May 16, Colombo (LNW): The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has unveiled a significant initiative to revitalise Sri Lanka’s coconut industry by reclaiming and developing 500,000 acres of currently uncultivated coconut land, particularly within the island’s traditional coconut triangle.

CCB Chairman Dr. Sunimal Jayakody announced that the effort will focus on Kurunegala, Gampaha, Puttalam, and Kuliyapitiya—regions historically known for coconut cultivation.

These areas, he noted, contain large expanses of underutilised land, much of it owned by absentee landowners or by individuals who have settled abroad.

“An action plan is already in place to legally take over these idle lands based on documentation of cultivation per acre. The aim is not expropriation, but temporary acquisition through legal means and lease agreements,” Dr. Jayakody clarified.

The lands, he added, will be returned to their original owners after a designated period of productive use.

The move is backed by a Rs. 790 million allocation from the Treasury, reflecting the government’s strategic commitment to revitalising the agriculture sector as part of a broader economic recovery.

A key aspect of the plan includes developing intercropping systems—particularly cultivating vegetables under the coconut canopy—with an eye on export markets to generate foreign exchange.

“This is not just about coconut yield. We are developing a sustainable agricultural model that can simultaneously increase national food security, boost exports, and create rural employment,” Dr. Jayakody said.

The CCB plans to raise Sri Lanka’s annual coconut production from 2,700 million nuts in 2024 to 4,500 million by 2030, addressing both domestic demand and export potential. Increased coconut yields are expected to benefit not only the food and beverage sectors but also industries such as cosmetics and biofuels.

Many of the lands identified for development are reportedly under private ownership but have long been neglected. Some owners, residing overseas or in urban centres, have been unable or unwilling to maintain regular agricultural operations.

As a result, large tracts have become economically unproductive, contributing to supply shortages and fluctuating coconut prices.

The CCB is expected to work in coordination with local government bodies and agrarian services to implement the land takeover mechanism in a manner that avoids conflict and ensures legal transparency.

Legal frameworks are being drafted to formalise land usage rights under time-bound agreements, ensuring that private property rights are respected whilst enhancing national productivity.

May 16, Colombo (LNW): The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) today (16) requested the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court to cancel the bail granted to Badulla District MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, and to have him remanded again, citing alleged interference with an ongoing investigation.

Dassanayake was previously granted bail on April 08 over allegations of financial misconduct dating back to 2016, during his tenure as a member of the Uva Provincial Council. He stands accused of misusing public funds and engaging in irregular financial activities during that period.

In a motion submitted to the court, CIABOC accused Dassanayake of attempting to influence the investigation through indirect means. According to the Commission, the MP—acting through his wife—had approached former President Ranil Wickremesinghe and requested that he hold a press conference to publicly comment on the case.

The Bribery Commission claims that during this media briefing, false and misleading statements were made that sought to exonerate the MP and cast doubt on the credibility of the investigation.

CIABOC argued that this conduct amounted to obstruction of justice and was an attempt to interfere with the legal process, thereby violating the conditions under which bail had been granted.

The matter has been scheduled for further hearing at 11:30 a.m. today before Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali. The court will decide whether the new claims warrant the revocation of bail and a return to remand custody for the parliamentarian.

This case has gained political attention, given that Dassanayake remains an active MP representing the Badulla District. The allegation that a former President has been drawn into the matter as a potential enabler of interference adds a further layer of complexity and potential political ramifications.

May 16, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has announced a significant leap in Sri Lanka’s renewable energy journey, confirming that the country’s installed rooftop solar capacity has reached 1,700 megawatts as of 1 May 2025.

This milestone represents a major achievement in the nation’s efforts to shift towards cleaner, decentralised power generation.

In a public statement, the state-owned electricity provider attributed this accomplishment to the increasing participation of households, businesses, and institutions in adopting rooftop solar technology.

The CEB expressed its gratitude to all solar producers, noting that their contributions are helping to transform the country’s energy landscape and reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

“This remarkable progress reflects the growing commitment of Sri Lankan citizens and institutions towards a greener, more sustainable energy future,” the CEB stated.

The Board also acknowledged the strategic importance of small-scale, distributed energy production in building a resilient and environmentally responsible national grid.

The 1,700 MW figure represents the total installed capacity from rooftop solar systems across the island, including those under net metering, net accounting, and net-plus schemes.

These solar systems not only reduce electricity bills for consumers but also enable them to contribute excess power back into the national grid.

