into the ocean.
This contamination, which originated from the vessel’s cargo of hazardous substances, including 25 tons of nitric acid, resulted in widespread marine fatalities, devastating the local fishing industry and endangering public health
Environmental scientists, including Hemantha Withanage, estimate the damage claims could reach as high as $10 billion, citing findings of toxic chemicals such as Bisphenol and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in ocean samples.
The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) labeled the incident as the worst marine chemical disaster in Sri Lankan history.
The island nation’s legal pursuit of compensation, however, has faced repeated setbacks. With only an interim payment of $3.7 million secured, Sri Lanka could potentially claim $5 billion to $7 billion more.
However, lengthy legal processes and a lack of aggressive governmental action have raised concerns. Critics argue that the extended delays and unwillingness to engage in complex legal battles in international courts may reduce Sri Lanka’s chances of receiving adequate compensation.
In response, MEPA has urged legal action to avoid missing the window for rightful claims, with calls for a Presidential Commission of Inquiry to ensure accountability and transparency in the proceedings.
Since the disaster, approximately 200 women have been engaged in cleanup efforts along affected beaches, collecting microplastics and other debris from the wreck. Despite these efforts, environmental restoration has remained slow, and the financial strain on affected communities persists.
The government’s handling of compensation has sparked additional scrutiny, particularly after former MEPA head Darshani Lahandapura revealed that she had been pressured to accept compensation in local currency rather than USD.
Given Sri Lanka’s economic crisis and currency devaluation in 2022, this move raised suspicions that officials sought to leverage the situation for financial gain, potentially reducing the actual compensation value received.
In response, President Dissanayake’s administration has pledged to thoroughly investigate the incident after parliamentary elections on November 14, with expectations that the National People’s Power (NPP) party will assume office.
November 01, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is confronting a surge in cyber-enabled crimes, particularly involving foreign actors targeting the financial sector.
Criminals are exploiting vulnerabilities in the country’s digital infrastructure to transfer funds from local accounts to foreign ones, highlighting the increasing sophistication of cybercriminal networks.
According to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), cybercriminals typically fall into one of four categories: black hat hackers, cyberstalkers, cyber terrorists, and scammers.
Among them, black hat hackers pose a serious threat by infiltrating networks to steal sensitive data such as credit card details and passwords.
The Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) recently issued warnings about a spike in fake messages circulating on social media and messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
These messages impersonate credible institutions such as banks or commercial entities to fraudulently obtain personal information.
CERT’s findings indicate that cybercriminals are leveraging social media, fake websites,
SMS, and even physical mail to deceive victims with promises of rewards or donations, ultimately requesting sensitive data, including One-Time Passwords (OTPs).
CERT cautions users against sharing OTPs over messaging platforms, as it could allow hackers to gain unauthorized access to their accounts, which they can then use to solicit further sensitive information from other contacts.
CERT has urged the public to be cautious about sharing personal information online and recommends verifying requests by consulting official channels or directly contacting organizations.
In recent cases, professionals, not just general citizens, have increasingly become targets of cyber scams, as noted by Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa.
With social networks facing mounting scrutiny over data misuse, platforms are imposing tighter access restrictions, though motivations behind these changes—whether user protection or concerns over government surveillance—remain uncertain.
Prominent tech companies, including Apple, Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, have publicly emphasized their commitment to user privacy by refusing government data requests.
Despite awareness campaigns by banks advising users to ignore scams, such as messages demanding processing fees for fictitious lottery wins, hackers continue to bypass security protocols and gain access to funds, which they promptly move to foreign accounts.
After these transactions are completed, tracking the perpetrators becomes nearly impossible as they erase digital traces from their devices, explains DIG Thalduwa.
These scams often involve millions of rupees, making financial fraud a serious issue for the nation.
In response to the cybercrime rise, Sri Lanka has strengthened its cooperation with international partners. For example, a delegation of ten Chinese law enforcement officials recently arrived in Sri Lanka to assist in combating cybercrime.
This partnership followed a diplomatic request from the CID, as foreign nationals are often implicated in these financial fraud cases.
