February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has revealed that a significant exodus of medical professionals is underway, with 2,000 doctors having already left Sri Lanka’s health services, and an additional 5,000 expected to follow suit in the near future.
Dr Chamil Wijesiri, a spokesperson for the GMOA, highlighted the potential ramifications of this mass departure, including critical shortages in medical personnel and drug supplies.
He stressed that these doctors, having completed all necessary qualifications and training, are seeking opportunities abroad, where better conditions and financial incentives await them.
The departure of so many medical professionals is exacerbating the already strained healthcare system, which faces challenges not only in staffing but also in securing essential medical supplies.
Dr Wijesiri warned that the shortage of drug suppliers is one of the many pressing issues that could arise from the outflow of such a large number of qualified doctors.
In response to these challenges, Dr Wijesiri called on the government to take immediate action to protect the remaining medical staff in the country and to stabilise the national economy.
He emphasised the need for short-term solutions to address the current crisis and expressed hope that the upcoming budget proposal would introduce the necessary changes to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system.
The situation paints a worrying picture for Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, as the exodus of qualified doctors not only undermines the country’s ability to provide adequate medical care but also reflects the broader economic and social difficulties that many professionals are facing.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): At the World Governments Summit held in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday (11), President Anura Kumara Disanayake held an important meeting with Mike Sicilia, Executive Vice Chairman of Oracle Corporation.
The two leaders engaged in a constructive discussion centred around advancing Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, particularly in the fields of financial technology (fintech), cloud infrastructure, and governance.
The conversation primarily focused on how Oracle could assist Sri Lanka in adopting cutting-edge digital technologies to drive economic growth and enhance the efficiency of government services.
Oracle expressed its readiness to support Sri Lanka’s digitalisation ambitions, particularly through the provision of Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI), a platform that would help modernise the country’s IT framework. In response, President Disanayake proposed the establishment of a sovereign Oracle Cloud region in Sri Lanka.
This initiative would provide a secure and efficient platform for hosting government applications, e-governance services, and a comprehensive national data system, ensuring that the country maintains control over its data sovereignty and remains compliant with international regulations.
In line with Sri Lanka’s efforts to transition to a cashless economy, President Disanayake also extended an invitation to Oracle to help lay the groundwork for innovative fintech solutions and digital payment systems.
The President further proposed the creation of a Digital Transformation Hub in Colombo Port City, with a focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud technologies.
He envisions this hub becoming South Asia’s leading centre for AI-driven innovation, which could boost Sri Lanka’s role in the region as a technology and digital services hub.
The President invited Mr. Sicilia to send a dedicated team to Sri Lanka to explore the feasibility of these initiatives and help expedite the process of setting up Oracle’s South Asian AI and Cloud Hub in Colombo Port City.
He expressed confidence that such a move would help position Sri Lanka as a regional leader in the field of digital transformation, fostering greater public-private partnerships and attracting investments in high-tech solutions.
Mike Sicilia, in response, expressed a keen interest in Oracle’s potential involvement in Sri Lanka’s digital evolution. He emphasised the strategic importance of establishing an AI and Cloud Hub in the country, which would not only accelerate the nation’s technological growth but also attract investments in state-of-the-art technologies.
He acknowledged the significant role Sri Lanka could play as a regional leader in AI-driven cloud solutions.
During the meeting, President Disanayake reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to embracing new technologies that would streamline governance, boost economic development, and enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
He stressed the importance of international partnerships to support the nation’s ambitious digital transformation agenda and welcomed Oracle’s potential contribution to the country’s future.
The discussions were attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, as well as Hanif Yusoof, Governor of the Western Province, who also participated in the talks, highlighting the broader political support for the digitalisation initiatives.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move towards enhancing the country’s public administration and supporting sustainable development, the Government of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the United Nations, has launched the “Transforming Local Administrative Data Collection Systems for SDG Acceleration” Joint Programme.
The initiative, known as ‘One Registry,’ is a major step in strengthening Sri Lanka’s Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) system, a cornerstone for ensuring equitable access to essential public services for all citizens.
Launched recently in Colombo, the programme is a joint effort between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), with financial backing from the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund.
This ambitious initiative aligns with the Government’s broader digital transformation strategy, aiming to create an inclusive digital environment that empowers vulnerable populations and fosters sustainable development across the nation.
