July 14, Colombo (LNW): Three government officials have been taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with a suspected illegal registration of a motor vehicle, raising fresh concerns over malpractice within public administrative systems.

The investigation centres around a vehicle registered under the number GS-9164, which was reportedly entered into the Department of Motor Traffic’s database without proper customs clearance—a legal requirement for any imported vehicle to be officially registered in Sri Lanka.

Amongst those arrested is Suriya Priyangani Sirimanne, a former Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Motor Traffic, who is currently serving in a senior capacity at the Ministry of Lands. She is accused of authorising the questionable transfer of the vehicle’s ownership, bypassing necessary regulatory protocols.

Also arrested was Sanjeewa Kumara, a Development Assistant attached to the Motor Traffic Department’s Narahenpita branch, who allegedly played a direct role in executing the unauthorised ownership transfer. The third suspect, Indika Lakshman Herath, serving as a Supervisory Officer within the same department’s Investigation Division, is said to have issued a formal recommendation supporting the fraudulent transfer.

CIABOC officials believe the unauthorised registration may be part of a broader network of collusion between public officials and external parties aiming to circumvent import and registration laws for financial gain. Investigators are currently scrutinising whether similar cases have occurred, indicating a possible pattern of corruption within vehicle registration processes.

The three suspects are expected to be presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the Commission is likely to request continued detention to facilitate further inquiry.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a concerning surge in gun-related violence in the first half of 2025, with authorities confirming 68 shooting incidents reported between January 01 and July 13.

According to the Police Media Division, a significant majority of these incidents are believed to be the result of ongoing turf wars and retaliatory attacks within organised criminal networks.

Addressing journalists earlier today (14), Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler provided an overview of the law enforcement response. He stated that police have arrested 24 alleged gunmen in connection with the shootings, along with 15 individuals suspected of serving as getaway drivers or motorcycle riders during the attacks.

A further 150 individuals have been taken into custody for their suspected roles in aiding and abetting the incidents, whether by providing logistical support, harbouring suspects, or facilitating the transport of weapons.

ASP Wootler noted that of the 68 shootings, 50 have been definitively linked to organised criminal activity, while the remaining 18 appear to stem from personal disputes or localised conflicts. The violence has claimed the lives of 37 individuals, 34 of whom are believed to have had direct ties to criminal gangs or underworld operations. In addition, 39 people have sustained injuries—30 of them reportedly affiliated with organised groups.

These figures have prompted renewed concerns about the pervasiveness of illicit firearms and the expanding influence of underworld factions in both urban and rural areas. The police spokesperson also revealed that an intensive series of operations carried out between January 01 and July 10 has led to the seizure of 1,165 weapons.

These include firearms, bladed weapons, and improvised arms, many of which were discovered in targeted raids informed by intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Authorities have pledged to continue the crackdown on armed crime with enhanced coordination among specialised units, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Narcotics Bureau, both of which are believed to be monitoring the financial and operational structures of several criminal outfits.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): In a landmark move that places sustainability, education, and youth empowerment at the heart of national discourse, the University of Colombo is spearheading an ambitious, island-wide celebration of United Nations World Tourism Day 2025.

In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (Alumni ATEHM), a series of events is set to unfold across the country in the coming months.

Running under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” this national campaign aims to galvanise awareness, innovation, and meaningful engagement in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, with a particular focus on cultivating the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Activities will span from August through to early October, culminating in a flagship celebration between September 27 and October 01, centred at the prestigious One Galle Face and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

At the heart of this initiative is a vibrant programme of activities designed to engage a diverse audience—from schoolchildren to seasoned professionals. A national inter-school tourism competition will roll out across all provinces, introducing Junior Tourism Clubs in secondary schools to nurture early exposure to tourism and hospitality.

Students will receive both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in areas such as culinary arts, destination marketing, and guest services. The national finals, scheduled for 25 and 26 September, will showcase student talents and reward innovation in fields such as food and beverage service and eco-tourism promotion.

Parallel to these school-based events, the Tourism Travel Mart will offer an active networking hub where hoteliers, travel agents, sustainable tourism entrepreneurs, and cultural experts can interact with both consumers and potential business partners. This platform aims to boost domestic tourism initiatives, promote lesser-known destinations, and highlight sustainable tourism practices.

