By Roger Srivasan
Date: October 2025
Author’s Note: This edition reflects the growing national unity and confidence under the National People’s Power (NPP) government. It highlights the administration’s unprecedented popularity among the Tamil community in the North and its genuine commitment to anti-racist governance, equality, and inclusive development. The essay offers an optimistic yet balanced portrait of a nation redefining patriotism through justice and integrity.
After decades of disillusionment, deceit, and division, Sri Lanka once again finds herself at a moral and political crossroads. The rise of the National People’s Power (NPP) government has rekindled hope in a nation long fatigued by corruption and sectarianism. For years politicians waxed eloquent about purging the nation of the drug menace, yet their resolve never rose above a velleity. The first year of this administration has revealed not a miracle, but something rarer — a disciplined restoration of integrity in public life. Gone is the era of impunity when power was a licence for plunder. The new dispensation has shown that honesty, diligence, and thrift can govern a nation as effectively as cunning and deceit once did.
Governance and Accountability
No transformation is ever complete, yet the signs are unmistakable. Ministries once notorious for patronage now function under audit, transparency, and merit. The President’s emphasis on probity has percolated through the ranks, signalling that governance is no longer a theatre of privilege but a service to the people. Reform is not rhetoric — it is visible in procurement, appointments, and the re-awakening of civic conscience. The nation, for the first time in memory, is being re-governed rather than merely ruled.
Equality and Inclusion
Perhaps the most profound departure from the past lies in the NPP government’s unwavering commitment to equality among all races and communities. For too long, unity was preached but never practised; the word reconciliation was brandished at international forums while discrimination thrived at home. That hypocrisy has ended. Racism is no longer policy, nor pretext — it is an offence against the Republic. Tamil, Sinhalese, Muslim, and Burgher citizens now stand on an equal constitutional footing, not as concessions to diversity but as affirmations of a single national identity. “This is not a government of one race ruling over another,” as one minister aptly put it, “but of all Sri Lankans reclaiming the Republic together.” Such a philosophy is not cosmetic; it is the cornerstone of modern nationhood.
Justice, Devolution, and Healing
Healing the wounds of the past requires more than token gestures. The NPP administration recognises that reconciliation cannot be legislated — it must be lived. The return of land, the right to remembrance, and the representation of minorities in decision-making bodies signal a government willing to listen rather than lecture. In provinces long alienated from Colombo, the language of governance has changed: from suspicion to trust, from surveillance to inclusion. What once was an ethnic frontier is slowly becoming a national bridge.
Economic Reform and the Moral Economy
Economically, Sri Lanka continues to tread a narrow path between austerity and compassion. The government’s fiscal discipline, its insistence on transparent borrowing and domestic productivity, has restored confidence among international partners. Yet the heart of reform lies not in balance sheets but in ethics: the refusal to mortgage sovereignty for survival. Reform without relief is cruelty; relief without reform is folly. The NPP’s approach blends both — a steady hand that tempers efficiency with empathy.
External Relations and Geopolitical Poise
In foreign policy, the government has adopted a principled pragmatism — neither subservient to any bloc nor hostile to any partner. The island’s renewed outreach to the West, balanced engagement with India, and pragmatic dealings with China reflect a sovereign maturity absent for decades. This recalibration of diplomacy underscores a simple truth: Sri Lanka’s strength lies not in choosing sides, but in standing tall.
Water, Environment, and National Responsibility
The NPP’s environmental stewardship marks another quiet revolution. Programmes on water security, renewable energy, and waste management are no longer ceremonial slogans but tangible national missions. In a country where water has too often divided communities, it is now a symbol of shared survival — pure, equitable, and accessible to all. Water security is paramount in ensuring sustainable access to adequate quantities and quality of water for health, livelihoods, ecosystems and production.
Public Confidence and the Northern Reawakening
The government’s inclusive policies are beginning to reshape not only public discourse but also electoral realities. Based on the current trajectory, the NPP is poised to secure an overwhelming victory in the forthcoming elections, sweeping nearly all seats that are up for contest. What is most remarkable is the surge of support from the Tamil-majority North, a region long estranged from Colombo’s politics. This transformation is not the product of propaganda but of performance — visible fairness, equitable development, and genuine engagement with local communities. For the first time in decades, the North no longer feels like a political outpost; it feels part of the Republic’s beating heart. The NPP’s message of integrity and equality has transcended old divides, converting scepticism into solidarity.