The CID is also working on enhancing Sri Lanka’s legal framework and collaborating with agencies like Interpol and Europol, though many challenges remain.
November 01, Colombo (LNW): In September 2024, Sri Lanka’s export sector saw growth, with exports increasing by 4.1% year-on-year, surpassing the $1 billion mark. However, this improvement came alongside a growing trade deficit, which the Central Bank attributed to rising imports.
Despite these challenges, the Central Bank’s report highlights a stronger financial account, supported by foreign investments in the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) and government securities, driving an overall surplus of $2.28 billion in the country’s balance of payments.
The merchandise trade deficit widened to $634 million in September 2024, compared to $377 million in September 2023, as import expenses rose more sharply than export revenues.
From January to September 2024, the cumulative trade deficit expanded to $4.2 billion, up from $3.34 billion over the same period in 2023.
While industrial exports, particularly textiles, garments, and petroleum products, drove much of the year-on-year growth, agricultural and mineral exports declined, largely due to lower seafood and tea exports.
Imports grew substantially, recording a 22% year-on-year increase to $1.65 billion in September. This rise was broad-based across all major import categories, with significant contributions from intermediate goods, investment goods, and consumer goods.
While textile and chemical imports rose, fuel imports declined due to both lower prices and volumes of refined petroleum. Notably, investment goods imports also increased, particularly for machinery and equipment like cranes.
In the services sector, inflows, excluding tourism, were estimated at $311 million in September 2024, showing a slight decline from $319 million in September 2023.
Key contributors included sea transport and IT services. Outflows, however, saw a significant jump to $336 million from $162 million a year earlier, primarily due to increased costs in overseas travel and air transport.
Foreign investments in the government securities market saw a net outflow of $5 million in September 2024, contributing to a cumulative net outflow of $256 million from January to September.
Conversely, the CSE attracted a cumulative net inflow of $43 million over the same period, indicating some resilience in investor sentiment toward equity markets.
By the end of September 2024, Sri Lanka’s Gross Official Reserves (GOR) stood at $6 billion, an increase of $1.6 billion from the previous year-end.
This total includes a conditional swap facility with the People’s Bank of China (PBOC), providing import coverage for approximately 3.9 months.
The Central Bank recorded net purchases of $96 million from the domestic foreign exchange market in September 2024, helping to support the reserves.
The Sri Lankan rupee appreciated steadily, strengthening by 10.3% against the U.S. dollar by October 2024. It also appreciated against other major currencies, such as the euro, pound sterling, and Indian rupee, driven by positive cross-currency movements and higher foreign inflows.
Reflecting this, the real effective exchange rate (REER) index increased from 70.2 at the end of December 2023 to 72.6 by September 2024, although this uptick indicates a slight reduction in external competitiveness.
In summary, while export earnings and foreign investments helped bolster Sri Lanka’s external accounts, the widening trade deficit and rising import demand indicate ongoing structural challenges in the trade sector.
Nonetheless, the strengthening of foreign reserves and the appreciation of the rupee are positive signals for the country’s economic stability as it navigates a complex external environment.
November 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Government Affairs in Sri Lanka has announced the expected return of all official residences previously occupied by former ministers, with the final two residences due to be handed back today (01).
This process saw 26 residences already vacated as of yesterday, with the remaining properties anticipated to be returned in line with today’s deadline, according to the Ministry.
In a move towards ensuring transparency, senior ministry officials have directed authorities to obtain comprehensive reports detailing outstanding water and electricity bills for each residence.
These reports will be instrumental in assessing the financial accountability of the previous occupants, particularly regarding any unpaid utility costs accumulated during their tenure.
The initiative reflects a broader government effort to manage state-owned properties efficiently and to reinforce fiscal responsibility amongst those entrusted with official privileges.
The Ministry’s recent efforts are seen as part of an ongoing drive to implement streamlined governance practices, particularly around the management of state assets and residences allocated to public officials.
By enforcing clear procedures around the handover and settling of dues, the government aims to set a precedent for responsible stewardship of public resources.
