Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.
Several spells of showers may occur in North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.
Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts. Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere of the island.
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe according to UNP sources will visit Singapore on February 29, where he is scheduled to address two key forums. His presentations will focus on the future growth potential of South Asia and ASEAN, as well as the evolving security challenges facing the region.
During his visit, the former President will also engage with leading regional and international media outlets. Given his longstanding relationships and deep understanding of regional dynamics, he continues to be a sought-after voice on South Asia–ASEAN affairs.
File photo of Firmer President with the Famous Singapore Prime Ministet Lee Kuwan
May 29, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka’s diplomatic balancing act between China and India faces renewed tests following the visit of a 115-member Chinese business delegation led by China’s Commerce Minister, alongside the arrival of Chinese research vessels in Sri Lankan waters.
China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao arrived in Colombo yesterday along with a strong 115-member business delegation drawn from 77 companies. He will keynote a top-level business forum tomorrow as well as meet with the leadership of the Government and senior Ministers.
The high-powered business delegation aims to boost economic ties and explore new investment opportunities in sectors including infrastructure, renewable energy, logistics, and tourism.
This visit is seen as part of China’s broader efforts to deepen economic influence in South Asia, particularly through initiatives linked to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Sri Lankan officials have welcomed the delegation, expressing optimism about attracting much-needed foreign direct investment and expanding export access to Chinese markets. Officials noted that such cooperation could contribute to the country’s ongoing economic recovery, especially in the wake of its debt crisis.
However, the concurrent presence of Chinese research vessels — some suspected of dual-use capabilities for intelligence gathering — has raised serious strategic concerns, particularly in neighboring India. Indian security analysts view these visits as a potential threat to regional security, citing the proximity of Sri Lankan ports to key Indian naval and missile installations.
India has previously voiced strong objections to Chinese naval presence in the Indian Ocean, arguing that such activity undermines its security interests. The continued arrival of Chinese vessels, even under the guise of scientific research, is likely to fuel fresh diplomatic friction between New Delhi and Colombo.
Analysts caution that while increased Chinese investment may offer short-term economic relief, it also risks drawing Sri Lanka deeper into China’s strategic orbit. Such a shift could jeopardize India’s development assistance and collaborative projects, including critical housing, energy, and transport initiatives.
Concerns are also growing domestically over the transparency of Chinese deals. Civil society groups warn of the potential for a repeat of scenarios like Hambantota Port, which was leased to a Chinese company on a 99-year agreement due to debt repayment failures.
Sri Lanka now faces the challenge of maintaining strategic neutrality while leveraging both Chinese and Indian engagement for national benefit. Experts suggest Colombo should establish clearer maritime protocols for foreign vessels, enhance transparency in investment agreements, and diversify its international partnerships to avoid overdependence on any single power.
As geopolitical tensions in the Indian Ocean escalate, Sri Lanka’s ability to balance economic ambition with strategic caution will be closely watched by regional and global powers alike.
May 29, Colombo (LNW):In a move that could significantly impact Sri Lanka’s trade and financial ties with India, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed allowing Indian banks to lend directly in rupees to overseas borrowers, with Sri Lanka among the key target countries.
The proposal, submitted by the RBI to India’s Finance Ministry last month, seeks approval for domestic banks and their foreign branches to issue rupee-denominated loans to non-resident borrowers. The initiative is part of India’s broader strategy to internationalise the rupee and promote its use in regional trade.
Sri Lanka, along with Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, has been identified as a priority in this initiative due to its strong trade links with India. According to India’s Ministry of Commerce, nearly 90% of its South Asian exports in 2024/25—worth approximately $25 billion—were directed to these four nations.
If approved, the policy could provide Sri Lankan businesses with an alternative source of financing in rupees, potentially reducing their dependence on U.S. dollars for trade settlements with India. It would also mark a shift in India’s lending approach, as Indian banks’ overseas branches are currently only allowed to issue loans in foreign currencies, primarily to Indian companies.
For Sri Lanka, which continues to recover from its recent economic crisis and foreign exchange shortages, access to rupee-based lending could help stabilise bilateral trade, improve liquidity, and reduce currency conversion costs. The move could also ease pressure on Sri Lanka’s dollar reserves while fostering deeper financial integration with India.
This is not an isolated step. The RBI has been steadily advancing a series of measures to internationalise the rupee. These include permitting non-residents to open rupee accounts outside India and, more recently, seeking government approval to remove restrictions on foreign banks with vostro accounts from investing in short-term Indian government debt.
Although no official comment has been provided by either the RBI or India’s Finance Ministry, the discussions signal a growing emphasis on positioning the rupee as a regional trade currency. Analysts believe the plan, if executed, could pave the way for broader adoption of the rupee in South Asia and potentially across other emerging markets.
For Sri Lanka, closer financial cooperation with India under this scheme could enhance trade efficiency, lower transaction costs, and provide much-needed economic flexibility—especially as the country works to rebuild its economy and diversify its financial partnerships.
