President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has called upon all District Coordinating Committee (DCC) Chairpersons to take a leading role in revitalizing Sri Lanka’s production-based economy and accelerating rural development.
The President made these remarks during a high-level discussion held at the Presidential Secretariat on May 16, which included senior officials from the Ministry of Finance and DCC Chairpersons from across the country.
Highlighting the 2024 Budget’s emphasis on boosting the productive economy, President Dissanayake stressed the importance of eliminating inefficiencies and delays in the district-level disbursement of development funds.
He noted that years of inadequate infrastructure investment have hindered rural progress, and called for the effective and timely use of allocated resources to empower rural communities and address region-specific development challenges.
Key directives issued by the President:
Ensure that DCC meetings focus on district-specific development priorities.
Actively involve relevant subject Ministers in both planning and execution.
Overcome bureaucratic delays to speed up fund utilization and project delivery.
The meeting was also attended by Labour and Economic Development Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando, DCC Chairpersons and their representatives, and top Finance Ministry officials.
The President’s address signals a renewed push for grassroots-led economic development with a focus on accountability, efficiency, and district-level leadership in delivering results.
Showery condition is expected to be enhanced in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the next few days.
Cloudy skies can be expected over most part of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere of the island during the evening or night.
Fairly heavy falls above 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Northern provinces.
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 minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a letter dated May 16, 2025 has raised concerns with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) regarding delays in an ongoing investigation and alleged constitutional violations.
Addressed to the Commission’s Chairman, the letter references notices issued under the Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, demanding the Wickremesinghe’s appearance for a statement linked to a probe involving MP Chamara Sampath Dissanayake.
The investigation stems from a complaint by Sampath, who alleged that his privileges were violated by a statement from Minister Samantha Vaidyaratne. On April 10, 2025, Dissanayake’s spouse consulted the President, prompting further inquiries.
The following day, the CIABOC’s Deputy Director General, C. Asitha Anthony, requested a statement from the President, a directive later reiterated by the President’s legal counsel, Ronald Perera PC, on April 17, 2025.
However, the ex-President noted his counsel’s absence from the country until April 27, 2025, leading to a rescheduling request for 25 April 2025.
Wickremesinghe also highlighted a public statement by President Anura Dissanayake on April 11, 2025, confirming awareness of the letters sent to the CIABOC. He questioned the Director General’s conduct in sending these letters, alleging potential legal violations, and stated that his lawyers would follow up with the Commission.
In a separate statement on April 28, 2025, Wickremesinghe addressed media reports suggesting that the CIABOC’s submissions in court implied a rejection of Sampath’s bail application. He clarified that no such rejection or objection was recorded by the court.
Citing Articles 148, 149, and 150 of the Sri Lankan Constitution, he argued that funds held in a Fixed Deposit, allegedly linked to the case, violate constitutional provisions on public finance, as they were not authorised under the Consolidated Fund or a warrant by the Finance Minister.
He called for the funds to be withdrawn and allocated through the Provincial Budget, labelling the current arrangement a “restatement of the law” rather than lawful practice.
Wickremesinghe concluded by noting that his submissions to the CIABOC were being misrepresented in court and that he is consulting his lawyers on further action. He also attached a copy of his earlier letter to the CIABOC, seeking clarity on the investigation’s conduct.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): Ten undergraduates from the University of Sabaragamuwa remain in remand custody following their arrest in connection with the tragic suicide of fellow student Charith Dilshan, allegedly driven by a prolonged episode of ragging.
The Balangoda Magistrate’s Court ordered today (16) that the suspects be further remanded until May 29, pending continued investigations.
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation and reignited national concern over the persistence of ragging in Sri Lankan universities—an issue that has claimed lives and disrupted countless academic careers over the years.
Dilshan, a 23-year-old second-year student enrolled in the Department of Engineering Technology, was found dead on April 29. Preliminary findings suggest that he died by suicide after enduring sustained mental harassment.
A formal complaint was lodged with the Samanalawewa Police Station on May 01 by a fellow student, alleging that the mental distress Dilshan suffered was directly linked to ragging. The complaint has been bolstered by statements from 20 other students who also testified to having faced similar treatment at the hands of senior students.
In response to the gravity of the allegations and the public outcry that followed, the Acting Inspector General of Police transferred the case to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on May 03, instructing them to ensure a comprehensive and impartial probe.