A Republic Reawakened
Sri Lanka’s journey is far from over. The remnants of corruption, the inertia of bureaucracy stifling innovations, and the scars of past injustice still linger. Yet for the first time in a generation, the moral direction of the state is correct. The government’s commitment to treat all races as equal, its genuine anti-racist policies, and its intolerance of graft have redefined patriotism as public virtue. “The ballot was not a blank cheque but a moral covenant,” as the President remarked. “We must now prove that decency can govern.” If that covenant is honoured, Sri Lanka will not merely recover — she will renew herself, rising as a model of how integrity and inclusion can rebuild a wounded nation.
Public discourse is central to a democratic society enabling citizens to voice concerns, consider different perspectives and hold the leaders accountable. Today, the tide has unmistakably turned. After decades in which corruption and narcotics flourished under political patronage, a new era of accountability has dawned. Sri Lanka has long been a fertile ground for the drug menace, where drug barons-once operating with the furtive blessings of politicians-are now skedaddling as the NPP government systematically annihilated their operations and hideouts.
Sri Lanka at the Crossroads: Reform, Reconciliation, and Renewal: An Era of Integrity, Inclusion, and National Reawakening
Opposition Leader Urges Nation to Embrace Deepavali as a Triumph of Truth and Virtue
October 20, Colombo (LNW): Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, in his message marking Deepavali, has called upon the people of Sri Lanka to treat the Festival of Lights as more than a celebration — urging citizens to see it as a call to overcome darkness, injustice, and ignorance through conscious action and compassion.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the occasion, Premadasa encouraged individuals across all communities to use the moment to turn away from symbols of evil and instead shine light through virtuous deeds and ethical living.
“What we must do on this Diwali day is to conquer evil and usher in the dawn of goodness,” he stated, highlighting the festival as an opportunity to reaffirm values of justice, truth, and collective responsibility.
He went on to stress that Deepavali’s true power lies not just in lamps and rituals, but in the inner awakening it should inspire — a commitment to moving from falsehood to truth, and from ignorance to knowledge.
“Our greatest enthusiasm during this celebration,” he said, “should be in dedicating ourselves to the mission of awakening the light that leads society from falsehood to truth and from ignorance to knowledge, so that a virtuous and enlightened society may prevail.”
Mount Lavinia Court Assault: New CCTV Footage Emerges
October 20, Colombo (LNW): Newly emerged CCTV footage has shed further light on a controversial incident that occurred at the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court last week, allegedly showing a police constable physically assaulting a junior lawyer within the court premises.
The footage, which began circulating on social media platforms in recent days, appears to capture the moment tensions escalated following a verbal dispute between the two individuals. Senior attorney-at-law Gunaratne Wanninayake has confirmed the authenticity of the video and stated that it clearly depicts the officer striking the young lawyer, reportedly over a disagreement related to court premises parking.
The altercation is said to have taken place on October 10, when the lawyer confronted the constable about a prison transport vehicle obstructing access to the court entrance. Eyewitnesses claimed at the time that the situation turned physical, and the newly released video seems to support those accounts.
The constable in question was arrested shortly after the incident and produced before the court. He was initially remanded until October 13 and has since been released on bail. While the Police and the Ministry of Public Security have announced the launch of an internal disciplinary inquiry, an official statement regarding the content of the CCTV footage has yet to be issued.
Severe Rainfall Claims One Life and Affects Over 500 Across Multiple Districts
October 20, Colombo (LNW): Heavy downpours over the past 24 hours have caused widespread disruption across several parts of Sri Lanka, resulting in one fatality and impacting more than 500 people, according to the Disaster Management Centre (DMC).
A total of 512 individuals from 123 families have been affected by the adverse weather conditions, which have particularly struck the districts of Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, and Gampaha.
The DMC reported that 111 houses have sustained partial damage due to flooding and related incidents such as falling trees and landslides. In response to rising risks in certain areas, authorities have relocated 10 individuals from three families to temporary safe shelters.
Emergency services are continuing relief and response operations, while residents in affected districts have been urged to remain cautious, especially in areas prone to flooding and landslides. Further rainfall is expected in some regions, and the public is advised to closely follow official updates and safety instructions.
Spill Gates Opened at Multiple Reservoirs as Rainfall Swells Water Levels
October 20, Colombo (LNW): The Department of Irrigation has announced the release of water from six major reservoirs across the island, as continuous heavy rainfall has caused a significant rise in water levels.
