March 10, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has reported that the air quality in five major cities across Sri Lanka is currently at slightly unhealthy levels.

These cities include Galle, Ratnapura, Embilipitiya, Batticaloa, and Anuradhapura. The NBRO has cautioned residents in these areas to be aware of the air quality, particularly those with respiratory conditions or sensitivities to air pollution.

Elsewhere in Sri Lanka, the air quality has been observed to be at moderate levels, with no immediate health risks.

The NBRO forecasts an improvement in air quality for the five affected cities, expecting the levels to shift from slightly unhealthy to moderate within the next 24 hours.

In the coming days, the organisation has stated that the air quality across most of the country is anticipated to remain within the moderate to good range, ensuring safer conditions for the general public.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): A suspect arrested for allegedly misleading police and providing false information in relation to the Ganemulla Sanjeewa murder case has been remanded until March 24 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela.

Lahiru Sampath Samaranda, a resident of Belideniya, Dikwella, was taken into custody by officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

The CCD informed the court that Samaranda had misled the authorities by falsely claiming that Ishara Sewwandi, a key suspect in the murder case who remains at large, was hiding in a particular location in Dikwella.

This led the police on a wild goose chase, but further investigation revealed that the information provided by the suspect was completely fabricated.

As a result, Samaranda faces charges for his actions, which have hindered the ongoing investigation.

The court remanded him pending further proceedings, and authorities are continuing their efforts to track down Sewwandi, who remains on the run.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): Postal trade unions have declared their intention to launch a strike on March 18 in response to ongoing grievances that have yet to be addressed by authorities within the postal sector.

The decision to strike was announced by Manjula Jayasundara, Secretary of the Postal and Telecommunication Services Union, who confirmed that all major postal unions have united in their stance, citing the authorities’ failure to resolve long-standing issues affecting workers.

Among the primary concerns raised by the unions are problems with employee recruitment, appointments, promotions, and the lack of adequate salary increments.

These issues have been a source of frustration for postal workers, who have been advocating for better working conditions and fairer treatment for some time.

Jayasundara further revealed that the unions had previously engaged in discussions with the Postmaster General to find solutions to these challenges.

However, as no tangible measures or commitments were made to address the workers’ concerns, the unions have reluctantly decided to take more assertive action in the form of a strike.

The planned industrial action is expected to disrupt postal services across the country, as unions prepare to mobilise their members in protest.

The unions have warned that if their demands continue to be ignored, they may escalate their actions further in the coming weeks.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has approached the Court of Appeal with a writ petition, seeking to prevent his imminent arrest.

Through his legal representatives, Tennakoon has requested an interim injunction to suspend the arrest warrant issued against him by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

The arrest warrant was issued following Tennakoon’s alleged involvement in a shooting incident outside the W15 Hotel, located in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

The case has garnered significant public attention, with Tennakoon at the centre of investigations into the incident.

The petition was heard today by a two-judge bench at the Court of Appeal, consisting of Acting President Mohamed Lafar Tahir and Justice Sarath Dissanayake.

After reviewing the matter, the bench decided to postpone the hearing and scheduled it for further consideration on March 12.

The judges also directed that notices be served to the relevant respondents involved in the case before the next hearing.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): In preparation for the upcoming local government elections, a meeting was convened by the National Election Commission, where District Returning Officers, Deputy Returning Officers, and Assistant Returning Officers were called in to review critical aspects of the electoral process.

Saman Sri Ratnayake, the Commissioner General of Elections, led the discussions and provided key insights into the procedures for accepting nominations, a vital step in the election process.

During the meeting, which took place yesterday, Ratnayake emphasised the importance of ensuring that all nominations are processed smoothly and in accordance with the law.

The gathering was part of the Commission’s efforts to ensure that the elections proceed without issue, with officials being briefed on the latest guidelines and the necessary preparations for handling nomination submissions.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): Six dedicated police teams have been assigned the task of apprehending former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon, who is currently evading arrest, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed.

Accordingly, investigations into the matter are progressing, and law enforcement agencies are working tirelessly to locate the former top police officer.

A warrant for Tennakoon’s arrest was issued by the Matara Magistrate’s Court on February 28, following his alleged involvement in a shooting incident that occurred outside a hotel in Pelena, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

In the wake of the incident, authorities also imposed a foreign travel ban on Tennakoon, preventing him from leaving the country as investigations continue.

Deputy Minister of Public Security, Attorney-at-Law Sunil Watagala, reiterated the government’s commitment to enforcing the law without exception. He warned that any individual, regardless of their position or past service, who attempts to evade justice will face legal consequences, including the seizure of their assets.

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March 10, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has rejected a proposal from the Ministry of Finance to raise the Excise Duty on cigarettes, citing a lack of sufficient evidence to justify the increase.

The Committee discussed the matter during a recent meeting, reviewing the Order under Section 3 of the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, No. 13 of 1989, and the Excise Notification No. 01/2025, which proposed a 5.9 per cent hike in excise duties on several goods, including cigarettes, tobacco products, motor vehicles, and aerated beverages.

Finance Ministry officials presented their case, explaining that the proposed increase was part of a broader adjustment to the excise duties on various products. They also highlighted a similar 5.9 per cent rise in the excise duty on alcoholic beverages, in line with the government’s efforts to increase fiscal revenue.

However, COPF Chairman MP Harsha de Silva expressed concerns about approving the hike on cigarettes without clear, robust data to support its potential impact.

De Silva pointed out that previous studies on cigarette excise revenue suggested that such increases had inadvertently led to a reduction in government income, while simultaneously boosting profits for certain tobacco manufacturers.

He stressed the importance of ensuring that any changes in taxation would actually contribute positively to government revenue rather than simply benefiting private companies.

Given the concerns raised, the Committee decided to defer the decision on the cigarette excise duty increase. It was agreed that further clarification would be sought from the Ministry of Finance before the proposal could be reconsidered at the next meeting.

The Committee also called for more detailed data to justify the proposed tax increase on cigarettes.

On the other hand, the proposal to raise excise duties on alcoholic beverages was approved without issue. During the discussions, some MPs voiced concerns that the increase in liquor taxes could push consumers towards the illicit liquor market.

In response, Finance Ministry officials assured that the authorities are actively cracking down on illegal liquor production and distribution, with raids being carried out regularly.

Officials also reported a 22 per cent increase in liquor production over the past two months, with corresponding revenue growth of 23 per cent. To address the potential for increased consumption of illicit alcohol, plans are reportedly underway to introduce a new category of legal liquor aimed at curbing illegal trade.

March 10, Colombo (LNW): Former Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa has confirmed that he will be running for a seat in the upcoming Local Government Elections, representing the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) in the Hambantota District.

Speaking to reporters, Rajapaksa stated that the party intends to field a mix of youthful candidates across the district, aiming to bring fresh perspectives to local governance.

Rajapaksa emphasised that while young candidates would be a focal point of the party’s strategy, there would also be representation from women and senior individuals, himself included.

He expressed his belief that a diverse candidate pool would ensure a well-rounded approach to addressing the needs of the community.

In his statement, Rajapaksa acknowledged the unpredictable nature of politics, noting that one can rise to the top or fall to the bottom.

He explained that, despite his prior experience and leadership role, he is ready to start afresh at the grassroots level, underlining his commitment to serving the people of Hambantota.

However, Rajapaksa chose not to disclose which specific local government body he plans to contest, leaving some uncertainty around his precise political intentions.