May 02, Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Polonnaruwa districts, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in a statement today (02).
There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers. General public, therefore, is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.
The statement urged the public to seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees, avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats, and beware of fallen trees and power lines.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have issued a formal directive emphasising the importance of preserving the sanctity of Vesak, urging the public to approach the holy day with religious devotion rather than celebratory fanfare.
The Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government has advised that Vesak Poya Day, which falls on May 12 this year, should be observed exclusively through spiritual and reflective practices, in keeping with its deep religious significance in the Buddhist calendar.
The directive stresses that the occasion, which marks the triple milestones of the Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and passing away, should not be diminished by musical events, carnivals, or entertainment-based gatherings.
Instead, citizens are encouraged to engage in Pratipatti Pooja—offerings made through the observance of moral conduct, meditation and the pursuit of spiritual teachings.
Instructions have been circulated among senior government administrators, including ministry secretaries, provincial chief secretaries, district and divisional secretaries, as well as the heads of state institutions and public corporations.
These officials have been tasked with educating the wider community about the proper observance of Vesak, ensuring that the public is aware of the religious and cultural expectations surrounding the holiday.
The government has also called upon Buddhist temples across the country to conduct Seela Bhavana programmes—organised sessions of moral discipline and meditation—encouraging the participation of Dhamma school attendees, schoolchildren and youth organisations.
These activities aim to foster a sense of discipline, introspection and community engagement, particularly among the younger generation.
In line with national customs, all public and private entities, as well as households, are expected to display the Buddhist flag and decorate their surroundings with eco-friendly Vesak lanterns and other traditional ornaments throughout the designated Vesak Week, spanning from 10 to 16 May.
Further underlining the solemnity of the occasion, the government has mandated a nationwide suspension of certain commercial operations. All abattoirs and meat vendors—including meat sections in supermarkets—are to remain closed for three consecutive days from May 12 to 14.
Liquor stores, bars, and recreational clubs that serve alcohol will also be prohibited from operating during this period, with the goal of maintaining a peaceful and respectful atmosphere during the sacred observance.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): With local authority elections set to take place on May 06, 2025, the Election Commission has released an official set of instructions aimed at guiding voters through the correct procedures for casting their ballots.
These measures are intended to safeguard the integrity of the voting process while ensuring clarity and consistency at polling stations across the island.
Addressing the public ahead of the polls, the Chairman of the Election Commission, R.M.A.L. Ratnayake, clarified that each eligible citizen will be issued a single ballot paper, reinforcing the principle of one person, one vote.
The design of the ballot has been standardised to include only the names and emblems of registered political parties, and where applicable, the identifying number and symbol for each independent group. No individual candidates or ward numbers will be listed.
The commission has specified that electors are required to indicate their preference by placing a single cross (X) within the box adjacent to the party or independent group of their choice.
Marking more than one box or placing any alternative symbol or annotation on the ballot paper could result in the vote being declared invalid.
Such actions may be interpreted as an attempt to compromise the anonymity of the vote, and therefore fall outside the bounds of electoral procedure.
Voters are strongly urged to take care when completing their ballot, ensuring that no stray marks or identifying features are added, intentionally or otherwise. Any deviation from the standard marking method may lead to the ballot being rejected during counting.
In preparation for polling day, the Commission has also reiterated the list of documents that may be used to confirm voter identity. A broad range of identification options will be accepted, including the National Identity Card, a valid passport, a current driving licence, as well as identity cards issued for retirees, members of the clergy, or senior citizens.
Additionally, temporary ID cards provided by the Election Commission for persons with disabilities or others lacking standard documentation will be deemed valid. A temporary driving licence featuring a photograph will also be considered acceptable.
Importantly, the Commission clarified that a polling card is not essential to exercise one’s franchise. As long as a recognised form of identification is presented, voters will not be turned away from the polls.
