May 18, Colombo (LNW): A high-profile investigation has been launched following a targeted attack on Thusitha Halloluwa, a long-time public relations figure in Sri Lanka’s political sphere, with the case now transferred to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) under orders from Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya.

The incident unfolded on the night of 17 May in Narahenpita, where Halloluwa was travelling in a vehicle alongside his legal counsel, Dinesh Dodangoda. According to initial reports, two unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle trailed their car before discharging warning shots into the air.

The attackers then reportedly opened fire directly at the front of the vehicle once it came to a halt, indicating a premeditated attempt to intimidate or harm.

Following the gunfire, Halloluwa claims both he and his lawyer were physically assaulted by the assailants, who then fled the scene with a file believed to contain sensitive documents.

Both victims were admitted to Colombo National Hospital for medical evaluation and treatment, though they were later discharged without life-threatening injuries.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. However, the seizure of documents has raised suspicions of political undertones or attempts to obstruct sensitive disclosures. Halloluwa, who has held senior roles under multiple administrations — including serving as Director General of Public Relations to former President Ranil Wickremesinghe — has been a well-known figure in government communications for decades. He recently re-entered the public eye following controversial remarks linked to alleged state investment matters.

May 18, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has formally proposed an 18.3% increase in electricity tariffs for the period spanning June to December 2025, citing a substantial financial deficit as the primary justification.

In a proposal submitted to the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), the state-owned utility outlined that it anticipates a shortfall of Rs. 42.2 billion during the second half of the year.

The proposed hike is intended to bridge this funding gap and stabilise the utility’s operations during a period of continued economic strain.

The CEB has made clear that the estimate is based on current projections and that any deviations — whether the deficit turns out to be greater or smaller than expected — will be addressed through the Bulk Supply Transaction Account (BSTA). These adjustments would then be factored into subsequent tariff revisions.

Although the proposal has not yet been approved, it signals growing financial pressure within the country’s energy sector. The CEB has struggled with mounting operational costs, including expenses related to fuel, power generation, and infrastructure maintenance.

Meanwhile, the continued expansion of renewable energy sources — whilst environmentally commendable — has required significant upfront investment, contributing further to the utility’s financial burden.

A tariff hike of this magnitude is likely to provoke concern amongst both residential and industrial consumers, many of whom are still grappling with the economic aftershocks of the 2022 crisis.

For households, increased electricity bills could strain monthly budgets, particularly in urban areas where reliance on the national grid is highest.

For businesses, especially energy-intensive sectors such as manufacturing and services, the cost implications could ripple into product pricing and profitability.

Critics have long argued that inefficiencies within the CEB, including reported losses from outdated infrastructure and operational mismanagement, have compounded its financial woes.

There are increasing calls for structural reforms within the state utility to improve accountability, reduce wastage, and ensure that tariff adjustments do not become a routine response to institutional shortcomings.

The PUCSL is expected to undertake a review of the CEB’s proposal, taking into account public feedback and broader economic considerations before reaching a final decision.

If approved, the new tariff rates would come into effect from June 2025 and remain valid until the end of the year.

May 18, Colombo (LNW): Train operations across Sri Lanka have returned to normal following the conclusion of a 24-hour token strike by the country’s railway station masters.

The industrial action, launched at midnight on May 16, ended as scheduled at midnight yesterday (17), after causing significant disruptions to passenger services, including the suspension of several night mail trains over two consecutive nights.

The decision to return to work was made in line with the originally declared time frame for the protest, according to Sumedha Somaratne, Chairman of the Railway Station Masters’ Union.

He noted, however, that the grievances which led to the strike remain unresolved and warned of further union action if authorities fail to provide satisfactory solutions.

The strike was sparked by a range of longstanding demands, which the union claims have been ignored despite repeated negotiations with the relevant government departments.

By: Isuru Parakrama

May 18, Colombo (LNW): Today marks sixteen years since the curtain fell on one of South Asia’s most protracted and devastating internal conflicts.

