Singer Sri Lanka PLC is redefining the premium smartphone experience with the launch of the HONOR Magic V5, the brand’s most advanced foldable flagship to date. Designed to merge artistry, intelligence, and performance, the modelintroduces a new era of mobility, enabling users to unlockproductivity and creativity like never before.

The HONOR Magic V5 combines stunning design with technological sophistication, boasting a foldable form factor that is only 4.2 mm thin when unfolded and an incredibly light 217g body. It stands among the slimmest and most portable foldable smartphones ever made. The device also features dual HDR displays with a peak brightness of 5000 nits, ensuring exceptional clarity and contrast. Both screens come with pen support, providing a seamless experience for users who prefer to sketch, annotate, or multitask across two high-definition panels.

Expressing his thoughts, Mahesh Wijewardene, Group Managing Director of Singer Sri Lanka stated, “We are proud to introduce the HONOR Magic V5, a device that embodies true innovation and craftsmanship. This foldable smartphone reflects our continued commitment to bringing world-class technology to Sri Lankan consumers and offering them not only premium performance but also a glimpse into the future of mobile experiences.”

George Zheng, President – Southeast Asia Region, HONOR, said, “The Magic V5 is a statement of HONOR’s leadership in design and innovation. Through our partnership with Singer, we are delighted to bring this exceptional device to Sri Lanka. Its foldable form, AI capabilities, and ecosystem connectivity represent a new standard in what users can expect from a flagship smartphone.”

The phone’s true power lies in its intelligent AI-driven experience. Its split-screen AI assistant lets users multitask seamlessly across both displays, from browsing to attending meetings, all enhanced by smarter organization and smoother performance.

The phone’s camera system is equally impressive, headlined by a 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera that captures striking detail and vivid color, even in low light. Combined with HONOR’s advanced image processing technology, the HONOR Magic V5 delivers professional-grade photography and videography that matches its premium aesthetic.

The launch of the HONOR Magic V5 marks a milestone for both brands, symbolizing their shared commitment to innovation and excellence. As consumer interest in foldable technology grows, this collaboration between Singer and HONOR underscores their dedication to making premium innovations more accessible to Sri Lankan users.

The HONOR Magic V5 is priced at Rs. 599,000 and is available now in Reddish Brown and Dawn Gold through Singer showrooms, authorized resellers nationwide and online via www.singer.lk.

Photo Captions

Main Image – (From left to right) Jagath Perera, Director Operations, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; Janmesh Antony, Marketing Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; Vajira Tennakon, Chief Operating Officer, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; Zeng Lexing, General Manager, HONOR Sri Lanka; George Zheng, President – Southeast Asia Region, HONOR; Mohan Pandithage, Chairman, HAYLEYS Group of Companies; Mahesh Wijewardene, Group Managing Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; Thulitha Mendis, Commercial Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; Tharaka Warnakulasuriya, General Manager – Digital Products, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC; and Ranidu Silva, Senior Brand Manager, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC.

Image 02 – Mahesh Wijewardene, Group Managing Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC

Image 03 – George Zheng, President – Southeast Asia Region, HONOR

Image 04 – Janmesh Antony, Marketing Director, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC

Image 05 – Tharaka Warnakulasuriya, General Manager – Digital Products, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC

Image 06 – Ranidu Silva, Senior Brand Manager, Singer (Sri Lanka) PLC

 Sri Lanka’s historic Ratmalana Airport, once the pride of South Asian aviation, is facing a turbulent future as aviation experts warn that poor planning, bureaucratic neglect, and decades of uncoordinated development have pushed the country’s first airfield to the brink of operational obsolescence.

Former President of the Aircraft Owners and Operators Association, Capt. G.A. Fernando (MBA, UK), in a detailed investigative commentary, paints a stark picture of how a combination of political decisions and administrative oversight has crippled Ratmalana’s potential despite its unmatched historical significance and strategic location.

