December 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Customs has announced the resumption of the clearance process for imported rice, which had been temporarily halted.

The clearance will recommence today (26), allowing businesses that imported rice to begin clearing their shipments once again.

Sivali Arukgoda, the Additional Director General and spokesperson for Sri Lanka Customs, confirmed that rice shipments, which had been delayed, can now be processed and released into the market.

This decision follows a brief suspension aimed at addressing concerns related to rice imports.

To mitigate the ongoing rice shortage in the country, the government permitted private-sector rice importers to bring in rice shipments between December 4 and December 20, 2024.

During this period, approximately 67,000 metric tons of rice were successfully imported into Sri Lanka.

In response to the continued demand for rice, the Cabinet recently extended the rice importation window until January 10, 2025, with the formal Gazette notification being issued on December 24.

With this extension, Sri Lanka Customs is now able to fully resume clearing the imported rice stocks, ensuring that the market supply improves in the coming weeks.

This step is expected to help stabilise prices and address the supply shortages experienced by consumers.

Meanwhile, Agriculture Deputy Minister Namal Karunaratne, provided an update on the government’s rice importation efforts, revealing that that the first shipment of 780 metric tons of rice, imported through the Sri Lanka State Trading Corporation, was expected to arrive at the Colombo Port on December 25.

The Deputy Minister assured the public that the government would expedite the distribution of this rice to ensure it reaches the market without delay.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka marked National Safety Day today (26) with solemn remembrance for those who have tragically lost their lives in various natural disasters across the country, including the devastating 2004 tsunami.

The day serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the resilience of the nation in the face of calamity.

In a nationwide observance, citizens paused to reflect on the lives lost in these tragedies, with a two-minute silence held across the island.

The moment of respect took place from 9:25 am to 9:27 am, during which time the country united in a shared act of remembrance for the victims of past disasters.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) facilitated the nationwide observance, underscoring the significance of the day in raising awareness about the ongoing efforts to strengthen disaster response and safety measures.

The DMC also highlighted the continued commitment to reducing vulnerabilities and improving the nation’s ability to withstand future emergencies.

National Safety Day is not only a time for reflection but also serves to remind the public and authorities alike of the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of unforeseen events.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has raised alarms about a concerning rise in online financial scams targeting unsuspecting individuals during the festive season.

SLCERT’s Chief Information Security Officer Nirosh Ananda has urged the public to be extra cautious, as reports of financial fraud have been steadily increasing in recent weeks.

Ananda explained that scammers are exploiting the festive spirit by contacting people with offers of fake prizes and gifts.

In many cases, individuals have received unsolicited calls informing them that they have won valuable items or money, only to be asked for personal details or financial information in return.

These fraudulent schemes often lead to significant financial losses for the victims.

In addition to these traditional scams, Ananda highlighted the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to facilitate fraudulent activities.

He noted that scammers are increasingly employing AI tools to impersonate legitimate organisations or even to manipulate online communications, making it more difficult for the average person to distinguish between genuine offers and deceptive schemes.

Given the sophistication of these scams, the SLCERT has called on the public to be especially vigilant.

“We urge individuals to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, particularly those that involve financial transactions or requests for personal information,” Ananda warned. “It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any such communications before taking any action.“

SLCERT has also advised that individuals should report any suspicious activity to the authorities promptly.

As scams become more sophisticated, the organisation emphasised the need for increased public awareness to protect oneself from falling victim to these deceptive tactics, especially during the holiday season when such scams tend to proliferate.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): Excise Commissioner General Udaya Kumara Perera has instructed the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to compile and submit a detailed report regarding the tax compliance of licensed excise permit holders for the year 2025.

With nearly 2,000 excise permits due for renewal in the coming year, this step is intended to ensure a smooth and efficient process for both taxpayers and defaulters.

Commissioner General Perera confirmed that the IRD has already forwarded 1,636 applications for permit renewals, along with their respective tax clearance reports.

He emphasised that no permit renewal would be processed without confirmation of tax payments, which must be provided through official clearance documents from the IRD.

In light of this, Perera has recommended that the Department submit a full and comprehensive list of taxpayers well ahead of the renewal period to avoid delays and ensure prompt issuance of permits to those in good standing.