On 26 September, One Galle Face will also host a specialised Tourism Job Fair and Career Guidance Expo, providing workshops, live interviews, and mentorship sessions for aspiring professionals seeking careers in hospitality, travel management, and tourism-related entrepreneurship.

The grand finale of the celebrations will take place on October 01 with the staging of two international events: the International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) and the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS). More than 20 countries will be represented by esteemed academics, policy experts, and industry veterans, who will gather to explore bold new directions in sustainable tourism policy, digital innovation, and post-crisis resilience in the global travel landscape.

The campaign is a result of robust collaboration among stakeholders. While the Ministry of Tourism sets the strategic direction, the SLTDA and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) are leading national coordination and outreach efforts.

Intellectual and logistical support comes from the University of Colombo’s Sustainable Tourism Unit and the Alumni ATEHM, along with state and private universities that offer tourism and hospitality courses. Industry associations such as THASL, SLAITO, SLITHM, CHSGA, and ASME are providing technical guidance, while provincial councils are delivering on-the-ground implementation across the island.

With just a few months to go until the global observance, organisers have called on all sectors—from educators and local authorities to tourism operators and young innovators—to join hands and contribute to a reimagined tourism landscape.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Former minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne has petitioned the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for anticipatory bail, aiming to pre-empt a potential arrest in connection with a high-profile investigation being conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The application follows claims made in court that Senaratne has deliberately avoided arrest over his alleged involvement in a controversial sand mining transaction, which reportedly led to a financial loss of Rs. 26.2 million to the state.

According to commission officials, the former minister has been untraceable in recent days—allegedly switching off his mobile devices, vacating his known residence, and disregarding repeated legal summons.

Adding to the controversy, a medical certificate produced on Senaratne’s behalf by his legal counsel was dismissed by authorities as inadmissible, raising further questions about his intent to comply with the legal process.

Officials representing the Bribery Commission had initially moved to obtain an arrest warrant. However, the magistrate presiding over the matter advised that such a request could not proceed without the requisite legal documentation.

The court subsequently reminded the commission that it possesses the statutory authority to detain individuals under investigation and directed it to take appropriate action within the scope of the law.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Meteorology has issued a high-level weather warning for coastal regions, cautioning of hazardous maritime conditions due to intensifying winds and turbulent seas.

The red alert specifically covers sea areas stretching from Chilaw to Mannar via Puttalam, as well as from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambantota—regions that are expected to experience particularly severe conditions over the next 24 hours.

According to forecasts, wind speeds in these coastal belts could reach up to 50 to 60 miles per hour, creating dangerous conditions for maritime activities. The seas are expected to become rough to very rough, with the added risk of swell waves rising between 2.5 to 3.0 metres in offshore zones spanning from Puttalam to Pottuvil, including the waters off Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

As a result, the authorities have strongly advised fishing vessels and small craft to avoid setting out from ports located in the affected areas, particularly between Galle and Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota. Communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods have been urged to exercise maximum caution and monitor official updates.

In regions from Galle to Puttalam via Colombo, where fishing and naval operations are more frequent, the Meteorological Department has called for heightened vigilance. Mariners operating in these zones are advised to stay informed through regular weather bulletins and cooperate with local safety guidelines to prevent potential accidents at sea.

Officials warn that sudden changes in weather patterns remain a possibility and have urged both coastal residents and those planning to travel by sea to remain alert.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Sweeping changes are on the horizon for Sri Lanka’s school system, with the Ministry of Education confirming a reduction in the number of daily classroom periods from eight to seven, effective from January 01 next year.

As part of the restructuring, each period will be extended to 50 minutes, prompting a comprehensive overhaul of existing school timetables across the country.

Education Ministry Secretary Nalaka Kaluwewa outlined the reforms during a high-level briefing with education officials held at the North Central Provincial Council last week. The session marked the first in a series of awareness programmes intended to prepare school administrators and educators at provincial, zonal, and divisional levels for the ambitious overhaul of the national curriculum.

Kaluwewa stressed that the reduction in periods is not a cutback in content but a recalibration designed to promote more meaningful learning experiences within each session. The move, he said, aims to ease the pressure of fragmented timetables and improve the overall quality of instruction.