Opened in 1935, Ratmalana served as Ceylon’s main international airport until 1968, when global operations shifted to Katunayake. Once a vital Royal Air Force base during World War II, it has since suffered from neglect, with outdated navigational systems, inadequate runway lighting, and failing radio aids. Pilots, at one point, were forced to rely on the burning gas flare at the Sapugaskanda Refinery for night-time navigation an alarming indication of how far standards had slipped.

Capt. Fernando argues that successive governments have failed to implement a national master plan for aviation, allowing politically driven decisions and fragmented planning to dictate development. He points out that the 1977 decision to relocate Parliament to Sri Jayewardenepura, just 3.6 nautical miles from the runway, led to flight path restrictions that severely limited Ratmalana’s operational capacity. “It was like building a house next to a railway and then complaining about the noise,” he remarked, criticizing policymakers for imposing bans on overflight routes critical for safe landings.

Further complications arose with unplanned urban and defence constructions obstructing key approach paths. The Akuregoda Defence Headquarters, situated 4.4 nautical miles from the airport, blocks a straight-in approach needed for modern jet operations, while the Kotelawala Defence University building exceeds permitted height limits, creating serious safety hazards. “These are examples of uncoordinated decisions that make redevelopment nearly impossible,” Fernando warned.

He also revealed that Ratmalana still lacks a fully functional control tower with 360-degree visibility, proper radio beacons, or a modern instrument landing system (ILS)—basic requirements for international-standard operations. Ironically, the Air Force Museum building itself interferes with aviation radio frequencies, adding to the chaos.

Although the government recently approved Rs. 3 billion for upgrades, Fernando questions whether the funds are being used for genuine safety improvements or merely for cosmetic structures. “We must invest in what cannot be seen as navigation aids, airspace management, and communication systems because those determine safety,” he emphasized.

Drawing parallels with Wellington Airport in New Zealand, where a control tower was innovatively built atop a shopping complex, Fernando urged policymakers to adopt “out-of-the-box thinking” and seek professional input.

 “Sri Lanka suffers from tunnel vision in aviation planning,” he concluded. “Unless accountability, coordination, and technical expertise drive decisions, Ratmalana’s revival will remain a dream trapped in bureaucratic fog.”

Sri Lanka’s flagship digital visa initiative hailed as a step toward modernized border management has come under intense scrutiny following an audit that uncovered major financial and procedural irregularities, including tax evasion, foreign remittance violations, and breaches of procurement law.

The special audit investigation into the e-Visa system, implemented earlier this year, found that private contractors GBS Technology Services and IVS Global-FZCO, operating under VFS VF Worldwide Holdings Ltd, failed to remit more than USD 1.4 million in taxes due to the government between April and August 2024.

According to the report, the companies collected both the 2.5% Social Security Contribution Levy (SSCL) and 18% Value Added Tax (VATamounting to USD 172,970 in SSCL and USD 1,245,390 in VAT from visa applicants but did not pay these funds to the Inland Revenue Department.

The audit also revealed that the firms handled 373,991 visa applications during the period, earning USD 6.9 million in service fees, and an additional USD 1.82 million from 98,401 visa-exempt applications. Despite being part of a government free-visa tourism promotion scheme, travelers from exempted countries were still charged USD 18.50 per application a move auditors condemned as “unjustified and exploitative.”

Tourism and legal experts have criticized the sudden escalation of visa-related charges. Under the former Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system, no service fee was levied, and a proposed upgrade had recommended a minimal USD 1 fee. The steep rise to USD 18.50 even for promotional travel categories has raised suspicions about how such rates were approved and by whom.

The audit further exposes serious procedural lapses in awarding the e-Visa contract. The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) noted that VFS Global and its affiliates were selected without competitive bidding or adherence to public procurement laws, undermining both transparency and value for money.

In a particularly troubling revelation, auditors found that visa fee revenues were routed directly to foreign bank accounts managed by the private service providers instead of being deposited into official Sri Lankan government accounts. This practice has prevented authorities from independently verifying the actual income generated, creating what the report described as “a significant accountability gap.”

