February 05, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has decided to put off delivering its ruling on the preliminary objections raised in the case instituted by the Attorney General against former cabinet ministers Mahindananda Aluthgamage and Nalin Fernando, along with retired Army Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi.
Court officials confirmed that the decision, which was expected to clarify whether the case would proceed to the next stage, will now be delivered on March 25. The matter was taken up today (05), during which the bench informed parties that additional time was required to consider the submissions made.
High Court Defers Ruling on Preliminary Objections in Case Against Former Ministers
Ditwah Catastrophe: Foreign Relief Coordination Committee Meets to Tighten Oversight and Delivery Mechanisms
February 05, Colombo (LNW): The High-Level Committee responsible for coordinating foreign relief supplies met once again at the Parliamentary Complex, with proceedings chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retired).
Discussions focused on assessing the current handling of international relief assistance and introducing firm measures to enhance transparency, accountability and operational effectiveness across all aid-related activities. Particular attention was given to ensuring that relief reaches affected communities fairly and without delay.
Committee members examined strategies for improving the allocation and distribution of donated supplies through clearer procedures and stronger monitoring systems. The Ministry of Defence noted that the meeting also addressed long-term planning, with an emphasis on improving readiness and management structures for future humanitarian assistance.
Addressing the committee, the Deputy Minister stressed that close coordination among state institutions is essential to maximise the value of foreign aid. He reaffirmed the government’s intention to reinforce existing coordination frameworks so that relief operations remain efficient, credible and responsive to public needs. He further instructed that all relevant reports and documentation be promptly forwarded to the Presidential Secretariat.
The session was attended by committee members alongside senior officials from the Disaster Management Centre, the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defence, the Presidential Secretariat and Sri Lanka Customs.
Historic Devnimori Buddha Relics Brought to Sri Lanka for Public Veneration
February 05, Colombo (LNW): An agreement paving the way for the public exposition of the revered Devnimori Buddha Relics in Sri Lanka was formally concluded with the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Dr Hiniduma Sunil Senevi and India’s Acting High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Dr Satyanjal Pandey.
The signing followed the arrival of the sacred relics at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, marking a moment of deep religious and cultural significance for the country. Arrangements for the exposition were made with the direct support of the Government of India, under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Unearthed during archaeological excavations in the 1960s at the ancient Devnimori site in Gujarat, the Devnimori relics are regarded as among the most precious physical remains associated with the Buddha. This visit marks the first occasion on which these relics have ever left Indian soil.
According to reports, the transfer was made possible following high-level discussions between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Modi during the Indian leader’s recent visit to Sri Lanka, opening an unprecedented opportunity for Sri Lankan devotees to pay homage to the relics.
Members of the public will be able to venerate the sacred Devnimori Buddha Relics at the Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo over a seven-day period, from today (05) until February 11.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm expected in several districts (Feb 05)
February 05, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces and in Hambantota district, with fairly heavy showers above 75 mm expected at some places in Uva province and in Batticaloa, Ampara, Hambantota and Nuwara-Eliya districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (05).
Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places.
Fairly strong winds about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Northern and North-western provinces and in Matale, Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts.
Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Badulla districts during the early hours of the morning.
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 will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coasts extending from Pottuvil to Kankasanthurai via Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places in the other sea areas around the island in the evening or night.
Winds:
Winds will be north-easterly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Mullaitivu via Puttalam and Kankasanthurai, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Colombo to Mullaitivu via Puttalam and Kankasanthurai, and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be fairly rough at times. Other sea areas around the island will be moderate.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Turning Dialogue into Delivery for UK–Sri Lanka Trade
While challenges persist in expanding trade between Sri Lanka and the UK, recent engagements signal a growing recognition that solutions lie in better coordination, smarter policy tools, and targeted private-sector leadership rather than broad reforms alone.
The UK’s position as Sri Lanka’s second-largest export market offers a solid foundation. Preferential access under the Developing Countries Trading Scheme provides a competitive edge particularly for apparel and value-added manufacturing. Recent relaxations in Rules of Origin represent a timely opportunity to reposition Sri Lanka as a reliable sourcing destination at a time when UK companies are re-evaluating supply chains.