May 29, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka and Bhutan continue to strengthen their longstanding diplomatic and cultural ties, reaffirming their mutual commitment to regional cooperation in 2025.
With relations rooted in shared Buddhist values, the two nations have expanded collaboration over the decades since establishing formal diplomatic ties in 1987.
The April 2025 BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok offered an opportunity for leaders of both countries—Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay and Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya—to reaffirm these bonds. Symbolic gestures such as Sri Lanka’s gifting of a sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya sapling to Bhutan in 2015 underscore the spiritual and cultural foundation of this partnership.
The Second Session of the Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Bhutan, held in Thimphu on 28 May 2025, marked a significant milestone in this growing partnership. The talks were co-chaired by Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and her Bhutanese counterpart, Foreign Secretary Pema Choden. The session built upon the outcomes of the inaugural meeting held in Colombo in 2015.
The consultations covered a wide range of sectors, including education, human resource development, connectivity, trade and investment, tourism, culture, climate change, and people-to-people engagement. Both delegations reviewed ongoing initiatives and discussed new areas of collaboration. They also exchanged views on regional and multilateral issues, underscoring their shared commitment to promoting mutual interests and addressing global challenges.
During her visit, Secretary Ranaraja held high-level meetings with Bhutanese leaders, including Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dasho Tshering Tobgay and Foreign Minister Lyonpo D.N. Dhungyel. She provided updates on Sri Lanka’s current developments and explored further avenues for enhancing bilateral ties.
Secretary Ranaraja also met with Bhutanese Minister of Health Tandin Wangchuk, Education and Skills Development Secretary Tshewang C. Dorji, and Royal Civil Service Commission Commissioner Babu Ram Sherpa. These discussions focused on deepening cooperation in health, education, and capacity-building.
The Sri Lankan delegation included Ambassador Dharmapala Weerakkody, Director General for South Asia and SAARC Niluka Kadurugamuwa, and Assistant Director Diana Perera. The Bhutanese delegation comprised senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade, alongside representatives from other ministries and institutions.
With a shared vision for regional cooperation and cultural understanding, Sri Lanka and Bhutan continue to expand their bilateral relationship, reflecting the spirit of mutual respect and collaboration that has defined their ties for nearly four decades.
May 29, Colombo (LNW): In a move to bolster support for vulnerable groups, Sri Lanka will expand its Aswesuma welfare program, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa announced this week. The revised benefits include extended payment periods and increased monthly allowances for key vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, and kidney disease patients.
The monthly stipend for persons with disabilities will rise from Rs. 7,500 to Rs. 10,000, while elderly beneficiaries will see their payments increase from Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 starting April 2025. Additionally, benefits for persons with disabilities and kidney patients will continue until December 31, 2025.
Although support for individuals in the transitional category of Aswesuma will conclude after April, their dependents with special needs will still be eligible for aid. Newly approved applications from disabled individuals and kidney patients will also receive support through the end of the year.
Currently, 1.7 million Sri Lankans receive Aswesuma benefits. The Ministry plans to empower 1.5 million of these individuals over the next five years, starting with 300,000 in 2025, through initiatives in livelihood development, infrastructure, and social welfare.
The Ministry of Finance oversees the selection and distribution of Aswesuma aid, while Jayatissa’s ministry focuses on uplifting low-income communities through empowerment programs. Proposed initiatives include a new social security scheme for low-income earners, the ‘Smart Villages’ program, support for rural microfinance borrowers, and stronger protections for disabled persons and those suffering from kidney disease.
Complementing these efforts, the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) recently released a study titled “Estimating the Effectiveness of Aswesuma: Targeting and Welfare Outcomes in Post-Crisis Sri Lanka.” Conducted by Dr. Pulasthi Amarasinghe, the research evaluates the program’s ability to accurately identify poor households and its impact on improving welfare outcomes.
The study recommends refining Aswesuma’s selection criteria, which currently rely on 22 indicators across six dimensions—education, health, housing, economic status, family structure, and assets. It emphasizes the need to better address both chronic and transient poverty and suggests incorporating new factors such as climate change vulnerability and disaster preparedness.
Following the 2022 economic crisis that pushed poverty rates from 11.3% in 2019 to 25% in 2022 (World Bank), Aswesuma was introduced as a replacement for the Samurdhi program. Its aim is to deliver more targeted assistance and lift households out of poverty using a multidimensional approach and flexible benefit durations based on need.
As Sri Lanka continues its economic recovery, the expanded Aswesuma program is seen as a crucial pillar in rebuilding social protection and reducing long-term poverty
May 29, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a high-level meeting today at the Presidential Secretariat to initiate discussions on the 2026 national budget, focusing on district-level development and the immediate needs of communities across the country.
The meeting brought together Chairpersons of District Coordination Committees and senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, with the primary objective of gathering proposals and strategic input to shape a people-centred budget.
According to the President’s Media Division, President Dissanayake underscored the importance of aligning national fiscal planning with the practical, day-to-day concerns of citizens in all regions.