The Department of Immigration and Emigration, according to the findings, had limited oversight over the project’s financial operations, leaving public funds exposed to potential misuse and weakening state control over a key national revenue stream.

The revelations have triggered calls for a parliamentary inquiry and for the temporary suspension of the e-Visa system pending accountability measures. Critics argue that such opaque dealings jeopardize Sri Lanka’s efforts to rebuild investor confidence and project an image of transparent governance at a time when economic credibility is critical.

With pressure mounting, the Finance Ministry and Attorney General’s Department are now being urged to recover lost revenue and initiate legal action against those responsible, as the scandal threatens to tarnish one of Sri Lanka’s most high-profile digital modernization projects.

Sri Lanka’s efforts to revive its tourism industry face renewed scrutiny as policy instability and bureaucratic hurdles threaten to undermine a US$100 million Asian Development Bank (ADB) assistance program designed to transform the sector into a sustainable growth engine.

The ADB’s Sustainable Tourism Sector Development Program a key component of its ongoing support to Sri Lanka—aims to stimulate investment and innovation by developing two major tourism hubs in Dambulla-Sigiriya and Trincomalee. The initiative will channel US$70 million in concessional loans and US$30 million in regular loans toward improving infrastructure, enhancing governance, and supporting diversification into emerging tourism segments such as eco, marine, and cultural tourism.

According to ADB Country Director Takafumi Kadono, the project seeks to modernize Sri Lanka’s tourism ecosystem through digitalization, skills development, and improved policy frameworks. “Tourism can be a catalyst for inclusive and sustainable growth,” Kadono said. “But lasting success depends on stability, good governance, and effective institutional coordination.”

While the ADB’s intervention has been widely welcomed, industry stakeholders are less optimistic about the government’s ability to deliver consistent and transparent policies. Several analysts warn that Sri Lanka’s recurring policy flip-flops, particularly under the new JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) administration, risk deterring investors and delaying project implementation.

Data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) show that the country recorded 1.5 million tourist arrivals in the first nine months of 2024, nearly matching pre-pandemic levels. Yet, foreign exchange earnings remain subdued at around US$2 billion, less than half the US$4.4 billion achieved in 2018.

Experts attribute this underperformance to frequent regulatory shifts, including sudden changes to visa policies, inconsistent taxation on hotel stays, and restrictive import rules that affect tourism operations. The absence of a coherent destination branding strategy and continued delays in finalizing tourism zoning regulations have also left Sri Lanka lagging behind regional competitors such as the Maldives and Thailand, both of which have successfully aligned policy, marketing, and infrastructure to attract high-value travelers.

Meanwhile, the government’s emphasis on community-based tourism under its socialist policy framework has yet to show tangible results. Critics argue that over-centralization and red tape continue to delay implementation, discouraging private sector participation and innovation.

Kadono cautioned that while financial support can act as a springboard, its effectiveness depends on strong institutional discipline and policy consistency. “Without a clear and sustained roadmap, Sri Lanka risks repeating past mistakes where ambitious tourism reforms faltered amid political turbulence,” he warned.

As global travel rebounds, Sri Lanka stands at a crossroads offered a lifeline by ADB’s financial backing but challenged by its own governance lapses. Whether the country can convert external support into genuine, long-term revival will depend on its ability to prioritize stability, investor confidence, and a unified vision for sustainable tourism growth.

Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ananda Wijepala emphasised that the digitisation of Police traffic spot fine payments through the GovPay online system will not only streamline fine collection but also reduce administrative delays, simplify police duties, and enhance convenience for motorists.

He said that GovPay plays a vital role in the Government’s digital transformation initiative, which aims to improve efficiency and transparency in public service delivery.

The Minister announced that the Government plans to expand the GovPay traffic fine payment system nationwide by December 2025, ensuring that all provinces benefit from a fully digitalised fine management process.

Minister Wijepala further noted the importance of training and equipping police officers with modern technical skillsto strengthen law enforcement and build public confidence in the Police service.

