January 16, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (SLEDB) has officially announced the reinstatement of the Council of Ministers for Export Development, a significant move after an absence of 28 years.

This marks a pivotal moment in the nation’s efforts to revitalise its export sector and enhance economic growth.

Chairman of the Export Development Board, Mangala Wijesinghe, shared the news, revealing that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will assume the role of chairperson of the newly reformed council.

Whilst there have been previous attempts to establish such a council in the past, these initiatives lacked proper implementation, leading to limited success.

However, Wijesinghe expressed confidence that the current council would be more systematically structured, with clear objectives and a strategic focus on expanding Sri Lanka’s export capabilities.

The primary goal of the newly formed council is ambitious yet essential: to elevate Sri Lanka’s export income of goods and services to an impressive 18 billion dollars by the end of the current year.

This target reflects the government’s determination to boost the country’s international trade and secure a more prominent position in global markets.

The re-establishment of the Council of Ministers for Export Development is expected to provide a much-needed coordinated approach to export growth, addressing key challenges and seizing new opportunities across various sectors.

January 16, Colombo (LNW): A shooting incident outside the Mannar Magistrate’s Court this morning has resulted in the deaths of two individuals and left two others injured.

The incident occurred at approximately 09:20 am, sending shockwaves through the local community.

Two assailants, riding a scooter, approached the victims and opened fire using a pistol. The gunmen fled the scene immediately after the attack, according to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga.

Emergency services quickly responded, and the wounded individuals were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Despite efforts to save them, hospital sources confirmed that two of the victims succumbed to their injuries.

Initial investigations suggest that the victims were scheduled to testify in a case being heard at the court. It is believed they were on their way to the hearing when the gunmen targeted them.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear, but the police are focusing on the possibility that the shooting may be linked to the victims’ involvement as witnesses in a case.

The Mannar Police have launched an extensive investigation into the incident, with officers working to gather more information and identify the perpetrators.

Authorities are exploring all potential leads, including examining the nature of the case the victims were associated with and whether the shooting was an act of intimidation or a targeted assault.

January 16, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has levied a hefty fine of Rs. 220 million on three individuals, including notorious drug dealer Gampola Vidanage Samantha Kumara, alias ‘Wele Suda’, and his wife, Gayani Priyadashani, alias ‘Suji’.

This penalty is considered one of the largest ever imposed in Sri Lanka under the Money Laundering Act for crimes associated with illicit drug trafficking.

The case, which has attracted significant attention, saw the court find the first accused, Gayani Priyadashani, guilty of 18 charges out of a total of 55.

Her husband, Wele Suda, was convicted on four counts, whilst the third defendant, Kambare Arachchige Wasundara, faced conviction on two charges related to the laundering of illicit proceeds.

Alongside the monumental fine, the court also issued a series of asset confiscations linked to the accused individuals.

Judge Adithya Patabendige, delivering the ruling, ordered the forfeiture of several high-value assets that had been registered under Gayani Priyadashani’s name.

These assets were identified as proceeds of the couple’s illegal drug trafficking activities. Amongst the confiscated items were luxury vehicles, including a BMW worth Rs. 4.45 million, a Prado Jeep valued at Rs. 6.6 million, and a Discovery Jeep valued at Rs. 4.5 million.

Furthermore, the authorities seized four properties, including a house situated on Bagatelle Road, Rs. 18 million held in a safe locker, 2,601 grams of gold, and furniture valued at Rs. 3.6 million.

In addition to the fines and asset seizures, the three accused were sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment.

This prison term is expected to send a strong message to those involved in organised crime and the illicit drug trade.

The verdict underscores the government’s commitment to cracking down on money laundering and drug trafficking in the country, signalling a decisive shift towards greater accountability for individuals profiting from criminal activities.

Wele Suda, who has long been suspected of operating a vast drug trafficking network, has faced multiple legal challenges in recent years.

January 16, Colombo (LNW): A significant number of cargo ships—approximately 25 to 30—have had to abandon their docking at Sri Lanka’s ports due to ongoing delays in the container clearance process, Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku disclosed.

The vessels, unable to offload their cargo promptly, turned back to their ports of origin. Kodithuwakku made this comment during a site visit to the Rank Container Terminals (RCT) in Orugodawatta yesterday (15).

The issue of clearance delays at Sri Lanka’s ports was addressed in a meeting convened by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Sunday (12). The meeting brought together key stakeholders from customs, the Ports Authority, and other relevant parties to discuss solutions to the problem.

