February 27, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliyaand Hambantota districts, and showers or thundershowers will occur at several places elsewhere during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (27).

Fairly heavy showers above 75mm can be expected at some places in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya, Polonnaruwa, Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts.

Fairly strong winds of (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, Eastern and North-western provinces and in Matale, Nuwara-Eliya and Hambantota districts.

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:

Top professional Damien Fernando has been re-appointed to the Board of Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka PLC (DCSL) as an Executive Non-Independent Director.

Fernando is a Fellow Member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (UK), having completed the examinations in 1984. In 1992, he was awarded an MBA by the Postgraduate Institute of Management of the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Sri Lanka.

In 1989, Fernando assumed DCSL’s Chief Accountant position. In 1990, he was promoted to the position of Finance Manager. He was appointed to the company’s Board in 2006. He resigned from the Board in 2008 to accommodate the appointment of an Independent Director.

Fernando is an Executive Director of the Group holding company Melstacorp PLC, DCSL Breweries Lanka Ltd., and several other subsidiaries of the Melstacorp Group. Additionally, he serves as a Non-Executive Director of HNB General Insurance Ltd. and HNB Assurance PLC.

Fernando served as an Executive Director of Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC (2006-2009) and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation Ltd. (2003-2009), which were Group subsidiaries at the time. He also served as a Non-Executive Director of Hatton National Bank PLC from 2012 to 2018.

DAILY FT

Sri Lanka is expected to service a total debt of $2,454 million in 2025, comprising $1,369 million in principal repayments and $1,085 million in interest, according to Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha. In the following years, the country’s debt burden remains significant. 

For 2026, Sri Lanka must repay $1,191 million in principal and $931 million in interest. In 2027, the figures are projected at $1,196 million in principal and $893 million in interest, while in 2028, repayments will surge to $2,133 million, with an additional $974 million in interest obligations.

As part of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, a June 2024 report estimated Sri Lanka’s overall debt service obligations at $7,184 million for 2025, with a projected increase to $15,105 million in the coming years. 

These figures are subject to periodic revision based on evolving economic conditions. Addressing concerns in parliament, 

Minister Jayantha assured that Sri Lanka has successfully met all quantitative performance criteria under the IMF program, including net international reserve (NIR) targets. NIR represents a country’s gross reserves minus liabilities related to reserves.

The central bank of Sri Lanka has historically relied on borrowing foreign exchange from institutions like the IMF, India, and local banks to maintain a targeted policy rate through inflation-driven open market operations. 

However, over the past two years, the central bank has repaid debts owed to Bangladesh, the Reserve Bank of India, and the IMF. Calls have emerged in parliament to prohibit the central bank from using foreign exchange swaps to fund monetary policy, as such strategies have previously led to significant financial instability.

A crucial issue has been Sri Lanka’s reliance on a fixed policy rate, which has resulted in excessive reserve injections. This approach has created liquidity surpluses, preventing interest rates from rising naturally and contributing to forex shortages.

 During the peak of the financial crisis in 2024, Sri Lanka’s net reserves plunged to a negative $4.6 billion. However, in recent months, they have returned to positive territory, partly due to deflationary open market operations.

Debt Servicing in 2025: A Major Challenge

Despite recent improvements, Sri Lanka faces significant debt servicing obligations in 2025. With over $2.4 billion in payments due, maintaining financial stability will require continued fiscal discipline and strategic economic policies. 

The government is expected to rely on IMF support, foreign direct investments, and improved revenue collection to meet its obligations. 

However, with rising debt repayment commitments in the following years, ensuring long-term economic resilience remains a formidable challenge.

Sri Lanka’s Motor Traffic Department (MTD) is undergoing a major digital transformation to enhance service efficiency, combat corruption, and improve citizen convenience.

This initiative aligns with the government’s broader push for digitalising public services. However, the project faces numerous obstacles, including outdated infrastructure, slow progress, and resistance from corrupt officials.

To streamline operations, the MTD has introduced online services for vehicle registration, license renewals, and fee payments.

 Despite these advancements, the digitisation effort, initiated in 2018, has been plagued by procurement delays and administrative inefficiencies. Senior officials attribute these setbacks to bureaucratic red tape within the tender board and delays in procurement, exacerbated by frequent government changes.

One of the key challenges is the outdated system, which has remained unchanged for over two decades. Frequent transfers and retirements of senior officials have resulted in inconsistent decision-making and stalled projects. 

Additionally, the system’s infrastructure is inadequate for modern technology, leading to heavy reliance on external vendors, some of whom have abandoned projects due to inefficiencies.

In 2016, the MTD launched a tender for the “e-Motoring” system, aimed at improving vehicle registration and transfer processes. 

