October 16, Colombo (LNW): The United States Department of State has confirmed that its travel advisory status for Sri Lanka remains unchanged, following a routine update issued on October 09.

The country continues to be listed under Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, a categorisation that encourages travellers to remain alert but does not suggest an elevated threat.

U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, addressed public speculation surrounding the update, clarifying that no adjustments have been made to the advisory level itself.

In a message shared via social media, she explained that the Department of State conducts regular assessments of global travel advisories to ensure U.S. citizens have up-to-date information when making travel plans.

The @StateDept regularly issues travel advisory updates to allow U.S. citizens to make informed international travel decisions. The Travel Advisory issued for Sri Lanka on October 9 remains at Level 2–there was no change to the advisory level. https://t.co/MuygWSuEdt

— Ambassador Julie Chung (@USAmbSL) October 15, 2025

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Colombo Dockyard PLC has confirmed its intention to move forward with its previously announced rights issue valued at Rs. 12.93 billion, though the company has introduced key revisions to the transaction’s structure ahead of seeking shareholder approval.

In a disclosure made to the Colombo Stock Exchange, the shipbuilding and repair company clarified that its principal shareholder, Japan-based Onomichi Dockyard Company Limited, will no longer assign its rights entitlement to India’s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, contrary to the original proposal.

Instead, Onomichi has opted to abstain from subscribing to its portion of the rights issue. As a result, the voting shares arising from that entitlement will now be directly allocated to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, provided that shareholders pass a special resolution approving the arrangement.

Colombo Dockyard further noted that these specific shares will be set aside solely for Mazagon and will not be redistributed among other shareholders who apply for excess shares.

The company’s board gave its formal approval for this revised structure on October 01, indicating a strategic shift in the capital-raising process.

Originally unveiled in July 2025, the rights issue was designed to offer approximately 323.4 million new ordinary voting shares at a price of Rs. 40 per share. The proposed share offering was structured on a basis of nine new shares for every two shares currently held, with the primary aim of bolstering the company’s working capital and addressing liquidity constraints.

The initiative faced a temporary setback in August when it was postponed due to what the company described as “unavoidable circumstances.” However, with the revised terms now in place, Colombo Dockyard appears prepared to proceed, contingent on shareholder endorsement.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): A six-member committee of specialists has been formally appointed to evaluate and enhance the academic programmes offered by the University of Vocational Technology (UNIVOTEC) in Ratmalana.

The initiative, led by the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, is aimed at raising the university’s academic standards to better align with both national priorities and global benchmarks.

The expert panel has been commissioned to submit a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Minister, focusing on improving the quality, relevance, and international competitiveness of UNIVOTEC’s course offerings. The appointments were made by the Secretary to the Ministry, Mr Nalaka Kaluwewa, as part of a broader effort to reform vocational and technical education in the country.

Heading the committee is Dr Janaka Jayalath, a seasoned academic and current member of the Ministry’s Advisory Board. He will be joined by Prof Thushara Chaminda from the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Ruhuna, and Prof J.C.N. Rajendra, a member of UNIVOTEC’s governing council.

The panel also includes Dr K.A. Lalithatheera, Director General of the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission, as well as Eng. S.B. Anura Deshapriya Semasinghe, CEO of Central Engineering Services (Private) Ltd., who brings international industry experience from both Sri Lanka and Abu Dhabi. Serving as convener is Himali W.K. Athaudage, Additional Secretary of the Ministry’s Vocational Education Division.

The committee is expected to deliver strategic guidance on curriculum development, accreditation, industry linkages, and capacity building, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that UNIVOTEC’s academic pathways are competitive, responsive to labour market needs, and recognised internationally.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): A key female suspect linked to the assassination of notorious underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, better known by his alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, has been brought back to Sri Lanka following her arrest in Nepal earlier this week.

Latest developments on the story suggest that the suspect, 25-year-old Pingpura Dewage Ishara Sewwandi, arrived at Bandaranaike International Airport last evening at approximately 6.54 p.m., accompanied by five others, has been handed over to the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

All six individuals were apprehended in Nepal on October 14 during a joint operation conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the Nepal Police. Among those arrested is reportedly a close associate of ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’, an underworld figure currently in Sri Lankan police custody.

Two specially assigned officers from the Special Task Force had travelled to Nepal in recent days to assist the CID in overseeing the transfer of the suspects back to Sri Lanka. Upon their return, the group was immediately taken into the custody of the Colombo Crimes Division for further questioning and legal proceedings.

