February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has given its approval for the creation of a Gambling Regulation Authority, which will operate as an independent body with a comprehensive mandate to oversee and standardise gambling establishments.
The aim is to minimise social harm, foster the tourism industry, and stimulate economic growth.
Cabinet spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the Legal Draftsman had informed the Cabinet that their agreement was necessary to proceed with drafting the relevant legislation.
Consequently, the Cabinet endorsed a resolution proposed by the President, in his role as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation, and Economic Development, granting policy approval for the immediate formulation of the draft bill.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission is set to meet this Thursday (27), with expectations that the date for the upcoming Local Government (LG) Elections will be finalised during the session.
A recent gazette notice from the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government indicated that local government institutions are scheduled to convene for the first time on 2nd June 2025, following the elections.
According to sources within the Election Commission, the LG Elections are anticipated to be held either at the end of April or during the first week of May.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): A key meeting was held today (25) between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Dewi Gustina Tobing, the Indonesian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the talks, Ambassador Tobing conveyed Indonesia’s warm wishes to the newly-formed Sri Lankan government and reaffirmed her country’s commitment to deepening the longstanding 70-year friendship between the two nations, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).
Ambassador Tobing noted the recent parallel elections in both Sri Lanka and Indonesia, leading to the formation of new administrations.
She expressed Indonesia’s support for Sri Lanka’s “Clean Sri Lanka” programme, highlighting that a similar initiative is being implemented in Indonesia.
The discussion also covered opportunities to strengthen trade relations, with a focus on exploring potential free trade agreements between the two countries.
The PMD revealed that both sides expressed a shared interest in expanding market access in ways that would benefit both economies whilst further enhancing the cultural, social, and economic ties that bind the two nations.
The meeting was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr Roshan Gamage, and Indonesian Deputy Ambassador, Mr Fiki Oktanio.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has voiced serious concern over a recent series of incidents involving the deaths of suspects in police custody and within courtrooms, describing these occurrences as a direct threat to the rule of law in the country.
In a statement issued today, the BASL emphasised the critical need for law enforcement agencies, including the police and prison authorities, to exercise the utmost caution and responsibility to prevent such incidents.
The Association warned that failing to do so would severely undermine public trust in the justice system.
The BASL lamented that similar cases of so-called ‘encounter killings’ have occurred in the past without adequate investigation or accountability, leaving the perpetrators unpunished.
The statement expressed concern that the apparent lack of action has fostered a climate of impunity, raising questions about the effectiveness of the justice system and diminishing the public’s confidence in its integrity.
The BASL stressed that extrajudicial killings cannot be justified as a solution to rising crime rates, highlighting that the best way to combat criminal activity is through strict adherence to the rule of law.
The Association called on the Acting Inspector General of Police to initiate a prompt and impartial investigation into the recent deaths of two individuals in police custody, urging for all necessary measures to be taken to prevent further incidents of custodial deaths or extrajudicial killings.
Such actions, according to the BASL, not only undermine justice but also contribute to a growing sense of injustice among the public, further eroding trust in the country’s legal system.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya has been named the new chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on High Posts.
The announcement was made by Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (24).
The High Posts Committee holds significant authority, particularly in approving the nominations put forward by the President and the government for key positions within the country.
This includes reviewing and approving the appointments of individuals to lead Sri Lankan diplomatic missions abroad.
The committee’s role also extends to assessing the qualifications and eligibility of those nominated for these high-level posts, ensuring that only suitable candidates are appointed to critical roles.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath is currently attending the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, where he is participating in key discussions surrounding human rights and international collaboration.
During the event, the Minister held a series of important bilateral talks, including a meeting with H.E. Lord Collins of Highbury, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State.
Additionally, he engaged with UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, and H.E. Ms. Varsen Aghabekian, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs of Palestine, among other influential leaders.
On the agenda for tomorrow (26), Minister Herath will address the UNHRC, where he will reaffirm Sri Lanka’s unwavering commitment to ongoing dialogue, international cooperation, and the protection of human rights.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): A crucial meeting is set to take place next Thursday between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and representatives from the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).
The discussion is expected to centre on the recent budgetary cuts that have significantly impacted doctors’ allowances and their leave entitlements.
According to Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the media spokesperson for the GMOA, the new budget has introduced sweeping changes that have reduced several key allowances for medical professionals, which has raised serious concerns within the medical community.
These cuts, he explained, directly affect the operational aspects of healthcare services, particularly after-hours care, and could have a detrimental impact on the overall quality of medical services in Sri Lanka.
Dr. Wijesinghe emphasised that if doctors are not adequately compensated for their work beyond regular hours, it would be impossible to maintain essential medical services in the country, particularly after 4 p.m.
He also pointed out that the current remuneration for doctors is already insufficient, with many practitioners working under increasingly difficult conditions.
The spokesperson further added that these financial reductions are demotivating for doctors and risk undermining the morale of the medical workforce.
Such measures, he argued, send a negative message to healthcare professionals who are already struggling with long hours and high levels of responsibility.
