April 29, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is set to undertake an official state visit to Vietnam at the beginning of May, marking an important diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening ties between the two nations.
Speaking at the post-Cabinet media briefing held earlier today, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr Nalinda Jayatissa, confirmed that the President’s visit is scheduled to take place from May 03 to 06.
The trip is anticipated to be a key opportunity for both countries to deepen their cooperation across multiple sectors.
During the visit, President Dissanayake is expected to engage in a series of high-level discussions with Vietnamese leaders, focusing on areas such as trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange.
Minister Jayatissa highlighted that several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) are due to be signed, laying the groundwork for enhanced collaboration in fields of mutual interest.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): A significant step toward overhauling the governance of state-run commercial entities has been taken, with Cabinet ministers giving their backing to a draft proposal aimed at establishing a modern legal structure for the management of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs).
The draft legislation, if enacted, will mark a fundamental shift in how public-sector commercial ventures are administered, with a clear intent to reduce political interference and improve operational efficiency.
Addressing journalists at a briefing held this (29) morning, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, explained that the initiative reflects the government’s wider ambition to transform the SOE sector into one that operates on professional, economically viable, and transparent lines.
He stated that state enterprises should no longer be allowed to remain a persistent liability on public finances and the broader economy, but instead be steered with a more performance-driven ethos, including through partnerships with both domestic and international investors.
The government’s position is that a legally enforced structural reform is long overdue, given the recurring fiscal burdens and allegations of mismanagement that have plagued the sector for decades.
Dr. Jayatissa noted that the draft bill, provisionally titled the “State-Owned Commercial Enterprises Management Bill,” proposes to insulate public enterprises from political patronage and instead enable the appointment of qualified professionals to key decision-making positions.
This would, in theory, align these enterprises with modern governance standards and enhance accountability.
To refine the draft legislation and ensure it reflects practical needs as well as policy intent, the Cabinet has also endorsed the formation of a dedicated review committee. This body will be responsible for scrutinising the bill and offering further recommendations to enhance its scope and applicability.
The committee is to be chaired by Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando, who holds ministerial responsibility for Labour and serves as Deputy Minister of Economic Development.
He will be joined by Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship Development, Sunil Handunnetti, and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe.
The proposed legal reforms are expected to regain public confidence in state institutions and ensure that public assets are managed not only responsibly, but also with a focus on long-term sustainability.
With many SOEs struggling with outdated structures, political appointments, and inefficient management, the new bill seeks to establish clear operational guidelines, performance benchmarks, and enhanced oversight mechanisms.
Although still in its early stages, the approval of the draft bill in Cabinet signals the administration’s intent to follow through on its promises of institutional reform.
It is also expected to pave the way for future discussions in Parliament, where the finer details of the proposed law will be debated and possibly amended before being passed into law.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a crucial diplomatic maneuver, Sri Lanka is reportedly preparing to host Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in June 2025, amid intensifying global trade tensions triggered by new U.S. tariffs.
Although the visit has not been officially confirmed, mounting signs point to a deepening economic partnership between Colombo and Beijing, driven by urgent economic imperatives and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The potential visit comes at a pivotal time. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s latest reciprocal tariff policy, Sri Lankan exports now face a looming 44% tariff—though implementation has been delayed by three months—and an additional 10% universal baseline tariff.
With approximately $1 billion, or 8% of its exports at risk, Sri Lanka finds itself under tremendous pressure to diversify its trade partners rapidly.
Government insiders hint that trade and export expansion will dominate discussions during Wang’s expected visit, alongside the long-stalled Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two nations.
Talks on the FTA, initially launched in 2014, ground to a halt in 2018 over disagreements on key terms. Sri Lanka had pushed for immediate tariff eliminations on 500 items and periodic reviews every 10 years, while China insisted on a more gradual liberalization and a 20-year review timeline. Despite these roadblocks, both countries recommitted to fast-tracking the FTA during President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s state visit to Beijing in January 2025.
