Colombo, June 13 — The National People’s Power (NPP) Government has rolled out a comprehensive relief programme targeting small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) affected by the Parate Law, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma announced yesterday.

Speaking at a special media briefing held at the Department of Government Information, Dr. Suriyapperuma said the relief initiative, which commenced in December 2024, aims to support SMEs that faced financial distress due to the application of the Parate Law.

“With the expiration of the Parate Law in December 2024, a one-year extension was granted, during which the Government introduced several structured relief mechanisms for struggling businesses,” the Deputy Minister said.

He outlined a tiered support programme based on the size of the loan:

• Businesses with loans under Rs. 25 million were allowed to negotiate with banks before March 31, and if an agreement was reached by June 15, they were given a 12-month repayment period ending December 31, 2025.
• Businesses with loans between Rs. 25 million and Rs. 50 million were granted a similar negotiation window. Those who secured agreements before June 15 were given time until September 30, 2025 to settle outstanding amounts.
• Enterprises with loans over Rs. 50 million were provided a grace period until June 30 to reach settlements and begin repayments.

Additionally, Dr. Suriyapperuma noted that agreements with the banking sector include interest waivers:

• For loans under Rs. 10 million, 65% of the interest may be waived if the loan is settled within six months.
• A 40% interest waiver applies if the repayment is made within a five-year period.

“These measures are aimed at ensuring the survival of SMEs, which form the backbone of the economy, while maintaining financial discipline through structured negotiations with banks,” he added.

The Government has also instructed banks to provide further guidance and flexibility to eligible borrowers under this programme.

The relief package marks a significant intervention in post-Parate Law recovery efforts, with the Government pledging continued support for the SME sector in the coming months.

The Colombo High Court has ordered the confiscation of more than Rs. 201 million held in a private bank account belonging to a Chinese national who was found guilty of engaging in the gem trade without a valid licence.

Delivering the verdict, High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige also imposed a two-year rigorous prison sentence on the accused, suspended for a period of 15 years.

According to the prosecution, the accused had been operating in the gem trade for nearly 12 years without a licence issued by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority. Although he eventually obtained a legal licence, investigations revealed that he conducted unlicensed transactions between October 19, 2017, and February 28, 2018.

The case was filed by the Attorney General’s Department based on an investigation by the Financial Crimes Investigation Unit of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). The accused faced three charges, including operating without a licence and depositing proceeds from the illicit gem trade into a private bank account.

While the court acquitted the accused of two charges, he was found guilty of money laundering—specifically, depositing funds obtained through unlicensed gem trading.

As part of the sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of Rs. 201,664,274.20, determined to be the earnings from illegal trading activity.

The case marks a significant ruling in Sri Lanka’s efforts to clamp down on unregulated gem trading and financial crimes involving foreign nationals.

The Lanka Wharf Services Union has rejected recent allegations surrounding the release of 324 containers by Sri Lanka Customs, describing the claims as politically driven attempts to discredit standard customs procedures.

Speaking at a press briefing held yesterday at the Sambodhi Vihara in Colombo, Union President Ranjith Liyanarachchi, a veteran of over 34 years in customs operations, assured that all container releases are carried out under strict protocols involving scanning, documentation, and risk-based inspections.

“Containers are never released without proper scrutiny,” Liyanarachchi emphasized. “Out of the nearly 1,500 containers arriving daily, only selected units are inspected based on documentation and risk assessments. Conducting a physical check on every single container is impractical and would lead to severe congestion and delays in port operations.”

He noted that Customs retains the authority to re-inspect any container even after release and that each consignment’s documentation and importer history are thoroughly reviewed. “We are confident in the systems we have in place. The containers in question were released according to procedure, and the goods inside matched the declared contents,” he said.

Union Secretary Irshad Niyas backed Liyanarachchi’s remarks, asserting that the criticism currently being directed at the Minister in charge is misinformed. “These decisions are not made by individuals. They are collective decisions by Customs teams based on operational needs and protocols,” Niyas explained.

He also dismissed speculative reports circulating in media and on social platforms, which claimed that the containers held illegal items such as firearms, explosives, or gold. “These are completely false and sensational. If there truly were weapons or illegal goods, the proper authority to contact would be the CID, not social media,” he stated.

Niyas further refuted claims that the containers were linked to political figures, including the Western Province Chief Minister. “There is no truth to that. Customs has functioning scanning systems and follow-up protocols. If necessary, any container can be inspected again,” he reiterated.

Responding to a list of container numbers made public by former Minister Udaya Gammanpila, Niyas said, “According to our operational knowledge and experience, none of those containers raise red flags.”

Union Vice President Nilantha Kumara and Treasurer H. Irshad also addressed the media, stressing that Customs operations continue to run smoothly despite efforts to politicize routine procedures.

The union urged the public to place trust in the established processes and to avoid being misled by misinformation and unverified claims.

Showers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces. Heavy falls about 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 the Northern province and in Anuradhapura district.
Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): The government of Sri Lanka has extended its deepest sympathies to the families of those who lost their lives in a tragic air accident that occurred near the Indian city of Ahmedabad earlier today.

The catastrophe unfolded as an Air India aircraft, bound for London, crashed shortly after beginning its take-off at approximately 1.17 PM local time. Initial reports emerging from Indian news outlets suggest that at least 133 people have perished in the incident. The ill-fated flight was reportedly carrying 232 passengers and ten members of the flight crew.

