March 23, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have confirmed that three election-related complaints were lodged at police stations across the country on March 21, as Sri Lanka prepares for its upcoming local government elections.

The Police Headquarters has assured that each case is being thoroughly examined to uphold a fair and transparent electoral process.

One of the reported incidents involved an attack on a residence in Kahambiliyawa, Marassana, which falls under the Thalathuoya Police Division in the Kandy District. Whilst details regarding the motive remain unclear, police have launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

A second complaint was filed in the Gandara Police Division of the Matara District, where an individual sustained injuries following an assault in Kapugama North. Law enforcement officers are currently investigating the attack to determine whether it was politically motivated or linked to local disputes.

The third case reported to the authorities concerned road repair activities in the Beruwala Police Division of the Kalutara District. Complaints were raised regarding ongoing work on Hettimulla and Malbokka roads, with initial investigations revealing that the Beruwala Pradeshiya Sabha was responsible for the maintenance efforts. Given the timing of the repairs, the police have been tasked with verifying whether the work adhered to electoral regulations.

The Police Headquarters reiterated its commitment to ensuring a secure electoral environment, stating that all allegations of election-related misconduct would be addressed with due diligence.

Security measures are expected to be strengthened in key areas as the election date approaches, with law enforcement monitoring potential violations to prevent any undue influence on the democratic process.

March 23, Colombo (LNW): The sixth round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Thailand is set to take place on March 25, 2025 at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok.

The discussions will be led by Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary of Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, and Eksiri Pintaruchi, Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

This high-level meeting aims to assess the progress made since the last round of consultations, held in Colombo in August 2023, as well as the outcomes of the former Thai Prime Minister’s official visit to Sri Lanka in February 2024.

The consultations are expected to provide a platform to deepen diplomatic ties and expand bilateral cooperation in various strategic sectors.

With 2025 marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations, both sides are keen to enhance collaboration in key areas. Discussions will focus on strengthening political engagement, increasing trade and investment opportunities, and promoting partnerships in renewable energy, fisheries, and agriculture.

Defence cooperation and cultural exchanges will also feature prominently, alongside initiatives to boost tourism between the two countries.

Sri Lanka and Thailand have long shared close historical and cultural ties, underpinned by their shared Buddhist heritage and economic partnerships. As both nations navigate evolving global challenges, the upcoming consultations are expected to pave the way for stronger cooperation and new opportunities for mutual development.

March 23, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan Embassy in South Korea has assured that no Sri Lankan nationals have been affected by the massive forest fires currently sweeping through the southeastern regions of the country.

Officials at the embassy stated that they are closely monitoring the situation to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans residing in the affected areas.

With an estimated 35,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers living in South Korea, concerns arose over their well-being as the fires intensified. However, embassy representatives confirmed that, as of now, there have been no reported casualties or injuries amongst the Sri Lankan community.

Authorities remain vigilant and have advised Sri Lankans in the region to stay informed and adhere to any safety directives issued by local officials.

High temperatures, dry conditions, and strong winds have exacerbated the spread of the fires, prompting large-scale evacuation efforts and urgent warnings from South Korean disaster management agencies.

In light of the ongoing crisis, the Sri Lankan Embassy has urged its citizens to remain cautious and to contact diplomatic officials in case of emergencies.

March 23, Colombo (LNW): The National People’s Power (NPP) has announced plans to introduce a bill in Parliament aimed at recovering state assets that were unlawfully obtained under past administrations.

The proposed legislation will be formally presented to Parliament on April 08, according to MP Chandana Suriyarachchi.

The bill is designed to facilitate the legal confiscation of wealth, including funds and properties, accumulated through the misuse of state resources.

It seeks to hold individuals accountable for exploiting public assets for personal enrichment, particularly those with political ties to previous governments.

Speaking on the initiative, MP Suriyarachchi stated that the misuse of public resources had been a persistent issue in the country, with influential figures—including political leaders, their associates, and relatives—allegedly converting state-owned properties and funds into private assets.

The proposed law aims to introduce legal mechanisms that will enable the state to recover such wealth and return it to public ownership.