At present, the Inland Revenue Department is preparing to release 232 tax clearance reports, which will help expedite the permit renewal process as the new year approaches.

With approximately 4,500 excise permits required nationwide for the distribution and sale of alcoholic beverages, Commissioner General Perera stressed the importance of tax compliance for the proper functioning of the sector.

The excise system relies heavily on the prompt and accurate payment of taxes, and the streamlined submission of tax clearance certificates is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the licensing process.

Perera expressed confidence that the Inland Revenue Department would work efficiently to provide the necessary documentation, ensuring that only those who have met their tax obligations are granted renewed licences.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has issued a formal Gazette notification detailing the revised monthly allowances for beneficiaries under the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare scheme, set to commence in January 2025.

The new structure categorises recipients into four distinct groups, with each group set to receive different amounts of financial support based on their needs.

Starting from January 2025, the ‘Extremely Poor’ category will receive a monthly payment of Rs. 17,500, which will continue until June 2026.

A total of 480,000 individuals have been identified in this group, who will benefit from this financial assistance aimed at alleviating their hardships.

Those in the ‘Poor’ category, which includes 960,000 individuals, will be granted Rs. 10,000 each month over the same period, from January 2025 to June 2026.

Meanwhile, the ‘Vulnerable’ group, which faces specific challenges that leave them at risk, will receive a monthly payment of Rs. 5,000 throughout 2025.

The government has also introduced a ‘Transitional’ category for individuals who are in the process of moving out of the most critical conditions of poverty.

Those in this category will receive Rs. 5,000 per month, but only from January to March 2025.

In total, the new programme is designed to support 2.4 million individuals, with the intention of providing vital financial assistance to those in need.

The earlier iteration of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare scheme, launched on May 17, 2024, has now been officially replaced by this updated structure.

However, payments under the previous scheme will continue until the end of 2024 for those whose payments were delayed for various reasons.

Additionally, the government has made provisions for individuals who have not yet been selected for inclusion in the new programme. Once their eligibility is confirmed, they will receive the corresponding benefits.

This includes applicants who have already submitted appeals, as investigations into their qualifications are still ongoing.

Furthermore, the government has recognised the particular needs of elderly citizens and individuals with specific health conditions.

As such, 820,000 elderly citizens will receive an additional monthly allowance of Rs. 3,000, and 50,000 individuals diagnosed with chronic kidney disease will continue to receive Rs. 7,500 each month as part of a dedicated support scheme.

The assistance does not stop there; Rs. 7,500 per month will also continue to be provided to 410,000 differently-abled individuals under a separate allowance programme.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): Recent shootings across Sri Lanka are largely the result of escalating conflicts between rival drug traffickers, Police said.

Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya confirmed that investigations are actively underway to uncover further details surrounding these incidents, which have raised concerns about public safety.

Over the past few weeks, gun violence has been reported in several regions, including Galle, Dadalla, Meegoda, Yakkala, Maligakanda, Ja-Ela, Wellawa, and Kurunegala.

In total, the country has seen 101 shooting incidents so far this year, which have tragically claimed the lives of 56 individuals.

The police attribute much of this violence to turf wars between competing drug dealers seeking control over key areas for their illicit activities.

In light of the increasing number of shootings, the police have formed a new organised crime control committee, under the leadership of Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya, aimed at tackling the surge in violent crimes.

The committee, designed to coordinate efforts between various law enforcement agencies, will be led by the Senior Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs) overseeing the Western and Southern Provinces.

This team will also comprise the Commander of the Police Special Task Force, the DIGs responsible for the Police Special Branch, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), as well as 10 other DIGs from various regions.

The committee will additionally include senior officers from key divisions such as the Crimes Intelligence Analysis and Prevention Division, the Colombo Crime Division, and Crime Divisions from Kalutara, Galle, and Matara.

An officer from the State Intelligence Service will also be part of the committee, which brings together a total of 20 experienced officers.

This collective effort aims to target the root causes of the violence, with a particular focus on the growing influence of the drug trade, and to restore peace and order in the affected communities.

The police have emphasised that tackling this issue requires a multi-faceted approach, combining intelligence gathering, targeted operations, and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies to dismantle the organised crime networks fuelling the violence.