He made these remarks while addressing the launch ceremony of the on-site GovPay Police traffic fine payment system in the Northern Province, held yesterday (28) at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat.

The GovPay facility, previously operational only in the Southern and Western Provinces, has now been extended to the Northern Province, marking the third province to implement the online payment system.

Since its introduction in the Southern and Western Provinces, 23,539 spot fines have been paid via GovPay, generating Rs. 31 million in revenue for the Government.

Training sessions for Northern Province traffic police officers were conducted on October 26 and 27 to familiarise them with GovPay’s operational procedures. Mobile phones required for on-site fine payment confirmations were also handed over to the officers at the event.

Minister of Environment Dr. Dammika Patabendi departed Sri Lanka on Monday (27) to attend the Eco Expo Asia 2025 Environmental Protection Summit in Hong Kong, China. The summit, which began yesterday (28), is being held under the theme “Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality.”

Addressing the summit, Minister Patabendi highlighted Sri Lanka’s innovations in Green products and the Government’s carbon reduction programme, reaffirming the new administration’s commitment to establishing a Green Ecosystem in line with its new environmental policy. He also stressed the importance of effective plastic waste management as part of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Minister underscored the value of international knowledge exchange in environmental conservation and the potential of using modern forestry technologies to support Sri Lanka’s green transition.

He further emphasised the need to open avenues for Green business opportunities through waste management, calling for research partnerships, financial support, and technical assistance—particularly from South Asian nations—to help Sri Lanka meet its environmentally sustainable development targets.

The summit was attended by environment ministers from South Asian countries, green manufacturers, global industrialists, and a large number of international delegates.

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal to submit the Motor Vehicles (Drugs) Directive No. 1 of 2025 to Parliament for approval.

Under the Motor Vehicles Act, police officers are legally permitted to refer any person suspected of driving under the influence of drugs to a government medical officer. However, until now, there have been no clear provisions outlining the method, procedure, or threshold for determining drug influence in such cases.

To address this gap, the Motor Vehicles (Drugs) Directive No. 1 of 2025—issued under Section 203 of the Motor Vehicles Act—was published in the Extraordinary Gazette No. 2452/40 on 4 September 2025. The new directive enables the proper medical examination and testing of drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal presented by the Acting Minister of Transport, Highways, and Urban Development to submit the directive to Parliament for formal approval.

Over 230,000 schoolchildren in the Colombo District alone are addicted to drugs, according to Prisons Commissioner and Prisons Media Spokesman Jagath Weerasinghe.

He made this revelation while participating in a school awareness programme on preventing drug abuse, held yesterday (27) at Godapitiya National School in Akuressa.

“In the Colombo District of the Western Province alone, 230,982 schoolchildren are drug addicts. I am sure the Southern Province might be even worse. The South is placed number one in underworld activities,” Weerasinghe said.

He further noted that the majority of prisoners in Sri Lanka are young people, most of whom have a low level of literacy.

“There are 42 children under the age of five in prisons because of crimes committed by their mothers. If a mother is sentenced to 10 years, we allow her to stay with the child for five years. After that, they must be separated. Those are the most tragic moments I’ve ever witnessed — the child screaming for the mother, and the mother for the child. The law intervenes,” he said.

The Prisons Commissioner emphasised that the government is committed to building a drug-free nation.

Meanwhile, speaking at a separate event held in Kalutara yesterday (27), Kalutara District Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jayantha Padmini Weerasuriya said that steps have been taken to curb drug trafficking near schools.

“We have deployed a large number of plainclothes police officers to monitor suspicious activities. When students return home, these officers observe who they associate with and where they spend time. We urge students and parents to report any suspicious behaviour near bus stops, shops, or other places after school,” DIG Weerasuriya said.

The legal case filed against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe is scheduled to be taken up before court today (29 October 2025).

Wickremesinghe was charged under the Public Property Act and remanded on 22 August 2025 by order of Colombo Fort Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura. The relevant legal proceedings were recalled on 26 August 2025.

After considering the complaints and submissions made by the defence on that date, the court ordered his release on bail.