Analysts believe a finalized FTA with China could inject much-needed momentum into Sri Lanka’s struggling economy. Enhanced access to the vast Chinese market, increased Chinese investments, and stronger links to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) could help Sri Lanka stabilize after its devastating 2022 economic collapse and sovereign debt default.
Already, China has pledged significant investments, including a landmark $3.7 billion oil refinery project—Sri Lanka’s largest-ever foreign direct investment—under the BRI framework. However, this deepening economic reliance on China reignites old fears.
Sri Lanka’s prior experiences, such as the controversial 99-year lease of the Hambantota Port to China due to debt distress, serve as cautionary tales about the risks of falling into a “debt trap.”
Neighboring India, which sees Sri Lanka as firmly within its strategic orbit, is watching these developments with concern. India extended over $4 billion in assistance to Sri Lanka during its 2022 crisis and continues to invest heavily in its energy and infrastructure sectors to counterbalance China’s influence.
Colombo has repeatedly assured New Delhi that its soil will not be used against Indian interests—a delicate diplomatic tightrope as Sri Lanka tries to reap benefits from both Asian giants.
Meanwhile, the United States has expressed broader concerns over China’s BRI, warning of potential sovereignty issues for participating countries.
While Washington has refrained from commenting directly on a potential China-Sri Lanka FTA, it has consistently advocated for transparency and sustainable investment standards across the Indo-Pacific region.
Caught in the middle of this escalating geopolitical “cold war,” Sri Lanka must tread carefully. Past caution has seen Colombo turn away from certain investment opportunities to avoid upsetting either China or India.
Yet today, with economic survival on the line, the island nation appears increasingly ready to embrace all viable avenues for foreign inflows, even if that risks strategic discomfort.
In January, Sri Lanka expressed gratitude to China for initiatives aimed at boosting Sri Lankan exports, signaling Colombo’s willingness to deepen trade ties amid a hostile global trading environment.
As the world’s major powers continue to jostle for influence, Sri Lanka’s balancing act between China, India, and the United States will be key to its economic recovery—and to maintaining its sovereignty in a turbulent new era.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has claimed that cost-cutting initiatives implemented under his oversight have generated substantial monthly savings for the government, particularly since assuming duties as Chief Government Whip.
During a televised appearance on a current affairs programme, Dr. Jayatissa outlined the measures he personally adopted to scale back expenses tied to ministerial privileges and administrative costs.
Amongst the most notable actions, the Minister stated that he forgoes both his ministerial salary and parliamentary allowances, and has chosen to discontinue the use of luxury vehicles, including several high-end V8s previously at his disposal.
Fuel allocations for ministers, he revealed, have also been halved, and official residences have gone unused in the name of financial prudence.
Dr. Jayatissa pointed out that these personal decisions reflect a wider commitment by the government to curb unnecessary spending. He noted a drastic reduction in operational costs at the ruling party’s office since his appointment, stating that expenditure on personal staff for the Chief Government Whip’s office alone had been slashed from Rs. 7.6 million to just Rs. 200,000 per month—a claimed saving of Rs 7.4 million.
He also cautioned against local authorities mismanaging Treasury funds through imprudent projects. Citing instances where funds were used to build redundant bridges or culverts, he underscored that such wastefulness would undermine broader efforts at financial discipline.
The Minister insisted that every rupee spent from the public purse should be considered with utmost care and deliberation.
Addressing recent criticism related to government communication costs, Dr. Jayatissa responded to a claim made by NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi, who alleged that the state had saved Rs. 98 million by not sending New Year greetings via SMS. According to the Minister, this figure was incorrect and traced to an unverified social media post, not an official source.
He acknowledged the error and clarified that whilst the intention was to highlight cost-saving measures, such inaccuracies must be avoided to maintain public trust. “Our movement stands for a shift in political culture, and part of that responsibility is ensuring accuracy in all public statements,” he said, adding that internal discussions had taken place to address the lapse and prevent recurrence.