December 26, Colombo (LNW): Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya has issued new directives aimed at bolstering the safety of police officers conducting vehicle inspections during the night.

According to the Police Media Division, the new guidelines require all officers engaged in night-time checks to wear high-visibility luminous jackets and gloves to ensure they are clearly seen by drivers, especially in low-light conditions.

Additionally, the officers have been instructed to use only the designated red signal torches provided by the department when signalling vehicles to stop.

This step is being implemented to standardise the equipment used during such operations, ensuring maximum visibility and safety for both officers and the public.

By: Isuru Parakrama

December 26, Colombo (LNW): A few showers may occur in Northern and Eastern provinces, with mainly fair weather being expected to prevail elsewhere in the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (26).

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva and North-central provinces during the morning.

Marine Weather:

1. A special police investigation has been launched to probe the potential misuse of the Presidential Fund. Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya instructed the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct the inquiry following a complaint about individuals misusing the fund: It was revealed that 34 former Members of Parliament received millions of rupees for non-official purposes, with the misuse estimated to exceed Rs. 12.25 billion.
   
2. The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has decided to take legal action over the reduction of security for former President Mahinda Rajapaksa: SLPP National Executive Member Ravindra Jayasinghe criticised the move, stating that security cuts for economic reasons are unacceptable: He also rejected claims made by NPP Parliamentarian Nilanthi Kottahachchi, calling them baseless and misleading.
   
3. Wasantha Handapangoda, a trade union activist of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and former chairperson of the SLPP Teachers’ Union, has passed away in the United Kingdom: She died due to a sudden illness while visiting her daughter.
   
4. The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) has reported a surge in online scams during the festive season: Chief Information Security Officer Nirosh Ananda highlighted complaints about scammers calling consumers, claiming they have won prizes, and other frauds involving AI technology: He urged the public to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect themselves from such scams.
   
5. Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasised the urgent need to resolve issues in medicine supply, urging the National Medicine Regulatory Authority (NMRA), State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC), State Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), and Medical Supplies Division (MSD) to ensure a continuous supply of quality medicines: He highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening Sri Lanka’s primary healthcare system and implementing a stable, long-term national policy for healthcare improvement.
   
6. The Police Special Task Force (STF) will be deployed to prevent the theft of power cables on the Katunayake-Colombo expressway, according to the Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation Ministry: Following instructions from Minister Bimal Rathnayake, the Road Development Authority (RDA) requested Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s support: STF personnel will patrol the expressway at night to combat thefts, primarily committed by drug addicts.
   
7. The newly appointed Excise Commissioner General, U. L. Udaya Kumara Perera, has proposed a solution to settle Rs. 5.8 billion in tax arrears owed by W. M. Mendis and Co. Ltd., suggesting the company pay 50% (Rs. 3 billion) to reactivate its suspended production licence: This approach aims to safeguard the livelihoods of 600 employees and their dependents, while allowing the company to resume operations.
   
8. A group of suspects, aged 19 to 26 and from Jaffna, has been arrested by the Galaha Police in Kandy for breaking into over 21 houses and jewellery shops across multiple areas, stealing valuables worth millions: The group is linked to 24 thefts spanning four years, with nine arrest warrants pending from Jaffna: Most of the stolen money has been spent, and some gold ornaments were recovered: They will be presented in court.
   
9. As Sri Lanka marks the 20th anniversary of the 2004 tsunami, the nation reflects on the immense loss of over 35,000 lives, the resilience shown by survivors, and the lessons learned: The disaster, one of the deadliest in history, devastated coastal communities, yet global aid and support helped in recovery: Efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness and early-warning systems followed, making Sri Lanka more resilient: However, the emotional scars remain, with survivors continuing to rebuild their lives: The anniversary serves as both remembrance and a reminder of the need for vigilance against future natural disasters.
   
10. Sri Lanka has secured direct qualification for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup in India, marking their first such achievement since 2008: The team, led by Chamari Athapaththu, earned this spot after Australia’s series win against New Zealand confirmed Sri Lanka’s place: Despite a poor showing in the recent T20 World Cup, Sri Lanka’s strong ODI performances secured their qualification for the prestigious event.