Spill gates have been opened at Rajanganaya, Angamuwa, and Kala Wewa reservoirs in the Anuradhapura District, while the Deduru Oya reservoir in Kurunegala has also begun releasing excess water. In the central hills, both the Ibbankatuwa reservoir in Matale and the Polgolla reservoir in Kandy have been similarly adjusted to prevent overflow.
Authorities say the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to manage pressure on reservoir dams and prevent potential flooding in surrounding areas. Communities living downstream of these reservoirs are urged to remain vigilant, particularly those in low-lying regions where sudden water surges may occur.
Landslide Warnings Remain in Place for Eight Districts Amid Ongoing Rainfall
October 20, Colombo (LNW): The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has confirmed that landslide warnings issued across eight districts in Sri Lanka will remain active due to persistent heavy rainfall in recent days.
Communities in Colombo, Galle, Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Matale, Nuwara Eliya, and Ratnapura have been urged to exercise extreme caution, particularly those residing in landslide-prone areas.
According to Dr Wasantha Senadeera, Senior Geologist at the NBRO, rainfall ranging from 100 to 200 millimetres has been recorded in several highland regions—levels significant enough to destabilise slopes. He added that even minimal rainfall in the coming hours could be sufficient to trigger dangerous ground movement or landslides, especially in already saturated areas.
Residents living on hillsides, near steep slopes, or along riverbanks have been strongly advised to remain alert to changes in the environment—such as cracks in the ground, tilting trees, or unusual water seepage.
Dr Senadeera further stressed that people in at-risk zones should be prepared to evacuate to safer ground immediately if rainfall continues without interruption.
Hulftsdorp Court Killing: Ishara Sewwandi Brought to Kilinochchi for Further Investigations
October 20, Colombo (LNW): Ishara Sewwandi, the female suspect at the centre of a major underworld-related murder investigation, has been transported to Kilinochchi for field inquiries as part of an ongoing probe led by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).
Sewwandi is believed to have played a leading role in the killing of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, a known underworld figure commonly referred to as ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’.
She, along with five others, was recently apprehended in Nepal and extradited to Sri Lanka. The arrests were the result of a joint operation involving Sri Lankan law enforcement and international authorities. The group was brought back to the island under the supervision of Assistant Superintendent of Police Rohan Olugala on October 15.
Following their return, the Ministry of Defence authorised a 90-day detention order for Sewwandi under provisions that allow extended custody for suspects in serious criminal cases. Investigators have since escorted her to a number of locations in the northern region, including Kilinochchi, where she is believed to have sought refuge in the days following the murder.
In a parallel development, officers have been following a lead connected to a woman resembling Sewwandi, who was discovered in Jaffna during the course of a search carried out under the direction of an individual identified as Kehelbaddara Padme.
This woman, known as ‘Thakshi’, was reportedly taken to Nepal under false pretences by a man named Suresh, who allegedly promised her overseas employment. Authorities believe she may have been used as a decoy or caught up in the plot without her knowledge.
While ‘Thakshi’ is not currently considered a direct suspect in the murder, her connection to the group has prompted further inquiries. Investigators are working to determine the exact nature of her involvement and whether she had any awareness of the activities of those she travelled with.
The suspects have been distributed among various police units for further questioning. Sewwandi, along with ‘Duplicate Ishara’ (believed to be Thakshi), ‘J.K. Bai’, and ‘Jaffna Suresh’, are now in the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division. Two other suspects—‘Gampaha Baba’ and ‘Nugegoda Babee’—have been handed over to the Western Province North and South Crimes Divisions respectively.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Calls for Unity and Light in Deepavali Message
October 20, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his message marking the Deepavali festival, extended heartfelt wishes to Hindu communities in Sri Lanka and around the world, highlighting the festival’s enduring symbolism of light triumphing over darkness and righteousness prevailing over evil.
Observed today, Deepavali commemorates the victory of Lord Vishnu over the demon Narakasura, and the President acknowledged the spiritual significance of the festival as devotees engage in religious rituals praying for the illumination of hearts and the spreading of light.
Linking the essence of Deepavali to the current challenges facing the nation, President Dissanayake emphasised his government’s ongoing efforts to confront serious issues such as drug trafficking and organised crime, which he identified as barriers to national development. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring every citizen’s right to safety, which he described as fundamental to a good and healthy life.
In his statement, the President also underlined the administration’s broader mission to protect the physical, mental, material, and emotional well-being of not only citizens but also residents and visitors in Sri Lanka. He reiterated a pledge to eliminate religious and ethnic extremism, promote social justice, and foster a society where all individuals enjoy civil, political, and cultural rights without obstruction, and where freedom and dignity are upheld.