Six of the accused were arrested on May 04 based on preliminary evidence unearthed during the CID’s initial investigation. The remaining four suspects subsequently surrendered to the Samanalawewa Police.
The arrests mark one of the more serious legal responses to university ragging in recent years, with prosecutors expected to examine potential charges under both criminal and anti-ragging statutes.
Despite years of public debate, legislative amendments, and awareness campaigns, ragging continues to thrive in some state university settings—often concealed by a culture of silence and complicity.
Student unions and rights organisations have called for swift justice and institutional reform in the wake of Dilshan’s death, urging authorities to address the systemic failures that allow ragging to persist under the guise of tradition and group bonding.
Meanwhile, the University of Sabaragamuwa has reportedly launched its own internal review of student welfare and disciplinary procedures, though critics argue that such measures have historically lacked consistency or teeth.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has declined a request made by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption to revoke bail previously granted to MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake over a high-profile corruption investigation stemming from his time as Chief Minister of the Uva Provincial Council.
The MP, who is already in remand custody over the case, was brought before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali today (16) as proceedings continued into allegations that he was responsible for financial misconduct amounting to a loss exceeding Rs. 17.6 million to the state.
The charges relate to irregularities said to have taken place during his term in office in 2016.
The Bribery Commission’s legal representative argued that recent developments warranted a revocation of bail. According to testimony presented in court, the MP’s wife had allegedly contacted former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and persuaded him to issue a public statement portraying Dassanayake in a favourable light.
The commission maintained that this was an attempt to interfere with the ongoing investigation and potentially influence public and judicial perception of the case. It further argued that the former President’s remarks were made without a full understanding of the legal context and were instigated for the purpose of exoneration.
However, Chief Magistrate Lakmali, after reviewing the claims, ruled that the evidence provided did not demonstrate a sufficient basis to support the revocation of bail. She observed that while the statement by the former President may be politically sensitive, it did not, on its own, constitute a legal breach warranting remand.
The court concluded that the threshold for overturning bail had not been met and rejected the Bribery Commission’s motion accordingly.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lankan government has raised alarm over the country’s initial agreement with Starlink, warning that the lack of access to critical user data poses a serious threat to national security. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake voiced deep concerns, citing Starlink’s refusal to grant the government the same level of data access that local telecom providers currently allow.
Speaking on the issue, the President highlighted the crucial role of data access in combating organized crime, referencing recent incidents such as the foiled Arugambay attack and a court shooting, both of which were thwarted through intelligence gathered from domestic telecom networks. “We were able to stop the attack in Arugambay and arrest suspects in the court shooting because of real-time access to telecom data,” he said.
However, the Starlink agreement, as it stands, presents a stark contrast. “The government does not have the authority to access Starlink’s data systems,” the President stated. “This is a major problem for national security.”
He further criticized the lack of local representation for Starlink in Sri Lanka, which hinders coordination on data-related matters. “There’s no designated contact person or local office to handle data access requests,” he noted, adding that in contrast, countries like India have local Starlink offices where such mechanisms are in place.
Despite these security concerns, the government has already allowed the importation of Starlink equipment necessary for system setup. President Dissanayake acknowledged that while discussions with the company are ongoing, the proposed solution—a “data dashboard”—has not provided clarity on whether the government will have adequate access.
“We’ve been told a dashboard will be created, but we still don’t know the level of data access we’ll receive through it,” the President said. “Once Starlink begins full operations, only then will we truly understand the limitations.”
The National Security Council has also expressed its apprehension over the agreement. During several of its meetings, the council emphasized that entering into such partnerships without firm data-sharing protocols undermines the country’s ability to maintain internal security.
Critics argue that the agreement was prematurely signed without ensuring proper safeguards. “Access to data should have been a non-negotiable clause in the initial agreement,” the President stressed. “It was a critical oversight.”
The situation has spotlighted the broader implications of welcoming foreign tech giants without stringent regulatory frameworks in place. While Starlink promises enhanced connectivity, especially in rural and underserved areas, the government maintains that national security cannot be compromised in the name of progress.
As the conversation continues, the administration appears poised to reassess its terms with Starlink, potentially tightening regulations before the satellite internet provider becomes fully operational in the country.
