March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has officially confirmed that Sri Lanka’s highly anticipated Local Government (LG) Elections will take place on May 06.
This announcement was made during a special press conference held earlier today, marking a significant milestone in the electoral process.
The final day for accepting nominations for the elections was today, with the cut-off time set for 12:00 noon.
Following this, no further nominations will be accepted. The nomination process, which commenced on March 17, saw candidates vying for positions in 336 Local Government institutions across the country.
With the conclusion of the nomination period, the Election Commission has now been able to officially confirm the date of the elections, providing much-needed clarity for voters and candidates alike.
Furthermore, the deadline for submitting deposits for the LG Elections wrapped up yesterday (19), as part of the final stages of preparation.
Earlier in the process, the Election Commission had extended several critical deadlines, including those for nomination submissions and deposit placements, in response to various logistical concerns.
However, with the nomination phase now complete, the path is clear for the election to proceed as scheduled.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has firmly rejected a petition filed by former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s legal team, seeking to have the freeze lifted on his bank account at the Parliamentary Branch.
This decision comes amidst an ongoing investigation by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
The ruling was delivered by Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi, who upheld the earlier injunction order that had led to the suspension of several of Rambukwella’s financial assets, including bank accounts and insurance agreements.
As part of the initial freeze, the bank account at the Parliamentary Branch, which holds both Rambukwella’s pension and a compensation sum exceeding Rs. 95.9 million—awarded to him for damage caused by a fire to his private residence—was also included.
The freeze order, which affects both his and his family’s financial dealings, has now been maintained, despite attempts from his legal representatives to have it lifted.
Rambukwella’s legal team had argued for the immediate release of the specific account linked to the compensation funds and pension, but the court has sided with the ongoing investigation, opting to maintain the freeze for the time being.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): The official acceptance of nominations for the much-anticipated Local Government Elections has now closed, marking a significant step towards finalising candidates for the upcoming polls.
With the nomination period for 336 Local Government institutions concluding, the next critical deadline looms: objections to the nominations must be submitted by 1:30 p.m. today (20).
The nomination process, which began on March 17, has now come to a close, and the Election Commission is expected to announce the election date once the objection period ends and the necessary verifications are completed.
In addition to the nominations, the deadline for submitting election deposits, which was an essential part of the nomination procedure, has already passed as of yesterday (19).
Colombo, Sri Lanka, 20 March 2025: Prima KottuMee Korean Ramen has taken centre stage in the food industry after being honoured with the prestigious “Breakthrough Product of the Year” award at the Keells Partner Power 2025 Supplier Convention. This annual event, which celebrates innovation and excellence across Keells’ extensive supplier network, recognised Prima KottuMee Korean Ramen for its remarkable market success.
The award highlights Prima KottuMee’s commitment to revolutionising the instant noodle market along with global trends by introducing a product that brings up Korean ramen noodles. The product has gained widespread popularity for its appeal to adventurous palates, particularly among Sri Lanka’s vibrant youth.
The Keells Supplier Power Convention serves as a premier platform for celebrating suppliers who contribute to enhancing product quality, customer satisfaction, and innovation within the retail sector. The “Breakthrough Product of the Year” award is one of its most coveted honours, reserved for products that demonstrate significant impact and originality.
“We are truly honoured to be recognised as the ‘Breakthrough Product of the Year’,” said Mr Sajith Gunaratne, General Manager of Ceylon Agro Industries, Prima Group Sri Lanka. “This achievement reflects not only our dedication but also the efforts of our entire team. From our new product development specialists to our sales and marketing teams, every contribution has been instrumental in earning this prestigious recognition. We remain committed to maintaining our leadership in the industry and striving for excellence in everything we do.”
As Prima KottuMee Korean Ramen continues to make waves in the market, this recognition underscores the company’s ability to redefine the instant noodle category with creativity and flavor. The award serves as a stepping stone for Prima to expand its innovative product line further and solidify its position as a leader in the food industry, embodying its “Let’s Fire It Up” persona.
From Left to Right: Mr. Charitha Subasinghe, President of Retail at John Keells Holdings PLC, presenting the award to Mr. Sajith Gunaratne, General Manager of Ceylon Agro Industries Ltd., Prima Group Sri Lanka, alongside Mr. Donavan Ondaatje, Senior Business Manager, and Mr. Gamini Weerathunga, Modern Trade Manager, from Ceylon Agro Industries Ltd., Prima Group Sri Lanka.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy recently concluded a successful week-long expedition from March 10 to 17, focused on exploring and documenting several historically significant shipwrecks submerged off the coast of Colombo.
