March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy recently concluded a successful week-long expedition from March 10 to 17, focused on exploring and documenting several historically significant shipwrecks submerged off the coast of Colombo.

The operation was part of ongoing efforts to preserve the country’s maritime heritage while promoting it as a destination for both educational and eco-tourism.

The expedition aimed to assess the condition of various shipwrecks that lie beneath the waves, with notable inclusions such as the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, and SS Perseus, alongside a number of unidentified wrecks.

Among the most notable sites explored were the SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus, both of which were sunk during World War I, adding to the historical significance of these wrecks.

In addition to their historical value, wrecks such as the Chief Dragon Car Carrier and Thermopylae Sierra have evolved into vital artificial reefs, supporting diverse marine life and contributing to the region’s marine ecosystem.

A team of 14 diving officers and 15 diving sailors carried out the operation, employing a mix of atmospheric air and nitrox air mix as breathing gases, depending on the depth and duration of each dive. This approach ensured greater safety and operational efficiency, especially for the deeper dives required to explore these sites.

This initiative is part of the Navy’s commitment to the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, which aims to protect the nation’s maritime environment while preserving its rich history beneath the waves.

These efforts not only enhance the educational and archaeological value of the shipwrecks but also contribute to the promotion of Sri Lanka as a unique and attractive destination for maritime and eco-tourism.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced the reinstatement of pension provisions for farmers across the country.

This decision, welcomed by many in the farming sector, will provide financial security to farmers in their retirement, acknowledging their crucial role in the nation’s economy.

Premasiri Jasinghaarachchi, Chairman of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, revealed that alongside pensions, farmers will also benefit from life insurance coverage.

This new initiative is expected to offer greater protection for farmers and their families, ensuring they have access to essential financial support in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

In addition to this announcement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has confirmed that the compensation process for farmers affected by crop damage from last year’s heavy rainfall has now been finalised.

A total of Rs. 952 million has been distributed to 53,503 farming families who were impacted by the extreme weather conditions.

This compensation was part of the government’s effort to support those whose livelihoods were threatened by the devastating rains that caused widespread damage to crops.

However, some farmers have not yet received their compensation due to issues with verifying their identities and discrepancies in the assessment reports.

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has acknowledged these challenges and is working to resolve the remaining issues so that all affected farmers can receive their due compensation.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has underscored the critical need to increase the participation of women in the global and Sri Lankan economies.

Speaking at the launch of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Finance Code this week, she highlighted the stark gender disparities in economic engagement, pointing out that only 47 per cent of women worldwide, and a mere 32 per cent in Sri Lanka, are economically active.

In contrast, the figures for men stand at 72 per cent globally and 71 per cent locally.

Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that addressing the systemic barriers hindering women’s economic participation is essential. “Women entrepreneurs face significant obstacles such as limited access to finance, markets, skilled labour, and technology. These barriers stifle their potential and prevent them from fully contributing to the economy,” she stated, calling for comprehensive action to break down these barriers and promote gender equality in the workplace.

She further acknowledged that women in Sri Lanka encounter unique challenges, including unsafe public transport, hostile workplace environments, and societal expectations that place a disproportionate burden of domestic responsibilities on them.

These factors exacerbate the difficulties they face in participating in the workforce and achieving entrepreneurial success.

Dr. Amarasuriya also referenced the International Finance Corporation’s MSME Finance Gap Report, which estimates a global finance gap of US$5.2 trillion for formal micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with an additional US$2.9 trillion gap in the informal sector.

In Sri Lanka, the gap for MSMEs is approximately US$17 billion, representing around 21 per cent of the country’s GDP. A disproportionate number of women-led MSMEs are particularly affected by this financing shortfall, further limiting their ability to grow and succeed.

The Prime Minister argued that closing this financing gap for women entrepreneurs could unlock between US$5 trillion and US$6 trillion in additional global economic value.

“If we can provide women with the necessary resources, we will see not only a boost in their businesses but also in the global economy at large,” she added.

Dr. Amarasuriya also highlighted the importance of the Women Entrepreneurs’ Finance Goal (We-Fi), a global initiative aimed at enhancing access to finance for women-led businesses.

This initiative focuses on leadership, data-driven actions, and policy reform to bridge the financial gaps. Sri Lanka, she revealed, is amongst the first 24 countries to pilot this initiative, with significant support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The ADB’s involvement has helped to create a national definition for women-led businesses, which will be instrumental in gathering more accurate data and informing better policy decisions.

In conclusion, Dr. Amarasuriya commended the ADB’s comprehensive support, which has already led to improved data collection and better reporting practices, ultimately contributing to more informed policymaking.

She reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a national coalition that would empower women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises, reinforcing the broader goal of strengthening women’s economic rights and opportunities in Sri Lanka.

By: Isuru Parakrama

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The government has introduced new amendments to the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations under the authority of the Imports and Exports Control Act, No. 1 of 1969.

The amendments, officially promulgated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, were published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2488/07 dated March 19, 2025.