The project was awarded to a local company in 2018 but has faced repeated delays due to unsuitable office space and administrative bottlenecks. The planned relocation of the department has also been delayed, further hindering progress.

Another major roadblock is internal resistance from corrupt officials benefiting from the outdated system. Allegations of corruption and fraudulent activities have surfaced, leading to investigations by the Bribery Commission and the suspension of several officials. The lack of proper record-keeping and poor organisation of vehicle registration documents has further enabled malpractice.

Despite these difficulties, MTD Commissioner General Nishantha Anuruddha Weerasingha has implemented reforms to improve operations. 

The department has started digitising and archiving vehicle registration documents to enhance record-keeping. Instead of relocating, the Commissioner has opted to continue the e-Motoring project from the current Narahenpita office.

Progress has also been made in addressing backlogs. Under the Commissioner’s leadership, the MTD has significantly increased revenue despite restrictions on vehicle imports. Additionally, the backlog of over 950,000 pending driving license applications has been reduced by 95%.

Looking forward, the MTD plans to introduce an e-Driving License system, accessible via mobile phones, and a traffic violation tracking system using demerit points, allowing real-time fine payments.

 While full digitisation remains a challenge, these steps mark significant progress toward modernising the department and improving service delivery.

This version maintains all key details while improving clarity and flow. Let me know if you need any adjustments!

Despite financial limitations, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasized the responsibility of government officials to allocate and utilize funds efficiently and equitably, aligning with development priorities outlined in the recent budget.

This was highlighted during a meeting held today (25) at the Presidential Secretariat, where the President engaged in discussions with Ministry Secretaries, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

The President underscored the need for high levels of accountability in managing government expenses and acknowledged public dissatisfaction with the inefficiencies within the public sector. He noted that concerns over employment conditions among government employees have contributed to these inefficiencies and stressed the importance of addressing them to improve overall service delivery.

To further reduce administrative costs, the President pointed out that as expenses have been cut at the Cabinet level, state institutions must also take steps to minimize wastage. Several cost-cutting measures were discussed, including:

• Relocating government offices to state-owned buildings
• Auctioning high-maintenance ministerial vehicles by March
• Removing unused office equipment
• Identifying institutions for closure, mergers, or public-private partnerships

The meeting was attended by Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Prime Minister G.P. Saputhanthri, and other Ministry Secretaries.

“Maha Shivaratri is a sacred and joyous occasion celebrated by Hindu devotees across the world in reverence of Lord Shiva. This divine night marks the celestial union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, as well as the powerful Tandava, Shiva’s cosmic dance of creation and destruction. It symbolises the triumph of wisdom over ignorance, dispelling the darkness of illusion and lighting the path to enlightenment.

On this auspicious night, Hindu devotees observe fasting and engage in spiritual practices, praying for the darkness of ignorance to be replaced by the radiance of wisdom. It is also a time to seek divine blessings for prosperity, peace and fulfilment in life.

The union of Shiva and Parvati is a profound representation of knowledge and power coming together. It reminds us that breaking free from the illusions of division allows us to embrace the truth with open eyes. Today, as we stand at the dawn of a new era, this message is more relevant than ever. Let us tear down the barriers that have kept us apart for generations and unite as one, casting aside discord and embracing togetherness. This is a moment to nurture interfaith harmony, celebrate our diversity and move forward with love and mutual respect, dedicating ourselves to the progress of our beloved motherland.

As we journey towards a brighter future, it is our collective responsibility to build a nation grounded in unity and strength. We are stepping into a time of transformation, embracing political, economic and social renewal, shaping a future that holds promise and hope for all.

On this sacred night, as the glowing lamps of Maha Shiva Rathri illuminate our surroundings, let them also illuminate our hearts, guiding us with unwavering faith along the path we have chosen. Let us walk forward together, hand in hand, in the spirit of peace, unity and shared prosperity.

May this Maha Shiva Rathri bring fulfilment, happiness and boundless blessings to all Hindu devotees in Sri Lanka and around the world.”

Police have arrested another suspect in connection with the recent triple homicide in Middeniya, where a father and his two children were shot dead while riding a motorcycle.

The suspect was apprehended by officers from the Tangalle Divisional Crimes Unit in the Wakamulla area of Weeraketiya yesterday (25), the Police Media Division reported.

With this latest arrest, the total number of suspects in custody, including a police constable, has risen to six.

The tragic incident occurred on the night of February 18, when gunmen opened fire on a man traveling with his two children near Kadewatta Junction, Middeniya. The father was killed instantly, while his six-year-old daughter and nine-year-old son, who sustained critical injuries, were rushed to Embilipitiya and Tangalle hospitals. Despite medical efforts, the daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after admission, and the son passed away the following day.

Middeniya Police continue to investigate the incident.