Additionally, Dr. Wijesinghe highlighted that the reduction in allowances effectively nullifies the impact of the basic salary increase proposed for doctors in the 2025 budget.
Whilst the increase was intended to address some of the financial concerns within the medical sector, the cuts to allowances have diminished its potential benefits, leaving many doctors feeling disillusioned.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed Sri Lanka’s latest budget but has raised significant concerns about the potential impact of the premature removal of the Simplified Value-Added Tax (SVAT) system.
The Forum has cautioned that such a move, without a clear and thoroughly tested alternative, could have adverse effects on the apparel sector, a key contributor to the nation’s export economy.
JAAF emphasised the importance of ensuring a seamless transition from the SVAT system, which has been a vital part of the industry’s operations.
The Forum argued that any disruption in the VAT process could undermine the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s apparel sector and erode investor confidence, which has already been strained in recent times.
To safeguard the liquidity of exporters, the organisation stressed the need for timely VAT refunds and a robust system to prevent any delays.
Furthermore, JAAF reiterated its long-standing call for a digitally-driven VAT refund mechanism, one that would significantly reduce human intervention, improve efficiency, and ensure transparency.
A poorly managed shift away from SVAT could result in cash flow constraints for exporters, disrupting their operations and potentially damaging Sri Lanka’s reputation as a reliable sourcing hub.
With global brands placing an increasing emphasis on supply chain stability, such disruptions could have far-reaching consequences.
The apparel sector remains a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s export economy, contributing more than 40 per cent to the country’s total merchandise exports.
As such, JAAF has urged the government to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders to ensure that the VAT transition is handled smoothly, with a focus on incorporating efficient, digital refund systems to prevent operational disruptions.
In addition to VAT concerns, the Forum called for the proposed wage increases for the private sector to be accompanied by the removal of the two Budgetary Relief Allowance Acts.
This would allow the National Minimum Wage to be consolidated into a single figure, encompassing all allowances, thereby providing greater clarity and consistency for businesses and workers alike.
JAAF further stressed the importance of clear tax administration, the timely execution of trade facilitation measures, and a continued focus on enhancing export competitiveness.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to support low-income families during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, the government is preparing a relief package that will include essential food items at affordable prices.
The move is aimed at ensuring that the festive season remains accessible for those facing financial challenges.
Yesterday (24), the Food Policy and Security Committee convened in Parliament to discuss the details of the initiative.
The committee, chaired by Ministers K.D. Lalkantha and Wasantha Samarasinghe, deliberated on how to ensure a steady supply of essential food items during the holiday period whilst keeping prices under control.
The aim is to avoid shortages of critical supplies, such as rice, lentils, and sugar, which often experience price fluctuations during peak demand times.
This year’s budget has earmarked Rs. 1 billion for the relief package, which will see essential food items offered at subsidised rates to low-income families during the festive season.
A major portion of the meeting was dedicated to ensuring the effective and transparent use of these funds to make sure the relief reaches those who need it most.
One of the key focuses of the committee was to minimise the volatility of essential commodity prices in the market, with particular emphasis on maintaining stability.
Additionally, there was considerable discussion about reducing the prices of bakery products, which often see significant price hikes during festive seasons.
Another significant topic raised during the meeting was the purchase of paddy. The committee reviewed the ongoing efforts to ensure sufficient paddy is bought under the loan facilities provided to rice mill owners.
It was noted that some rice mill owners may have diverted the loans intended for paddy procurement to other uses.
Reports suggest that several large-scale rice mill owners have secured loans exceeding Rs. 15 billion for paddy purchases, prompting the committee to call for a follow-up investigation into these transactions.
Ministers have directed officials to closely monitor this situation.
Furthermore, the committee expressed concern about the challenges faced by small-scale rice mill owners in acquiring paddy and discussed strategies to encourage them to participate in the procurement process.
February 25, Colombo (LNW): The debate on the second reading of the 2025 Budget Appropriation bill is set to conclude today (25).
The debate, which has been ongoing since 18 February, is set to culminate in a crucial vote scheduled for 6:00 PM this evening.
The budget, officially presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, was initially introduced to Parliament last week.
This year’s budget represents Sri Lanka’s 79th, and it has been the focus of intense scrutiny and debate among lawmakers, reflecting the nation’s financial priorities for the year ahead.
The debate on the second reading, which spans seven days, will come to a close today, and the final decision will be made by Parliament through the scheduled vote.
This vote will determine whether the proposed allocations and financial plans outlined in the budget will proceed to the next stage of the legislative process.
Following the conclusion of the second reading debate, the next phase of deliberation—the Committee Stage—will begin on February 27 and will run until March 21.
This stage, which will take place over 19 days, including four Saturdays, allows for more detailed scrutiny and potential amendments to the budget proposals.
Finally, the third reading of the Appropriation Bill is set to take place on March 21, with a vote expected at 6.00 PM.
This final vote will determine whether the budget is formally approved, setting the financial framework for the country’s governance in the coming year.
