February 27, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake welcomed the Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, H.E. Mr. Akio Isomata, to the Presidential Secretariat this morning (27) for a significant meeting aimed at enhancing diplomatic and economic relations between the two countries.

During the meeting, Ambassador Isomata extended an official invitation to President Dissanayake to visit Japan, expressing strong appreciation for the new administration’s policy framework.

The Ambassador also conveyed Japan’s desire to deepen cooperation with Sri Lanka in various sectors, particularly in areas of security and economic development.

A key topic of discussion was Japan’s recent efforts to include Sri Lanka in its newly launched security cooperation assistance programme, which is designed to strengthen regional security and foster closer ties with Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Isomata underscored Japan’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka through various developmental initiatives.

The two leaders also engaged in a detailed conversation about the joint program between Japan, Switzerland, and South Africa, which focuses on national reconciliation efforts in Sri Lanka, particularly in the northern regions that have been heavily impacted by the 30-year conflict.

Both sides expressed a mutual interest in continuing to support these initiatives to promote long-term peace and unity within Sri Lanka.

In addition to these discussions, the current state of Japanese investments in Sri Lanka was reviewed. Particular attention was given to ongoing and future investments in the digital economy and infrastructure sectors, such as airport development and port modernisation.

Ambassador Isomata reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s Digital Transformation Programme, highlighting Japan’s intention to invest in projects that will enhance the country’s digital capabilities and improve its transport infrastructure.

The meeting was attended by several high-ranking officials, including Dr. Duminda Hulangamuwa, Advisor to the President on Economic and Financial Affairs, Roshan Gamage, Senior Additional Secretary to the President, OHASHI Kenji, First Secretary and Head of Economics and Development Cooperation Section, and MURATA Shinichi, First Secretary and Head of the Political Section.

February 27, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister (Dr.) Harini Amarasuriya has strongly criticised the extravagant spending on foreign trips by former presidents, drawing a stark contrast with the more modest expenditures of the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During a debate on the expenditure for the office of the President, the Prime Minister revealed that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had allocated a staggering Rs. 3,572 million from public funds for foreign visits between 2010 and 2014.

This spending was, according to Amarasuriya, one of the highest recorded during his tenure, with 2013 alone seeing an expenditure of Rs. 1,144 million on foreign travel.

In comparison, the Prime Minister highlighted that the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, had spent a mere Rs. 1.8 million on his three foreign visits so far.

Amarasuriya pointed out that such a contrast in spending reflected the fiscal discipline that the current administration was committed to, especially when compared to the lavish spending of previous leaders.

Further detailing the foreign travel expenditures of former presidents, Amarasuriya noted that former President Maithripala Sirisena had spent Rs. 384 million during his time in office between 2015 and 2019.

She also highlighted that former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, over the course of his two-year term, had spent Rs. 126 million on foreign visits.

The Prime Minister went on to scrutinise the foreign travel spending under former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who, according to Amarasuriya, had spent Rs. 533 million for foreign trips in the 2023-2024 period alone.

Wickremesinghe had reportedly undertaken 33 foreign trips, accompanied by as many as 154 individuals. Notably, he had taken opposition members of Parliament with him on some of these journeys, including a trip to the UK for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, where he was accompanied by 10 people.

Furthermore, 18 individuals travelled with him to Japan for the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, while 12 individuals joined his visit to the UK for the coronation of King Charles III.

Additionally, the Prime Minister noted that he had taken 23 individuals with him on an official visit to India.

In contrast, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s foreign trips have been much more restrained, with only five people accompanying him on his trip to India.

February 27, Colombo (LNW): The Attorney General has informed the Supreme Court that a total of Rs. 245 million has been disbursed as compensation to the victims of the tragic Easter Sunday terror attacks.

This payment follows an order issued in relation to the Fundamental Rights petitions filed by the victims, which highlighted the failure of authorities to take preventative action prior to the attacks.

The update was presented during a hearing of 12 petitions concerning the disbursement of compensation to those affected by the attacks.

The petitions were brought before the Supreme Court for scrutiny, with the intention of ensuring that the payment process was carried out in accordance with the court’s previous instructions.

The case was heard by a three-judge bench consisting of Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, Justice S. Thurairajah, and Justice A.H.M.D. Nawaz.

The Supreme Court’s involvement in these matters has underscored the importance of ensuring justice for the victims, as well as the need for accountability and transparency in the compensation process.

February 27, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is set to hold an important meeting today (27), with reports indicating that a decision on the date for the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections will be made during the session.

This meeting has been anticipated for weeks, as the nation awaits clarity on when the elections, crucial for local governance, will take place.

According to a recent gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, local government institutions are scheduled to hold their inaugural sessions after the elections on June 2, 2025.

Sources within the Election Commission have hinted that the elections are likely to be held either at the end of April or in the first week of May 2025. The final decision, which will confirm the exact date, is expected to provide clarity on the timeline for the electoral process.

February 27, Colombo (LNW): Aravinda Sirinatha has officially taken over as the new Chairman of the National Housing Development Authority (NHDA), marking the beginning of his leadership at the authority’s headquarters today (27).

Sirinatha comes to the role with a solid academic background. He graduated from the University of Kelaniya, where he earned a degree in commerce, before advancing his education with a postgraduate qualification in business administration.

In addition to his academic achievements, Sirinatha has also honed his skills through professional training at the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sri Lanka, further enhancing his understanding of financial and managerial practices.

His career spans a variety of roles in the private sector, where he gained valuable experience in both management and strategic planning.

With his expertise in business administration and finance, Sirinatha is expected to lead the NHDA in implementing sustainable housing solutions and driving the authority’s broader objectives.

February 27, Colombo (LNW): The prolonged dry weather in Sri Lanka has led to significant disruptions in water supply across several regions, including Colombo, Kalutara, Ratnapura, Matara, and Kandy, according to the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB).

The decreased rainfall has resulted in lower water levels in reservoirs, making it difficult for the authorities to maintain regular water distribution.

In response to the situation, the NWSDB has increased the use of water bowser trucks to deliver water to affected areas. However, with the supply under pressure, the public is being urged to use water sparingly and avoid wastage during these challenging conditions.

In addition to water shortages, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has reported a sharp rise in the cost of power generation. This is largely due to an increase in the operation of thermal and fuel oil power plants, which are being used more frequently to compensate for the reduction in hydroelectric power output.

The Norochcholai Power Plant, which is one of the country’s key sources of electricity, is currently operating at full capacity to meet the demand.

The country’s reliance on hydroelectric power has significantly decreased, with only 20 per cent of daytime electricity and 40 per cent of nighttime electricity now being sourced from hydro plants.

This shift has placed additional strain on thermal power generation, which has resulted in a spike in energy costs.

The combination of water and power supply issues highlights the severe impact of the ongoing dry spell, with authorities urging the public to remain vigilant and make efforts to conserve both water and energy.