Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Uva province and in Ampara, Batticaloa and Polonnaruwa districts during the evening or night. A few showers may occur elsewhere.
Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, 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 and lightning during thundershowers
May 22, Colombo (LNW): At a ceremony held at the historic Temple Trees premises, Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya reaffirmed the government’s dedication to preserving the country’s religious and cultural legacy, underscoring the importance of bridging tradition with modern innovation.
The event, which took place under the auspices of the Buddha Sravaka Caring Centre of Padukka, saw the distribution of digital tablets containing electronic versions of the Tripitaka, alongside printed editions of the sacred Buddhist texts. Sixty university-level Bhikkhus received these offerings, in an initiative led by Venerable Kurupita Dhammananda Thera.
In her address to the gathering, Prime Minister Amarasuriya highlighted the significance of embracing digital tools to uphold and disseminate spiritual teachings. “We are living in a time of rapid technological change, which can threaten the continuity of time-honoured traditions. Yet, initiatives such as this show how the very tools of modernity can serve to preserve the profound wisdom of the Dhamma,” she stated.
She noted that the Tripitaka is more than a repository of scripture—it serves as the moral and philosophical bedrock of Buddhist practice. Making these teachings more accessible to the younger generation of monastics, she argued, not only enriches their education but also nurtures continuity within the monastic tradition.
“The transmission of the Dhamma across generations is crucial. When young monks gain convenient access to these texts, they are empowered to deeply engage with the teachings, which ultimately reinforces the spiritual fabric of our society,” the Prime Minister added.
Emphasising her government’s ongoing commitment, Amarasuriya affirmed that projects which strengthen spiritual and ethical well-being remain a key focus of national policy. She praised the Buddha Sravaka Caring Centre for its compassionate work, particularly in caring for elderly and ailing members of the monastic community.
“The spirit of service embodied by this organisation is exemplary,” she said. “It reflects the values we hold dear as a nation—compassion, respect, and collective responsibility.”
The ceremony drew participation from members of the Maha Sangha and devotees not only from Sri Lanka but also from Malaysia and Thailand. Notable among the attendees were Venerable Kutawatte Saranankara from Malaysia and Venerable Kadahingala Dhammarakkhita Thera, who joined other respected clergy in blessing the proceedings.
The event concluded with a renewed sense of unity and purpose among attendees, marking a significant step forward in harmonising heritage with the digital age.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has raised serious concerns regarding an attempt by law enforcement authorities to obtain a lawyer’s mobile phone without legal authorisation, following a violent incident in Colombo involving a former high-level government official.
In a strongly worded communication to Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya, the BASL criticised the conduct of officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), who had reportedly made a verbal request for the phone of Attorney-at-Law Dinesh Dodangoda.
The demand came in the aftermath of a targeted assault on Mr Dodangoda and his client, Thusitha Hallouwa — a former Director to ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
The attack occurred on the evening of 18 May along Dabare Mawatha in Colombo 5, where two unidentified assailants allegedly ambushed their vehicle. According to reports, the attackers discharged firearms, physically assaulted both individuals, and fled with a document file belonging to Hallouwa. The file is believed to have contained sensitive material.
Subsequent to the incident, Mr Dodangoda was approached by CCD personnel, who, without producing a warrant or court order, verbally requested access to his mobile phone as part of their investigation.
The BASL has taken exception to this approach, arguing that such a move directly undermines the legal protections afforded to members of the legal profession.
In their letter, signed by BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya and Secretary Chathura A. Galhena, the Association stressed that a lawyer’s mobile phone often holds confidential communications, both personal and related to ongoing legal cases.
Any attempt to access such information must be conducted strictly through judicial oversight, they said, warning that circumvention of due process not only infringes upon privacy rights but also jeopardises the integrity of legal proceedings.
The BASL reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the independence of the legal profession and called upon the Police Department to exercise greater restraint and adherence to legal standards in its operations.
The Association urged the Acting IGP to review the incident thoroughly and ensure that such intrusions do not recur, asserting that legal practitioners must be allowed to operate without intimidation or unlawful interference.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has reiterated its call for all political parties and independent groups to swiftly submit the names of their elected representatives to local government bodies, following the recent completion of local council elections.
Commission Chief R.M.A.L. Rathnayake revealed that the timely submission of these details is critical for the official publication of elected members’ names in the Government Gazette.
The Commission has stressed that this procedural requirement must be fulfilled without delay to finalise the post-election administrative process at the local level.
In addition to the request for elected member details, the Commission has also reminded all candidates, political organisations, and independent collectives to submit their official income and expenditure statements relating to their election campaigns. The final deadline for this submission has been set for May 27.
Failure to provide these financial disclosures, as required under election law, could result in penalties or disqualifications.
