By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The website of Sri Lanka’s Meteorological Department is undergoing restoration following a cyber attack that disrupted its services earlier this month.

The attack, which occurred on November 01, caused alterations to the department’s official site, prompting immediate action by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), the country’s principal cyber security authority.

Charuka Damunopola, Senior Information Officer at SLCERT, confirmed that the cyber attack had been swiftly reported, and initial investigations revealed that changes were made to the Meteorological Department’s website.

In response, SLCERT has been leading the recovery and mitigation efforts, working diligently to restore the website’s normal functionality.

Damunopola reassured the public that while the attack had impacted the website, no data breaches or theft of sensitive information had been detected.

He stressed that CERT’s team continues to monitor the situation rigorously to ensure the site’s full restoration, both in terms of its operation and security.

Preliminary measures have been implemented to recover the website, and further investigations are underway to determine the full extent of the attack.

The SLCERT team is collaborating closely with the Meteorological Department to assess any lasting effects and to bolster the security of the site against potential future threats.

Cyber attacks on web portals operated by public bodies in Sri Lanka had been prevalent during the consecutive years, but remained un-evident since April, 2024. The reemergence of the trend, however, raises grave concerns on data security and accessibility.

November 12, Colombo (LNW): Abby Finkenauer, the United States State Department’s Special Envoy for Global Youth Issues, is set to visit Sri Lanka from November 12 to 15, 2024.

This visit underscores the US commitment to empowering youth across South Asia, with a particular focus on fostering civic engagement, enhancing youth leadership, and addressing critical issues like cultural preservation and community resilience.

During her visit, Finkenauer will experience firsthand the positive effects of the US-Sri Lanka partnership, especially through programmes that support education, leadership, and community engagement.

These initiatives are designed to empower young leaders and drive social and economic development in Sri Lanka.

Accompanied by US Ambassador Julie Chung, Finkenauer will meet with participants from the Embassy’s Youth Forum and alumni from the Emerging Leaders Academy, a USAID-backed programme aimed at promoting civic engagement and leadership skills, particularly amongst underrepresented groups.

The programme offers a platform for young people to develop leadership capabilities and contribute actively to their communities.

The Special Envoy will also engage with the Women in Motion initiative, a US Embassy-supported project that encourages young women to explore careers in creative industries.

Additionally, Finkenauer will visit young entrepreneurs whose success stories highlight the effectiveness of US-supported skills-building programmes in fostering innovation and business growth amongst the youth.

Through this visit, Finkenauer aims to strengthen relationships with youth leaders in Sri Lanka and across South Asia.

She will seek to deepen collaborative efforts on global issues affecting young people, from leadership development to the challenges of navigating an ever-evolving cultural and economic landscape.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission has laid out a clear and detailed process for the counting of votes in the forthcoming general election, scheduled for Thursday, November 14.

Addressing the media at a briefing, Election Commission Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake outlined the procedures and timelines for how the vote counting will unfold on election day.

The counting of postal votes will commence at precisely 4:15 p.m. on the day of the election, Rathnayake confirmed.

Meanwhile, the counting of regular votes is anticipated to begin around 7:15 p.m., though this will be dependent on when the ballot boxes arrive at the designated counting centres.

The counting process will follow a systematic approach:

1. Initial Count: The ballots in each box will first be counted individually.
2. Party Vote Tally: Once the ballots have been counted, the votes for each political party or independent group will be tallied to determine the number of parliamentary seats allocated to each.
3. Preferential Vote Count: After the party votes are tallied, the preferential votes for individual candidates will then be counted, with candidates receiving the highest number of preferential votes in their respective parties or groups being elected to Parliament.

The results from each district and voting area will only be publicly announced after they have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by the Election Secretariat, ensuring that all processes are accurate and transparent.

In addition to the procedures, the Election Commission has also issued a request to the public, urging them to refrain from gathering near the counting centres or in the surrounding areas during the counting process.

Rathnayake specifically emphasised the importance of avoiding unnecessary presence around these locations.

“We urge the public not to congregate around the counting centres or on the roads in the vicinity for any reason,” he stressed, highlighting the need for a smooth and disturbance-free counting process.

November 12, Colombo (LNW): Colombo Additional Magistrate Bandara Ilangasinghe has instructed the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to expedite its investigation into actress Piumi Hansamali and Viranjith Thambugala, Chairman of Aura Lanka, following a case filed under Section 190 of the Inland Revenue Act.

The investigation aims to determine whether the two individuals have committed any tax-related offences, as outlined by the Inland Revenue Act.

During the court proceedings held on November 11, the legal representative of the Inland Revenue Department informed the court that a search warrant had been obtained to examine documents at the residences of both Hansamali and Thambugala.

However, it was revealed that neither of the individuals was present at their respective homes when the searches were conducted.

The case has drawn significant public attention, as it involves two high-profile figures in Sri Lanka’s entertainment and business sectors.

With the court now pushing for a swift resolution, the IRD is under pressure to complete its investigation and determine whether any violations of tax laws have occurred.

The investigation, which centres on potential violations under Section 190 of the Inland Revenue Act, will scrutinise financial records and tax filings to ascertain if Hansamali and Thambugala have been involved in any form of tax evasion or fraudulent activity.

