July 15, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Sabaragamuwa province and in Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (15).

Several spells of showers may occur in the Western and North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Northern provinces and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-western and North-central provinces.

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

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Matara via Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be Westerly to South-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo Galle and Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo Galle and Hambantota will be rough or very rough at times.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Vakarai via Mannar, Kankasanthurai and Trincomalee may be fairly rough at times.

The wave height (about 2.5 – 3.0 m) may increase in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota. Therefore, there is a possibility that nearshore sea areas extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota, may experience surges due to sea waves.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

As President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration faces mounting criticism over its economic policies, Sarvajana Balaya leader Dilith Jayaweera has emerged as an unexpected voice of opposition, challenging what he calls the government’s “excessive taxation” while other opposition leaders remain preoccupied with political maneuvering.

The member of parliament, who has carved out a distinct position in Sri Lanka’s fractured politics, delivered a scathing assessment of the current administration’s approach to economic recovery during yesterday’s press conference. His critique centers on what he sees as a troubling continuity between the current government and its predecessor.

“President Dissanayake is just following the policies of Ranil Wickremesinghe,” Jayaweera declared, drawing parallels between the current administration’s tax strategy and that of the former president. “The excessive taxation is crippling our entrepreneurs.”

The businessman-turned-politician has been particularly vocal about the government’s digital tax initiative, which he has opposed since its inception. Jayaweera characterizes the levy as “a retaliatory tax against the US,” reflecting broader concerns about the measure’s impact on Sri Lanka’s relationship with international partners and its domestic technology sector.

While traditional opposition parties have struggled to present a unified front against the government, often becoming mired in internal disputes and leadership battles, Jayaweera has sought to position himself as a pragmatic alternative. His focus on economic policy rather than political theater has begun to resonate with segments of the business community and middle-class voters who feel underrepresented in the current political discourse.

Sources close to the Sarvajana Balaya leader indicate that he plans to intensify his campaign against what he views as the government’s misguided fiscal approach. These individuals, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggest that Jayaweera is preparing to mount a sustained challenge to the administration’s taxation policies, arguing that the government has failed to articulate a clear pathway to economic recovery.

The criticism comes at a sensitive time for the Dissanayake administration, which inherited a country still grappling with the aftermath of its worst economic crisis in decades. The government’s tax policies, defended by officials as necessary for revenue generation and fiscal stability, have faced pushback from various quarters, but Jayaweera’s systematic opposition has given these concerns a prominent political voice.

His approach contrasts sharply with that of other opposition figures, who have often focused on broader political attacks rather than specific policy alternatives. This strategic positioning has allowed Jayaweera to cultivate an image as a serious critic focused on substantive economic issues rather than partisan politics.

The digital tax controversy, in particular, has provided Jayaweera with a platform to demonstrate his opposition credentials. His early and consistent criticism of the measure has established him as a credible voice on technology policy, an increasingly important area as Sri Lanka seeks to modernize its economy.

As the domestic politics continues to evolve, Jayaweera’s ability to maintain his focus on economic policy while other opposition leaders engage in what he characterizes as “power games” may prove to be a significant advantage in building public support for his alternative vision of Sri Lanka’s economic future.

The coming months will test whether his approach can translate into broader political influence or whether the established patterns of Sri Lankan politics will reassert themselves.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Three government officials have been taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) in connection with a suspected illegal registration of a motor vehicle, raising fresh concerns over malpractice within public administrative systems.

The investigation centres around a vehicle registered under the number GS-9164, which was reportedly entered into the Department of Motor Traffic’s database without proper customs clearance—a legal requirement for any imported vehicle to be officially registered in Sri Lanka.

Amongst those arrested is Suriya Priyangani Sirimanne, a former Assistant Commissioner at the Department of Motor Traffic, who is currently serving in a senior capacity at the Ministry of Lands. She is accused of authorising the questionable transfer of the vehicle’s ownership, bypassing necessary regulatory protocols.

Also arrested was Sanjeewa Kumara, a Development Assistant attached to the Motor Traffic Department’s Narahenpita branch, who allegedly played a direct role in executing the unauthorised ownership transfer. The third suspect, Indika Lakshman Herath, serving as a Supervisory Officer within the same department’s Investigation Division, is said to have issued a formal recommendation supporting the fraudulent transfer.

CIABOC officials believe the unauthorised registration may be part of a broader network of collusion between public officials and external parties aiming to circumvent import and registration laws for financial gain. Investigators are currently scrutinising whether similar cases have occurred, indicating a possible pattern of corruption within vehicle registration processes.

The three suspects are expected to be presented before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where the Commission is likely to request continued detention to facilitate further inquiry.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has witnessed a concerning surge in gun-related violence in the first half of 2025, with authorities confirming 68 shooting incidents reported between January 01 and July 13.

According to the Police Media Division, a significant majority of these incidents are believed to be the result of ongoing turf wars and retaliatory attacks within organised criminal networks.