In the wake of this controversy, the government’s stance sends a clear message: technological advancement must not come at the cost of national safety, and foreign firms operating in Sri Lanka will be held to the same standards of accountability as local entities.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is making waves on the global tourism stage, emerging as South Asia’s most sought-after destination in 2025. Fueled by strategic planning, record-breaking visitor numbers, and booming tourism revenue, the island nation is being hailed as a prime example of a successful post-pandemic tourism revival.
According to data released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the country welcomed 33,910 international tourists in just the first week of May 2025 — a sharp rise from 28,526 in the same period last year and 18,761 in 2023. This marks a sustained upward trajectory and reflects the global travel community’s renewed confidence in Sri Lanka.
Despite a seasonal lull from Western markets, the country has maintained an average of 5,000 daily arrivals in early May. Experts attribute this resilience to diversified marketing efforts targeting emerging regions such as Central Asia, Eastern Europe, and Southeast Asia.
Capital and Coastal Cities Ride the Tourism Wave
Colombo is transforming into a dynamic hub for business and leisure, with hotel bookings showing consistent growth even during traditionally slower periods. Meanwhile, coastal hotspots like Galle, Trincomalee, and Arugam Bay continue to attract steady tourist flows. A major contributor to Colombo’s appeal is the Port City development, which is reshaping the capital into a luxurious destination for high-end travelers and international investors alike.
Tourism Boosting National Economy
Tourism’s economic impact is equally impressive. The Central Bank of Sri Lanka reported earnings of USD 1,379 million from January to April 2025, a 10.2% increase from the USD 1,251.6 million recorded during the same period in 2024. In April alone, tourism brought in an estimated USD 646.1 million — a clear sign that Sri Lanka is attracting higher-spending travelers seeking immersive experiences.
These gains underscore a shift from budget tourism to a more premium visitor profile, with growing interest in eco-luxury stays, cultural tours, and culinary adventures.
Nationwide Benefits and Regional Growth
Tourism’s ripple effects are being felt far beyond the capital. Regions like Anuradhapura, Ella, and Jaffna are experiencing a resurgence in local hospitality and travel services, while infrastructure upgrades — including improved transport routes and airport enhancements — are underway in previously underserved provinces.
This decentralization is fostering inclusive growth, with increases in local employment, artisanal tourism, and agro-tourism enterprises.
Smart Strategies Power the Comeback
Officials credit the resurgence to well-coordinated efforts by SLTDA and other stakeholders. Targeted digital campaigns, visa reforms, and participation in international expos have been key in revitalizing the sector. Additionally, streamlined e-visa systems and user-friendly digital applications are improving tourist accessibility.
Sustainability Takes Center Stage
Looking forward, Sri Lanka is focused on sustainability. New eco-certification schemes, heritage site protections, and community-based tourism models aim to preserve the island’s rich cultural and natural assets. Emphasis is being placed on grassroots benefit-sharing and responsible development.
Outlook: Full Steam Ahead
With improving political stability and forward-thinking infrastructure investments, Sri Lanka is on course to become a premier destination not only for holidays but for long-stay and experiential travel. Industry leaders expect momentum to build further through regional cooperation, new travel circuits, and continued focus on high-value, low-impact tourism.
As 2025 unfolds, Sri Lanka stands as a model for strategic tourism-led growth — and a destination the world is rediscovering with fresh enthusiasm.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Workers’ remittances hit a record high for the month of April, surging to $ 646.1 million, marking the second consecutive month of record inflows for 2025, the latest Central Bank data revealed.
The April inflow reflects a robust 19% year-on-year (YoY) growth, although it registered a 7.3% dip compared to March 2025.
The April 2025 figure is also the fourth-highest monthly remittance inflow in history, behind $ 812.7 million recorded in December 2020, $ 729.35 in January 2018 and $ 693.3 million in March 2025.
The improved inflows during April also boosted the cumulative remittances for the first four months of 2025, which reached over $ 2.46 billion—an 18.3% YoY increase and the highest cumulative in the period since 2021.
The cumulative figure also represents a 4% increase compared to the $ 2.37 billion registered in the same period of 2016 — the year that holds the record for the highest annual workers’ remittances inflow at $ 7.24 billion.
In the first quarter of 2025, Sri Lanka’s worker remittances surged to over 1.8 billion U.S. dollars, a significant increase from the 1.5 billion dollars received during the same period in 2024, according to Sri Lanka tourism ministrydata.
