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The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory warning of severe lightning in several provinces and districts today (13).

According to the Department, thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning are expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and North-Western Provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts. Temporary strong gusty winds may also occur during thundershowers, it added.

The public is urged to take necessary precautions to minimize the risk of injuries or property damage caused by lightning. Residents are advised to remain indoors during thunderstorms and avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations, and water bodies.

Authorities further caution against using wired telephones or electrical appliances during lightning activity.

For emergencies or assistance, the public is advised to contact their local disaster management authorities.

Sri Lanka’s public health sector is showing signs of mounting unrest, with two major doctors’ unions warning that continued government inaction could soon trigger nationwide protests—or even strikes.

Doctors’ Unions Voice Deep Frustration

Both the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) have voiced growing frustration over what they describe as years of neglect, broken promises, and deteriorating working conditions across the healthcare system.

Unmet Promises and Unresolved Grievances

The AMS stated that medical specialists have faced “decades of unresolved injustices,” including unfair service placements, salary disparities, and inadequate facilities for professional development. The association accused the government of failing to deliver on key commitments made in the 2026 Budget, such as revising transport allowances and introducing fair overtime payments.

“Not a single promise has materialised,” the AMS said, adding that calls for Sri Lankan doctors abroad to return home “ring hollow when those serving here are continuously overlooked.”

Free Health System Under Strain

Meanwhile, the GMOA warned that the country’s free healthcare system is at a “critical stage,” with hospitals grappling with shortages of staff, medicines, and essential equipment.

The union said it had repeatedly raised these concerns with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, and Treasury officials, but claimed that no tangible action had been taken.

Amid rising tension, doctors nationwide are reportedly considering collective action. Unless swift solutions are found, Sri Lanka may soon face another wave of strikes—this time from the very professionals working to sustain its health system.

However, addressing Parliament, Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said the government remains ready and open to dialogue with the doctors’ unions to resolve their grievances.

Colombo Additional Magistrate Lahiru Silva today issued a warrant for the arrest of the former Executive Director of the National Lotteries Board (NLB), Thusitha Halloluwa for failure to appear before the court over an incident involving a false complaint.

Halloluwa allegedly filed a complaint claiming that a group of people had opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in in the Narahenpita area.

The suspect failed to appear in court when the case was called today, said Ada Derana reporter.

Accordingly, the Magistrate ordered the issuance of a warrant for his arrest and production before the court.

(Source : adaderana.lk)

The newly-launched Sarvajana Trust – a fresh independent fund dedicated to empowering women and youth across Sri Lanka was officially inaugurated last week in Colombo. The high-profile event gathered ambassadors, business leaders, entrepreneurs and supporters of the affiliated Sarvajana Balaya, led by MP Dilith Jayaweera.

The Trust aims to channel funding, mentorship and other key resources into grassroots entrepreneurship, by operating through local-government-level “Sarvajana Sabha” units embedded in communities.

In his keynote address, Jayaweera declared a break with conventional politics, stating: “We are stepping away from conventional politics. Our belief has always been in an entrepreneurial nation… Our focus is on creating wealth for Sri Lankans, which is the most important factor in building a happier and more hopeful future.”

He framed the Trust as a tool to turn human capital into economic assets: “By motivating our people, we convert liabilities into assets. The Sarvajana Trust is a tool that will activate real change and set the stage for an entrepreneurial state.” He described the initiative as rooted in patriotism, empathy and accountability, inviting all Sri Lankans to join “making a positive, enduring and impactful difference.”

Other speakers stressed governance. Trustee and Secretary Ranjan Seneviratne emphasised transparency and accountability as pillars of the fund’s operations. National Organiser Dilum Amunugama added that disbursements will target “deserving individuals at the community level especially those with the drive and potential to uplift themselves and initiate transformation from the ground up.”

On the one hand, the creation of the Sarvajana Trust holds genuine promise for Sri Lanka’s economy. By directing funds toward women and youth entrepreneurs, it addresses two critical gaps: one, the under-utilised human capital in the country; and two, the need to develop more diversified economic activity beyond traditional sectors. According to studies, supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can generate employment and income growth which in turn bolsters income tax compliance and broader economic resilience.