The operation was part of ongoing efforts to preserve the country’s maritime heritage while promoting it as a destination for both educational and eco-tourism.
The expedition aimed to assess the condition of various shipwrecks that lie beneath the waves, with notable inclusions such as the Coal Wreck, Chief Dragon Car Carrier, MV Astoria, MT Nilgiri, Thermopylae Sierra, MV Pecheur Breton, Taprobane East Wreck, SS Worcestershire, Toilet Barge, and SS Perseus, alongside a number of unidentified wrecks.
Among the most notable sites explored were the SS Worcestershire and SS Perseus, both of which were sunk during World War I, adding to the historical significance of these wrecks.
In addition to their historical value, wrecks such as the Chief Dragon Car Carrier and Thermopylae Sierra have evolved into vital artificial reefs, supporting diverse marine life and contributing to the region’s marine ecosystem.
A team of 14 diving officers and 15 diving sailors carried out the operation, employing a mix of atmospheric air and nitrox air mix as breathing gases, depending on the depth and duration of each dive. This approach ensured greater safety and operational efficiency, especially for the deeper dives required to explore these sites.
This initiative is part of the Navy’s commitment to the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, which aims to protect the nation’s maritime environment while preserving its rich history beneath the waves.
These efforts not only enhance the educational and archaeological value of the shipwrecks but also contribute to the promotion of Sri Lanka as a unique and attractive destination for maritime and eco-tourism.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced the reinstatement of pension provisions for farmers across the country.
This decision, welcomed by many in the farming sector, will provide financial security to farmers in their retirement, acknowledging their crucial role in the nation’s economy.
Premasiri Jasinghaarachchi, Chairman of the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board, revealed that alongside pensions, farmers will also benefit from life insurance coverage.
This new initiative is expected to offer greater protection for farmers and their families, ensuring they have access to essential financial support in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
In addition to this announcement, the Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has confirmed that the compensation process for farmers affected by crop damage from last year’s heavy rainfall has now been finalised.
A total of Rs. 952 million has been distributed to 53,503 farming families who were impacted by the extreme weather conditions.
This compensation was part of the government’s effort to support those whose livelihoods were threatened by the devastating rains that caused widespread damage to crops.
However, some farmers have not yet received their compensation due to issues with verifying their identities and discrepancies in the assessment reports.
The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has acknowledged these challenges and is working to resolve the remaining issues so that all affected farmers can receive their due compensation.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): Hambantota International Port (HIP) continues to strengthen its position as a significant automotive shipment hub, marking another milestone with the successful discharge of its second batch of vehicles for the Sri Lankan market.
Last week, a total of 1,159 vehicles were handled at the port, including 462 BYD electric vehicles (EVs) destined for domestic sale.
The operation saw 490 vehicles unloaded, while 669 vehicles were loaded for transshipment to other regions. The vessels used for this operation, the Glovis Century, a Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) ship, boasts a deadweight capacity of 20,895 tonnes and can carry around 10,800 Car Equivalent Units (CEUs).
Lance Zuo, the General Manager of Commercial and Marketing at Hambantota International Port Group (HIPG), highlighted the port’s growing importance in the regional automotive logistics chain, particularly for the burgeoning electric vehicle sector.
“HIP is rapidly emerging as a central hub in the regional automotive supply chain, particularly for the electric vehicle market,” he noted. “The port is well-equipped to handle the specific requirements of EV shipments, including the integration of advanced mobile car battery charging stations that ensure smooth operations and minimise downtime. These chargers are fast, equipped with smart diagnostics, and offer robust safety features. Furthermore, we have invested in specialised towing equipment to handle EV cargo with precision and care. Our commitment to high-quality infrastructure reflects our dedication to supporting the regional growth of the automotive industry.”
The Glovis Century, which sailed under the South Korean flag, arrived at HIP from Singapore, completing its operations efficiently before continuing its journey to Sohar Port in Oman.
The HIP continues to enhance its logistics capacity, and the port’s focus on building a state-of-the-art infrastructure for vehicle handling is set to further solidify its reputation as a leading hub for automotive shipments in South Asia.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has underscored the critical need to increase the participation of women in the global and Sri Lankan economies.
Speaking at the launch of the Women’s Entrepreneurial Finance Code this week, she highlighted the stark gender disparities in economic engagement, pointing out that only 47 per cent of women worldwide, and a mere 32 per cent in Sri Lanka, are economically active.
In contrast, the figures for men stand at 72 per cent globally and 71 per cent locally.
