August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Public Security has announced that a conclusive decision on the tourist visa issuance process for Sri Lanka will be made tomorrow (05).

This decision will follow consultations with the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

On Friday (02), the Supreme Court issued an interim order halting the Cabinet’s decision to delegate the Online Visa Electronic Travel Authorisation to two private firms.

The court also granted an injunction against the agreements with these foreign companies and allowed petitions related to the issue to proceed.

As a result, the Department of Immigration and Emigration has temporarily suspended e-visa issuance as of 2 August.

The relevant e-visa application website has been deactivated, and the department is processing refunds for those who have paid for visas.

Consequently, tourists must now obtain an On Arrival visa at the airport upon entering Sri Lanka.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has revealed a series of temporary appointments to district-level positions within the party.

Reports indicate that MP Namal Rajapaksa will take on the role of SLPP leader for the Anuradhapura District.

In Gampaha, State Minister Indika Anuruddha has been designated as the new district leader, a significant post given the district’s political importance.

State Minister Mohan De Silva will now lead the Galle District, while MP Nipuna Ranawaka has been appointed to head the Matara District.

These appointments come in the wake of several former district leaders aligning themselves with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, diverging from the SLPP’s strategy of supporting its own candidate.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the release of 24 Sri Lankans, including well-known artists, who were detained in Kuwait on 2nd August.

The group, which included figures such as Indrachapa Liyanage, Samanalee Fonseka, ‘Jolly Seeya,’ and Upeka Nirmani, was arrested during an event organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.

The arrests occurred due to the event being held without proper permissions.

Alongside the artists and event organisers, the music band and their instruments were also confiscated.

Following the intervention of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait, the 24 detainees were released on the night of 3rd August.

However, two members of the organising committee remain in police custody, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) has emphasised the importance of promoting Wallapatta cultivation, recognising its significant potential to generate foreign exchange for Sri Lanka.

This issue was raised during a recent discussion with the Department of Forest Conservation. Committee Chair Lasantha Alagiyawanna instructed officials to focus on Wallapatta due to its economic benefits.

Forest Department officials confirmed that cultivating Wallapatta is legal, but cutting and transporting the plants from forests without permits is prohibited.

They noted that the cultivation of Aquilaria, an imported plant with similar characteristics, has commenced in Sri Lanka.

Distinguishing between Wallapatta and Aquilaria is challenging, leading smugglers to falsely market forest-sourced Wallapatta as plantation-grown.

The officials assured the Committee of plans to develop a scientific method to differentiate the two plants.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): The Postal Department is set to deploy approximately 8,000 staff members to distribute polling cards to voters across the country for the upcoming Presidential Election.

In a circular issued by Deputy Post Master General Rajitha Ranasinghe, all post offices nationwide have been informed of this initiative.

The circular also mentions that special arrangements are being made to handle regular postal letters by employing additional personnel.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Police are requesting public assistance to locate three suspects involved in a shooting incident in Athurugiriya on July 08, 2024, which resulted in two fatalities and injuries to four others.

Photographs and details of the suspects have been released.

Information on the suspects can be provided through the following contact numbers:

1. OIC – Western Province South Crimes Division – 072 4222223
2. OIC – Athurugiriya Police Station – 071 8591657

Suspect details:

1. Waruna Indika de Silva alias “Sankha” (NIC: 951350753V)
2. Peti Harambage Ajith Rohana alias “Chandi” (NIC: 199207801772)
3. Muthuwandura Tharindu Madhusanka de Silva alias “Bahirawaya”

The shooting incident went viral across Sri Lanka due to it being the cause of death of Surendra Wasantha Perera alias ‘Club Wasantha’.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, announced that 24 Sri Lankans, including event organisers and musicians, were arrested by Kuwaiti authorities at a gathering organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.

The minister stated on ‘X’ that he has reached out to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait, which is collaborating with Kuwaiti officials to secure their release promptly.

Further details regarding the arrests have not been disclosed.

August 04, Colombo (LNW): A naval operation in the Iramathivu sea area of Kilinochchi on August 03 2024 resulted in the arrest of three individuals and the seizure of a dinghy carrying over 176kg of Kerala cannabis.

Conducted by SLNS Buwaneka and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron, the search uncovered 86 parcels of cannabis valued at over Rs. 70 million.

The suspects, aged 22 to 35 from Mannar and Valeipadu, have been handed over to Jayapuram Police for further legal proceedings.