The Commission emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in electoral finance, especially in light of growing public scrutiny over campaign spending.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): A consignment of humanitarian aid from Sri Lanka has arrived in Myanmar, marking a gesture of cross-border solidarity in response to the devastating earthquake that struck the country recently.
The relief shipment, coordinated under the guidance of the Sri Lankan President, was formally handed over to Myanmar authorities at the Asia World Port Terminal in Yangon.
The Sri Lankan Ambassador and embassy staff were present at the port to deliver the aid to officials representing several Myanmar government departments, including the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Social Welfare, Relief and Resettlement. Port authorities also took part in the official transfer.
The consignment, which includes essential supplies such as dry rations, clothing, and basic medical items, was assembled through a broad-based national effort. Notably, the Amarapura and Ramanna monastic traditions played a central role in mobilising the relief initiative.
These Buddhist monastic communities, with deep ties to both Sri Lankan society and Myanmar’s religious landscape, led the appeal for aid in collaboration with various state institutions and members of the public who responded with generosity.
In addition to the tangible relief, the initiative symbolises a renewal of religious and cultural ties between the two nations. Sri Lanka and Myanmar have long maintained strong historical and spiritual connections, particularly through Theravāda Buddhism, and this act of assistance has been widely seen as an extension of that enduring relationship.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, which caused widespread destruction and displacement in several parts of Myanmar, the arrival of international aid has been crucial. The Sri Lankan contribution, although modest in scale compared to larger donors, was welcomed warmly by Myanmar authorities as a meaningful expression of friendship and empathy during a time of national hardship.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): Eleven Indian fishermen who had been detained in Sri Lanka since early January returned to Tamil Nadu late on Wednesday, bringing closure to a months-long diplomatic effort involving both New Delhi and Colombo.
The men, all from Rameswaram, had ventured into the Palk Strait for what was intended to be a routine fishing expedition on January 11, only to find themselves in custody after allegedly breaching Sri Lanka’s maritime border.
According to officials familiar with the matter, the Sri Lankan Coast Guard intercepted the fishermen after they were believed to have crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
The group’s fishing vessels were confiscated, and the crew was taken ashore and later placed in judicial custody. Their detention drew concern from local communities in southern India, where cross-border fishing incidents have long been a point of contention.
The Tamil Nadu state administration, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, promptly called upon the Indian central government to intervene. In the weeks that followed, diplomatic efforts intensified.
The Indian High Commission in Colombo worked in tandem with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi to negotiate the fishermen’s release.
On May 14, after more than four months in Sri Lankan custody, the group was officially released. The handover to Indian authorities was conducted with due protocol, followed by consular assistance in preparing travel documents for their safe passage home.
The incident once again underscored the sensitive nature of maritime boundaries in the region, where small-scale fishermen often risk detention due to the ambiguity and proximity of national borders in shared fishing zones.
With Indian and Sri Lankan authorities periodically agreeing to release detained fishermen as a gesture of goodwill, long-term solutions to prevent such occurrences happens to have remained elusive.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka today observes the 53rd anniversary of becoming a republic—a pivotal moment in its journey from colonial subjugation to sovereign statehood.
It was on May 22, 1972 that the country, then known as Ceylon, adopted its first homegrown Constitution, formally severing its remaining constitutional ties with the British Crown.
Though Ceylon had attained independence on February 04, 1948, that freedom came with limitations. The country remained a Dominion within the Commonwealth, recognising the British monarch as its head of state.
It was not until the Republican Constitution was introduced by a constituent assembly of elected Sri Lankan representatives that the nation fully embraced its identity as a republic, shedding the last vestiges of colonial rule.
This significant constitutional shift marked more than just a change in legal status. It signalled the country’s intent to forge a political and legal order rooted in its own traditions, aspirations, and values—independent from external authority.
The 1972 Constitution replaced the Soulbury Constitution, a document inherited from the British, and reaffirmed the sovereignty of the people through a newly established National State Assembly.
The republic’s birth took place during a period of global decolonisation, when many former colonies were striving to reclaim their political agency. For Sri Lanka, this transition was also symbolic of a broader cultural and national resurgence—one that sought to reassert the island’s own identity following centuries of foreign dominance.
With a civilisation spanning more than two millennia and a history rich in cultural and political evolution, Sri Lanka’s republican milestone is widely regarded as one of the defining chapters in its modern narrative.
Yet in recent decades, the annual commemoration has gradually faded from public prominence. Whilst the day continues to hold constitutional significance, formal state celebrations ceased after 2009, and there have since been no large-scale observances organised by the government.