However, capitalising on this advantage requires moving beyond awareness-building toward hands-on execution. Exporters, especially SMEs, need structured advisory support to navigate compliance requirements, documentation, and logistics. Chambers of commerce and trade missions are well placed to bridge this gap by acting as practical facilitators rather than purely networking platforms.
Investment promotion also shows signs of recalibration. Sri Lanka’s emphasis on high-quality, targeted investment—particularly in IT, BPO, tourism, and real estate—reflects lessons learned from past volume-driven strategies. Colombo’s emerging business districts and digital services ecosystem offer credible entry points for UK firms seeking cost-effective regional platforms.
Encouragingly, there is growing acknowledgement that government and business must operate as partners rather than parallel actors. Aligning Board of Investment priorities with export development goals could help convert investor interest into export-linked growth, integrating Sri Lanka more firmly into UK-facing value chains.
Events such as Sri Lanka Expo 2026 present an opportunity to correct past shortcomings. If positioned strategically with curated buyer engagement, sector-specific matchmaking, and post-event follow-up the Expo could serve as more than a showcase, acting instead as a transaction-driven marketplace.
Brand development remains a critical frontier. Sri Lanka’s strengths in sustainability, ethical manufacturing, and skilled services resonate strongly with UK consumer and corporate values. Translating these attributes into coherent branding narratives could help exporters move up the value chain and secure longer-term partnerships.
Ultimately, the way forward lies in precision rather than scale: fewer slogans, more execution; fewer general forums, more sector-specific pipelines. With targeted reforms, better utilisation of existing trade schemes, and disciplined follow-through, UK–Sri Lanka trade can shift from potential to performance delivering tangible benefits to both economies.
Canwill Divestment Raises Legal, Fiscal, and Investor Confidence Questions
The Government’s renewed effort to divest its entire stake in Canwill Holdings Ltd. has reopened scrutiny of two long-stalled tourism projects—an unfinished mixed development in Colombo and a proposed hotel project in Hambantota—highlighting complex legal risks and broader economic implications.
Canwill Holdings, incorporated in 2011 as a fully State-owned enterprise, was intended to anchor Sri Lanka’s push into high-end hospitality infrastructure. Its flagship Colombo project, a 47-storey hotel and serviced apartment complex in Colombo 3, was largely completed structurally and granted Strategic Development Project status, qualifying it for significant tax concessions. Despite substantial capital expenditure and regulatory clearances, the project never became operational, tying up public funds for more than a decade.
The Hambantota hotel project presents even greater legal uncertainty. The 9.42-acre beachfront lease held by Helanco Hotels and Spa, a Canwill subsidiary, has expired due to the failure to commence construction. Government clarifications explicitly state there is no commitment to renew the lease, introducing a material risk that could deter potential investors or reduce valuation expectations.
The divestiture framework sets a minimum net worth or financial capability threshold of $50 million for bidders, signaling an attempt to attract credible investors capable of completing and operating complex developments. However, the absence of indicative valuation guidance at the Expression of Interest stage and the postponement of liability disclosures until the Request for Proposal phase place significant due diligence burdens on bidders.
From a legal standpoint, the structure of the transaction a full share sale rather than an asset disposal means that investors will inherit historical liabilities, including loans, guarantees, tax exposures, litigation risks, and regulatory compliance issues. While the Government has indicated it will adopt mechanisms to address past liabilities, the lack of detail raises questions about how risks will be apportioned and whether indemnities will be sufficient to reassure investors.
Economically, the prolonged stagnation of these projects has had measurable opportunity costs. The Colombo development alone could have generated foreign exchange earnings, employment, and downstream service sector activity. Instead, billions of rupees in public funds sourced from institutions such as the EPF and Sri Lanka Insurance remain locked in non-performing assets.
The divestiture, if executed transparently and competitively, could help revive investor confidence and signal a shift toward fiscal discipline. However, analysts caution that unresolved legal ambiguities, especially regarding land tenure and contingent liabilities, could suppress bid values and undermine the objective of maximizing returns to the State.