The launch event was attended by an array of distinguished figures, including Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya, Public Administration Minister Dr A.H.M.H. Abayarathna, Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, and UN representatives, including Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, and Azusa Kubota, UNDP Sri Lanka’s Resident Representative.
Other notable attendees included representatives from various development agencies, the private sector, and civil society organisations, all of whom expressed strong support for the programme.
Prime Minister Dr Amarasuriya underscored the transformative potential of the initiative, stating, “Strengthening the CRVS system is pivotal in advancing our digital agenda and improving public administration. This programme will ensure that every Sri Lankan citizen has access to vital services and the right to a legal identity, promoting transparency, inclusivity, and national progress.”
The programme is designed around three core pillars: the digitalisation of civil registration processes, the creation of an interoperable registry connected to key government agencies, and efforts to increase public awareness and digital literacy.
These initiatives are intended to complement existing national digital projects such as the e-NIC (electronic National Identity Card) and the Sri Lanka Unique Digital Identity (SLUDI), working towards a unified and digitally inclusive society.
Marc-Andre Franche, the UN Sri Lanka Resident Coordinator, highlighted the importance of the initiative for the country’s digital future: “The CRVS system is a vital component of Sri Lanka’s digital transformation, ensuring that all citizens have access to legal identity and that high-quality data is available to inform data-driven policymaking. With the right policies and strategic partnerships, digital technologies can accelerate sustainable development and ensure greater accountability in governance. We are committed to supporting the Government of Sri Lanka in creating a people-centred system that leaves no one behind.”
The initiative is also backed by the European Union, with Bredal, a representative from the EU Global Gateway, expressing their support: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Government of Sri Lanka, UNDP, and WHO through the UN Sri Lanka SDG Fund to help modernise the country’s CRVS system. This will facilitate equitable access to public services. The EU Global Gateway’s investment in digitalisation is essential in advancing progress across interconnected SDGs, and we are ready to share our expertise in digitalisation and data protection to support these efforts.”
The ‘One Registry – Everyone Counts!’ project is a key component of Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), by laying the foundation for scalable and sustainable reforms.
The initiative promises to bolster data-driven policymaking, enhance digital inclusion, and create a more robust, efficient, and transparent public service system, ultimately contributing to the country’s broader vision of a digitally empowered future for all its citizens.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): Japanese businesses operating in Sri Lanka are experiencing a robust rebound, with rising optimism for the country’s post-economic crisis landscape in 2025, according to the latest survey by the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).
The survey, conducted in August and September 2024, reveals that nearly half of the Japanese companies in Sri Lanka are expecting to turn a profit in 2024, a significant leap forward from the previous year.
This marks a clear recovery trend for Japanese firms, whose prospects have brightened following Sri Lanka’s economic downturn.
In total, 31 companies in Sri Lanka participated in the survey, which gathered insights from over 5,000 Japanese companies across the Asia-Oceania region.
Encouragingly, 75 per cent of the respondents based in Sri Lanka foresee an improvement in their operating profits for 2025.
This optimistic forecast places Sri Lanka ahead of many other high-growth markets in the region, such as India, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Bangladesh.
Factors driving this positive outlook include increased domestic demand, the streamlining of local sales systems, enhancements in production efficiency, and favourable policy changes such as the lifting of the vehicle import ban and reductions in container freight rates.
These developments are helping Japanese businesses strengthen their position in Sri Lanka, with 46.4 per cent expecting to be profitable in 2024, an 11.9 per cent increase compared to 2023.
The survey also reveals that the economic recovery, coupled with a resurgence in the tourism sector, has provided a significant boost to Japanese businesses. Many companies are benefiting from new customer acquisitions and increased business activity.
The upturn in the business climate has encouraged over a third (36.7 per cent) of Japanese firms to consider expanding their operations in Sri Lanka over the next two years, marking an 8.6 per cent rise from the previous year. This expansion focus largely revolves around enlarging sales networks and introducing new products to the market.
However, not all companies share the same level of optimism. Around 13.3 per cent of respondents are contemplating downsizing, relocating to another region, or even withdrawing from the Sri Lankan market.
Despite this, the general sentiment towards investment in Sri Lanka remains strong, with the country’s relatively low labour costs — cited by 54.8 per cent of respondents — continuing to be a major attraction.
Sri Lanka competes closely with other countries in the region, such as Myanmar and Bangladesh, in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Additionally, Sri Lanka’s strategic location, market potential, and tax incentives were highlighted as other key advantages by Japanese firms.