Addressing journalists earlier today (14), Police Spokesperson ASP F.U. Wootler provided an overview of the law enforcement response. He stated that police have arrested 24 alleged gunmen in connection with the shootings, along with 15 individuals suspected of serving as getaway drivers or motorcycle riders during the attacks.

A further 150 individuals have been taken into custody for their suspected roles in aiding and abetting the incidents, whether by providing logistical support, harbouring suspects, or facilitating the transport of weapons.

ASP Wootler noted that of the 68 shootings, 50 have been definitively linked to organised criminal activity, while the remaining 18 appear to stem from personal disputes or localised conflicts. The violence has claimed the lives of 37 individuals, 34 of whom are believed to have had direct ties to criminal gangs or underworld operations. In addition, 39 people have sustained injuries—30 of them reportedly affiliated with organised groups.

These figures have prompted renewed concerns about the pervasiveness of illicit firearms and the expanding influence of underworld factions in both urban and rural areas. The police spokesperson also revealed that an intensive series of operations carried out between January 01 and July 10 has led to the seizure of 1,165 weapons.

These include firearms, bladed weapons, and improvised arms, many of which were discovered in targeted raids informed by intelligence gathering and surveillance.

Authorities have pledged to continue the crackdown on armed crime with enhanced coordination among specialised units, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Police Narcotics Bureau, both of which are believed to be monitoring the financial and operational structures of several criminal outfits.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): In a landmark move that places sustainability, education, and youth empowerment at the heart of national discourse, the University of Colombo is spearheading an ambitious, island-wide celebration of United Nations World Tourism Day 2025.

In partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), and the Alumni Association of Tourism Economics and Hospitality Management (Alumni ATEHM), a series of events is set to unfold across the country in the coming months.

Running under the theme “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” this national campaign aims to galvanise awareness, innovation, and meaningful engagement in Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, with a particular focus on cultivating the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Activities will span from August through to early October, culminating in a flagship celebration between September 27 and October 01, centred at the prestigious One Galle Face and the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo.

At the heart of this initiative is a vibrant programme of activities designed to engage a diverse audience—from schoolchildren to seasoned professionals. A national inter-school tourism competition will roll out across all provinces, introducing Junior Tourism Clubs in secondary schools to nurture early exposure to tourism and hospitality.

Students will receive both theoretical grounding and hands-on experience in areas such as culinary arts, destination marketing, and guest services. The national finals, scheduled for 25 and 26 September, will showcase student talents and reward innovation in fields such as food and beverage service and eco-tourism promotion.

Parallel to these school-based events, the Tourism Travel Mart will offer an active networking hub where hoteliers, travel agents, sustainable tourism entrepreneurs, and cultural experts can interact with both consumers and potential business partners. This platform aims to boost domestic tourism initiatives, promote lesser-known destinations, and highlight sustainable tourism practices.

On 26 September, One Galle Face will also host a specialised Tourism Job Fair and Career Guidance Expo, providing workshops, live interviews, and mentorship sessions for aspiring professionals seeking careers in hospitality, travel management, and tourism-related entrepreneurship.

The grand finale of the celebrations will take place on October 01 with the staging of two international events: the International Tourism Research Conference (ITRC) and the International Tourism Leaders’ Summit (ITLS). More than 20 countries will be represented by esteemed academics, policy experts, and industry veterans, who will gather to explore bold new directions in sustainable tourism policy, digital innovation, and post-crisis resilience in the global travel landscape.

The campaign is a result of robust collaboration among stakeholders. While the Ministry of Tourism sets the strategic direction, the SLTDA and Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) are leading national coordination and outreach efforts.

Intellectual and logistical support comes from the University of Colombo’s Sustainable Tourism Unit and the Alumni ATEHM, along with state and private universities that offer tourism and hospitality courses. Industry associations such as THASL, SLAITO, SLITHM, CHSGA, and ASME are providing technical guidance, while provincial councils are delivering on-the-ground implementation across the island.

With just a few months to go until the global observance, organisers have called on all sectors—from educators and local authorities to tourism operators and young innovators—to join hands and contribute to a reimagined tourism landscape.

July 14, Colombo (LNW): Former minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne has petitioned the Colombo Magistrate’s Court for anticipatory bail, aiming to pre-empt a potential arrest in connection with a high-profile investigation being conducted by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The application follows claims made in court that Senaratne has deliberately avoided arrest over his alleged involvement in a controversial sand mining transaction, which reportedly led to a financial loss of Rs. 26.2 million to the state.

According to commission officials, the former minister has been untraceable in recent days—allegedly switching off his mobile devices, vacating his known residence, and disregarding repeated legal summons.

Adding to the controversy, a medical certificate produced on Senaratne’s behalf by his legal counsel was dismissed by authorities as inadmissible, raising further questions about his intent to comply with the legal process.

Officials representing the Bribery Commission had initially moved to obtain an arrest warrant. However, the magistrate presiding over the matter advised that such a request could not proceed without the requisite legal documentation.

The court subsequently reminded the commission that it possesses the statutory authority to detain individuals under investigation and directed it to take appropriate action within the scope of the law.