The Election Commission has also called on the public to assist in upholding the transparency and credibility of the election by following all stipulated procedures without deviation.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to embark on a state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from May 04 to 06, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in the deepening of bilateral relations between the two nations.
The invitation was extended by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, as both countries commemorate 55 years of formal diplomatic engagement.
During his visit, President Dissanayake will engage in a series of high-level discussions with key figures in the Vietnamese government, including President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and other senior leadership figures such as the General Secretary of the Communist Party.
These meetings are expected to focus on strengthening cooperation across a range of sectors, including trade, tourism, education, and regional security.
The visit takes on added cultural and diplomatic significance as President Dissanayake has been invited to serve as the Chief Guest at the United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vesak, which commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing of the Buddha, holds great spiritual and symbolic importance for many nations across Asia.
President Dissanayake is scheduled to deliver the keynote address at the event, underlining Sri Lanka’s historic and spiritual contributions to global Buddhist heritage and interfaith understanding.
A series of formal agreements and memoranda of understanding are anticipated to be signed during the state visit, reflecting a shared commitment to enhanced cooperation.
These documents are expected to cover a spectrum of interests including technological collaboration, labour mobility, tourism development, and academic exchange.
Additionally, the itinerary includes a business forum where President Dissanayake and his delegation will engage with members of Vietnam’s private sector, aiming to foster greater economic collaboration and explore opportunities for joint ventures.
With both economies currently undergoing significant transformation, the meeting offers a timely platform for strategic partnerships that align with their respective national development agendas.
Accompanying the President on this diplomatic mission will be Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who also oversees the portfolios of foreign employment and tourism, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other government departments.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): In a notable policy shift aimed at easing supply constraints in the automotive sector, the Ministry of Finance has announced a fresh set of relaxations on vehicle import restrictions, effective from April 29, 2025.
The move signals a gradual loosening of controls that have been in place for several years as part of broader measures to stabilise Sri Lanka’s economy during its financial crisis.
The revised regulations, issued under the signature of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, are expected to facilitate the immediate release of numerous vehicles that have been held at ports for weeks due to previous import limitations.
Amongst the categories now approved for clearance are popular hybrid models, including the Toyota Raize and Nissan X-TRAIL, as well as other environmentally friendly vehicles utilising comparable technologies.
The shift has been welcomed by industry stakeholders who have long voiced concerns over the impact of prolonged import restrictions on both consumers and the automotive trade.
Speaking on the development, the Chairman of the Vehicle Importers’ Association, Prasad Manage, noted that the new directive offers much-needed relief to importers and dealers who had seen vehicles held up in limbo for nearly two months.
He emphasised that the clearance of hybrids would also help meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient, low-emission vehicles amid rising environmental consciousness and cost pressures.
In a related move, the government has further extended its liberalisation by lifting the ban on the importation of new, unregistered motorcycles. This change comes under a separate gazette notification, which outlines a licensed import mechanism for new motorbikes, providing a formal channel for dealers to resume trade within a regulated framework.
Industry experts believe this decision could inject fresh dynamism into the two-wheeler market, which remains crucial for middle-income consumers and the urban workforce reliant on affordable mobility.
The relaxation of these restrictions is seen as part of the administration’s broader attempt to revive consumer markets and encourage investment in sectors that have suffered under years of austerity and import controls.
Whilst the government continues to stress the importance of managing foreign exchange reserves prudently, it appears to be testing a more balanced approach—easing certain controls whilst maintaining overall macroeconomic discipline.
Critics, however, caution that increased imports could place renewed pressure on the trade deficit if not managed carefully. They urge policymakers to ensure that any easing of restrictions is accompanied by robust fiscal planning and continued efforts to boost exports and attract foreign capital.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka witnessed encouraging signs of economic momentum in March 2025, with a surge in foreign remittances and export performance contributing to a cautiously optimistic outlook, according to data published by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL).