The NPP maintains that the legislation is a crucial step in addressing long-standing public grievances regarding corruption and the mismanagement of national assets.

Emphasising the party’s commitment to accountability, Suriyarachchi stressed that the initiative was not about political showmanship but about delivering justice to the people.

The proposed bill is expected to spark significant debate, particularly as it challenges individuals who have benefited from previous political regimes. However, the NPP asserts that such measures are necessary to restore public trust and ensure that national resources are utilised for the benefit of the country rather than private gain.

March 23, Colombo (LNW): The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has expressed strong approval of the 2025 Budget, highlighting its provisions as a constructive step towards resolving concerns over payments for doctors’ additional responsibilities.

Speaking at a briefing yesterday (22), GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr Chamil Wijesinghe stated that the budgetary measures had addressed a pressing issue that had caused widespread anxiety within the healthcare sector.

In recent weeks, speculation had grown over the possibility of cuts to allowances for medical professionals, fuelling discontent and prompting industrial action from several health trade unions.

The uncertainty over financial incentives for extended duties led to mounting pressure on authorities to provide a clear stance. Medical professionals had been demanding assurances that their additional workload would be fairly compensated, with some groups resorting to strikes as negotiations continued.

The GMOA, which played a key role in these discussions, now views the government’s response as a promising resolution that acknowledges the crucial contributions of healthcare workers.

Whilst the specifics of the budgetary adjustments remain under scrutiny, the GMOA has conveyed cautious optimism that the proposed measures will help maintain stability in the sector.

March 23, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

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:

The Asian Development Bank will help Sri Lanka sell ‘thematic’ debt securities, taking one step beyond the initial green bonds that have already been sold by some, Takeo Konishi, Director General, South Asia Department, Asian Development Bank said.

Thematic bonds, sustainability linked bonds, can be sold by governments and private companies.“A robust sustainable financing ecosystem with internationally accepted regulation and governance structure, Sri Lanka would be able to attract global investors, including social impact investors,” Konishi told a forum on green bonds in Colombo.

“These investors would look for innovative financing structures like thematic and green bonds, with projects identified to strengthen economic resilience in the country, which would create employment and empower youth and women.

“The overarching objective of ADB is to focus on economic growth, job creation, technological innovation, and private sector development.”The ADB supported the Securities and Exchange Commission of Sri Lanka in the implementation of green bond regulations, he said.

The United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has placed Sri Lanka-based Marine Solution Pvt Ltd on its Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list. This designation restricts US individuals and entities from engaging in any transactions with the company, the US Embassy in Sri Lanka announced.

Marine Solution Pvt Ltd has been identified as the registered owner and technical manager of the Barbados-flagged vessel SHANNON II (IMO: 9237797), which has been involved in the transportation of Iranian oil. This action is in alignment with OFAC’s broader strategy to curb illicit financial and trade activities associated with Iran.

The SDN list is a comprehensive public record that includes individuals, businesses, and entities sanctioned for involvement in activities such as terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and violations of international sanctions. As part of its Iran-related sanctions, OFAC continuously updates the SDN list to include entities and vessels linked to activities that undermine global security.

Benefits of This Action

This latest addition to the SDN list reinforces US efforts to prevent unauthorized financial transactions and trade that may fund destabilizing activities. Key benefits include:

Strengthening Global Security: By restricting entities involved in Iranian oil shipments, the sanctions help prevent funds from reaching organizations that may support terrorism or nuclear proliferation.

Deterring Sanctions Evasion: The designation sends a strong message to companies worldwide that involvement in sanctioned trade will lead to significant financial and operational consequences.

Protecting Legitimate Trade Networks: Blocking illicit actors helps ensure that global commerce remains free from unlawful financial activities that could distort market fairness.

Supporting International Policy Goals: This move aligns with broader US foreign policy objectives, particularly efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions, missile program, and its financial support for militant proxy groups.

By taking decisive action against entities like Marine Solution Pvt Ltd, the US reinforces its commitment to maintaining economic integrity and security on an international scale.