Ultimately, the Canwill case illustrates the broader challenge Sri Lanka faces in unwinding stalled public investments while balancing legal certainty, economic recovery, and accountability to public stakeholders.
Coal Deal under Fire as Power Crisis Deepens
Sri Lanka’s coal procurement process has come under intense scrutiny amid allegations that substandard coal was imported from an Indian supplier under the watch of the JVP-led government. The controversy has placed the Energy Ministry and state energy institutions at the center of a growing public debate, especially as the Energy Minister now faces corruption-related allegations being examined by the Bribery Commission.
At the heart of the dispute is a coal shipment supplied to the Lanka Coal Company that allegedly failed to meet mandatory quality standards specified in the procurement agreement. According to the Electricity Consumers’ Association (ECA), the coal’s calorific value measured approximately 5,900 kilocalories significantly below the contractual requirement of 6,150 kilocalories while ash content reportedly exceeded the permitted 16 percent threshold.
ECA General Secretary Sanjeewa Dhammika has strongly criticized attempts by officials to downplay the issue. He dismissed recent remarks by the Lanka Coal Company Chairperson, who described coal ash as beneficial, calling such claims neither scientifically sound nor industrially credible. Dhammika argued that quality verification should precede any discussion on usage or mitigation, stressing that the agreement clearly outlines remedies for non-compliance.
Under the contract, he explained, coal shipments failing to meet basic specifications must be rejected outright. Financial penalties or compensation mechanisms apply only if the supplier meets minimum calorific benchmarks, which, according to available test results, was not the case in the disputed shipment. Despite this, the coal was reportedly unloaded and used, raising serious questions about decision-making within key state institutions.
Beyond contractual breaches, the ECA warns of long-term consequences for critical infrastructure. Thermal power plant machinery, valued at billions of rupees, may suffer accelerated wear and damage when operated using inferior fuel. Dhammika compared the situation to running a modern vehicle on low-octane fuel an action widely known to degrade engine performance and lifespan.
The financial implications are equally alarming. Estimates suggest losses of nearly Rs. 75 million per day due to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance costs associated with the poor-quality coal. Consumer advocates argue that these losses ultimately burden electricity users already struggling with high tariffs.
Efforts to obtain responses from senior officials, including the Energy Ministry Secretary and the Acting Chairperson of the Ceylon Electricity Board, were unsuccessful, further fueling criticism over transparency. Meanwhile, Cabinet Spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has publicly acknowledged that independent testing confirmed the coal samples sent for analysis did not meet the required calorific standards.
As public pressure mounts, energy sector observers insist that accountability is essential—not only to address immediate losses, but to restore confidence in procurement practices under the current administration.
Untapped Quartz Wealth: Sri Lanka’s Mineral Sector at a Turning Point
Sri Lanka’s mineral sector is once again under scrutiny as policymakers, geologists, and industry stakeholders reassess the country’s long-neglected industrial minerals particularly vein quartz. Despite possessing some of the world’s highest-purity quartz deposits, Sri Lanka continues to export most of its production in raw or semi-processed form, forfeiting significant value addition opportunities in high-technology industries.
Vein quartz deposits are widely distributed across the country’s Highland and Vijayan geological zones, including Galaha, Pussella, Rattota, Naula, Opanayake, Wellawaya, Mahagama (Embilipitiya) and parts of Badulla and Matale districts. These deposits frequently exhibit silica purity exceeding 99.5%, making them suitable for advanced applications such as solar panels, semiconductors, optical fibre glass, and engineered ceramics and specialty chemicals. Yet, to date, most extraction has been limited to low-margin uses such as silica powder and aggregate exports.
Recent government attention has refocused national debate on the sector’s future. A major development occurred with the discovery and preliminary assessment of a large vein quartz deposit at Kotikambokka (Dhamani Thiruvana) in Monaragala District. Spanning nearly 700 metres, early scientific studies estimate the deposit could contain as much as 3.1 billion tonnes of vein quartz, potentially ranking it among the largest known reserves in Sri Lanka.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetthi recently visited the site, which is currently not under commercial mining, to evaluate its economic potential and associated challenges. The visit underscored the government’s recognition that quartz could play a strategic role in Sri Lanka’s industrial transformation if managed responsibly.