Moreover, the fund’s localised “Sabha” framework may improve targeting and speed of support, reducing bureaucratic delays that typically hamper public-sector entrepreneurship programmes. In an environment where the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) has recently signalled strong support for MSME revival through directed relief measures via commercial banks, the timing is apt.

However, there are significant risks to consider.

First, the sustainability of such a fund depends on clear funding sources and robust governance systems. Without long-term capital and well-defined oversight, the initiative could become just another state-related promise with limited follow-through. The emphasis on transparency is important but needs concrete structures.

 

Second, if funds are distributed without proper risk management – e.g., weak vetting of entrepreneurs, inadequate follow-up, or lack of performance measurement – the economic return may be low while fiscal cost mounts.

 

Third, in a context where Sri Lanka’s public finances remain under stress, any new funding initiative must avoid adding undue burden or diverting resources from essential infrastructure and debt servicing.

 

From the regulatory perspective, the Central Bank has increasingly flagged systemic risks in unregulated financial activities, urging stronger frameworks.

While the Trust is not a microfinance institution per se, the lesson is clear: even well-intentioned funds must adhere to proper governance, transparency, and alignment with broader financial stability

While the Central Bank has not specifically commented on the Sarvajana Trust, its published guidance and relief programmes suggest that supporting entrepreneurship is aligned with national policy priorities. The June 2025 circular encouraging banks to provide relief to SMEs underscores this orientation.

The Trust’s model channelled funds, mentorship, community-level engagement – can deliver public benefit if executed well: greater economic inclusion, more empowered youth and women, and a broader base of productive activity.

The Sarvajana Trust launches at a critical moment for Sri Lankan society and economy. If managed well, it could become a meaningful boost to grassroots entrepreneurship and a step toward inclusive growth. But success will hinge on strong governance, sustainable funding, measurable outcomes, and alignment with economic stability imperatives.

As Sri Lanka navigates its recovery and transformation, the Trust has potential— provided caution tempers ambition.

Gold prices in Sri Lanka have recorded a sharp increase, following a significant rise in the global gold market.

The international gold price climbed to US$ 4,212 per ounce today (13), marking a new peak.

In response, local gold prices have surged by around Rs. 10,000 as of today, traders said.

Accordingly, the price of a 22-carat gold sovereign in the Colombo Pettah market has risen to Rs. 310,800, up from Rs. 301,500 yesterday (12).

Meanwhile, the price of a 24-carat gold sovereign, which stood at Rs. 326,000 yesterday, has now increased to Rs. 336,000, reflecting the global trend.

A pair of conjoined twin girls were delivered at the Castle Street Hospital for Women in Colombo earlier this week (10), hospital officials confirmed.

Hospital Director Dr. Ajith Danthanarayana said the twins were born via Caesarean section to a 29-year-old mother from Pannala. One of the babies weighed 2.2 kilograms, with a combined birth weight of 4.4 kilograms.

Both infants are currently reported to be in stable condition.

The twins are joined at the abdomen, and doctors have planned a separation surgery to be performed at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children in approximately three months.

Following their discharge, the babies will be transferred to Lady Ridgeway Hospital for further medical assessments and preparations ahead of the surgery.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa announced that a public rally against the government, scheduled for November 21 in Nugegoda, aims to remind authorities of the promises made to the people.

He made the statement while speaking to the media following a discussion held on November 12 at former President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s party office on Flower Road, Colombo.

According to Namal Rajapaksa, several opposition parties have already joined the discussions. He highlighted that while deliberations were previously held solely within the SLPP, they now include all opposition parties.

“The rally seeks to press for the fulfillment of the government’s promises,” he said, adding that many citizens affected by government policies are expected to participate.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), the United National Party (UNP), and several other parties have confirmed their participation. Additional parties are expected to decide after completing their internal discussions, he added.

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, has expressed heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye following the tragic military plane crash in Georgia.