In defence of the government’s handling of such missteps, Dr. Jayatissa stressed that mistakes made by a handful of party members should not be taken as a reflection of the entire administration. He pointed out that when such issues arise, the government does not shy away from acknowledging or correcting them, even during official Cabinet briefings.
Meanwhile, figures from former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s administration rejected the implication that New Year SMS greetings had cost taxpayers Rs 98 million, asserting that such messages were traditionally dispatched free of charge by telecommunications providers as a public service.
The Minister’s remarks come at a time when public demand for transparency and accountability remains high, and the country continues to grapple with economic recovery.
Dr. Jayatissa’s remarks, despite being met with some scepticism, aims to position the current leadership as one committed to rebuilding fiscal discipline and public confidence.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): Serious concerns have been raised after it emerged that numerous employees of the Education Department, who are standing as candidates in the upcoming Local Government elections, have unlawfully received their April salaries.
According to the Ceylon Teachers Union, this act contravenes both the election law and the country’s Establishment Code.
Speaking to reporters in Anuradhapura, Priyantha Fernando, President of the Ceylon Teachers Union, revealed that over 400 individuals attached to the Education Department – including principals, teachers, teacher advisors, and members of the non-academic staff – are contesting the forthcoming elections.
He highlighted that, as per legal provisions, any officer of staff grade contesting elections must formally resign, while all other employees are required to obtain no-pay leave during their candidacy.
Alarmingly, Fernando disclosed that an estimated 90 per cent of these candidates have flouted this mandatory procedure.
Drawing attention to the situation in the North Central Province, he noted that of the 48 teachers contesting there, only six have properly applied for no-pay leave, while the majority continue to draw their monthly salaries in breach of regulations.
He further stressed that this represents not just a technical infraction but a serious violation of public trust and accountability.
Meanwhile, Anuradhapura District Secretary and Returning Officer Ranjith Wimalasuriya confirmed the irregularity, warning that candidates who fail to comply with these legal obligations risk having their nominations cancelled.
He added that any individuals who have wrongfully drawn salaries must return the funds immediately in order to avoid facing disciplinary measures.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): Former President Maithripala Sirisena has fulfilled a financial obligation imposed by the country’s highest court in connection with his widely criticised decision to pardon a convicted murderer.
A sum of Rs. 1 million has now been paid in full, drawing a formal close to his legal involvement in the case.
The matter was addressed in the Supreme Court, where a three-judge panel, comprising Justices S. Thurairaja, Yasantha Kodagoda, and Janak de Silva, reviewed the former President’s compliance with the compensation directive.
Sirisena appeared in person for the hearing, during which his legal representative, President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha, confirmed that the payment had been completed in accordance with the court’s earlier ruling.
The compensation relates to the presidential pardon granted to Jude Shramantha Jayamaha, who had been sentenced to death for the high-profile Royal Park murder case.
The decision to grant clemency sparked widespread public outrage and drew criticism from legal experts and civil society groups who questioned the process and motive behind the pardon.
Following confirmation of the full payment, the court issued an order discharging Sirisena from any further proceedings linked to the matter, thereby concluding his legal entanglement with this controversial chapter of his presidency.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): All campaigning for the 2025 Local Government Election must come to a close by midnight on May 03, the Election Commission announced.
This official deadline marks the end of weeks of intense canvassing by political parties and independent groups vying for control over local councils across the country.
The much-anticipated Local Government Election is set to take place on May 06, with thousands of candidates competing for seats in municipal, urban, and pradeshiya sabha authorities.
In keeping with electoral regulations, the final 48-hour period before polling day will be observed as a ‘silent period,’ during which any form of campaigning, advertising, or promotional activity will be strictly prohibited.
The Election Commission has urged all political parties and candidates to respect the rules and ensure a smooth, fair, and transparent electoral process. Officials have warned that any violations during the silent period could lead to serious legal consequences, including fines and possible disqualification.
April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge) happens to be further affecting the island’s weather, and showers or thundershowers, therefore, will occur at most places of the island during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (29).