Merchandise exports reached approximately US$ 1.24 billion during the month, representing an 8.1 per cent increase compared to the same period last year. This growth, seen across a variety of sectors including textiles, tea, rubber-based products, and electrical components, points to improved international demand and a gradual strengthening of the country’s export base.
Imports, meanwhile, also experienced a rise—climbing by 8.6 per cent year-on-year to over US$ 1.63 billion. This uptick suggests a recovery in domestic consumption and industrial activity, but also underlines the ongoing challenge of narrowing the trade deficit, a long-standing concern for Sri Lanka’s external sector stability.
One of the most significant developments noted in the report was the historic peak in foreign worker remittances. March recorded an inflow of US$ 693 million, the highest ever for that month in Sri Lanka’s history.
Analysts attribute this increase to improved labour market conditions abroad, seasonal factors, and enhanced efforts to channel remittances through official banking channels.
The boost in remittance inflows is expected to bolster foreign reserves and ease pressure on the country’s balance of payments.
Tourism, another vital pillar of the economy, also continued its post-crisis resurgence. A total of 229,298 visitors arrived in March, generating approximately US$ 354 million in revenue.
The uptick reflects ongoing promotional campaigns and the gradual restoration of traveller confidence in Sri Lanka as a safe and attractive destination.
Industry stakeholders are cautiously hopeful that tourism earnings will return to pre-pandemic levels over the coming years.
However, the Central Bank report also acknowledged certain macroeconomic pressures. The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated by 2.3 per cent against the US dollar between January and the end of April 2025.
Although this movement remains relatively contained, it underscores the continued vulnerability of the rupee to global currency fluctuations and import-driven outflows.
Despite these mixed signals, the broader economic indicators offer some hope for recovery following years of turbulence marked by debt crises, political instability, and a global pandemic.
Policymakers are expected to maintain a delicate balance between stimulating growth, managing inflation, and safeguarding foreign reserves as the country navigates its way through an ambitious economic reform agenda.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): The sudden and tragic death of a young undergraduate at the University of Sabaragamuwa has ignited a wave of concern and condemnation, with academic unions, student bodies, and government authorities calling for a full and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The deceased, a 23-year-old student enrolled in the Department of Engineering Technology, was discovered having taken his own life under deeply troubling circumstances.
The case has sparked widespread suspicion that the suicide may be linked to a suspected ragging incident—a practice long condemned but still reportedly prevalent in some corners of the university system.
The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA), voicing its dismay over the incident, issued a strongly worded statement urging an independent inquiry, stressing the need for absolute transparency and credibility in the investigative process.
According to FUTA Secretary and Senior Lecturer Charudatta Ilangasinghe, the death, believed to be associated with peer abuse or intimidation, must be thoroughly examined without institutional bias or delay.
He warned that academic institutions risk becoming complicit in a culture of silence unless proactive measures are taken to address violence disguised as tradition.
Further raising the alarm, a fellow student has formally filed a complaint at the Samanalawewa Police Station, suggesting that the deceased may have been driven to suicide by prolonged psychological and possibly physical torment under the guise of ragging.
This allegation has intensified public scrutiny and reinforced longstanding concerns about the failure to root out toxic initiation rituals from campuses across the country.
In response to the growing pressure, the Ministry responsible for higher education issued a statement confirming that a formal Board of Inquiry has been appointed to examine the incident.
Officials pledged that if evidence confirms that ragging played a role in the student’s death, those found responsible—whether directly or through negligence—would face the full weight of legal consequences.
The University Management and the University Grants Commission are reportedly awaiting the findings of this inquiry to determine further disciplinary or legal action.
This tragedy is the latest in a series of similar incidents over the years that have shaken confidence in the safety and ethical standards of Sri Lanka’s university system.
Whilst several institutions have instituted codes of conduct and zero-tolerance policies against ragging, implementation remains inconsistent, and many cases are thought to go unreported due to fear of retaliation or institutional inaction.