Over the past few years, the rooftop solar sector in Sri Lanka has expanded rapidly, driven by several government-backed incentives, regulatory reforms, and growing public awareness of environmental issues.

This expansion is also aligned with the country’s long-term goal of achieving 70 per cent renewable energy generation by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2050.

Sri Lanka’s geographical location, with high solar irradiance throughout the year, offers ideal conditions for photovoltaic energy generation. As fuel prices and climate-related concerns rise globally, rooftop solar offers an increasingly attractive alternative, particularly in a country still recovering from an economic crisis and facing energy security challenges.

The CEB has also been actively working with international donors, private sector partners, and local communities to streamline solar grid integration, modernise infrastructure, and improve service delivery.

Future plans are expected to include further automation of metering, grid balancing technologies, and battery storage solutions to stabilise intermittent supply from renewables.

Energy analysts have welcomed this development but caution that continued investment in policy frameworks, grid modernisation, and affordable financing is necessary to sustain momentum.

They point to bureaucratic delays and connection bottlenecks that some solar users still face when linking to the national grid.

Nonetheless, the achievement of 1,700 MW installed capacity marks a promising turning point in Sri Lanka’s transition to renewable energy. It reflects not only the technical feasibility of large-scale rooftop solar adoption, but also growing public support for sustainable development at a grassroots level.

May 16, Colombo (LNW): At the 2025 International Nurses Day celebration held in Kandy, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called for urgent attention to be given to improving the safety, working conditions, and overall wellbeing of women in the nursing profession.

The event, organised by the All Ceylon Nurses’ Union under the theme “Our Nurses, Our Future – Investing in Nursing Strengthens the Economy”, was attended by healthcare professionals, union leaders, and government officials.

Speaking at the Karaliya Hall, the Prime Minister emphasised that ensuring workplace safety extends beyond fair remuneration. It includes creating environments that protect women from exploitative conditions, social isolation, and unsafe work schedules.

Citing a moving personal account of a nurse who had worked two consecutive night shifts and barely had time to see her family, Amarasuriya highlighted the strain placed on many female health workers.

“Ninety percent of the nursing workforce consists of women, yet we must ask how and why this has happened. Is it societal expectation or systemic design?” she asked. “We have to stop seeing women as merely suited for caregiving roles and instead start building systems that support them to thrive both professionally and personally.”

The Prime Minister added that unsafe transport during night shifts, isolation in rural placements, and institutional pressures are real concerns that make workplaces hazardous for many women. She argued for structural changes that would allow women to balance their family responsibilities without sacrificing professional aspirations.

“We should not just be building an economy through nurses. We must build an economy that strengthens nurses. Their lives, happiness, and choices must matter just as much as economic productivity,” she asserted.

Dr. Amarasuriya also emphasised the need for supportive policies such as flexible working hours, better childcare support, secure transport, and an overall social environment that uplifts women professionals. She reflected on her own visits to hospitals following a recent bus accident in Garadiella and shared her admiration for the commitment of Sri Lankan nurses.

The commemorative event also saw the launch of the nursing-focused magazine ‘Hedakama’, presented to the Prime Minister and Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

Minister Jayatissa used the occasion to outline key reforms underway in Sri Lanka’s health system. With the country facing a rapidly ageing population and rising non-communicable diseases, he announced plans to establish 1,000 new primary outpatient care centres and significantly expand the nursing workforce.

“We are looking to recruit 3,147 nurses this year, along with 305 public health degree holders,” he said. “Our goal is to increase the current 40,000-strong nursing workforce to 60,000.”

Jayatissa also affirmed that the government would begin systematic degree-awarding for nurses through joint efforts by the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Higher Education.

The move follows policy decisions taken at a recent meeting chaired by the Prime Minister, aimed at professionalising the nursing sector and improving career advancement opportunities.

The event was attended by several high-profile guests, including Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni, Professor Damayanthi Dasanayake of the University of Peradeniya, and All Ceylon Nurses’ Union President Ravindra Kahandawaarachchi.

The 2025 International Nurses Day, commemorating the 205th birth anniversary of Florence Nightingale, served as a powerful platform to highlight the often invisible burdens carried by nurses—particularly women—and the need to reimagine healthcare not just as a system of services, but as one that also serves those who provide care.

May 16, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western 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 about 75 mm are likely at some places in Central, Eastern, Uva, Northern and North-central provinces.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over North-western, North-central and Southern provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

May 15, Colombo (LNW): In a significant move towards the digitisation of public services, Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has officially adopted the ‘GovPay’ digital payment platform, enabling citizens to make online payments for a variety of court-related services that were previously reliant on cash transactions.

