By: Staff Writer

April 19, Colombo (LNW): In a significant step at the international labour governance level, Sri Lanka has formally ratified the International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190 on Violence and Harassment in the World of Work. The instrument of ratification was deposited in Geneva by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Sumith Dassanayake, with the Director-General of the International Labour Organization, Gilbert F. Houngbo. The move signals Colombo’s stated intention to strengthen protections for workers and align domestic labour standards with emerging global norms addressing workplace safety and dignity.

Speaking at the time of deposit, Ambassador Dassanayake emphasized that the decision reflects the Government’s commitment to ensuring a work environment free from all forms of violence and harassment, including gender-based abuse. He noted that the Convention reinforces the right of every individual to participate in employment free from intimidation, coercion, and discriminatory conduct. The Ambassador further underlined that Sri Lanka views the ratification as part of a broader policy direction aimed at promoting dignity and respect across all sectors of employment.

Following ratification, the Government is expected to initiate amendments to existing labour legislation in order to give full domestic effect to the Convention’s provisions. These reforms are anticipated to strengthen complaint mechanisms, expand preventive frameworks within workplaces, and establish clearer accountability standards for employers and institutions. Officials have indicated that a “zero tolerance” approach to violence and harassment will be integrated into national labour policy, requiring both public and private sector compliance.

The International Labour Organization’s Convention No. 190, adopted in 2019, is recognized as the first global treaty specifically designed to address violence and harassment in the workplace. It is accompanied by Recommendation No. 206, which provides detailed guidance on implementation, including risk prevention, enforcement mechanisms, and support systems for victims. Together, they establish a comprehensive framework that covers not only employees but also interns, job seekers, and other persons in the world of work.

Sri Lanka’s ratification adds to its long-standing engagement with the ILO system. With this latest step, the country has now ratified a total of 44 ILO Conventions and one Protocol, with 31 of those Conventions currently in force domestically. Observers note that the latest ratification may require significant institutional coordination to ensure compliance, particularly in sectors where informal labour practices remain prevalent.

The Government has stated that the implementation process will involve consultations with social partners, including employer organizations and trade unions, to ensure that legal reforms are both practical and enforceable.

Analysts suggest that while ratification marks a policy milestone, the effectiveness of implementation will depend on enforcement capacity within labour inspectorates, awareness among employers, and accessibility of reporting mechanisms for workers, particularly in the informal sector. Gender rights advocates have also emphasized the importance of survivor-centric complaint systems and protection against retaliation. The government’s forthcoming amendments will therefore be closely monitored by stakeholders to assess whether commitments translate into measurable workplace protections.

By: Staff Writer

April 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s most famous protected areas are facing an escalating crisis as surging tourism transforms national parks into congested corridors of safari traffic. Nowhere is this more visible than Yala National Park, where visitor numbers driven by social media popularity have created what conservationists describe as “traffic jams in the jungle.” The pursuit of rare wildlife sightings and the “perfect shot” has increasingly pushed animal welfare into the background, raising serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of the park’s ecosystem.

At the heart of the problem is the overwhelming concentration of safari vehicles, particularly in Yala’s Block I. On peak days, reports indicate that as many as 900 jeeps may enter through a single access point, creating severe congestion along narrow dirt tracks. This constant pressure has begun to reshape wildlife behavior. Leopards and other key species are becoming more elusive, altering their natural movement patterns and avoiding areas heavily dominated by vehicles. Feeding, hunting, and mating routines are increasingly disrupted by the unpredictable presence of safari convoys.

The environmental stress is not limited to behavioral changes. Some animals have gradually become accustomed to the sound of engines, but others are showing signs of heightened physiological stress linked to prolonged exposure to noise and crowding. Wildlife corridors are frequently blocked by stationary or slow-moving vehicles, restricting access to water sources and fragmenting natural movement routes. In more severe cases, speeding jeeps have contributed to fatal collisions with leopards, jungle cats, and other species incidents that often go underreported.

A further issue lies in the conduct of safari operations. Drivers frequently communicate sightings through mobile phones, triggering sudden rushes of vehicles that converge at high speed on single animals. This competitive behavior turns wildlife viewing into a race, increasing the likelihood of accidents and disturbance. Although official speed limits of 20–30 km/h exist, enforcement remains weak due to limited staffing and logistical constraints within park management.

Political and economic pressures further complicate regulation. Attempts to introduce stricter controls, such as capping vehicle numbers, have often been diluted or delayed due to resistance from tourism-linked businesses and local stakeholders. In response, authorities have introduced partial reforms, including mandatory licensing for safari drivers and restricted entry for uncertified operators in certain zones. Plans are also underway to open additional park blocks to redistribute traffic away from heavily saturated areas.

