July 21, Colombo (LNW): Today (21) will be the deadline for individuals to submit appeals under the second phase of the Aswesuma Welfare Benefits Programme, a key social support initiative aimed at providing assistance to vulnerable households across the country.

Officials from the Welfare Benefits Board have confirmed that close to 30,000 appeals have already been lodged as part of this latest round, reflecting a strong public response and continued demand for welfare assistance.

The programme, which targets low-income families and those facing economic hardship, offers financial support intended to ease the burden of rising living costs and ensure a basic standard of living.

Those who believe they have been unfairly excluded from the scheme — or who need to correct or update their personal details — are being urged to act immediately, as today is the final deadline for submissions. After this date, no new appeals will be accepted for this phase of the initiative.

Appeals must be filed through the respective Divisional Secretariat offices, which serve as the official intake points for documentation and queries. Once submitted, the appeals are forwarded to the Welfare Benefits Board for further assessment and verification.

Applicants are encouraged to double-check supporting documents and ensure they meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the programme’s guidelines.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Most Venerable Anamaduwe Dhammadassi Thero, the Anunayake (Deputy Chief Prelate) of the historic Asgiri Chapter, passed away at the age of 67.

The Thero had been receiving medical care at a private hospital after suffering a heart attack.

His condition had reportedly remained critical in the days leading up to his demise, which occurred last night (20).

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Corruption within Sri Lanka’s public service continues to cast a long shadow over the nation’s governance, prompting intensified efforts by the country’s anti-graft watchdog, the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The agency has stepped up its operations in 2025, reflecting a mounting urgency to restore public trust in state institutions.

Between January and July this year, CIABOC received a staggering 2,138 complaints relating to bribery, abuse of office, and procedural misconduct. In response, the Commission carried out 44 raids and apprehended 31 public servants suspected of involvement in corrupt activities.

Those detained span a wide range of government departments and services — including headteachers, police personnel, labour department representatives, and staff from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT).

Many of the arrests stemmed from allegations of officials accepting illicit payments, exploiting their positions for personal gain, and breaching established administrative protocols.

In one of the most high-profile cases to date, CIABOC last week detained three individuals linked to an unlawful vehicle registration scheme within the DMT. Amongst those arrested was a former Assistant Commissioner who now holds the post of Senior Assistant Secretary at the Ministry of Lands.

Also implicated were a Development Assistant and an Investigation Officer, all believed to have played roles in bypassing regulatory checks to register a vehicle improperly.

This case follows a separate raid in May, during which authorities arrested another trio of DMT officials — including a Deputy Commissioner. That operation led to the discovery and seizure of over Rs. 4.1 million in cash, believed to be proceeds of unreported or illegal transactions.

CIABOC has reiterated that these arrests are part of a broader campaign to root out endemic corruption within the public sector. Officials assert that no rank or office is beyond scrutiny, and investigations will proceed without favour under the current administration.

The Commission continues to call on civil servants to uphold ethical standards and has warned that increased surveillance and enforcement will remain a cornerstone of government policy. In parallel, the public is encouraged to report any suspected instances of corruption, with CIABOC pledging that every complaint will be treated with due seriousness and confidentiality.

July 21, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, with fairly heavy falls about 75 mm likely at some places in the Sabaragamuwa province and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle, Matara and Kalutara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (21).

Several spells of showers may occur in the North-western and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district.

Strong winds of about 50 kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and North-central provinces.

Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by strong winds.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (35-45) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (60-70) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Manna to Vakarai via Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough or very rough at times. Naval and fishing communities are advised not to venture into these sea areas for next 24 hours.

The sea areas off the coast extending Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Manna to Vakarai via Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee may be rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Therefore, there is a possibility that nearshore sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota may experience surges due to sea waves.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be attentive to future forecasts issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): Senior legal figure Viraj Dayaratne has been named as the new head of the Criminal Division within the Attorney General’s Department, a key position in Sri Lanka’s legal system tasked with overseeing the prosecution of criminal cases across the country.

This appointment comes in the wake of Justice Rohantha Abeysooriya’s elevation to the judiciary as President of the Court of Appeal, creating a vacancy at the helm of the department’s criminal arm. Abeysooriya’s promotion reflects a broader reshuffling within the upper echelons of the legal and judicial services.

Dayaratne brings with him a wealth of experience, having previously held the role of Acting Attorney General, during which time he handled several high-profile legal matters and gained recognition for his measured approach and legal acumen.

His return to a leadership role within the department signals a continuity of experience and a commitment to maintaining prosecutorial standards amid evolving legal challenges.

July 20, Colombo (LNW): The Meteorological Department has issued a high-level alert for coastal regions stretching from Puttalam to Pottuvil, encompassing Colombo, Galle, and Hambantota, warning of hazardous sea conditions and powerful winds over the next 24 hours.

According to the advisory, gale-force winds gusting between 60 and 70 kilometres per hour are expected to sweep across these maritime zones, significantly disrupting sea conditions. Swells in the affected areas may rise between 2.5 and 3.0 metres, increasing the risk of coastal inundation and making navigation perilous for small and medium-sized vessels.

The Department has raised the warning level to ‘Red’, its most serious classification, indicating an urgent threat to marine safety. Inshore surges are also likely along the southern and western coasts, with rough to very rough seas predicted across the region.

Mariners, including fishing vessels and commercial craft, are being firmly advised to avoid entering the sea in these areas. This precaution applies particularly to those operating from ports and harbours situated along the vulnerable stretch between Puttalam and Pottuvil. The warning is expected to remain in effect for at least the next day, though the situation is being closely monitored.

In addition to the core warning zone, those engaged in seafaring activities from Puttalam towards Trincomalee via Mannar and Kankesanthurai are also urged to exercise heightened caution.