However, the sector faces persistent obstacles. Regulatory fragmentation, overlapping institutional mandates, environmental sensitivities, and weak enforcement mechanisms have long hindered systematic development. During discussions following the site visit, authorities acknowledged growing risks of illegal and unauthorised mining, particularly given the scale and market value of the Monaragala deposit.
As an immediate response, the government has initiated a structured protection programme, tasking the Forest Conservation Department with demarcating the area and strengthening safeguards. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) is expected to lead a comprehensive scientific reassessment using advanced exploration methods to determine the deposit’s quality, accessibility, and commercial viability.
The renewed focus highlights a broader issue confronting Sri Lanka’s mineral economy: while geological potential is abundant, strategic planning and value-driven industrial policy remain underdeveloped. Without decisive reforms, even world-class resources risk remaining dormant or being exploited in ways that deliver minimal long-term national benefit.
Untapped Quartz Wealth: Sri Lanka’s Mineral Sector at a Turning Point
Sri Lanka’s mineral sector is once again under scrutiny as policymakers, geologists, and industry stakeholders reassess the country’s long-neglected industrial minerals particularly vein quartz. Despite possessing some of the world’s highest-purity quartz deposits, Sri Lanka continues to export most of its production in raw or semi-processed form, forfeiting significant value addition opportunities in high-technology industries.
Vein quartz deposits are widely distributed across the country’s Highland and Vijayan geological zones, including Galaha, Pussella, Rattota, Naula, Opanayake, Wellawaya, Mahagama (Embilipitiya) and parts of Badulla and Matale districts. These deposits frequently exhibit silica purity exceeding 99.5%, making them suitable for advanced applications such as solar panels, semiconductors, optical fibre glass, and engineered ceramics and specialty chemicals. Yet, to date, most extraction has been limited to low-margin uses such as silica powder and aggregate exports.
Recent government attention has refocused national debate on the sector’s future. A major development occurred with the discovery and preliminary assessment of a large vein quartz deposit at Kotikambokka (Dhamani Thiruvana) in Monaragala District. Spanning nearly 700 metres, early scientific studies estimate the deposit could contain as much as 3.1 billion tonnes of vein quartz, potentially ranking it among the largest known reserves in Sri Lanka.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetthi recently visited the site, which is currently not under commercial mining, to evaluate its economic potential and associated challenges. The visit underscored the government’s recognition that quartz could play a strategic role in Sri Lanka’s industrial transformation if managed responsibly.
However, the sector faces persistent obstacles. Regulatory fragmentation, overlapping institutional mandates, environmental sensitivities, and weak enforcement mechanisms have long hindered systematic development. During discussions following the site visit, authorities acknowledged growing risks of illegal and unauthorised mining, particularly given the scale and market value of the Monaragala deposit.
As an immediate response, the government has initiated a structured protection programme, tasking the Forest Conservation Department with demarcating the area and strengthening safeguards. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) is expected to lead a comprehensive scientific reassessment using advanced exploration methods to determine the deposit’s quality, accessibility, and commercial viability.
The renewed focus highlights a broader issue confronting Sri Lanka’s mineral economy: while geological potential is abundant, strategic planning and value-driven industrial policy remain underdeveloped. Without decisive reforms, even world-class resources risk remaining dormant or being exploited in ways that deliver minimal long-term national benefit.
Special Train Services Arranged for Gangaramaya Relic Exposition
The Railway Department has arranged several special train services to facilitate devotees travelling to Colombo for the exposition of the sacred bodily relics of the Buddha brought from India, scheduled to be held from February 5 to 11, 2026, at the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple.
According to the Department, in addition to the regular train services currently in operation, special trains will operate from Avissawella, Rambukkana and Aluthgama to Colombo Fort, as well as return services from Colombo Fort to Avissawella, Rambukkana and Aluthgama, from February 5 to February 10.