Should any wrongdoing be identified, the two individuals could face legal consequences in line with Sri Lanka’s strict tax laws.

The IRD has yet to provide further details on the specifics of the case or any evidence found during the initial searches.

However, the case highlights the government’s ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with tax regulations, particularly amongst prominent public figures and business leaders.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has confirmed that the country’s ongoing debt restructuring process is expected to be completed by December, marking a significant milestone in efforts to restore financial stability.

Addressing supporters at a public rally in Gampaha yesterday (11), the President reassured the nation that the government’s plans to stabilise the economy were well under way, despite the ongoing challenges.

“We are very close to finalising the restructuring process, with only a small portion left to be completed,” President Dissanayake said, providing an optimistic outlook for Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

The President further outlined that, based on the current trajectory, Sri Lanka would be in a position to begin repaying its restructured debt by 2028. He emphasised that detailed calculations are already in place to manage these future repayment obligations, ensuring that the country remains on a sustainable path to economic growth.

In addition to the progress on debt restructuring, Dissanayake provided an update on Sri Lanka’s engagement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). He revealed that an IMF delegation would be arriving in Sri Lanka shortly after the forthcoming general election to conduct the third review of the nation’s economic recovery programme.

This review, according to the President, is expected to be completed by the end of January or early February 2025.

With the IMF’s assessment, Dissanayake believes Sri Lanka will have the opportunity to establish a more robust economic foundation, positioning the country for long-term growth and stability.

He expressed confidence that the outcomes of this review would help further solidify the efforts made to stabilise the national economy and improve financial management.

The announcement comes at a critical time for Sri Lanka, as the nation continues to grapple with the economic fallout from previous crises.

Nevertheless, the government’s commitment to restructuring its debt and working alongside international partners like the IMF has generated a sense of optimism amongst economic experts and the public.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Election Commission (EC) has introduced an online service for Sri Lankans who have not received their official polling cards by post, allowing them to download a copy ahead of the parliamentary elections on Thursday (14).

Voters who have yet to receive their polling cards can easily obtain a digital version by visiting the Election Commission’s e-services website at https://eservices.elections.gov.lk.

This new feature aims to streamline access, ensuring that every eligible voter has the necessary documentation for Election Day.

The EC outlined a straightforward process for obtaining the polling card online. To begin, voters should:

1. Visit the EC’s e-services site and select ‘Voter Registration Details Search’.
2. Enter their National Identity Card (NIC) number and Administration District.
3. Choose the option for ‘Voter Registration Details for Parliamentary Election 2024’ to view their voter details.
4. Input their mobile phone number below the voter registration information.
5. Select ‘Download the official polling card’, which will generate a print-ready copy.

Once these steps are completed, voters will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) via SMS, which must be entered to finalise and print the polling card.

The Election Commission emphasised that possessing an official polling card is not mandatory for voting.

Voters registered for the 2024 election can simply bring a valid NIC to their assigned polling station and cast their vote by verifying their identity.

This initiative reflects the EC’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and accessible voting process, especially for those facing postal delays.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 12, Colombo (LNW): To ensure a secure environment for the upcoming general election, approximately 64,000 police officers will be deployed nationwide from today (12), Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa disclosed.

This deployment covers security needs across all constituencies, with officers stationed at polling stations and prepared to remain on duty throughout election day, November 14, and beyond if necessary.

In preparation for the vote, 13,383 polling stations have been set up across the country, slightly exceeding the number of constituencies, which totals 13,314.

Nearly 3,200 Special Task Force (STF) officers are on active duty, enhancing the primary deployment with specialised support, according to DIG Thalduwa.

He added that around 12,227 police personnel are also directly involved in election-specific operations, with the overall number of police officers engaged in election security estimated to reach 70,000.

Furthermore, approximately 11,000 army personnel will be stationed at strategic points across the country, focusing on high-risk areas that require additional security.

These troops will provide reinforcement where police officers have been re-assigned for election duty.

“Army officers are on standby and ready to assist if the need arises,” DIG Thalduwa emphasised, underscoring the scale of the security operation.

November 12, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Meteorology has forecast the formation of a low-pressure area over the southwest Bay of Bengal today (12), which is expected to create favourable conditions for afternoon thundershowers across most of Sri Lanka starting tomorrow (13), the Department of Meteorology said.

For today, residents in the Northern Province should anticipate several spells of showers, while other regions could experience showers or thundershowers in the evening or night.

Areas in the Eastern, Central, Uva, Sabaragamuwa, and Southern provinces may see significant rainfall, with some locations potentially receiving over 50mm.

Additionally, misty conditions are expected in the morning across parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, and Uva provinces, along with the Galle and Matara districts.

The public is advised to take precautions against temporary strong winds and lightning that may accompany these storms.

For sea conditions, thundershowers are expected in areas off the coast from Mannar to Trincomalee via Kankasanthurai, with potential showers in other coastal waters during the evening or night.

Winds around the island will generally be north-westerly or variable, with speeds of 25-35 km/h. Whilst seas are anticipated to be slight to moderate, temporarily strong gusty winds and rough seas may occur during thundershowers.

The Department advises those in affected areas to exercise caution and take steps to minimise potential damage from strong winds and lightning.