February 08, Colombo (LNW): All trade unions attached to the Excise Department have thrown their support behind a proposed programme to digitalise and modernise excise operations, aimed at strengthening revenue collection.

The agreement was reached during a meeting held on February 03 at the Presidential Secretariat, where officials from the Excise Department met with trade union representatives, the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Bureau and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Discussions centred on ways to improve efficiency within the department in order to enhance state revenue, with particular emphasis on the introduction of digital systems and updated operational frameworks. Participants examined a range of reform proposals, including the use of technology to streamline procedures and reduce delays.

The meeting also addressed the need to invest in human resource development, while ensuring the welfare and professional growth of excise officers as part of the modernisation effort.

Director General of Excise M. B. N. A. Premarathne, senior departmental officials and representatives from all recognised trade unions were present at the discussion, which concluded with broad consensus on moving forward with the reform agenda.

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WATCH STORY

By: Isuru Parakrama

February 08, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka is increasingly coming into focus as Russia turns to South Asia to address one of the most severe labour shortages it has faced in decades, driven by demographic decline and the prolonged war in Ukraine.

For years, Russia depended largely on migrant workers from Central Asia to sustain its workforce. That model is now shifting as the country grapples with a shrinking working-age population and rising demand for labour across key sectors. Russian officials estimate that the economy will require as many as 11 million additional workers by the end of the decade to maintain even modest growth.

As a result, recruiters are expanding their search well beyond traditional source countries. South Asia has emerged as a priority region, with Sri Lanka now being viewed alongside India and Bangladesh as a potential supplier of much-needed manpower.

Recruitment agencies report growing interest in Sri Lankan workers for roles ranging from construction and manufacturing to hospitality and municipal services.

This change reflects a broader recalibration of Russia’s labour policies. During President Vladimir Putin’s visit to New Delhi late last year, Moscow signed agreements aimed at easing procedures for temporary labour migration.

Even before those arrangements, work permits issued to Indian nationals had risen sharply, while overall permits for foreign workers reached their highest level in years in 2025.

Although Central Asian states such as Turkmenistan continue to send workers, a significant share of new arrivals now comes from farther afield. In major Russian cities, South Asian workers have begun appearing in public services, construction sites and restaurants, highlighting what recruiters describe as a structural transformation of the labour market.

Recruitment firms are also adapting. Some have begun scouting actively in Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia, seeking workers willing to commit to fixed-term contracts tied to specific employers. According to industry sources, this approach is preferred by Russian companies, as workers from visa-free countries are more likely to switch jobs frequently.

Training initiatives are also expanding. Agencies have set up overseas centres to prepare recruits in technical skills and basic Russian language proficiency before deployment. For certain industries, bilingual supervisors act as intermediaries on job sites, reducing communication barriers.

Russia’s labour crunch has been intensified by the war in Ukraine. Hundreds of thousands of working-age Russians have either been absorbed into the defence sector or have left the country altogether, while tighter migration rules introduced after security concerns in 2024 further reduced the inflow of foreign workers. At the same time, unemployment remains near historic lows, leaving employers with few domestic options.

Major Russian companies are already feeling the strain. Mining, shipbuilding and heavy industry firms have publicly acknowledged staff shortfalls running into the thousands, forcing some operations to scale back production despite offering comparatively high wages.

Cost considerations are also shaping recruitment. Employers often find that hiring from South Asia, including Sri Lanka, is more affordable, particularly for skilled trades, without compromising productivity.

Based on comments by analysts, Russia’s labour shortage is unlikely to ease anytime soon. With an ageing population and declining birth rates, the reliance on foreign workers is expected to become a long-term feature of the economy. For Sri Lanka, this shift could open new overseas employment opportunities, provided recruitment is managed responsibly and worker protections are ensured.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): Central Bank Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe has stressed that sustained economic growth in Sri Lanka will depend on the country’s ability to modernise and innovate across all areas of production.

Speaking at the International Conference of the Sri Lanka Economic Association in Colombo, he remarked that genuine prosperity cannot be achieved without building a competitive and efficient economic structure.

In this regard, he pointed to the importance of strengthening all three core sectors of the economy — agriculture, industry and services — rather than treating them in isolation.

Dr Weerasinghe noted that modern supply chains, both domestic and international, are increasingly interconnected. He explained that even a basic agricultural product requires the support of industrial processes and service inputs to be transformed into a high-value good capable of competing in global markets.

According to the Governor, nations that succeed in streamlining these linkages and improving productivity tend to advance economically, while those that fail to adapt risk being left behind.

He underscored that the adoption of new technologies remains the most decisive factor in ensuring that economic activity remains efficient, resilient and competitive at both national and international levels.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): A satyagraha campaign organised by fishermen calling for the removal of restrictions on tractor-powered winches used in Madel, or seine net, fishing has entered its fourth day today (08).