Following the discussions, customs officers committed to working around the clock—operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week—to expedite the clearance process and minimise delays.

The Container Transport Owners’ Association has since reported a noticeable improvement in the clearance speed, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the authorities.

However, despite these positive developments, long queues of container trucks continue to form outside the Orugodawatta customs yard, suggesting that the situation has not been fully resolved.

The congestion is still causing significant disruption to the smooth flow of goods at the port.

Additionally, the Association of Clearing & Forwarding Agents (ACFA) has raised concerns, emphasising that for further improvements, it is crucial for all involved institutions to extend their operational hours to 24/7.

This would ensure that the clearance process remains efficient and uninterrupted, particularly during peak periods when port traffic is heavy.

The ongoing delays have raised alarm among the business community, particularly importers and exporters, who are grappling with the uncertainty caused by the backlog of containers.

The government’s efforts to address the issue are still in motion, with a promise to further streamline operations in the coming weeks, aiming to restore Sri Lanka’s ports to their full operational capacity.

January 16, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has recently signed a significant agreement concerning the Hajj pilgrimage for the year 2025, marking a new chapter in the bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia.

The agreement was finalised in Jeddah, with the Sri Lankan delegation led by the Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Sunil Senevi.

On the Saudi side, Dr. Abdulfattah Bin Sulaiman Mashat, the Deputy Minister of Hajj and Umrah, represented the Kingdom.

The agreement underscores the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing the Hajj pilgrimage experience for Sri Lankan Muslims.

Minister Senevi’s visit to Saudi Arabia was arranged at the invitation of Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah, the Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah, and is seen as a crucial step towards streamlining Hajj operations in the future.

In discussions preceding the signing, Minister Senevi highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s dedication to improving the Hajj journey for its citizens.

He outlined plans for making the pilgrimage process more efficient and seamless, a sentiment that reflects the broader ambitions of the Sri Lankan administration to enhance its international partnerships and ensure a smooth experience for pilgrims.

As part of his official visit, Minister Senevi is scheduled to meet with Dr. Tawfiq Fawzan Alrabiah and various Hajj service providers to discuss future developments in Hajj arrangements.

The delegation will also make visits to key religious and cultural sites, including Madinah, the holy city of the Prophet, and significant landmarks in Jeddah. Furthermore, Minister Senevi took time to engage with the Sri Lankan expatriate community in Jeddah, strengthening ties between the two nations.

The Sri Lankan delegation accompanying Minister Senevi includes a range of senior officials, such as Deputy Minister of National Integration Muneer Mulaffar, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Ameer Ajwad, Director of the Department of Muslim Religious and Cultural Affairs M.R.M. Nawas, Acting Consul General Mafusa Lafir, and Hajj Coordinator Dr. M.N.M. Ahsraff.

The primary role of Local Governments in Sri Lanka is to offer essential services that improve the quality of life for citizens, including regulatory functions, public health promotion, and providing infrastructure to enhance the comfort and well-being of communities. However, these bodies often face challenges in service delivery, resulting in public criticism.

A key issue has been the misuse and mismanagement of state resources, highlighted by a government initiative to track down official vehicles misappropriated by former politicians and officials. 

The investigation uncovered that hundreds of vehicles, including 201 motorcycles, were unaccounted for under the Southern Provincial Council. An audit report confirmed the disappearance of 201 vehicles registered to the Southern Provincial Council, while sources indicated that over 2,000 vehicles from provincial councils are missing across the country.

The missing vehicles, many of which are luxury cars and jeeps, raise concerns about the improper use of state property. An investigation is ongoing to determine the whereabouts of these vehicles. 

Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, Professor Chandana Abeyratne, has directed officials to locate the missing vehicles and has acknowledged past misuse of these resources, particularly by lower-ranking officials with political connections.

Further audit findings show that 31 vehicles from the Central Provincial Council remain unaccounted for, and the physical existence of 201 vehicles from the Southern Provincial Council remains unverified. 

These developments highlight the need for stricter measures to ensure accountability and prevent future mismanagement of public resources.

Local Governments in Sri Lanka also face broader issues, including lack of resources, political interference, outdated regulations, human resource management problems, and inefficiencies in procurement processes. 

The effectiveness of service delivery is influenced by factors such as employee commitment, leadership, the use of technology, citizen participation, and performance evaluations. Policy measures are needed to address these challenges and improve public service delivery across the country.