In preparation for the full-scale launch of curriculum reforms in 2026, special attention is being directed toward grades 1 and 6, which will serve as the starting points for implementation. To that end, an extensive training initiative is being rolled out to equip over 100,000 teachers with updated pedagogical tools and methodologies suitable for the reformed system.

This training is being led collaboratively by the Ministry of Education, the National Institute of Education, and the Provincial Councils.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a disturbing rise in road-related fatalities during the first half of 2025, with official police data revealing a total of 1,274 fatal accidents that claimed 1,351 lives between January and July.

This marks a significant year-on-year increase, with 129 more lives lost and 108 additional fatal incidents compared to the same period in 2024.

The figures paint a troubling picture not only in terms of fatal outcomes but also broader road safety. In the first six months of the year, authorities recorded more than 2,600 serious accidents, 4,642 minor collisions, and 2,018 cases of property damage stemming from road-related incidents.

The most devastating incident so far occurred in May, when a passenger bus travelling along the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road veered off course at Gerandi Ella in Ramboda, plunging down a steep incline.

The crash left 22 people dead and over 30 others seriously injured, shocking the nation and prompting urgent calls for action.

In the aftermath of the Ramboda tragedy, law enforcement authorities moved swiftly. A special committee was tasked with investigating the root causes of the crash, and their findings led Police Headquarters to issue a directive holding police leadership accountable.

Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of police and traffic units across the country now face disciplinary measures if they fail to identify, report, and address hazardous road zones within their jurisdictions.

The Acting Inspector General of Police has reinforced this directive, instructing all 607 police divisions to coordinate closely with the Road Development Authority (RDA) and local governing bodies. The focus, he said, must shift from reactive policing to proactive prevention, particularly in regions known for frequent or severe traffic incidents.

Authorities have so far identified 779 high-risk locations across the national road network. Police confirm that a detailed set of safety recommendations has already been handed over to the RDA, aimed at addressing these danger zones through infrastructure improvements, better signage, and stricter enforcement of road laws.

Police Headquarters has made it clear that further negligence will not be tolerated. Divisions failing to implement safety measures or respond adequately to known risks may face serious internal consequences.

By: Staff Writer

July 14, Colombo (LNW): New Commissioner General takes charge with plans to recover missed revenue and boost digitalisation

The Sri Lanka Excise Department has exceeded its revenue collection target for the first half of 2025, recording Rs. 120.5 billion — 102.6% of the projection set by the Ministry of Finance. This milestone comes at a time of transition in leadership, with retired Sri Lanka Navy Commodore M.B.N.A. Premarathne assuming duties as the new Commissioner General on Friday, July 11.

This revenue achievement marks a positive continuation of the department’s rising contribution to state finances in recent years. In 2023, the department collected Rs. 226.7 billion, up from Rs. 178.6 billion in 2022 and Rs. 170.3 billion in 2021 — reflecting consistent growth and improved collection efficiency.

At the official ceremony held to mark his assumption of duties, Premarathne pledged to align the Excise Department’s operations with the government’s overarching national priorities, including poverty alleviation, digitalisation, and the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative. He emphasised the department’s vital role as a key state revenue generator and acknowledged longstanding gaps in revenue collection.

“There are areas where we have missed out on potential revenue for years. We must collectively act to recover these losses and strengthen our overall performance,” he said, underlining the need for renewed collaboration and efficiency across all divisions.

Premarathne also stressed the importance of modernising the department through digital tools and automation to enhance transparency and reduce inefficiencies. The Excise Department has already taken initial steps in this direction, aligning with the government’s broader public sector digital transformation agenda.

In addition to focusing on revenue optimisation, the new Commissioner General committed to fostering a disciplined, rule-abiding, and transparent institutional culture. “We must become a department that our staff can take pride in and that earns the respect of the public,” he noted.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved Premarathne’s appointment earlier this week, following the scheduled retirement of U.L. Udaya Kumara Perera, a Special Grade Officer of the Sri Lanka Inland Revenue Service, who had been serving as the Commissioner General.

As the Excise Department continues to face challenges such as illicit alcohol trade, enforcement issues, and loopholes in taxation, the new leadership brings both a mandate and an opportunity to drive institutional reform, broaden the revenue base, and recover missed dues — all while enhancing public trust.