Other measures include designated midday quiet periods intended to reduce disturbance during peak heat hours, as well as proposals to introduce GPS tracking systems for safari vehicles to improve compliance with speed regulations. However, conservation experts warn that without stronger enforcement and structural change, these steps may not be enough to reverse the growing ecological pressure on one of Sri Lanka’s most important wildlife habitats.

By: Staff Writer

April 19, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s banking sector is facing renewed scrutiny following revelations of a large-scale internal fraud at National Development Bank (NDB), estimated at Rs. 13.2 billion. While the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has initiated steps toward a comprehensive forensic audit, concerns are mounting over the speed and effectiveness of the broader institutional response.

CBSL has confirmed that arrangements are being finalized for an internationally reputed audit firm to investigate the incident in depth. The probe will not only focus on the fraudulent transactions themselves but will also evaluate whether there were lapses in regulatory compliance, governance oversight, and internal control systems during the relevant period.

Although this forensic investigation is widely viewed as a necessary step toward accountability, financial sector observers and stakeholders have raised questions about the delay in implementing stronger interim corrective measures. Critics argue that while audits and internal reviews are underway, depositor confidence remains vulnerable in the absence of swift structural intervention.

At the center of these concerns is the perceived delay in entrusting key stabilizing functions to a highly competent authority with demonstrated expertise in both local and international banking systems. Such an intervention, they argue, could help restore public trust more quickly, strengthen governance discipline, and ensure tighter operational control during the investigation period.

CBSL has already directed NDB to reinforce its internal control environment and governance mechanisms, with emphasis on addressing identified weaknesses. The bank has also been instructed to commission an independent third-party review to assess the effectiveness of its existing systems and procedures.

Despite these directives, industry analysts note that rebuilding depositor confidence requires more than compliance adjustments. They stress that leadership credibility, experienced crisis management, and proven banking governance capabilities are essential during periods of institutional stress.

Meanwhile, CBSL has reiterated that NDB continues to meet all capital and liquidity requirements, and that there is no evidence of spillover losses affecting other financial institutions. Authorities have also cautioned against misinformation, urging the public to rely only on verified regulatory updates.

The Central Bank maintains that it is closely monitoring developments on a daily basis and remains prepared to take further action if required. However, the broader debate continues to grow around whether faster structural intervention and the appointment of a seasoned banking authority could have helped stabilize sentiment sooner and prevent reputational damage to the financial system.

As the forensic audit process moves forward, attention is now shifting toward not only uncovering what went wrong but also whether the response framework is strong enough to prevent similar failures in the future.

By: Staff Writer

April 19, Colombo (LNW): The fallout from the low-quality coal procurement scandal at the Norochcholai Power Plant has evolved into a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s current administration, testing its commitment to transparency and exposing potential fractures in its governance narrative. The resignation of both the Energy Minister and the Ministry Secretary has done little to quell growing public skepticism; instead, it has intensified scrutiny over whether these moves signal genuine accountability or calculated political sacrifice.

At the heart of the crisis lies a troubling discrepancy in coal quality. Shipments certified abroad as meeting required energy standards were later found to be significantly below specification upon arrival. This gap has raised serious concerns about oversight failures, possible collusion, and weaknesses in verification systems. The financial and operational consequences are severe: inefficient fuel increases generation costs, strains infrastructure, and ultimately burdens consumers already facing economic hardship.

The government has maintained that procurement procedures were properly followed, emphasizing adherence to international guidelines and independent testing mechanisms. Yet this defense has struggled to resonate with a public increasingly focused on outcomes rather than processes. The central question remains unresolved: how did a system designed to ensure quality allow such a failure to occur?

The timing of the resignations has further complicated perceptions. Critics argue that decisive action came only after significant reputational damage, suggesting a reactive rather than proactive approach to governance. This delay has fueled speculation about selective accountability, where responsibility is acknowledged only under intense public pressure.

The establishment of a Presidential Commission to investigate all coal procurement activities linked to the Norochcholai plant signals recognition of a potentially deeper problem. By extending the inquiry across multiple administrations, the government appears to be positioning the issue as systemic rather than isolated. However, this broad scope also raises concerns that the investigation could dilute immediate accountability or serve as a means to shift focus.

Beyond political implications, the crisis carries substantial economic risks. Increased maintenance costs, reduced efficiency, and the potential for higher electricity tariffs threaten to compound existing fiscal challenges. In a country still navigating economic recovery, such inefficiencies represent a critical setback.

More fundamentally, the episode has triggered a crisis of confidence. The administration, elected on a platform of anti-corruption and reform, now faces questions about the consistency of its principles. Observers note that transparency is not merely about launching investigations but about demonstrating impartiality, timeliness, and tangible consequences.

Whether this moment becomes a turning point or a missed opportunity depends on the credibility of the ongoing inquiry and the willingness of authorities to confront uncomfortable truths. For many citizens, the issue is no longer just about coal quality

It is about the quality of governance itself, and whether promises of reform can withstand the pressures of political reality.