Dr. Amarasuriya stressed that addressing the systemic barriers hindering women’s economic participation is essential. “Women entrepreneurs face significant obstacles such as limited access to finance, markets, skilled labour, and technology. These barriers stifle their potential and prevent them from fully contributing to the economy,” she stated, calling for comprehensive action to break down these barriers and promote gender equality in the workplace.
She further acknowledged that women in Sri Lanka encounter unique challenges, including unsafe public transport, hostile workplace environments, and societal expectations that place a disproportionate burden of domestic responsibilities on them.
These factors exacerbate the difficulties they face in participating in the workforce and achieving entrepreneurial success.
Dr. Amarasuriya also referenced the International Finance Corporation’s MSME Finance Gap Report, which estimates a global finance gap of US$5.2 trillion for formal micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), with an additional US$2.9 trillion gap in the informal sector.
In Sri Lanka, the gap for MSMEs is approximately US$17 billion, representing around 21 per cent of the country’s GDP. A disproportionate number of women-led MSMEs are particularly affected by this financing shortfall, further limiting their ability to grow and succeed.
The Prime Minister argued that closing this financing gap for women entrepreneurs could unlock between US$5 trillion and US$6 trillion in additional global economic value.
“If we can provide women with the necessary resources, we will see not only a boost in their businesses but also in the global economy at large,” she added.
Dr. Amarasuriya also highlighted the importance of the Women Entrepreneurs’ Finance Goal (We-Fi), a global initiative aimed at enhancing access to finance for women-led businesses.
This initiative focuses on leadership, data-driven actions, and policy reform to bridge the financial gaps. Sri Lanka, she revealed, is amongst the first 24 countries to pilot this initiative, with significant support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The ADB’s involvement has helped to create a national definition for women-led businesses, which will be instrumental in gathering more accurate data and informing better policy decisions.
In conclusion, Dr. Amarasuriya commended the ADB’s comprehensive support, which has already led to improved data collection and better reporting practices, ultimately contributing to more informed policymaking.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a national coalition that would empower women-led micro, small, and medium enterprises, reinforcing the broader goal of strengthening women’s economic rights and opportunities in Sri Lanka.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): The government has introduced new amendments to the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations under the authority of the Imports and Exports Control Act, No. 1 of 1969.
The amendments, officially promulgated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, were published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2488/07 dated March 19, 2025.
These revised regulations modify specific provisions of the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2013, particularly affecting the importation of motor vehicles. One of the key changes requires that the original cancelled certificate of registration, along with its English translation and related documents, must bear the stamp of both the local bank that issued the letter of credit and the corresponding bank in the country of export.
However, in cases where an export inspection certificate and a condition report detailing the vehicle’s specifications are received, the requirement for the foreign bank’s stamp is waived, allowing licensed banks to release the documents.
Further, the amendments establish additional verification measures to ensure the authenticity of export inspection certificates. The documents must be dispatched directly by the corresponding bank, and their legitimacy must be confirmed online through the designated inspection agency.
An official endorsement indicating that the authenticity has been verified is now mandatory.
The regulations also introduce specific provisions for verifying the authenticity of motor vehicle import documents. Sri Lanka Customs is tasked with ensuring that these documents, including those referred to in prior regulations, are scrutinised before clearance.
Additionally, for vehicle imports from all countries, Bureau Veritas has been designated as the responsible verification agency.
To facilitate the implementation of these regulations, the Controller General of Imports and Exports will issue operational instructions to relevant authorities, including the Director General of Customs and licensed banks.
The revised regulations come into force on March 19, 2025 and apply to motor vehicles imported under the Imports and Exports (Control) Regulations No. 02 of 2025, regardless of the date of issuance of the export inspection certificate.
March 20, Colombo (LNW): A sweeping operation has led to the arrest of over 1,600 deserters from Sri Lanka’s Tri-Forces, who have failed to return to their duties after abandoning their posts without legally resigning.
The operation, initiated under a directive from the Secretary of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, commenced on February 22 and has continued to gain momentum over the past few weeks.
As of yesterday (19), authorities have apprehended a total of 1,604 personnel who had deserted their posts. Of these, 1,444 were captured through coordinated efforts by the Tri-Forces, whilst 160 were detained by the police.
The Defence Ministry revealed that the majority of the deserters were from the Army, with 1,394 Army personnel arrested, alongside 138 from the Air Force and 72 from the Navy.
The crackdown is part of an ongoing effort by the Ministry of Defence to address the issue of absconding service members who have failed to formally discharge from their duties.
These deserters are considered to have violated military regulations, and the authorities are working to bring them to justice in line with national security protocols.
