February 09, Colombo (LNW): A new national initiative aimed at enhancing the beauty of Sri Lanka’s coastline is set to begin today at the Crow Island Beach Park in Mattakkuliya.

This ambitious project, titled “A Beautiful Coast – An Attractive Tourist Destination,” will be spearheaded by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and is designed to transform the country’s coastal regions into picturesque and inviting spaces for both locals and tourists.

The programme will cover all 14 coastal districts across Sri Lanka, with the goal of making the country’s beaches more accessible, clean, and appealing.

By focusing on sustainability and aesthetic improvements, the initiative aims to attract more visitors to the island’s coastal areas whilst preserving the natural beauty and ecological balance of these regions.

As part of the programme, beaches across the island will undergo beautification projects, including improved infrastructure, better waste management systems, and the creation of more public recreational spaces.

The project is also expected to create awareness about the preservation of Sri Lanka’s unique coastal ecosystems, ensuring they remain vibrant and thriving for generations to come.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Batticaloa District MP Mohamed Sali Naleem has reportedly been attacked by an individual earlier yesterday (08).

The incident left the parliamentarian with injuries, prompting his immediate admission to the Eravur Hospital for medical attention.

Naleem, who previously served as the Chairman of the Eravur Urban Council, has alleged that his assailant is a supporter of the Sri Lanka Mahajana Pakshaya (SLMP).

He further claimed that this same individual had earlier assaulted his father and brother near a mosque earlier in the morning, just hours before the attack on him.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): The National Transport Commission (NTC) has announced plans to introduce an electronic payment system, in a bid to modernise the country’s public transport system and provide enhanced convenience for commuters.

This new initiative is set to reduce the reliance on cash transactions, streamlining the payment process for passengers whilst improving overall efficiency within the public transport sector.

The system will allow passengers to pay for their journeys using bank cards, making it easier and more secure for people to travel without needing to carry cash.

The NTC has confirmed that electronic payment devices will be installed on all buses across the country in the near future, paving the way for a seamless and modern travel experience.

The introduction of this payment method is expected to offer a number of benefits, including faster boarding times, reduced administrative costs for transport operators, and the provision of more reliable and accurate data regarding passenger numbers and routes.

Furthermore, the move aligns with global trends towards digitalisation, bringing Sri Lanka’s public transport system in line with international standards.

Commuters will soon be able to enjoy a smoother, more efficient travel experience, with the added convenience of being able to pay for their fares without the need for cash, using the latest in electronic payment technology.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): In an effort to improve accessibility and streamline passport services, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has announced plans to open a new office in Jaffna, aimed at serving the residents of the Northern Province more efficiently.

In addition to this, the Department has decided to increase the daily number of passports issued, responding to the growing demand for travel documents.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala revealed that this move forms part of the government’s broader strategy to make vital services more accessible to the public.

Speaking at a recent meeting with officials from the Immigration Department, Minister Wijepala highlighted the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the efficiency and reach of passport issuance across the country.

The new Jaffna office will operate around the clock, offering 24-hour services to cater to the needs of the local population.

To ensure smooth operations, the Ministry has also approved the recruitment of additional staff, with the proposal already submitted to the Government Services Commission.

A decision on the recruitment is expected within the next few days.

This initiative is being launched alongside other measures aimed at expediting passport processing nationwide. In January 2025, the Ministry of Public Security confirmed that the number of passports issued daily would increase to 2,500, significantly reducing wait times for applicants.

The opening of the Jaffna office is expected to be a major benefit to the residents of the Northern Province, many of whom previously had to travel to Colombo or other far-flung offices to access passport services.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to improve the experience of passengers, particularly the increasing number of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka, the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) is set to undergo a significant redesign of its arrival lobby.

This initiative, spearheaded by Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Private) Limited (AASL), is a response to the steady rise in tourist arrivals and aims to address the challenges that come with handling growing passenger numbers.

Harsha Abeywickrema, Chairman of AASL and a retired Air Chief Marshal, outlined that the planned upgrades are designed to alleviate congestion in the arrival area and create a more spacious and welcoming environment for visitors.

One of the key changes will be the relocation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Travel Information Counter to a more central and easily accessible location.

This will ensure that tourists are greeted and assisted promptly upon arrival.

Additionally, the number of ATMs in the arrival lobby will be increased to reduce long queues and waiting times for travellers.

These upgrades are expected to improve the overall efficiency of the airport, providing a smoother transition for passengers as they enter the country.

This redesign is part of a broader strategy by AASL to improve passenger facilities whilst managing the increasing volume of travellers at BIA.

These efforts will continue until the completion of Terminal 2, which is expected to be finished in March 2028.

The rise in tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka has been noteworthy, with a particularly sharp increase in the final quarter of 2024 and momentum continuing into 2025. In January 2025, daily arrivals averaged 8,150, reflecting a 23 per cent rise compared to the same month in 2024.

However, the arrival lobby’s current infrastructure has struggled to keep up with the influx of visitors, and the need for expansion has become increasingly evident.

Following a visit to BIA by Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, plans to redesign and expand the arrival lobby were set into motion.

These enhancements are designed to ensure that BIA remains capable of accommodating rising passenger numbers and providing a seamless and positive arrival experience for all travellers.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): The Coconut Cultivation Board has revealed an ambitious plan to reorganise the Kapruka Fund Management Board Societies, a key initiative aimed at expanding coconut cultivation across Sri Lanka.

This restructuring effort is expected to streamline operations and improve support for local coconut farmers, enhancing the country’s production capacity.

Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, Chairman of the Board, announced that the first phase of this strategic initiative will be rolled out in the Gampaha District on February 17.

He highlighted that this move would work in tandem with the existing Kapruka Loan Scheme, ensuring that farmers have access to the necessary financial resources to grow their operations.

This initiative forms part of the Coconut Cultivation Board’s broader, long-term strategy to boost national coconut production.

The Board has set a bold target of planting 2.5 million coconut trees in 2025 as part of its efforts to revitalise the industry and ensure a sustainable future for coconut cultivation.

Dr. Jayakody elaborated on the plan to focus on the Northern Coconut Triangle, a key area for coconut farming in the country, disclosing that approximately one million coconut trees will be cultivated in this region alone, contributing significantly to the overall growth targets.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing has announced that water tariffs will be adjusted in response to the recent decrease in electricity prices, with the new rates due to come into effect at the end of February.

Ministerial Secretary Ranjith Ariyarathne confirmed that a proposal from the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) to lower water tariffs had been received.

This proposal, which was drawn up by the relevant committee, has now been forwarded to the Minister for approval.

Ariyarathne assured the public that once the revised rates are approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, they will be officially announced.

The NWSDB has indicated that the reduction could range from 10% to 30%, providing significant relief to consumers.

This move comes as part of a broader effort to align utility costs with recent drops in electricity prices.

The government hopes this will ease the financial burden on households and businesses alike, encouraging more sustainable consumption of both water and energy.

February 09, Colombo (LNW): Mainly fair weather will prevail over most parts of the island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (09).

Fairly strong winds of (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Eastern slope of the central hills and Northern, North-central, Eastern, North-western and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Badulla districts during the morning.

Marine Weather: