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VRS Employees’ Collective Condemns CEB Token Strike as Illegal

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VRS Employees’ Collective Condemns CEB Token Strike as Illegal

A collective representing employees who opted for the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) at the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has condemned a recent token strike launched by several trade unions, describing the industrial action as illegal.

In a letter addressed to the Minister in charge of Energy, the VRS Employees’ Collective stated that the trade union action violated existing laws and regulations governing essential services.

The group claimed the strike was unsuccessful despite alleged threats issued by certain union leaders, noting that fewer than 25 percent of employees had participated. It emphasized that its members had been instructed not to engage in any activity aimed at disrupting the ongoing reform process at the CEB or supporting what it described as politically motivated agendas against the government.

According to the collective, none of its members took part in the token strike, and it reaffirmed that they would not participate in any future actions intended to obstruct reforms.

The group also urged the Energy Minister not to be influenced by union pressure and called for the final phase of the reform process to be expedited through the gazetting of the designated date, citing national interest.

Additionally, the collective requested that if there is any delay in gazetting the relevant date, employees be permitted to take approved unpaid leave until the process is completed, the letter stated.

Archdiocese Urges Public Not to Obstruct Easter Sunday Attack Investigations

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Archdiocese Urges Public Not to Obstruct Easter Sunday Attack Investigations

Spokesperson of the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Father Cyril Gamini Fernando, has called on the public and relevant parties not to obstruct ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks.

Addressing a special media briefing, Rev. Father Fernando stated that the recent arrest of former State Intelligence Service Chief, retired Major General Suresh Sallay, was a result of ongoing investigations into the attacks.

He alleged that investigations had come to a standstill during the tenure of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and had not progressed during the presidency of Ranil Wickremesinghe. He emphasized that the Catholic Church has consistently called for a thorough investigation to identify those responsible and ensure justice for the victims and their families.

Rev. Father Fernando further stated that investigations resumed in a proper and comprehensive manner only after the current government assumed office.

He noted that over the past 16 months, since November 2024, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been conducting what he described as a comprehensive and independent probe into the Easter attacks. He said fresh investigations were launched following a Channel 4 broadcast alleging a conspiracy behind the attacks, as well as information disclosed by the former secretary of ex-Parliamentarian Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as Pillayan.

According to Rev. Father Fernando, the arrest of Suresh Sallay was one outcome of these investigations. “We believe there was sufficient evidence for his arrest. He is only a suspect at present. The court will decide whether he is at fault or not,” he said.

He stressed that there was no need to politicize such arrests or provide varying interpretations, adding that the investigation is being conducted independently by the CID.

“Allowing these investigations to proceed independently is what is right. Attempts to disrupt them would amount to an injustice to the victims who were killed and injured in this attack,” he said.

Rev. Father Fernando urged all parties to refrain from interfering with the investigative process and called for patience as the legal process unfolds.

Progress Review of National Council for Disaster Management Held at Presidential Secretariat

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Progress Review of National Council for Disaster Management Held at Presidential Secretariat

The progress review meeting of the 16th session of the National Council for Disaster Management was held last morning (26) at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

During the meeting, Dr. Kumanayake observed that institutions responsible for providing relief to those affected by Cyclone Ditwah operate with distinct roles and implementation plans, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

He emphasized that enhanced coordination and collaboration among these institutions at this stage would enable disaster management and relief operations to be carried out more efficiently and effectively.

The Secretary to the President noted that by functioning as a unified mechanism with a shared objective and ensuring the accurate exchange of information, relief measures for affected communities could be expedited. He also stressed the importance of obtaining accurate and reliable data to support these efforts.

Discussions were held on identifying suitable lands for constructing new houses for disaster-affected families and those living in high-risk areas. It was highlighted that construction activities should proceed promptly in line with the recommendations and guidelines of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), following proper site inspections.

It was also decided to hold a special discussion with the Commissioner General of Essential Services to accelerate the housing programme.

Dr. Kumanayake further instructed officials to ensure the timely payment of compensation and allowances to affected individuals and to give special attention to appeals from those who have not yet received benefits.

Among those present were Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Housing Construction and Water Supply Secretary Kumudulal Bogahawatta, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Additional Secretary of the Disaster Management Division K.G. Dharmathilaka, Director General of the Department of Meteorology Athula Karunanayake, Senior Assistant Secretary of the National Disaster Relief Services Centre Namal Liyanage, Director General of the NBRO Asiri Karunanayake, Director General of the Disaster Management Centre Major General Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd.), and representatives from several other relevant institutions.

WEF President Borge Brende Resigns Following Review of Epstein Links

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WEF President Borge Brende Resigns Following Review of Epstein Links

The President and CEO of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Borge Brende, has resigned after an independent review examined his past contacts with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The WEF initiated the review following the release of additional Epstein-related files by the US Department of Justice. Brende acknowledged that he had dined with Epstein on three occasions between 2018 and 2019 and had communicated with him via email and text. However, he stated he was “completely unaware” of Epstein’s prior criminal activity at the time.

In a statement, the WEF said the independent review found “no additional concerns beyond what has been previously disclosed.”

Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, has expressed regret for not having investigated Epstein more thoroughly before engaging with him.

Announcing his decision on Thursday, Brende said he was stepping down after more than eight years in the role following “careful consideration.”

“I believe now is the right moment for the Forum to continue its important work without distractions,” he said.

Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor and was required to register as a sex offender. Being named in the released files does not imply criminal wrongdoing, and Brende has not been accused of any offence.

WEF co-chairs Andre Hoffmann and Larry Fink thanked Brende for his “significant contributions” and said they respected his decision to step aside.

The World Economic Forum, best known for its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, brings together political, business and global leaders from around the world.

The WEF announced that Alois Zwinggi, previously a managing director on its executive body, will serve as interim president and CEO while the board of trustees begins the process of appointing a permanent successor.

The latest release of Epstein-related files has led to renewed scrutiny of numerous public figures globally. The documents include emails, images and investigative materials connected to US probes into Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

In Norway, several public figures have also faced attention over past associations with Epstein, although inclusion in the files does not indicate criminal liability.

‘Podi Lassie’ Brought Back to Sri Lanka from India

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‘Podi Lassie’ Brought Back to Sri Lanka from India

Organized criminal figure and alleged drug trafficker Arumahandi Janith Madhusankha de Silva, alias “Podi Lassie”, was brought back to Sri Lanka from India by a special police team this morning (27).

He had been arrested by Indian security authorities following diplomatic engagement and with the intervention of Interpol.

According to reports, ‘Podi Lassie’ fled to India by sea after being granted bail on December 9, 2024. He was subsequently apprehended by security officials in Mumbai in January 2025.

He arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake from Mumbai at 5.55 a.m. today (27) aboard SriLankan Airlines flight UL-142.

Upon arrival, he was taken away from the airport under heavy security and handed over to the Elpitiya Divisional Crimes Investigation Bureau for further investigations.

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 27 FEBRUARY 2026

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 27 FEBRUARY 2026

Mainly fair weather will prevail over the most parts of the island.

Showers or thundershowers are likely at a few places in Southern province and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts after 2.00 p.m.

Misty conditions can be expected at several places in the island during the early hours of the morning.

A Strategic Reset? Understanding the Supreme Court’s Shift in the X-Press Pearl Case

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A Strategic Reset? Understanding the Supreme Court’s Shift in the X-Press Pearl Case

LISTEN TO STORY

WATCH STORY

By: A Special Correspondent

February 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court decision to step back from direct judicial oversight of the X-Press Pearl litigation and return conduct of the matter to the Attorney General’s Department has triggered predictable reactions. In some quarters it has been portrayed as a retreat from accountability — a softening of resolve after years of public insistence that those responsible for the 2021 maritime disaster would face unprecedented financial consequences.

That interpretation, however, oversimplifies what may in fact be a far more calculated institutional decision.

The court’s move appears less like withdrawal and more like an acknowledgement of the practical, scientific and legal realities that have increasingly shaped the case over time.


From Restoration to Retribution

In the immediate aftermath of the X-Press Pearl catastrophe — when plastic nurdles blanketed beaches and fishing communities were paralysed — public sentiment understandably demanded justice. The litigation that followed was framed in highly charged terms. Discussion quickly centred not only on environmental rehabilitation but on the prospect of securing compensation figures running into billions of dollars.

For a country grappling simultaneously with the economic aftershocks of the pandemic and deep fiscal instability, the notion of a substantial financial award carried political as well as emotional resonance. Expectations hardened early. Public commentary and official rhetoric alike contributed to the belief that Sri Lanka stood on the brink of a landmark financial recovery.

Yet as the case progressed, the evidential foundation supporting those extraordinary figures began to attract scrutiny.


The Science Under Pressure

At the core of the compensation claim were assessments produced by the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA), particularly in relation to the scale, persistence and toxicity of environmental damage. These assessments informed not only environmental arguments but also the economic modelling that produced the headline compensation quantum.

Over time, independent scientific research — most prominently work undertaken by marine scientist Amelia Wenger — cast doubt on several of the original conclusions. Questions were raised about sampling methodology, modelling assumptions and the extrapolation of long-term ecological impacts. Claims regarding prolonged toxicity of certain chemicals and their enduring ecological consequences were challenged as overstated when measured against field data and broader international scientific opinion.

Scientific refinement is not unusual in complex environmental cases. What made this development significant was its timing. By the point at which these alternative analyses gained traction, the projected compensation figures had already shaped public expectation and political discourse.

To date, critics argue that MEPA has not meaningfully incorporated or reassessed its findings in light of the emerging research, leading to concerns about institutional rigidity and an unwillingness to reopen earlier conclusions.


Legal Strategy and Its Limits

Alongside scientific debate sat an equally consequential legal choice: the decision to pursue the matter primarily within Sri Lanka’s domestic judicial framework.

That approach carried immediate domestic appeal. It projected strength, sovereignty and resolve. However, international maritime incidents of this magnitude are typically handled through established global compensation conventions, insurance arrangements and arbitration mechanisms. These systems are not designed to produce extraordinary punitive awards; rather, they operate within defined ceilings and procedural constraints.

By prioritising domestic proceedings over aggressive engagement with international maritime dispute frameworks, Sri Lanka arguably restricted its own manoeuvrability. As legal boundaries became clearer and the enforceability of certain outcomes less certain, the risk grew that the case might reach conclusions difficult to implement in practice.

In this light, the Supreme Court’s decision to halt direct supervision and pass responsibility back to the Attorney General can be interpreted as a pragmatic recalibration rather than abandonment.


A Realignment of Expectations

As scientific uncertainty expanded and legal constraints sharpened, the judiciary found itself presiding over a case increasingly vulnerable to challenge. Continuing along the same trajectory risked producing a judgment that might prove politically dramatic but operationally fraught.

Transferring responsibility to the executive branch creates space for a different approach: one grounded in negotiation, diplomatic engagement and internationally recognised dispute resolution mechanisms. Environmental disputes of this scale often reach more sustainable outcomes through careful technical assessment and structured negotiation rather than courtroom theatre.

For coastal communities affected by the disaster, this shift inevitably produces mixed emotions. Expectations were raised dramatically over several years. Adjusting those expectations downward is never easy. Disappointment is understandable.

Yet it remains possible to achieve a fair and equitable settlement without the spectacle of inflated claims or prolonged confrontation.


Protecting More Than a Legal Claim

The government’s task now extends beyond concluding one complex environmental dispute. Sri Lanka’s standing within the global maritime community is intertwined with the outcome. Colombo has long served as a central transshipment hub in the region. Confidence among shipping lines, insurers and port operators is essential to preserving that role.

A resolution perceived as balanced, legally sound and internationally credible will do more to protect the country’s long-term economic interests than a headline-grabbing but unenforceable award.


A Necessary Course Correction

The Supreme Court’s latest decision may ultimately be seen as an institutional course correction — overdue, perhaps, but unavoidable. The initial phase of the X-Press Pearl litigation was shaped by urgency, anger and political theatre. The next phase demands realism, technical rigour and diplomatic patience.

If Sri Lanka embraces independent scientific reassessment, re-engages with international maritime legal structures and recalibrates public expectations accordingly, the country can still secure meaningful redress while safeguarding its maritime reputation.

For communities that may face environmental incidents in the future, the broader lesson is sobering but clear: sustained cooperation, however uncomfortable, often delivers more durable outcomes than confrontation alone.

The tragedy of the X-Press Pearl cannot be undone. But how Sri Lanka chooses to conclude this chapter will shape not only compensation negotiations, but its credibility as a maritime nation for years to come.

Sri Lanka Deploys Team to Repatriate Notorious Suspect from India

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Sri Lanka Deploys Team to Repatriate Notorious Suspect from India

February 26, Colombo (LNW): A specialised Sri Lankan police unit has left the country to facilitate the return of Janith Madusanka, also known as “Podi Lassie,” a suspected organised crime figure currently in Indian custody.

The team, drawn from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), departed yesterday afternoon with the mission of repatriating the individual following the completion of legal proceedings in India. Authorities in the neighbouring country had previously detained Madusanka for allegedly entering their territory illegally.

Sri Lankan police say that the suspect is believed to be connected to a series of serious organised crimes and high-profile offences within the country. Law enforcement officials emphasised that his return is crucial to ongoing investigations into these cases.

The CID team is expected to oversee the handover and transport of Madusanka back to Sri Lanka in the coming days, ensuring that proper legal and security protocols are observed throughout the process. Authorities have indicated that investigations will continue once he is back on the island.