He stressed that the upcoming budget must prioritise “the basic and urgent needs of the people,” signalling a shift toward more inclusive and ground-level policymaking that reflects the realities faced by rural and urban communities alike.
The gathering featured in-depth dialogue on the progress of existing development projects in the districts, as well as critical gaps in infrastructure and services that need to be addressed through the next budget cycle.
Attendees were encouraged to identify initiatives with the potential for high social impact, especially in areas where communities continue to face challenges in accessing essential services such as healthcare, education, transport, and water supply.
Amongst those who took part in the discussions were Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu, Director General of Public Finance E.A. Rathnaseela, and Assistant Director General of the Department of National Budget M. Anoma Nandani. A number of other senior Finance Ministry officials were also present.
May 29, Colombo (LNW): A high-level inquiry examining serious allegations of misconduct against Sri Lanka’s suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has resumed, with proceedings held at the Parliamentary Complex drawing closer to the next phase of the investigation.
The inquiry, focused on Tennakoon, who has been temporarily relieved of duties over accusations of severe abuse of authority, was conducted under the leadership of Supreme Court Justice P.P. Surasena. Joining him on the panel were Justice W.M.N.P. Iddawela and National Police Commission Chair E.W.M. Lalith Ekanayake.
The session marked a significant development, with legal representatives from both the Attorney General’s Department and the respondent reaching a general agreement on several points of fact. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Parliamentary Communications Department.
Senior legal officials—Additional Solicitor General Dileepa Peiris and Deputy Solicitor General Rajitha Perera—outlined a series of agreed-upon elements surrounding the allegations against the suspended police chief. These admissions, according to the Department, help narrow the focus of the ongoing inquiry and pave the way for the next stages.
Representing Tennakoon, Attorney-at-Law R.S. Weerawickrama also addressed the panel, raising questions and offering clarifications on matters that remain in dispute. With the initial framework largely settled, attention is now turning to the formal presentation of evidence and testimonies.
It was jointly decided that the Committee would reconvene at 2:00 p.m. on June 03, when affidavits supporting the Attorney General’s claims will be formally submitted. The respondent’s official response to these affidavits is scheduled to follow on June 09. Thereafter, the process will intensify with oral hearings and cross-examinations planned for the period from June 11 to 16.
May 29, Colombo (LNW): Amid growing international concerns over emerging COVID-19 subvariants, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health has assured the public that whilst there is no immediate cause for alarm, health officials remain vigilant and proactive in their response planning.
Health Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe acknowledged the recent global uptick in COVID-19 infections and stressed the importance of remaining prepared for any potential resurgence.
Speaking to the media, he confirmed that although the situation within the country remains stable for now, the possibility of new viral strains entering Sri Lanka cannot be entirely discounted.
To bolster the country’s readiness, the Ministry has decided to scale up the number of PCR tests carried out at key diagnostic facilities, including the Medical Research Institute in Colombo, the National Hospital in Kandy, and the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle. This move is aimed at enhancing early detection and tracking of any emerging variants.
Dr Jasinghe also revealed that health authorities recently held a high-level meeting involving epidemiologists and representatives from multiple health divisions. The focus of the discussion was to refine contingency strategies and reinforce institutional preparedness to counter future outbreaks more effectively.
He highlighted that two sub-lineages of the JN.1 COVID-19 variant—NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—have been increasingly reported across several countries in Asia, including neighbouring India. These variants have been classified by the World Health Organization as “variants under monitoring”, indicating a need for continued observation and study due to their potential public health impact.
As part of precautionary measures, Dr Jasinghe urged the public to remain cautious. Individuals displaying symptoms such as fever, sore throat, persistent cough, or chills are advised to wear face masks in public spaces and limit contact with others, in line with standard health guidelines.
The Ministry of Health reaffirmed its commitment to taking evidence-based decisions as the situation evolves and encouraged citizens to stay informed through official updates whilst continuing to observe basic health and hygiene practices.
May 29, Colombo (LNW): The Department responsible for managing pensions in Sri Lanka has confirmed the full restoration of its digital infrastructure following a ransomware attack that briefly disrupted internal systems in April.
Chaminda Waththiarachchi, Director General of the Department of Pensions, reassured the public that all critical operations remained functional throughout the incident.
He emphasised that pension payments were processed without interruption and, importantly, no personal or financial data was lost, accessed, or tampered with during the breach.
The cyberattack, which experts have classified as a ransomware incident, temporarily disabled segments of the department’s IT framework. Charuka Damunupola, an engineer with the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), confirmed that while the intrusion did hinder back-end systems, immediate containment measures were put in place to prevent the attack from spreading or escalating.
Technical teams worked around the clock to isolate the threat and restore access, coordinating closely with cybersecurity experts to secure the network and conduct a full system audit. The rapid response, according to authorities, played a crucial role in ensuring service continuity and safeguarding sensitive information belonging to thousands of pensioners.
In light of the incident, officials have indicated that steps are being taken to enhance the resilience of the Department’s digital infrastructure, including upgrades to firewalls, improved encryption protocols, and a revised contingency plan to handle future threats.