This strong performance underscores the crucial role of remittances in stabilizing Sri Lanka’s economy, particularly its foreign exchange reserves.
Remittances, which are inflows of migrants’ and short-term employees’ income transfers, are a significant source of income for Sri Lanka.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has emphasized the importance of remittances in stabilizing foreign exchange reserves, which are vital for the country’s ability to import essential goods.
Unlike many merchandise exports, remittances do not involve import content, making them a valuable source of foreign exchange.
Strengthening remittance inflows can help narrow the current account deficit, support economic growth, improve forex liquidity, alleviate poverty and income disparities, and reduce the fiscal burden on social security payments.
The CBSL established the Foreign Remittance Facilitation Department (FRFD) in 2021 to facilitate and streamline remittance flows. The Ministry of Labour is also involved in promoting migration and remittances:
The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment is working to strategically incorporate migration for employment into national plans and budgets, including remittance management and promoting engagement of Overseas Sri Lankans (OSL).
In February 2025, remittances surpassed the combined income from foreign exchange reserves and garment exports, highlighting their importance.
In 2024, workers’ remittances hit a four-year high of $ 6.57 billion, up by 10.1% from $ 5.69 billion in 2023. This growth was followed by a record wave of people seeking foreign employment after an unprecedented economic crisis.
The sharpest post-crisis rebound was in 2023, when workers’ remittances grew by 57% to $ 6 billion, recovering from a 12-year low of $ 3.78 billion in 2022.
Historically, the highest-ever annual workers’ remittances were recorded in 2016, whilst between 2014 and 2018, the annual inflows averaged around $ 7 billion, or roughly around $ 600 million per month.
May 16, Colombo (LNW): In a move that has ignited intense debate across Sri Lanka, the government signed a landmark defence cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent official visit to Colombo.
This pact marks the most comprehensive military agreement Sri Lanka has entered into since its 1947 defence arrangement with Britain, raising questions about the island nation’s autonomy and geopolitical alignment.
The nine-page MoU, signed by Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, outlines wide-ranging collaboration across military training, personnel exchanges, technological cooperation, and joint defence ventures.
However, both governments have withheld full disclosure of the agreement’s text, citing confidentiality, further fueling domestic anxieties.
A Historic Turnaround
This agreement has political observers drawing historical parallels. In 1947, fearing Indian annexation post-independence, the then-United National Party (UNP) government signed a defence pact with Britain.
Now, almost 80 years later, Sri Lanka has effectively placed itself under India’s strategic shadow — not through colonial pressure, but by its own accord, led by a government that once fiercely opposed such alignment.
Ironically, the current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake — once a vocal critic of Indian military involvement and leader of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-aligned National People’s Power (NPP) — has overseen the signing of this MoU.
In 2023, as Opposition Leader, Dissanayake had denounced a similar proposal, warning that “we will be in a situation where we are unable… to take any political or economic decision” independently. Now, his administration has enacted the very policy he once protested.
Terms of the Agreement
While the full document remains classified, excerpts confirm that the MoU spans 12 detailed articles covering:
Personnel and Training: Exchanges of military staff, joint training exercises, observer deployments, and educational programmes.
Technology and Research: Joint ventures in drone technology, shipbuilding, cyber security, and research and development in critical defence fields.
Logistics and Infrastructure: Collaboration in supply chain management, logistics, facility development, and disaster response operations.
Defence Industry: Direct cooperation in defence manufacturing, sales, repairs, and technical support.
Confidentiality & Dispute Resolution: The pact includes strict protection of classified information and explicitly excludes third-party mediation in disputes, mandating bilateral diplomatic resolution.
Duration and Exit Clause: The agreement is valid for five years, renewable for three-year terms. Either party may terminate it with three months’ written notice.
Strategic Repercussions
This defence pact comes amid rising Indo-China tensions in the Indian Ocean and India’s staunch opposition to Chinese naval presence in Sri Lanka.
While officials insist the MoU merely formalizes existing informal arrangements, its timing and breadth suggest a deeper strategic alignment with India and, by extension, the U.S.-led Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad).