In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Minister Herath stated:

“Heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Türkiye on the tragic loss of military personnel in Georgia. Sri Lanka stands with Türkiye in this time of sorrow.”

According to Turkish authorities, 20 soldiers were killed when a C-130 military transport plane crashed in Georgia on Tuesday while en route from Azerbaijan to Türkiye. The wreckage was discovered scattered across a grassy hillside, and officials confirmed that all but one of the victims’ bodies have been recovered.

Ankara has yet to announce the official cause of the crash. However, Turkish and Georgian authorities have begun a joint investigation into the incident, which marks Türkiye’s deadliest military aviation disaster since 2020.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP for the Matale district Rohini Kaviratne has sought the intervention of the Bribery Commission and the Auditor General to intervene to ensure whether the allocation of Rs. 5 billion in the budget for the payment of Rs.200 each to estate workers belonging to private plantation companies.

She has written to these two institutions to examine whether it is unlawful or not. Asserting that it is a national priority to look after estate workers, she said around 40,000 workers who do not belong to the major plantation companies are not even covered by this proposal.

She said it is an allocation made only for the benefit of estate workers working in plantations coming to the main companies. She argued that allocations could not be made from the Consolidated Fund for the benefit of private sector employees in this manner.

(Source :dailymirror.lk)

A Decision That Shook the Nation

Former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake has reopened one of the most controversial chapters in Sri Lanka’s modern economic history the Central Bank’s 2022 decision to suspend external debt repayments without parliamentary approval. His questions have reignited debate over whether the move, announced by Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, was a technical necessity or a constitutionally flawed act that deepened the island’s financial collapse.

Unanswered Questions over Authority

In a letter to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, Karunanayake demanded clarity on who authorised the unprecedented declaration of a “temporary suspension” of debt payments on April 12, 2022 just days after Dr. Weerasinghe assumed duties as Governor. The former minister alleged that no parliamentary or Cabinet approval had been sought, and no legal framework existed for the Central Bank or the Ministry of Finance to unilaterally halt debt servicing.

An Unprecedented Move without Approval

Media archives confirm that Weerasinghe, addressing reporters in Colombo on April 12, 2022, stated that “it has come to a point that making debt payments are challenging and impossible,” framing the move as an “interim measure” until an agreement was reached with the IMF and creditors.

The decision was portrayed as a prudent step to preserve dwindling foreign reserves for essential imports such as fuel, medicine and food. Yet, no official record has emerged showing that the Cabinet, Monetary Board, or Attorney General had endorsed this course of action prior to the announcement.

Bleak Economic Realities behind the Default

The numbers at the time painted a desperate picture. By end-March 2022, official foreign reserves stood at around US$1.9 billion, while external debt obligations due that year exceeded US$6 billion. Treasury data later revealed that usable reserves had fallen “to near-zero levels” by April 2022.

The World Bank reported that by mid-year, reserves  excluding a US$1.5 billion swap line with China had dropped below US$400 million. Against this backdrop, the government’s capacity to maintain debt payments while importing essentials had effectively vanished.

Default Inevitable, But Was It Lawful?

Economists now concede that Sri Lanka’s default was, in practical terms, unavoidable. But the legality and process remain deeply contested. Karunanayake argues that the issue was not inevitability, but legitimacy whether the decision was taken with proper legal and parliamentary oversight.

“This was not merely a technical decision,” he said. “It was an executive act that redefined our economic destiny without the people’s representatives being consulted.”

Economic Meltdown and Social Fallout

The aftermath was swift and severe. Sri Lanka’s credit ratings plunged to junk status, international lenders withdrew, and the rupee collapsed by nearly 80 percent in the following months. Inflation soared beyond 60 percent, pushing millions into poverty and forcing the government to seek IMF assistance under a US$3 billion Extended Fund Facility in 2023.

The default effectively sealed Sri Lanka’s exclusion from global capital markets and triggered a prolonged economic contraction that continues to burden the nation.