The murder in question occurred on February 19, 2025 inside courtroom No. 05 of the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court complex, where ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ was shot dead in a brazen attack that stunned the legal community and public alike. Investigators believe Ishara Sewwandi played a supporting role in the killing, allegedly aiding the gunman who carried out the fatal shooting.

Following the attack, Sewwandi managed to evade capture and remained a fugitive for nearly eight months. Authorities had struggled to track her movements until a breakthrough came last month, when interrogations of several high-profile detainees—including ‘Kehelbaddara Padme’ and others arrested in Jakarta—revealed that she had escaped the country shortly after the shooting.

Law enforcement officials have described her arrest and extradition as a major development in the case, which has shed light on deeper networks within Sri Lanka’s criminal underworld. The suspects are now expected to face extensive interrogation, with further arrests and legal action likely as investigations unfold.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Vendors across Sri Lanka have been slapped with fines exceeding Rs. 25 million for selling bottled drinking water at unlawfully inflated prices, according to the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA).

The penalties follow a comprehensive series of inspections carried out over a six-month stretch from April 01 to September 30.

A total of 306 raids were conducted during this period, targeting retailers and distributors suspected of exploiting consumers by charging above the regulated maximum retail price for bottled water.

The Colombo District recorded the highest concentration of enforcement activity, indicating a particular prevalence of violations in the capital and surrounding urban centres.

The CAA, which is tasked with safeguarding consumer rights and maintaining fair market practices, stated that the offending vendors had breached price control regulations, particularly during a period marked by fluctuating weather conditions and rising demand for drinking water.

In many cases, retailers had failed to display proper pricing or attempted to justify inflated costs under the pretext of transportation and packaging expenses.

Officials emphasised that the raids were not limited to any single region but extended to both urban and rural areas, ensuring that pricing malpractices are tackled across the board.

Mobile inspection teams, acting on public complaints as well as independent monitoring, played a key role in identifying and prosecuting offenders.

​LNW – Uncertainty surrounds the overdue Provincial Council elections due to conflicting timelines and political maneuvering, causing voters and parties to question the government’s schedule. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s renewed calls for the election have been met with ambiguous assurances and warnings of logistical difficulties.
​The opposition appears to be preparing for an election.

The Samagi Jana Balavegaya (SJB) has publicly announced its strategy to field popular leaders as Chief Ministerial candidates for key provinces, a move designed to pressure the ruling coalition. This follows an LNW report that a senior opposition figure was preparing for such a strategy, suggesting a coordinated effort for a potential poll.

​Clarity from the government remains absent. Although a senior JVP leader, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, publicly stated the elections would occur in 2026, this timeline is now in question.

The Election Commission has expressed doubts, stating that meeting the rumoured April 2026 deadline would be difficult under the current electoral system.

​The debate over which electoral system to use, the old or the new, adds further complexity. Sources close to United National Party (UNP) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe indicated that reverting to the old system would be advantageous for opposition parties. This raises questions as to whether the delay is based on logistical issues or political strategy.

​The government has not yet announced an official date for the elections. As the opposition prepares its candidates and the Election Commission points to potential roadblocks, the government’s lack of a firm commitment is fueling speculation and widespread confusion. A decisive announcement is awaited to provide clarity on the matter.

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya has set off on an official visit to India, embarking on a diplomatic engagement aimed at strengthening ties between the two neighbouring nations.

Her departure was confirmed by officials at Katunayake International Airport, with the Prime Minister boarding SriLankan Airlines flight UL-191 bound for New Delhi this (16) morning.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Dr Amarasuriya is scheduled to remain in India until October 18, undertaking a series of high-level discussions with Indian counterparts.

Among the key meetings planned is an official dialogue with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during which matters of regional cooperation, economic collaboration, and cross-border development are expected to feature prominently.

In addition to diplomatic talks, Dr Amarasuriya is slated to deliver a keynote address at the NDTV World Summit tomorrow (17). Organised jointly by NDTV and the Chintan Research Foundation, the summit will bring together leaders and thinkers from across the globe to explore pressing challenges facing the world today. The Prime Minister will speak on the theme “Steering Change in Uncertain Times.”

October 16, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at most parts of the island after 1.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (16).

Heavy falls above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces.

Showers may occur in Western, Southern and Northern provinces and in Ampara district in the morning too.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.