Critics argue that the agreement compromises Sri Lanka’s traditionally non-aligned foreign policy. With the U.S. stationing six B-2 bombers in Diego Garcia just days before Modi’s visit — reportedly in preparation for potential action against Iran, a longtime Sri Lankan ally — many see the pact as Sri Lanka drifting into the orbit of a militarized Indo-Pacific bloc.
Veteran diplomat Dayan Jayatilleka questioned the wisdom of choosing sides in regional rivalries. “When there are contradictions between one’s closest neighbor [India] and one’s closest friend [China], why should we tie-up militarily with either one?” he asked, urging a balanced regional approach through platforms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).
A Bitter Historical Irony
For the JVP, which violently resisted the Indo-Lanka Accord and Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) deployment in the late 1980s — an uprising that cost over 60,000 lives, including its founder Rohana Wijeweera — this agreement represents a profound ideological U-turn.
That era of bloodshed was driven largely by fears of Indian dominance. Today, under the NPP banner, the same political lineage has signed an agreement formalizing India’s defence role in Sri Lanka.
Further aggravating nationalists and critics, India has shown little movement in addressing issues such as illegal poaching by Indian fishermen or the Katchatheevu sovereignty dispute. This raises questions about what strategic or political leverage Sri Lanka has gained in return for this significant concession.
Conclusion
While regional cooperation is essential to confront modern security challenges, many believe Sri Lanka has chosen the wrong path. Instead of pursuing a neutral, multilateral security framework rooted in SAARC or broader Asian cooperation, the government’s decision appears to have tethered national defence to a single regional power.
In the name of cooperation, Sri Lanka may have handed over more than it gained — a move some interpret not as strategic alignment, but as strategic surrender.
Whether this agreement will strengthen the nation’s security or erode its sovereignty remains to be seen, but the ideological and diplomatic implications are already reverberating through Colombo’s political corridors.
May 16, World (LNW): Several countries across Southeast Asia are currently facing a renewed upswing in COVID-19 infections, with Hong Kong and Singapore amongst the most affected, amid concerns of a broader regional resurgence, Independent reported.
The latest trends point to a significant increase in cases, prompting health authorities to step up surveillance and public health messaging.
In Hong Kong, recent data from public health officials has shown that the territory is now contending with a fresh wave of COVID-19. The percentage of respiratory samples testing positive for the virus has climbed notably, rising from 1.7 per cent in mid-March to over 11 per cent by early May.
This figure surpasses the levels observed during the previous high point in August last year. According to experts at the Centre for Health Protection, the level of virus circulation is now considered “very high”, with infection rates hitting their most elevated point in a year.
Dr Albert Au, a leading figure at the Centre’s Communicable Disease Branch, has confirmed that COVID-19 activity has intensified considerably, suggesting that community transmission is accelerating.
The authorities have not issued new restrictions yet, but they are encouraging the public to adopt preventive measures such as mask-wearing in crowded spaces and getting booster vaccinations where eligible.
Singapore has also witnessed a concerning rise in estimated COVID-19 cases. In a rare update—the first in nearly twelve months—the Ministry of Health reported a near 30 per cent week-on-week increase, with 14,200 infections estimated for the week ending 3 May.
This sharp spike has led to a corresponding increase in hospital admissions, which have gone up by approximately 30 per cent. Nonetheless, health authorities have stated that there is currently no evidence to suggest that the dominant virus strains circulating in the country are either more contagious or more virulent than earlier variants.
Officials attribute the surge primarily to declining immunity within the population rather than the emergence of new, aggressive strains. Genetic sequencing has identified two main subvariants—LF.7 and NB.1.8—both offshoots of the previously dominant JN.1 lineage. These now account for the majority of the newly sequenced cases in the city-state.
In line with its adjusted surveillance strategy, Singapore now only publishes COVID-19 updates when a substantial increase in cases is observed. Despite the rise in hospitalisations, the Ministry has assured the public that the healthcare system remains stable and capable of managing the current burden.
Elsewhere in the region, mainland China is also experiencing a noticeable increase in infections, with current levels approaching the heights seen during the summer of 2024. Meanwhile, Thailand has reported growing clusters of new cases, particularly following large gatherings and celebrations held during the Songkran festival in April.
The spike in cases is thought to have been fuelled by close-contact events and relaxed preventive practices during the national holiday period.
Health experts across the region are urging the public not to become complacent and to maintain a cautious approach as the situation unfolds.