Governance Failure and Constitutional Concerns

Investigations reveal that while the financial collapse made a suspension almost inevitable, the lack of procedural legitimacy has left a deep scar on Sri Lanka’s governance. There was no Cabinet paper, no Attorney General’s opinion, and no parliamentary resolution authorising the default — only a press conference that altered the country’s economic trajectory.

A Call for Accountability Three Years On

Three years later, as the nation struggles to rebuild credibility and investor confidence, Karunanayake’s call for accountability exposes a deeper institutional failure. The 2022 default may have been a financial necessity, but without transparency and parliamentary consent, it became a constitutional aberration.

The question that still echoes through Colombo’s corridors of power is not just who announced the default but who authorised it.

Sri Lanka has once again earned global recognition for its commitment to sustainable travel, with three local tourism initiatives honoured at the Global Responsible Tourism Awards 2025 held in London on November 3. The prestigious event, organised by the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT) alongside the World Travel Market, celebrated 30 organisations worldwide that exemplify excellence in responsible tourism practices.

All awardees had previously won Gold in their respective regional competitions held across Latin America, Africa, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia, before advancing to the global stage.

Professor Harold Goodwin, Founder Emeritus of ICRT and Chair of the Judging Panel, said the awards highlight the importance of accountability and transparency in sustainable tourism. “Responsible tourism is about making better places for people to live in and visit,” he said. “It is essential that organisations support their impact statements with verifiable facts. Our sector still suffers from exaggerated claims, but we hope stronger regulations will curb this. All winners demonstrated clear accountability what they took responsibility for, what actions they implemented, and what impact was achieved.”

ICRT Global Chair Debbie Hindle noted that the awards are “free to enter but hard to win,” applauding the 2025 winners for their innovation and leadership. She also announced the commencement of nominations for the 2026 Global Responsible Tourism Awards, inviting changemakers worldwide to apply.

From Sri Lanka, Heritance Kandalama Hotel, Jetwing Vil Uyana, and the Heel Oya Community-Based Tourism (CBT) Village were recognised for their pioneering sustainability models.

Heritance Kandalama

Heritance Kandalama, the iconic Geoffrey Bawa-designed eco-hotel, received the Silver Award for Climate Adaptation and Resilience for its regenerative tourism model. The property’s long-term strategies to reduce environmental impact, enhance biodiversity, and engage with local communities were key factors in its success.

Jetwing Vil Uyana

Jetwing Vil Uyana was named a Finalist in the Nature Positive category, acknowledged for transforming degraded land into a thriving wetland ecosystem that now hosts over 300 species. Judges described it as a leading example of ecosystem regeneration and environmental education in the tourism industry.

Heel Oya CBT Village

Meanwhile, the Heel Oya CBT Village received Finalist recognition in the All-Inclusive Tourism category for empowering local communities through authentic travel experiences. The village integrates local agriculture, food traditions, trekking, and homestays, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience rooted in sustainability and inclusion.

Charmarie Maelge, Managing Director of ICRT Sri Lanka, described the achievement as a milestone for the nation’s tourism sector. “This is the 20th year of the Global Responsible Tourism Awards, and it’s a proud moment for Sri Lanka to have three winners. Their success highlights the country’s growing commitment to sustainable tourism and enhances our global reputation as a responsible and inclusive travel destination.”

With these recognitions, Sri Lanka continues to strengthen its standing as a global leader in responsible tourism, setting benchmarks for others in the region to follow.

The Coconut Cultivation Board (CCB) has announced plans to cut down and destroy approximately 5,000 coconut trees in Matara District due to the rapid spread of coconut root (wilt) disease. Known locally as “Weligama Wint” and caused by an invasive insect called “Renda Makuna,” the disease has already affected 6,250 coconut trees in the district.

Dr. Sunimal Jayakody, Chairman of the CCB, said the disease has been a persistent problem in the Southern Province for nearly 15 years, rotting trees within two years and halting coconut production. He added that while around 325,000 infected trees have already been removed across the country, immediate action is necessary to prevent further spread.

The disease, believed to have originated in Indonesia, spreads easily through the tiny insect carrying the bacteria, prompting urgent measures to protect remaining coconut plantations