These revised regulations modify specific provisions of the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2013, particularly affecting the importation of motor vehicles. One of the key changes requires that the original cancelled certificate of registration, along with its English translation and related documents, must bear the stamp of both the local bank that issued the letter of credit and the corresponding bank in the country of export.

However, in cases where an export inspection certificate and a condition report detailing the vehicle’s specifications are received, the requirement for the foreign bank’s stamp is waived, allowing licensed banks to release the documents.

Further, the amendments establish additional verification measures to ensure the authenticity of export inspection certificates. The documents must be dispatched directly by the corresponding bank, and their legitimacy must be confirmed online through the designated inspection agency.

An official endorsement indicating that the authenticity has been verified is now mandatory.

The regulations also introduce specific provisions for verifying the authenticity of motor vehicle import documents. Sri Lanka Customs is tasked with ensuring that these documents, including those referred to in prior regulations, are scrutinised before clearance.

Additionally, for vehicle imports from all countries, Bureau Veritas has been designated as the responsible verification agency.

To facilitate the implementation of these regulations, the Controller General of Imports and Exports will issue operational instructions to relevant authorities, including the Director General of Customs and licensed banks.

The revised regulations come into force on March 19, 2025 and apply to motor vehicles imported under the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2025, regardless of the date of issuance of the export inspection certificate.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): A sweeping operation has led to the arrest of over 1,600 deserters from Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces, who have failed to return to their duties after abandoning their posts without legally resigning.

The operation, initiated under a directive from the Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, commenced on February 22 and has continued to gain momentum over the past few weeks.

As of yesterday (19), authorities have apprehended a total of 1,604 personnel who had deserted their posts. Of these, 1,444 were captured through coordinated efforts by the Tri-Forces, whilst 160 were detained by the police.

The Defence Ministry revealed that the majority of the deserters were from the Army, with 1,394 Army personnel arrested, alongside 138 from the Air Force and 72 from the Navy.

The crackdown is part of an ongoing effort by the Ministry of Defence to address the issue of absconding service members who have failed to formally discharge from their duties.

These deserters are considered to have violated military regulations, and the authorities are working to bring them to justice in line with national security protocols.

March 20, Colombo (LNW): Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peeris made shocking claims in the Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday (19), asserting that former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon poses a greater threat to society than notorious organised criminals such as ‘Harak Kata’ and ‘Makandure Madush’.

Representing the prosecution, Peeris stated that Tennakoon had grossly abused his position of power within the Police Department for personal gain, calling his actions far more harmful than the activities of some of the country’s most infamous criminals.

“He has been living amongst us like a shadow, far worse than criminals such as Harak Kata and Makandure Madush. His misuse of authority is on an extensive scale. We respectfully request that he be remanded without bail until further investigations can be conducted,” Peeris told court.

Tennakoon, who had been evading authorities for nearly three weeks, appeared unexpectedly before the Matara Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Following his surrender, Magistrate Arun Indrajith Buddhadasa remanded the former IGP until today, 20th March, as the investigation into his alleged crimes continues.

During the court hearing, Peeris emphasised the gravity of the situation, stating, “For the past 20 days, authorities have been actively searching for Tennakoon, yet he managed to remain at large, only to suddenly appear before the court without anyone realising. This raises serious concerns that need to be addressed. Tennakoon is unfit to serve as even a police constable, let alone hold the prestigious position of IGP. His actions are an insult to the police force.“

Further revelations came to light during the proceedings, with Peeris informing the court that investigations had uncovered Tennakoon’s ownership of eight properties.

Shockingly, his name had not appeared on the electoral register since 2020, adding another layer of mystery to the case.

In response, President’s Counsel Shanaka Ranasinghe, who was representing Tennakoon, argued for his client’s release on bail. After carefully considering the arguments put forward, Magistrate Buddhadasa announced that a decision regarding Tennakoon’s bail application would be made today (20).

March 20, Colombo (LNW): The window for submitting nominations for the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections is set to close today (20), with the Election Commission announcing that no further nominations will be accepted beyond 12:00 noon.

The nomination period for candidates vying for seats in 336 Local Government institutions began on March 17, and it will soon be followed by the official announcement of the election date, which is expected once the nominations process is completed.

The deadline for candidates to submit their deposit payments for participation in the elections had already passed, closing on 19th March.

As political parties prepare for the elections, key figures have been vocal about their respective campaigns.

Former Member of Parliament (MP), Udaya Gammanpila, representing the ‘Sarvajana Balaya’ alliance, expressed his confidence that the coalition is poised to bring about the much-needed change that voters have long awaited.

He assured that the alliance is fully prepared to address the concerns of the public and offer a fresh approach to governance at the local level.

Meanwhile, Patali Champika Ranawaka, another former MP and the leader of the United Republic Front (URF), highlighted his party’s efforts in fielding a highly capable team for the elections.

According to Ranawaka, his party has carefully selected individuals with the necessary expertise and commitment to serve the community effectively.