Showers may occur in Southern and Western provinces and Puttalam, Mannar and Jaffna districts in the morning too.
Heavy falls about 100 mm are likely at some places in Central, Uva, Eastern and North-central provinces and in Vavuniya and Mullaittivu districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly to southerly and wind speed will be (20-35)kmph.
State of Sea:
The sea areas around the island can beslight to moderate. Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
April 28, Colombo (LNW): Candidates who sat for the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination can now conveniently access their results online, the Department of Examinations announced today (28).
Both school and private candidates are able to view and download their official results sheets by visiting https://onlineexams.gov.lk/eic and entering their National Identity Card (NIC) number.
School principals have also been granted special access to download and print results for their respective institutions using the usernames and passwords allocated during the examination registration process.
Similarly, Provincial and Zonal Education Directors have the ability to monitor and download results for all schools within their areas of responsibility, using their designated login details.
The Department has assured that printed copies of the results will be dispatched to school principals after the release of the re-scrutinised results, ensuring official hard copies are provided for record-keeping and administrative purposes.
Candidates who wish to request a re-scrutiny of their results may submit applications online via the same portal, with the submission window open from 2 May 2025 until 16 May 2025.
Authorities have encouraged candidates to ensure they complete the re-scrutiny process within the stipulated timeframe to avoid any inconveniences.
April 28, Colombo (LNW): In a bold step towards easing urban congestion and boosting eco-friendly tourism, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has approved a feasibility study for a national water-based transport and tourism network. The move aims to unlock the country’s vast potential of rivers, canals, and coastal waterways, transforming them into lively corridors for passenger travel and leisure.
Announcing the decision, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa revealed that the plan will evaluate the possibility of launching boat services connecting major cities while enhancing tourism along Sri Lanka’s scenic inland and coastal routes.
“The feasibility study will assess the economic, environmental, and logistical aspects of the project,” Dr. Jayatissa stated during the weekly Cabinet briefing. Based on the study’s outcome, the project is expected to move forward as a public-private partnership (PPP), attracting local and foreign investment into water transport and tourism infrastructure.
Proposed key coastal routes include Puttalam to Colombo Fort, Fort to Galle, and Galle to Matara—offering commuters an alternative to heavily congested roads while providing tourists with picturesque travel experiences. Inland water bodies such as Hamilton Ela, Bere Wewa, Diyawanna Oya, and Madu Ganga—famous for their ecological and scenic value—will also be developed as part of the initiative.
The proposal, submitted by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath, comes at a time when traffic congestion, particularly in the Western Province, has become a severe issue. Average vehicle speeds in urban areas often fall below 10 km/h during peak hours, causing significant loss of time and money for commuters, while also contributing heavily to environmental pollution.
Previous efforts to address traffic woes through road and rail improvements have yielded limited success. Experts argue that the current transport system cannot sustainably handle increasing congestion levels. Introducing a water transportation system is seen as an environmentally friendly, cost-effective, fuel-efficient, and safer alternative—already proven successful in parts of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
Sri Lanka’s historical network of waterways further strengthens the case for this shift. The Portuguese initially built canals around Colombo for freight, linking areas like Hendala and Bolgoda Lake. The Dutch later expanded the canal system, with the famous Colombo-Puttalam waterway, a 102-mile stretch completed in 1900, serving as a major transport route. During the British era, waterways facilitated the movement of tea, coffee, rubber, and graphite across the island.
Efforts to revive inland water transport are not new. Under the Megapolis development project, plans were drawn to establish three major lines in the Western Province: Wellawatta–Battaramulla, Fort–Union Place, and Mattakkuliya–Hanwella, using rivers, canals, and marshes. Traffic demand modelling through STRADA identified optimal locations for jetties, with boats designed to travel at an average speed of 18 km/h.
Building on recent successes like the Sri Lanka Navy-operated boat service for Open University students and staff along the Kirulupone Canal, the new national plan promises to reimagine water transport in Sri Lanka, offering a practical, scenic, and sustainable alternative for both commuters and tourists alike.