Calling Deepavali a festival of light, President Dissanayake expressed hope that the festival would inspire unity and collective progress toward a common vision of “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life.” He concluded by wishing all Hindus a blessed and radiant Deepavali, expressing hope that their hearts may be filled with the enduring spirit of the festival.
Full Statement:
“The Deepavali festival, celebrated with great devotion by Hindus around the world, is celebrated today (20). In remembrance of Lord Vishnu’s defeat of the demon Narakasura, devotees engage in religious observances while praying that, as righteousness triumphed over unrighteousness, darkness in everyone’s hearts may be dispelled and light spread throughout.
This celebration symbolises the victory of goodness over evil. Currently, our government is undertaking substantial initiatives to address the serious challenges confronting our nation, including the pervasive threat of drug menace and organised crimes, which obstruct our nation’s progress. Ensuring the right of every citizen to live safely and promoting this right as fundamental to a good and healthy life remains the primary aim of our endeavours.
Furthermore, as a government, we are committed to safeguarding the physical, mental, material, and emotional well-being not only of our citizens but of all residents and visitors in the country. We emphasise that we act to overcome all religious and ethnic extremism, to establish social justice and to build a safe nation where every individual can freely enjoy all civil, political and cultural rights without hindrance and where the freedom and dignity of all are preserved.
Deepavali is, above all, a festival of light. On this day, as every household illuminates itself with lamps, we pray that the collective path towards fulfilling the hopes for “A Thriving Nation, A Beautiful Life” may become ever more united. I extend my warmest wishes for a blessed and radiant Deepavali to all Sri Lankan and overseas Hindus, hoping that their hearts may shine with the spirit of the festival.”
Low-level atmospheric disturbance developed: Heavy falls above 100 mm expected (Oct 20)
October 20, Colombo (LNW): A low-level atmospheric disturbance has developed over the south east of the Island, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (20).
Cloudy skies are expected over most parts of the island with Showers or thundershowers will occur at times.
Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-western, Southern and Northern provinces.
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:
A low-level atmospheric disturbance has developed over the south east of the Island. Naval and fishing communities engaged in fishing and naval activities in the deep and shallow sea areas to the southeast of the island are requested to be vigilant in this regard.
Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota. Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in other sea areas around the island.
Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly or variable in direction and speed will be (25-35) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota.
State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota will be fairly rough at times. The other sea areas around the island will be slight.
Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.
Betrayal of Trust: Six Years After the Easter Bombings, Sri Lanka’s Government failure is absolute disgrace.
Faraz Shauketaly
Today, October 19th 2025, marks 2,406 days since the devastating Easter Sunday bombings shook Sri Lanka, leaving a trail of death, destruction, and despair in their wake. On April 21, 2019, coordinated suicide bomb attacks targeted churches and luxury hotels, claiming the lives of 270 innocent people and injuring over 500 others.
The painfully slow progress the investigation has traversed in is to create nothing more important than public distrust.
The attacks, initially said to have been claimed by the Islamic State, were a brutal reminder of the threat of terrorism and the importance of ongoing vigilance. Investigators have cast doubt on the Islamic State angle. If at all that angle is nothing more than a red herring.
A singular and spectacular judgement call was made by now disgraced Nilantha Jayawardena who was ejected by the Police Force for his role in derelicting his fundamental duty of care to the sovereign people of Sri Lanka. Criticism of Nilantha Jayawardena is even more potent considering he had military intelligence sent by India’s RAW. Inspite of the devastating advisory coming to him a full two weeks before the event, Jayawardena failed to bring this to the notice of Churches or hotels and the public at large. The carnage that followed was inevitable. And what was the motive for this attack? Why was the Taj Hotel spared, did Jameel kill himself or was he blown up by remote control after he met with Intel personnel? Indeed did he meet such people at all?
However, as the years have passed, it has become abundantly clear that the government’s response to the attacks has been woefully inadequate and certainly disgraceful.
A Conspiracy of Silence:
Despite promises of a thorough investigation and swift justice, the government has yet to hold those responsible for the attacks accountable. The lack of progress is staggering, with key officials implicated in the attacks and some still occupying positions of power.
Gothabya Rajapaksa the political beneficiary of the fear psychosis generated by the Easter bombings, described the Channel 4 documentary on the subject as being, “absurd … a tissue of lies”.
If anything it is the state lethargy and lack of commitment that is absurd and the various statements and undertakings that has proven to be a tissue of lies.