May 11, Colombo (LNW): Public sector employees in Sri Lanka will now be eligible for a higher distress loan, with the ceiling increased from Rs. 250,000 to Rs. 400,000.

The Ministry of Public Administration confirmed that the new limit will come into effect from 1 May 2025, marking a significant policy adjustment aligned with the 2025 Budget’s commitment to improve the financial well-being of state workers.

The change stems from recent adjustments to the minimum basic salaries of public servants, which were announced in the national budget earlier this year.

The updated loan cap has been formalised through Public Administration Circular 10/2025, issued on 25 March, and was prepared in consultation with the General Treasury.

Under the revised terms, the distress loan granted to a public officer will now be calculated based on their updated basic salary, providing access to greater financial relief during times of personal or family emergencies.

This move is expected to benefit a wide cross-section of state employees, including teachers, administrative officers, and health workers, many of whom have been facing increased cost-of-living pressures.

Government departments and public institutions have been directed to facilitate the processing of applications under the new ceiling and to ensure that requests are prioritised based on genuine need.

The Ministry has also advised accounting officers and administrative heads to adopt transparent and efficient procedures to manage loan disbursements fairly.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Dr Tilak Siyambalapitiya has reportedly stepped down from his role as Chairman of the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), according to informed sources.

His resignation is believed to have been formally submitted amidst a backdrop of persistent institutional and structural challenges facing the country’s power sector.

Appointed on 26 September last year by the administration of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Dr Siyambalapitiya’s tenure marked a period of heightened public scrutiny over electricity pricing, regulatory reforms, and national energy sustainability.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): A tragic road accident in the central highlands of Sri Lanka has claimed the lives of at least fifteen individuals after a passenger bus veered off the Nuwara Eliya–Gampola main road and plunged into a deep precipice in the Garandiella area of Ramboda early this morning (11 May).

Emergency services responded to the scene shortly after the incident, with police confirming that over 35 people sustained injuries of varying severity. The wounded were promptly transported to nearby hospitals, where several remain in critical condition.

The ill-fated bus, operated by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB), was reportedly travelling from Kataragama to Kurunegala, passing through the hill country town of Nuwara Eliya. The route, known for its steep inclines and sharp bends, can pose considerable danger, particularly in poor weather or under low visibility.

While the exact cause of the accident has yet to be formally established, preliminary accounts suggest that the bus may have lost control while navigating a sharp bend.

Investigations are underway to determine whether driver error, mechanical failure, or hazardous road conditions contributed to the incident.

Footage and photographs from the crash site show a mangled vehicle at the base of a steep slope, surrounded by emergency personnel and concerned bystanders.

The scale of the wreckage has drawn widespread public attention and raised fresh concerns about road safety standards, especially on mountainous routes that are frequented by long-distance public transport.

Authorities are expected to review transport safety protocols following this latest tragedy, which adds to a growing list of fatal road accidents involving state-operated buses.

Calls for stricter regulation, improved driver training, and more rigorous vehicle inspections have been renewed in the wake of the disaster.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Well-known Sri Lankan actress Semini Iddamalgoda has been arrested by officers of the Welikada Police in connection with a series of unresolved legal matters.

According to police sources, the arrest stems from seven outstanding warrants issued against her, reportedly linked to allegations involving financial misconduct.

While details surrounding the nature and timeline of the alleged offences remain limited, authorities have confirmed that the warrants relate to complaints of financial irregularities, which had been under investigation for some time.

Her apprehension was carried out earlier today following coordination between various units within the police service.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka today joins the rest of the world in commemorating Mother’s Day, a heartfelt occasion dedicated to acknowledging the immeasurable role of mothers and maternal figures in shaping families and communities.

Observed annually on the second Sunday of May in many countries, this day serves as a moment of reflection, gratitude and affection for the women who nurture and guide with unwavering devotion.

The modern iteration of Mother’s Day traces its origins to the United States in the early 20th century. It was brought into public consciousness by Anna Jarvis, a social activist who organised the first official observance in 1908 in Grafton, West Virginia.

Her initiative aimed to honour her late mother and to create a formal space to appreciate the daily sacrifices made by mothers across society.

The growing popularity of the celebration led to a significant milestone in 1914, when then-President Woodrow Wilson signed a proclamation designating the second Sunday of May as a national holiday in the United States.

Since then, the tradition has transcended national boundaries, finding resonance in cultures worldwide.

In Sri Lanka, families commonly mark the day with personal tributes, small gatherings, gifts, and heartfelt gestures that highlight the value of a mother’s care and presence.

While commercial elements like flowers, cards, and special meals have become common, many Sri Lankans also observe the day with religious merit-making or spiritual offerings in temples to bless both living mothers and those who have passed away.

Beyond celebration, Mother’s Day offers a poignant opportunity to reflect on broader issues affecting women, such as maternal health, unpaid domestic labour, and the continuing challenges many face in balancing economic responsibilities with family life.

Advocacy groups and community organisations often use the day to raise awareness around policies that support working mothers, parental leave, and gender equity.

Despite its increasingly global character, Mother’s Day maintains a deeply personal tone in each home. Whether through words, actions, or quiet reflection, the day remains a powerful reminder of the enduring bond between mother and child—a connection that continues to shape lives across generations and cultures.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): In a rare gesture of compassion aligned with the spirit of Vesak, Sri Lanka’s Department of Prisons has announced that inmates across the country will be permitted to receive open visits from family members on the 12th and 13th of May.

The initiative, described by officials as an effort to honour the values of kindness and reconciliation associated with the life and teachings of the Buddha, offers prisoners a temporary reconnection with loved ones during one of the most significant days in the Buddhist calendar.

The arrangement will apply uniformly to all correctional facilities island-wide and is intended to create an atmosphere of reflection, healing, and moral upliftment among those incarcerated. Relatives visiting during these two days will be allowed to bring with them specially prepared food parcels, packets of traditional sweets, and basic hygiene essentials to be handed over to the inmates.

The Prison Department has assured that adequate checks and supervision will be in place to maintain order, while still ensuring a warm and meaningful visitation experience.

This year’s Vesak commemoration, which marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, takes on added importance within the prison system, where religious observances are often seen as a pathway for spiritual rehabilitation and behavioural reform.

Senior officials noted that creating opportunities for inmates to engage with family members during sacred periods can play a vital role in reintegrating them into society and reducing reoffending rates.

The Department has further indicated that health and safety protocols will remain in place to ensure the well-being of both inmates and visitors. These include hand hygiene practices, limited physical contact, and scheduled time slots to manage the flow of visitors efficiently.

Over the years, Sri Lanka’s prison authorities have increasingly sought to integrate spiritual and rehabilitative elements into prison life, often in collaboration with religious leaders and civil society organisations.

Vesak, which is marked by almsgivings, lantern displays, and acts of merit-making across the country, is seen as a timely occasion for encouraging inmates to engage in introspection and self-improvement.

May 11, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern and Northern provinces and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (11). 

Fairly heavy falls above 50mm are likely at some places in the Uva province and in the Ampara and Batticaloa districts, with a few showers being expected to occur in the Western province and in the Puttalam, Galle, Matara and Ratnapura districts in the morning. 

The general public has been 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 the Central and Uva provinces during the morning, according to the Department.