By: Staff Writer

May 25, Colombo (LNW): The release of funds to Sri Lanka’s local government bodies, while constitutionally envisioned, remains subject to the discretionary powers of the central government—raising questions about the legal status of such financial flows and whether the Finance Ministry can lawfully withhold them.

In essence, the Sri Lankan government provides financial resources to local bodies through a central ministry, with capital expenditure being a key component of this funding, and various sources contributing to these allocations

Under Sri Lanka’s system of devolution, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution consecrates devolution of power to Provincial Councils and to local institutions like Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas.

They are to a great extent reliant on central government appropriations, conveyed mainly by means of Provincial Councils, in order to carry out significant grassroots functions.

In Sri Lanka’s 2025 national budget, the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs, Provincial Councils and Local Government—which oversees local government bodies—has been allocated Rs 81.24 billion.

This funding supports the operations of 341 local authorities, including 29 Municipal Councils, 36 Urban Councils, and 276 Pradeshiya Sabhas

Even though the local government authorities are to be given financial aid, there is no legal provision that necessitates the Ministry of Finance to effect such a release, a former treasury secretary said .

Rather, the Finance Commission established under Article 154R of the Constitution makes recommendations for fund allocations to provinces and local governments based on developmental needs and fiscal capacity, he said. These are advisory and not binding recommendations, he explained.

The legal ambiguity gives the Ministry of Finance significant administrative leeway to determine when and how money is released—even after budgetary allocations are endorsed by Parliament.

Technically, the Ministry cannot cancel a Parliament-approved budget line but can delay or limit disbursements, citing policy or fiscal reasons,” says a constitutional lawyer.

Historical precedents confirm this reading. In 2019, the capital expenditure recommended by the Finance Commission was just 34 percent actually transferred to local bodies, indicative of the disparity between sanctioned budgets and transfer reality

These shortcomings have continued in more recent years, mainly in economic crisis periods and during political instability.This is further amplified by the loans to the local authorities provided via Local Loans and Development Fund (LLDF), a statutory body under the Ministry of Public Administration.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): Three of its electoral organisers of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) have relinquished their posts, signalling possible internal unease within the main opposition party, according to sources.

Galle District organiser Bandula Lal Bandarigoda has resigned from his position.

Joining him is Ashoka Sepala, who has resigned from his role as co-organiser of the Nuwara Eliya electorate—a crucial multi-ethnic constituency in the Central Province.

Additionally, former Provincial Councillor Anura Buddhika has tendered his resignation as the party’s organiser for the Horowpathana electorate in the Anuradhapura District.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): The list of elected members in the 2025 Local Government Election has been sent to the Government Printer for publication, the Election Commission said.

According to Commission Chief R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, the official gazette in this regard will be printed.

He added that that additional lists from other local authorities will be gazetted in the order in which they are received.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): Two individuals have been taken into custody over their suspected involvement in fabricating multiple forged passports for an internationally wanted figure linked to organised criminal activity.

The arrests are part of a broader investigation by the Criminal Investigation Department’s specialised unit tackling financial fraud, maritime crime and smuggling operations.

The suspects, aged 32 and 51, are residents of Maligawatta and Eheliyagoda respectively. Both operate photo studios in Colombo’s suburbs—one in Kohuwala and the other in Battaramulla. Authorities believe the pair played a key role in helping an individual known as Mandinu Padmasiri Perera, infamously dubbed “Kelehelbaddara Padme”, to acquire fraudulent travel documents while residing overseas.

Investigators revealed that the suspects acquired photographic images of the fugitive through encrypted messaging platforms such as WhatsApp. The images were digitally manipulated before being submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration, alongside falsified personal data.

These actions reportedly facilitated the issuance of three separate passports, two of which were issued under fictitious identities in 2025.

The figure at the centre of the case, Padmasiri Perera, originally departed the country in 2021 using a valid passport obtained in 2014. After its expiry, he is believed to have acquired a fresh passport through the one-day express service in early 2024—despite being physically overseas at the time.

Authorities now suspect this was done through deceptive means, with intermediaries submitting forged documents on his behalf.

The two suspects were brought before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on 23 May and have been ordered into remand custody until May 29. The CID’s specialised unit is continuing its investigation into how such an operation was able to bypass stringent immigration controls, and whether further accomplices, including insiders within official departments, may have aided the scheme.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): The country’s ongoing pharmaceutical shortages are being attributed to a series of delayed procurement decisions made last year, a situation the health authorities now admit has had far-reaching consequences.