The protest began on February 05 outside the Presidential Secretariat, with participation from seine fishermen representing a number of coastal communities, including Mullaitivu and Kokilai. Protesters say the ban has severely affected their livelihoods, limiting their ability to carry out traditional fishing practices.

According to the demonstrators, several rounds of discussions have taken place with officials from the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources as well as representatives of the Presidential Secretariat. However, they claim the talks ended without any concrete outcome or assurances.

In the absence of a satisfactory response from the authorities, the fishermen have decided to continue their non-violent protest indefinitely, vowing to maintain the satyagraha until their demands are addressed.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): The public exposition of the revered Devnimori relics of Lord Buddha entered its fourth day today (08) at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo, attracting a steady flow of devotees from across the country.

The sacred relics, which arrived from India earlier this month, have been on display since February 05 and continue to draw widespread attention due to their immense historical and religious significance. Unearthed during archaeological excavations in the 1960s at the ancient Devnimori site in Gujarat, the relics are believed to be among the most important discoveries linked to the Buddha. This marks the first occasion on which they have been taken beyond Indian borders.

From the early hours of the morning, long queues were seen around the temple premises as worshippers gathered to pay homage in an atmosphere of reverence and calm. Religious observances and security arrangements remain in place to facilitate the large crowds.

Several prominent figures, including Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and former President Maithripala Sirisena, were among those who visited the temple yesterday to venerate the relics, alongside a number of ministers and public representatives.

Temple authorities have announced that devotees will be allowed continuous access to the relics around the clock until 7.00 a.m. on February 11, 2026, enabling the faithful to take part in this rare spiritual occasion without interruption.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Parliamentary Business Committee has fixed February 17 for the debate on the Parliamentary Pensions (Repeal) Bill, according to Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake.

He indicated that the proposed legislation is expected to be debated and put to a vote on the same day, signalling a swift parliamentary process.

Addressing the House, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne confirmed that the Supreme Court has determined the Bill to be in line with the Constitution. The Court ruled that it may be passed with a simple majority under Article 121(1), dismissing the need for any additional procedural requirements.

The ruling came in response to legal challenges filed by a group of former Members of Parliament, who argued that the Bill infringed upon fundamental rights and therefore required approval by a special parliamentary majority and a public referendum.

The legislation, tabled in Parliament on 7 January by Justice Minister Dr Harshana Nanayakkara, aims to end the existing pension entitlement granted to former parliamentarians.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala has announced plans to set up a dedicated police division to address the increasing incidence of cybercrime in Sri Lanka.

The Minister made the disclosure while attending the opening of the Polpitiya Police Station on Friday (06), noting that offences committed through digital platforms have risen sharply in recent years. He observed that authorities now receive between 23 and 25 cybercrime complaints each day, a figure he described as alarming.

According to the Minister, the Police Department is in the process of strengthening its capacity to respond to such offences through the introduction of modern technology, specialised expertise and updated investigative methods.

These measures, he said, are being rolled out in a structured manner to ensure more effective detection and prosecution of cyber-related crimes.

He further stressed that the government remains committed to transforming the Sri Lanka Police into a professional, efficient and corruption-free institution. As part of this effort, steps are being taken to create better career opportunities for capable officers, while firm action is being pursued to remove those found guilty of misconduct from the service.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Posts has confirmed that postal tariffs will be revised upward from tomorrow (09), with several commonly used services affected by the change.

Under the new pricing structure, the minimum charge for postal items will be increased to Rs. 70. Officials stated that the adjustment is part of a broader review of operational costs and service sustainability.

Registered mail will also see a price revision, with the fee rising by Rs. 20. As a result, the cost of sending a registered letter will increase from Rs. 110 to Rs. 130 from tomorrow onwards.

The Department noted that the revised charges will apply nationwide and urged customers to take note of the new rates when using postal services.

February 08, Colombo (LNW): Consumers who spend more than Rs. 10,000 in a month at cooperative retail outlets will soon be entitled to complimentary life insurance, according to Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe.

Addressing the reporters after attending an event in Anuradhapura, the Minister revealed that the proposed insurance cover would exceed Rs. 300,000, marking a significant incentive aimed at encouraging greater public engagement with the cooperative sector.

He noted that the benefit would not be limited to shoppers alone, adding that registered members of cooperatives would also qualify for life insurance protection under the scheme.

The Minister further explained that cooperative employees are set to receive improved remuneration packages, including insurance benefits, as part of broader measures to revitalise cooperatives and position them as a key driver of economic activity.

Outlining the government’s wider plans, he said the cooperative movement would undergo extensive reforms, with new cooperative retail centres planned for every region of the country. In addition, low-interest financing is expected to be made available to support the establishment of large-scale cooperative outlets, particularly in urban centres.