The development forms part of the broader national strategy to modernise state services under the reform-driven agenda of the National People’s Power (NPP) government.

The launch of this latest phase in the GovPay programme was marked by a formal ceremony held at the Supreme Court Complex in Colombo, attended by Chief Justice Murdu Fernando, along with key representatives from the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and LankaPay, the national payment network.

By integrating the Supreme Court into this centralised digital payment system, the public now has access to a seamless online method for paying fees related to case filings, obtaining certified copies of court documents, filing Commercial High Court appeals, lodging complaints, and settling affidavit-related charges. Compensation payments to relevant parties can also now be transacted through the same portal.

This initiative is part of a larger campaign to bring greater efficiency, transparency, and convenience to state-run services. The GovPay platform, accessible at www.govpay.lk, currently includes 16 key government institutions, with more expected to join in the near future.

The digital service is designed to eliminate the need for in-person visits to payment counters, reduce administrative delays, and prevent potential corruption by limiting cash handling.

The ICTA, which is spearheading the country’s digital governance transformation, has described the integration of judicial services into GovPay as a milestone in the government’s roadmap for e-governance.

The move not only eases the burden on litigants and lawyers but also reflects a broader institutional shift within Sri Lanka’s justice system to adapt to global technological standards.

According to legal experts, the digitisation of court payments is particularly timely, as the judiciary continues to face significant caseloads and operational pressures. Modernising payment systems is expected to expedite procedural workflows, reduce manual documentation errors, and improve public access to justice.

The Chief Justice, speaking at the event, highlighted the symbolic and practical significance of the transition. “This is not just a technological upgrade. It represents a fundamental shift in how we think about judicial accessibility and service delivery in the modern age,” she remarked.

Officials from LankaPay reiterated their commitment to ensuring the reliability and security of online transactions processed through GovPay. The platform is equipped with standard digital safeguards and works in partnership with leading financial institutions in Sri Lanka to offer trusted, real-time transaction capabilities.

May 15, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today formally received the credentials of seven newly appointed foreign ambassadors during a ceremonial event held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

The presentation marks the strengthening of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and a diverse group of partner nations from various regions.

The ambassadors representing Argentina, Zimbabwe, Israel, the Philippines, Tajikistan, Cambodia, and Denmark were officially accredited to serve as their respective countries’ envoys to Sri Lanka. Most of the new appointments are non-resident ambassadors, with their primary diplomatic missions based in New Delhi or Dhaka.

Mariano Agustin Caucino will serve as the Argentine Republic’s envoy, while Stella Nkomo will represent Zimbabwe. From Israel, Reuven Javier Azar has been designated as ambassador, joining the group of envoys who will operate out of India. Nina P. Cringlet will serve as the Philippines’ ambassador, with her diplomatic office situated in Bangladesh. Tajikistan has appointed Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, and Cambodia is represented by Rath Many. Representing Northern Europe, Rasmus Kristensen assumes duties as the Danish ambassador.

The formal acceptance of credentials by the Head of State not only signals the commencement of these ambassadors’ official responsibilities but also underscores Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with the international community amidst shifting global dynamics. President Dissanayake, who has placed emphasis on repositioning Sri Lanka’s foreign policy through pragmatism and multilateral cooperation, welcomed the envoys in line with diplomatic tradition.

The presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, at the ceremony further signalled the government’s commitment to fostering deeper bilateral ties in areas such as trade, tourism, labour cooperation, education, and climate resilience. Also attending was the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, who has been a key figure in coordinating state protocol and intergovernmental affairs.

Observers note that the arrival of ambassadors from countries with varied geopolitical alignments and economic priorities reflects Colombo’s effort to diversify its foreign relations. From Latin America to Southern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Northern Europe, these new diplomatic engagements could open the door to enhanced people-to-people exchanges, investment opportunities, and shared developmental initiatives.

While most ambassadors are not resident in Sri Lanka, their accreditation is expected to help bridge the gap between embassies based in regional capitals and local policymakers in Colombo. This form of diplomatic representation has become increasingly common among middle-income nations managing limited foreign service resources, yet keen to sustain global outreach.

Sri Lanka, currently navigating a phase of economic stabilisation and institutional reform, is also seeking to elevate its international standing. Strengthening diplomatic channels and securing broader support across diverse regions is seen as part of this strategic outlook.