Many also noted the ease of recruiting local staff, the good living environment for expatriates, and the availability of affordable land and office space as factors that contribute to Sri Lanka’s appeal.
However, challenges remain. Political and social instability (83.9 per cent) emerged as the top concern, followed by unpredictable government policies (71.0 per cent), currency fluctuations (45.2 per cent), rising labour costs (41.9 per cent), and high employee turnover (35.5 per cent).
Firms also flagged issues such as sudden import restrictions, tax rate fluctuations, rising operational costs, and disruptions in supply chains due to import restrictions as barriers to doing business.
Despite these concerns, the long-term investment appeal of Sri Lanka remains robust, with the majority of Japanese companies indicating that they are poised to navigate the country’s challenges.
Since its establishment in 1964, JETRO Colombo has played a crucial role in facilitating trade and investment between Japan and Sri Lanka, and this year’s survey is the 38th edition of its annual report on the business conditions of Japanese companies overseas.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Power has confirmed that a planned one-hour power outage will take place today (13), between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
The power cut is part of ongoing measures to manage the electricity supply efficiently.
Although the exact times for specific regions have yet to be detailed, the Ministry has advised the public to anticipate the temporary interruption and make necessary arrangements.
Localised schedules will be shared later, providing more clarity on which areas will be affected during the designated period.
The Ministry has assured that further updates will be issued as soon as the final schedule is confirmed.
In the meantime, residents and businesses are urged to prepare for the brief disruption in power supply.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Hambantota Port, with the backing of China, has partnered with Sinopec to introduce High Sulphur Fuel Oil (HSFO) to their ship fuel offerings, a move expected to significantly benefit the maritime sector.
In an official statement, the port confirmed that the newly established facility has the capacity to store up to 6,000 cubic metres of HSFO in two dedicated tanks.
The fuel can be transferred to vessels at an efficient rate of 400 metric tonnes per hour, ensuring swift service for ships in need of refuelling.
Equipped with state-of-the-art monitoring and remote-control systems, the facility is designed to provide both precision and safety during operations, addressing any concerns about fuel handling.
The introduction of HSFO is set to be a game-changer for shipowners, particularly those operating vessels fitted with scrubbers.
This move will allow vessels to continue using HSFO as a cost-effective fuel alternative while ensuring compliance with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) 2020 sulphur emission regulations, which restrict the sulphur content in marine fuels to 0.5%.
Prior to the new development, the lack of shore-based HSFO storage at Sri Lankan ports had meant that the fuel was available only in limited quantities, hindering the ability of shipping companies to secure reliable supplies and impacting overall operational efficiency.
Sinopec Lanka Private Limited, a key player in the local fuel industry, welcomed the development. Alice Lee, the company’s Deputy General Manager, highlighted the strategic importance of the Hambantota facility, stating that it would allow for a steady and high-quality supply of HSFO to vessels calling at Sri Lankan ports.
This development, she explained, would help support the wider shipping industry’s demand for dependable fuel supplies, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of maritime operations.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced that a final decision regarding the continuation of power cuts will be made public later today (13).
According to CEB Chairman Dr Thilak Siyambalapitya, the official statement will be issued at 10:00 a.m. this morning.
Earlier this week, the CEB was forced to implement nationwide power outages on Monday (10) and Tuesday (11) due to a technical fault at the Norochcholai Coal Power Plant.
The incident occurred when the plant’s automatic protocol system disconnected all three of its generators, leading to a widespread island-wide blackout on Sunday (9).
In response, the CEB put in place scheduled power cuts lasting for one-and-a-half hours, which affected the entire island between 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. each day. The decision was made in an effort to regulate electricity demand and avoid further strain on the grid.
However, no power interruptions were required on Wednesday (12), as the CEB was able to manage the electricity load effectively, particularly given the lower demand associated with the Poya Day holiday.
The available generation capacity was deemed sufficient to meet the day’s needs, and as a result, normal service was restored.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): The Legal Officers’ Association of the Attorney General’s Department has responded to recent claims suggesting inaccuracies in an advisory opinion issued by the Attorney General on January 27, 2025.
The Association, which represents the legal professionals working within the department, has labelled these circulating statements as “factually incorrect and misleading.”
In a detailed statement released yesterday (12), the Legal Officers’ Association, the sole trade union representing lawyers in the Attorney General’s Department, reaffirmed that all internal procedures and established practices were diligently followed in relation to the advisory in question.