Human rights advocates and mental health professionals have also weighed in, pointing to the urgent need for reform. They stress that the emotional wellbeing of students cannot be treated as an afterthought, and that universities must create environments where abuse is neither tolerated nor obscured by administrative red tape or misplaced loyalty to campus hierarchies.
May 02, Colombo (LNW): The Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge) affects the island’s weather, and showers or thundershowers, therefore, will occur at several places in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and Eastern provinces during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (02)
Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places elsewhere of the island during the afternoon or night.
Showers may occur in Western provinces and Galle and Matara districts in the morning too.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the morning.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle. Showers or thundershowers will occur at a few places over the other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (20-30) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 45 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coasts extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Hambantota to Pottuvil will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island can be slight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
May 01, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Higher Education has pledged decisive action should it be established that the recent death of a student from Sabaragamuwa University was the result of ragging.
In a statement released to the media, the Ministry confirmed that a formal investigation is now underway and that a dedicated inquiry team has been appointed to examine the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The case concerns the tragic death of a second-year undergraduate from the Faculty of Technical Engineering, who was found dead by suicide at his residence in Gampola on April 29.
The student had reportedly returned home after participating in the university’s Sinhala and Tamil New Year festivities. Allegations have since emerged suggesting that the student endured significant emotional distress linked to degrading treatment by fellow students during the celebration, with some relatives and friends claiming that this humiliation may have directly contributed to his death.
Responding to the growing public concern and extensive media coverage, the Ministry acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and confirmed that it is working in close coordination with both the University Administration and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
Should the findings of the investigation substantiate the claims of ragging, the Ministry assured that firm disciplinary and legal measures would be imposed against all those implicated.
This incident has reignited public debate over the ongoing presence of ragging within Sri Lankan universities—a practice that has been widely condemned yet persists in various forms across institutions.
Whilst once dismissed as a rite of passage, ragging has increasingly been associated with patterns of psychological and physical abuse, with calls intensifying for stricter enforcement and preventative measures.
The Ministry’s latest remarks appear aimed at sending a strong message, not only to university communities but also to the wider public, about the zero-tolerance policy it claims to uphold regarding student harassment and abuse.
Officials have stressed the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment within higher education institutions, whilst reiterating that mental health and student welfare must be central priorities.
May 01, Colombo (LNW): A visiting delegation from the European Union has held discussions with Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Colombo, as part of a formal review mission connected to the GSP+ trade concessions framework.
The EU mission, comprising senior officials, is in the country to assess Sri Lanka’s ongoing efforts to uphold the commitments required under the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+)—a trade arrangement that grants developing countries preferential access to the European market, contingent on the implementation of 27 international conventions relating to human rights, labour standards, environmental protection, and good governance.
During the meeting, Minister Herath outlined the key policy reforms undertaken since the current government assumed office, particularly in relation to the fight against corruption, strengthening democratic institutions, safeguarding human rights, and advancing reconciliation efforts.
He further assured the delegation that the government remains committed to introducing legislative reforms and administrative measures designed to uphold the values that underpin the GSP+ mechanism.
Emphasising the historical cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union across various domains, Minister Herath expressed appreciation for the EU’s consistent support, especially in aiding the country’s economic stabilisation and recovery.
He highlighted the importance of continued collaboration, noting that the EU currently stands as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export destination—a critical partner in both trade and development.
The EU team, for their part, acknowledged Sri Lanka’s recent progress on multiple fronts and welcomed the government’s stated intentions to accelerate reforms.
They reiterated the bloc’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka as it moves forward with its policy agenda, with particular emphasis on transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.
The GSP+ review mission is part of a broader monitoring cycle, carried out biennially, to assess whether recipient countries are meeting the conditions of the programme.
The outcome of these evaluations directly influences Sri Lanka’s eligibility to retain its preferential trade access to the EU’s single market, which spans 27 member states and a consumer base of over 450 million people.