Structural Weaknesses Stall Sri Lanka MSMEs’ Recovery Potential

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Structural Weaknesses Stall Sri Lanka MSMEs’ Recovery Potential

By: Staff Writer

February 26, Colombo (LNW): While government relief programs trickle slowly, Sri Lanka’s MSMEs face deeper systemic barriers that hinder investment and long-term resilience. At the Lanka Impact Investment Summit, Azusa Kubota of UNDP emphasized that the country’s capital problem is structural, not financial. The cyclone and the 2022 economic crisis exposed deficiencies in governance, data systems, and enterprise readiness, which deter institutional investors despite liquidity in global markets.

Rapid Assessment for Information and Decision Analysis (RAPIDA) findings show that 93% of affected communities reported business disruption, with 91% of key informants confirming significant operational setbacks. One-third of enterprises were severely damaged or shuttered entirely. These enterprises, despite being central to employment and GDP, remain ill-prepared for private capital engagement.

Kubota highlighted four pillars of capital readiness: governance, financial discipline, data and reporting, and compliance standards. Enterprises lacking these pillars risk mismanaging capital or deepening fragility if they take on debt or grants. “Purpose-driven enterprises cannot replace clean financials or decision-grade data,” she said, pointing out that many MSMEs operate informally and lack cash-flow visibility.

Sri Lanka’s structural gap is compounded by weak regulatory awareness. Chandula Abeywickrema noted that SMEs often fail to comply with tax laws, employment contracts, or environmental standards. He cited post-Ditwah assessments showing that 40% of debris came from unauthorized constructions, demonstrating how non-compliance increases economic vulnerability.

Transparency and data integrity are equally critical. Sohil Shah explained that investment decisions hinge on reliable reporting and governance controls as much as on entrepreneurial vision. Mistrust of equity investors persists, with family-run SMEs preferring debt to avoid perceived loss of control.

UNDP is exploring comprehensive packages combining finance with risk guarantees, capacity building, and financial literacy to bridge this structural gap. But without government facilitation and ecosystem support for research, accelerators, and compliance training, MSMEs risk stagnation despite global liquidity and impact investment opportunities.

In essence, Sri Lanka’s MSME sector is trapped between slow relief, weak structural systems, and a lack of capital readiness. Unless reforms prioritize governance, transparency, and market integration, private capital will remain cautious, and cyclone-hit businesses may face prolonged stagnation.

US $250 Million Marina Project Signals FDI Revival in Sri Lanka

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US $250 Million Marina Project Signals FDI Revival in Sri Lanka

By: Staff Writer

February 26, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s ambitious urban development vision is taking shape, even as foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows have slowed sharply over the past year. The latest landmark move comes from local business giants, Prime and Melwa Groups, who have jointly acquired a four-acre marina-front parcel in Port City Colombo, earmarked for a $250 million ultra-luxury apartment project.

The venture, under the newly formed Prime Melwa Port City Ltd., aims to redefine Colombo’s luxury real estate while attracting high-net-worth foreign investors. Completion is expected within four years, with all apartments offering direct marina views. By denominating transactions in USD and other foreign currencies rather than the Sri Lankan rupee, the project provides investors a natural hedge against currency depreciation, a key consideration given Sri Lanka’s persistent foreign reserve pressures.

The backdrop is critical. According to the latest Central Bank of Sri Lanka data, FDI inflows for 2025 fell by over 12% compared to 2024, totaling just $300 million. This slowdown has coincided with pressures on foreign reserves, which currently hover around $5.2 billion—a level insufficient to fully cover three months of imports. Economic analysts have repeatedly flagged the need for high-value foreign investments to stabilize currency volatility and replenish reserves.

By securing one of the last premium parcels in the Port City Marina District, Prime and Melwa are not just investing in real estate they are signaling confidence in the country’s potential as a global business and lifestyle hub. Seven out of eight land parcels in the Marina District have now been leased, highlighting robust investor interest despite broader FDI downturns.

Prime Group Chairman Premalal Brahmanage emphasized that the project represents a strategic step to export Sri Lanka’s real estate to international markets. “We strongly believe this project will attract expatriates, international business travelers, and discerning investors, offering strong foreign buyer appeal while contributing to the country’s foreign currency inflow,” he stated.

Melwa Group Director P.P. Anandaraja reinforced the point, linking the initiative to long-term nation-building and industrial growth. “This development reflects our vision to build projects that strengthen Sri Lanka’s global profile while fostering economic resilience,” he said.

The Port City Colombo initiative demonstrates a rare alignment between private sector ambition and national economic need. While broader FDI trends remain muted, high-profile, currency-denominated projects such as this have the potential to shore up foreign reserves, inspire investor confidence, and signal Sri Lanka’s readiness to participate in high-value global investment flows.

The question remains whether more such initiatives will follow. With macroeconomic challenges persisting, the government and private sector must collaborate to ensure regulatory stability, streamline approvals, and maintain confidence, turning marquee projects into a sustainable avenue for foreign capital inflows.

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