Speaking at a public engagement in Colombo, Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa shed light on the complexities behind the shortfall of vital medicines and outlined the remedial steps currently being undertaken.

The problem stems from a significant lapse in planning and execution during 2024, according to the Minister. Despite Sri Lanka’s annual dependence on the importation of hundreds of essential drugs, tender procedures were initiated for only 67 types of medicines in the first half of that year.

This delay has reverberated through the public health system, contributing to a worrying decline in drug availability across hospitals and clinics.

By contrast, he noted that the first five months of 2025 have seen a marked acceleration in procurement efforts. Tender processes have now been initiated for 233 medicinal products, many of which had been long overlooked or delayed in previous cycles.

The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), responsible for overseeing drug supply to the public sector, has already finalised procurement for these, indicating a more proactive approach going forward.

Dr Jayatissa provided further insight into the scale of the task, revealing that approximately 65 per cent of medicines used in state-run hospitals are sourced from abroad. He stressed the intricate nature of pharmaceutical logistics, explaining that from planning to delivery, the entire cycle can span nearly nine months due to the need for tendering, quality assurance, and regulatory checks.

Looking ahead to 2026, the Health Minister outlined an ambitious procurement plan. Of the 450 varieties of medicines earmarked for that year, procedures for 435 have already commenced. Procurement has been completed for 418, with 325 currently under final evaluation, signalling significant progress in planning.

In a move to bolster local involvement, the Ministry has engaged in direct consultations with domestic pharmaceutical manufacturers and importers. These discussions included setting clear production and supply targets, with deadlines to ensure accountability.

Companies unable to meet these demands may see the state exploring bilateral arrangements with foreign governments to maintain uninterrupted supply.

Minister Jayatissa acknowledged the public’s frustration with recent shortages but emphasised that the measures now in place represent the most viable strategy for long-term stabilisation of drug availability.

He reaffirmed his Ministry’s commitment to ensuring that citizens have reliable access to safe, high-quality medicines, and called for continued cooperation from all stakeholders in the sector.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): The steady increase in mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya is becoming a growing public health concern in Sri Lanka, according to health authorities.

Deputy Minister of Health Dr Hansaka Wijemuni has warned that both diseases are showing an upward trend and are now developing into significant threats to the country’s health landscape.

Addressing the media, Dr Wijemuni urged members of the public to take early symptoms seriously—particularly unexplained fevers—and to seek medical attention without delay.

He emphasised that prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential not only for patient safety but also for controlling the broader spread of these vector-borne illnesses.

Both dengue and chikungunya are spread by the Aedes mosquito and share overlapping symptoms such as fever, rash and joint pain. The health ministry has called on local authorities to intensify vector control measures and for communities to be vigilant in managing breeding grounds such as stagnant water and open containers.

The Deputy Minister also commented on the mounting concerns over drug shortages in public hospitals. Whilst recent reports have cited a shortfall of up to 180 essential medicines, Dr Wijemuni clarified that the actual figure is closer to 45 items currently in limited supply.

He acknowledged the challenges posed by global supply chain disruptions and economic constraints but assured the public that efforts are being made to replenish stocks and minimise impact on patients.

Amidst growing anxiety amongst healthcare professionals and patients, the Ministry of Health is under pressure to respond effectively to both the disease outbreak and the availability of necessary treatments.

May 25, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has welcomed nearly 92,000 international visitors so far in the month of May, bringing the total number of arrivals in 2025 to just under one million, according to the latest figures published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

The data reveals that 91,785 tourists had entered the country by mid-May, with travellers from India making up the largest contingent. A total of 31,635 Indian nationals arrived during this period, representing approximately 34.5 per cent of all arrivals for the month. This continued dominance by India in the tourism sector reflects the close cultural, regional and travel ties between the two countries.

Visitors from the United Kingdom comprised the second-highest group for May, with 6,195 arrivals, followed closely by 6,043 tourists from China. Germany contributed 5,526 tourists, while 4,693 Bangladeshi nationals were also recorded among the recent influx.

With the addition of May’s figures, the cumulative total of international tourist arrivals in Sri Lanka for 2025 has reached 988,669—placing the country on track to surpass the one-million milestone well ahead of mid-year projections.

India remains the leading source market for the year with a total of 188,694 visitors since January. Russia follows in second place with 109,840 tourists, while the United Kingdom ranks third, contributing 93,248 travellers.

Tourism authorities have welcomed the surge in arrivals, crediting ongoing promotional efforts, improved international air connectivity, and increased regional travel as key factors.

The SLTDA continues to emphasise sustainable tourism practices and infrastructure development to support the growing demand.