The civil war in Sri Lanka, which claimed tens of thousands of lives and left deep scars on the island nation, drew to a close on May 18, 2009, following the death of Velupillai Prabhakaran, the long-time leader of the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

The final act of the conflict unfolded near the Nandikadal Lagoon in the island’s north-east, where government forces neutralised the LTTE’s remaining leadership. With this, a brutal campaign for a separate Tamil state, which had raged across the island for over three decades, came to an end.

For many in the country, this was a moment of profound relief and fragile hope — ushering in a new era fraught with both promise and the daunting task of reconciliation.

Whilst the conflict’s conclusion has often been portrayed as a military triumph, it also signified a massive civilian rescue effort. In the final stages of the war, government troops undertook what officials described as one of the largest humanitarian missions in modern warfare, freeing thousands of civilians who had been trapped in the crossfire or used as human shields.

The legacy of the war remains deeply complex. For some, the security forces are regarded as national protectors who safeguarded the country’s sovereignty. For others, particularly in the Tamil-majority Northern and Eastern provinces, the final months of the war still stir painful memories of displacement, loss, and unresolved questions around accountability and justice.

To mark the sixteenth anniversary of the conflict’s end, a national ceremony is set to take place on 19 May at the National War Hero Cenotaph in Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte. Scheduled from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., the event will be held under the patronage of Retired Major General Aruna Jayasekara, the current Deputy Minister of Defence.

Amongst the invited dignitaries are key military figures who played pivotal roles in the final phase of the war, including Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, and Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke.

This annual remembrance, widely referred to as National War Heroes’ Day, has grown into a highly symbolic observance that celebrates the end of the insurgency, whilst honouring those who served in uniform.

As part of the commemorations, the Patriotic National Front held a press briefing on the eve of the anniversary, encouraging citizens to display the national flag at their homes as an expression of unity and national pride.

Yet as the country prepares to pay tribute to those who shaped the outcome of the conflict, the anniversary also prompts reflection on the path ahead. Sixteen years on, many are calling for a more inclusive national dialogue that can reconcile differing narratives of the war — and ensure that peace is not only preserved but also made meaningful for all Sri Lankans, regardless of ethnicity, language, or political allegiance.

May 18, Colombo (LNW): South-West monsoon conditions are gradually getting established over the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).

Cloudy skies can be expected over most part of the island.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over North-western, North-central, Northern 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 around the island.

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 Matara to Pottuvil via Hambanthota.
Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Batticaloa via Colombo, Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee .

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambanthota will be rough at times.
The sea areas off the coast extending from Matara to Batticaloa via Colombo, Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee will be fairly rough at times.

The swell waves height may increase (about 2.0–2.5 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Kaluthara to Pottuvil via Galle and Hambantota (this is not for land area).

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

May 17, Colombo (LNW): Former high-ranking government official Thusitha Halloluwa and his legal counsel, Dinesh Dodangoda, narrowly escaped an apparent shooting attempt in Colombo tonight (17), in what appears to be a politically charged act of intimidation.

The incident occurred near Dabare Mawatha in Narahenpita as the two were returning from the official residence of President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne.

According to reports, unidentified assailants attempted to open fire on the vehicle carrying Halloluwa and Dodangoda. However, the weapon used is believed to have jammed, allowing the two men to escape by fleeing the vehicle.

Whilst no injuries were reported, the attackers reportedly made off with a collection of documents left inside the car before vanishing from the scene.

Speaking to LNW shortly after the incident, both Halloluwa and Dodangoda confirmed they were unharmed but visibly shaken by the ordeal.

Halloluwa, a seasoned figure in Sri Lanka’s political and public relations spheres, has long-standing ties to several administrations. His roles have included coordinating officer to various cabinet ministers during former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga’s tenure, Chief of Staff to Mangala Samaraweera during his time as Finance Minister, and Director General of Public Relations under President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

In recent weeks, Halloluwa has been thrust back into the public spotlight following controversial remarks he made about an alleged investment linked to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The statement drew considerable media scrutiny and political backlash, fuelling speculation that his remarks may have contributed to the violent attempt on his life.