Nevertheless, many legal scholars, historians, and civic organisations continue to reflect on the day as one that redefined the nature of the Sri Lankan state. For them, Republic Day serves not only as a historical marker, but also as a reminder of the country’s ongoing responsibility to uphold democratic values, institutional integrity, and the rule of law.
May 22, Colombo (LNW): South-West monsoon has established over the island, and showers or thundershowers, therefore, will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (22).
A few showers may occur in North-central province.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara district during the evening or night.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain: Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.
Winds: Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (55-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota.
Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.
State of Sea: The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota will be rough at times. The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu will be fairly rough at times.
The wave height may increase (about 2.0 – 2.5 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota (this is not for land area).
Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
In a touching moment that transformed a room into a place of joy and music, 16-year-old Tharushi Meedumi’s greatest wish came true when her musical idol Shihan Mihiranga paid her a surprise visit, arranged by the recently launched Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka foundation.
Diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, Tharushi has endured countless hospital visits and grueling treatments over the past months. Throughout her difficult journey, Mihiranga’s music has been her constant companion, providing comfort and strength during her most challenging moments.
The surprise visit was meticulously planned by Make-A-Wish volunteers. Tharushi was told to prepare for her regular evening relaxation program, unaware that she would instead be meeting the artist whose voice had carried her through her darkest days.
When Shihan Mihiranga walked into her, guitar in hand, the emotional impact was immediate. Witnesses described the teenager’s face transforming with disbelief and joy as tears welled in her eyes.
Visibly moved by the encounter, Mihiranga later reflected that seeing Tharushi’s reaction made him realize the true impact his music could have.
During the hour-long visit, Mihiranga performed several songs, including a special acoustic rendition just for Tharushi. The pair also shared stories and laughter, creating memories that transcended the clinical setting.
This marks one of the several wishes granted by Make-A-Wish Sri Lanka since its launch on April 29 in partnership with the Indira Cancer Trust. The organization, which operates in nearly 50 countries worldwide, is dedicated to fulfilling the wishes of children with critical illnesses.
The foundation, working alongside the Indira Cancer Trust established and managed by passionate trustees and volunteers, aims to create transformative experiences for children battling life-threatening conditions across Sri Lanka.
As the program continues to establish itself in Sri Lanka, organizers hope Tharushi’s story will inspire others to support their mission of granting wishes to every eligible child in the country facing a critical illness.
The Make-A-Wish/ Indira Cancer Trust team emphasizes that every child deserves to have their one true wish come true, especially those facing challenges no child should have to endure.
For Tharushi, whose medical journey continues, the memory of her special day with Mihiranga provides a new source of strength.
Reported by Make- a- wish / Indira Cancer Trust team
May 21, Colombo (LNW): The Lanka Phosphate Company (LPL) is under legal scrutiny following revelations of large-scale financial misappropriations and irregularities in the mining and sale of rock phosphate during previous administrations.
Court proceedings have been initiated, and investigations are being conducted by the Illegal Assets Investigation Division (IAID) of the CID, based on a complaint filed by a Nittambuwa resident.
At the heart of the probe is a controversial deal involving the export of 3,000 metric tons of rock phosphate to three companies under the former government.
This transaction allegedly caused a staggering loss of Rs. 2.7 billion to the state. The matter was recently brought before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court.
Additionally, Rs. 650 million was spent on constructing an 850-meter road within the phosphate deposit area, and a factory was built on land belonging to a temple in Kurunegala — all without conducting a proper feasibility study.
LPL holds exclusive rights to mine rock phosphate across 450 hectares in Eppawala, which houses a globally significant deposit estimated at 60 million metric tons. This deposit contains 33–40% of phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5), making it one of the richest natural phosphate sources.
The company currently produces Eppawala Rock Phosphate (ERP) and High-Grade ERP (HERP), mainly used for perennial crops such as tea, rubber, and coconut. However, for short-term crops like paddy and vegetables,
Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) is preferred — a fertilizer the country currently imports due to the lack of sufficient local production capacity.
To address this, LPL is working on manufacturing Single Super Phosphate (SSP), a viable local substitute for TSP. However, the plant’s current capacity cannot meet the national annual demand of 75,000 metric tons.
A senior finance ministry official stated that Rs. 9 billion is required to upgrade processing facilities to enhance phosphate solubility and meet domestic needs.
He emphasized that local production would be more cost-effective in the long run, considering the government currently spends Rs. 35 billion annually on imported phosphate fertilizers.
The Eppawala deposit, located in the Anuradhapura District, was discovered in 1971. A key challenge is the low solubility of the Eppawala rock phosphate, which limits its effectiveness for short-duration crops unless treated to increase its solubility.
Authorities are now working to uncover the full extent of the losses and mismanagement linked to this vital natural resource.