The scale of the disaster has prompted an outpouring of grief across the region, with Sri Lanka joining the international community in offering condolences and solidarity. In a statement issued via its official channels, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its profound sorrow and alarm at the loss of life, describing the incident as deeply distressing.

“Heartfelt condolences are extended to the families and loved ones of those affected by this heartbreaking tragedy,” the Ministry said in a message shared on the social media platform ‘X’.

While the cause of the crash remains under investigation by Indian aviation authorities, the event has already been marked as one of the deadliest aviation disasters in the country’s recent history. Emergency services and rescue operations have been working tirelessly at the crash site, with efforts underway to identify the deceased and provide medical assistance to any possible survivors.

The aviation industry, shaken by the scale of the loss, is also facing renewed calls for a thorough review of safety protocols and aircraft maintenance practices. Questions are being raised over possible mechanical failure or other contributing factors, though officials have yet to confirm any definitive cause.

Back in Sri Lanka, the news has prompted moments of silence in several official settings, with messages of condolence coming from across the political spectrum. The President’s Office is also expected to issue a formal statement acknowledging the tragedy and reaffirming solidarity with India during this period of mourning.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): Commissioner Jagath Weerasinghe has reportedly been appointed as the new spokesperson for the Department of Prisons.

The Ministry of Justice confirmed the appointment amid rising scrutiny following a controversial prisoner release that has sparked widespread public concern.

The change in spokesperson comes shortly after the resignation of Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake, who stepped down from his media duties earlier in the day.

His departure is believed to be linked to recent revelations regarding the questionable release of an inmate from Anuradhapura Prison, allegedly under the guise of a presidential pardon issued for Vesak Poya.

In the wake of the incident, senior officials at the Ministry of Justice have begun reviewing the current structure of the Department of Prisons. Plans are now underway to implement a series of administrative reforms, including a reassignment of key supervisory positions across the country. These changes are expected to address longstanding concerns about internal accountability and systemic inefficiencies.

The leadership of the department has already undergone a shake-up, with the former Commissioner General of Prisons, Thushara Upuldeniya, being placed on suspension. In his absence, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Justice, Nishan Dhanasinghe, has taken over in an acting capacity. Dhanasinghe, who is known for his administrative acumen, is now tasked with overseeing the reforms and restoring public trust in the system.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s health officials have raised alarms over a growing number of leptospirosis infections, commonly referred to as “rat fever”, which have been steadily increasing with the onset of the monsoon rains.

The bacterial illness, which thrives in waterlogged environments and flood-prone zones, is drawing renewed concern from both the medical community and public health authorities.

Speaking at a recent media briefing hosted by the Health Promotion Bureau, senior epidemiologist Dr Thushani Dabarera explained that the majority of reported infections are concentrated in the districts of Ratnapura, Kurunegala, Kegalle, Gampaha, and Kalutara—areas that have experienced a combination of heavy rainfall and high levels of agricultural activity.

According to Dr Dabarera, the disease is spread through a bacterium that is most commonly found in the urine of rodents, especially rats, and is transmitted when contaminated water or soil comes into contact with human skin, often through cuts or abrasions.

She noted that populations most at risk include paddy field workers, individuals involved in gem mining in certain districts, and agricultural labourers in flood-affected or swampy areas. The cultivation of ‘Keerakotu’, a common leafy vegetable grown in wet fields, has also been identified as a possible source of exposure. Dr Dabarera urged these communities to take preventative measures, including the use of protective footwear and gloves, and to avoid wading through stagnant water whenever possible.

Health professionals also issued a broader warning about the seasonal spike in viral fevers among children. Consultant paediatrician Dr Kosala Karunaratne of Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo explained that the monsoon period often sees a proliferation of so-called “sour fevers”—a colloquial term used to describe a cluster of illnesses that tend to peak during this time of year. Among these are dengue, influenza, Chikungunya, and diarrhoea-related fevers, in addition to leptospirosis.

Dr Karunaratne advised parents to be especially vigilant if their children exhibit symptoms such as persistent high fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, or difficulty urinating. He stressed the importance of seeking prompt medical attention rather than waiting for symptoms to subside on their own, as delays in treatment could lead to serious complications, particularly with illnesses like dengue or rat fever which can escalate quickly.

June 12, Colombo (LNW): A senior figure within Sri Lanka’s prison administration has stepped down, intensifying the fallout from a recent controversy surrounding the premature release of an inmate under questionable circumstances.

Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake, who served as the official media spokesperson for the Department of Prisons, is understood to have submitted his resignation to the Acting Commissioner General, citing concerns linked to the widely criticised release of a detainee from Anuradhapura Prison during the Vesak Poya period.

The pardon, which was issued under a special Presidential amnesty scheme, has come under increasing public and political scrutiny due to allegations that due process was not followed.

Though full details of the inmate’s identity and case remain undisclosed, civil society watchdogs and legal analysts have raised concerns about transparency and the potential misuse of executive clemency.

In the wake of the suspension of Commissioner General Thushara Upuldeniya, who had previously been at the helm of the Department, the Ministry of Justice appointed Additional Secretary Nishan Dhanasinghe to serve as Acting Commissioner General.