They underscored that the advice given was in line with standard protocol and was thoroughly scrutinised by the relevant authorities before being issued.
Expressing unwavering support for the Attorney General, the Association made it clear that they have full confidence in both his decisions and the entire team of officers involved in the decision-making process.
The statement further emphasised the Association’s commitment to defending the integrity of the Attorney General’s office and made it known that they would not hesitate to take a stand against any efforts aimed at removing the Attorney General from his position.
This strong response from the Legal Officers’ Association comes in the wake of increasing public debate and speculation over the contents of the Attorney General’s recent legal opinion, with some critics questioning its validity and implications. However, the Association’s defence highlights a determination to protect the office from unwarranted political or external pressure.
February 13, Colombo (LNW): Mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (13).
A cold weather can be expected over most parts of the island during the early morning. There is a possibility of ground frost at some places in the Nuwara-Eliya district during the early hours of the morning.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western province and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Mainly fair weather will prevail over sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending fromColombo to Mannar via Puttalam and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times.
February 12, World (LNW): Pope Francis has issued a sharp critique of the United States’ current approach to immigration, directly condemning the mass deportation programmes that have characterised the first weeks of President Donald Trump’s second term.
The letter, addressed to the bishops of the United States on February 10, 2025, condemns the dehumanising treatment of migrants and refugees, drawing a stark contrast to the Christian values of compassion, solidarity, and human dignity.
In his letter, Pope Francis reflects on the biblical narrative of the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, asserting that the experience of migration is a deeply sacred one, shared even by Jesus Christ.
“The family of Nazareth in exile, Jesus, Mary and Joseph, emigrants in Egypt and refugees there to escape the wrath of an ungodly king,” he writes, framing the Church’s view on migration as one of profound empathy.
This message sharply counters the anti-immigrant rhetoric that has been a hallmark of Trump’s administration, which has actively pursued policies that characterise migrants as criminals rather than victims of hardship and persecution.
The Pope’s words challenge the very core of Trump’s aggressive stance on immigration. Pope Francis asserts that the notion of associating migrants’ “illegal status” with criminality is not only morally wrong but a violation of basic human rights.
“The rightly formed conscience cannot fail to make a critical judgment and express its disagreement with any measure that tacitly or explicitly identifies the illegal status of some migrants with criminality,” he states. In doing so, the Pope critiques the recent actions of President Trump, who has ramped up deportations and maintained harsh policies against migrants during the early days of his second term.
Further condemning the punitive measures being enacted, Francis highlights the deep harm caused by deporting vulnerable individuals—many of whom have fled extreme poverty, violence, and environmental degradation.
The Pope insists that a nation’s true moral standing is reflected in how it treats its most vulnerable citizens, especially those who have no choice but to flee their homelands. “An authentic rule of law is verified precisely in the dignified treatment that all people deserve, especially the poorest and most marginalised,” he writes.
Whilst acknowledging that nations have a right to defend their borders, the Pope stresses that immigration policies must be guided by a sense of dignity and human rights. He argues that Trump’s approach, which has sought to prioritise security and exclusion over compassion, ultimately undermines the foundations of justice and equality.
“What is built on the basis of force, and not on the truth about the equal dignity of every human being, begins badly and will end badly,” he warns.
The Pope’s letter does not shy away from the deep ideological divide that exists in the United States, particularly under President Trump’s leadership. Francis cautions against the use of national identity as an ideological weapon, warning that focusing on the self-interest of the privileged few over the welfare of the many distorts the very notion of social life.
“Worrying about personal, community or national identity, apart from these considerations, easily introduces an ideological criterion that distorts social life and imposes the will of the strongest as the criterion of truth,” he asserts, implicitly taking aim at the nationalist rhetoric that Trump has championed.
In closing, Pope Francis calls on all Christians and people of good will to reject the narrative of division and exclusion, urging them to adopt an approach based on fraternity and solidarity.
He also invokes the figure of Our Lady of Guadalupe, seeking her protection for those suffering due to the harsh realities of migration and deportation.
In his timely and moral intervention, Pope Francis has not only raised his voice against the continuation of Trump’s controversial immigration policies but has also provided a powerful moral framework for a more humane approach to migration, one that centres the dignity of every human being, regardless of their legal status.
The Pope’s letter serves as a reminder of the enduring need for compassion, solidarity, and the protection of human rights.
