News

President Anura Kumara Disanayake departed the country a short while ago to commence a four-day state visit to the People’s Republic of China.

Undertaken at the invitation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, the visit will take place from January 14 to January 17, 2025. During this visit, President Disanayake is scheduled to engage in high-level discussions with President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Qiang, and other senior Chinese officials, aiming to strengthen bilateral relations and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation between the two nations.

The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, the Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake and the Director General of Government Information, H.S.K.J. Bandara.

The government has announced the import tax percentages applicable to vehicles imported from February onwards through a special gazette notification.

Accordingly, excise duties ranging from 200% to 300% have been imposed on vehicles. The gazette, issued by the Minister of Finance, who is also the President, outlines that certain categories of vehicles will be taxed based on their engine cylinder capacities and motor power measured in kilowatts.

“Vehicle prices are expected to increase by around 20% due to these taxes. If other taxes, including VAT, are also applied, the increase could be even higher,” said Indika Sampath Merenchige, President of the Vehicle Importers Association of Lanka.

Full Gazette:

The Department of Prisons has made special arrangements for visitations for Hindu prisoners in view of the Thai Pongal Festival, celebrated tomorrow (14 Jan).

Accordingly, relatives of Hindu inmates will be provided an opportunity to meet the inmates with arrangements being made at prisons nationwide.

The department has instructed visitors to only bring food sufficient for one inmate during their visit.

The visitations have been arranged in accordance with health guidelines and according to the prison rules.

The government has announced plans to open several archaeological sites to tourists at night.

Deputy Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs, Gamagedara Dissanayake, revealed that Sigiriya, a UNESCO World Heritage site, will be the first location to offer nighttime access to both local and foreign visitors.

He added that discussions are ongoing, and public opinions are being gathered on the matter.

Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala says that steps have been taken to place the Financial Crimes Investigation Division under a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

The minister added that the division will continue to operate under a senior deputy inspector general of police of the Criminal Investigation Department.

According to Minister Ananda Wijepala, this will help regularize and expedite investigations in this regard.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division, which was established to investigate financial crimes, has been inactive in the past few days.

Minister Ananda Wijepala stated that a cabinet paper will be submitted on the 20th regarding several structural changes in the police.

The government has decided to reinstate the pension increase process, which was abolished by the administration of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in 2020.

Deputy Minister of Labour Mahinda Jayasinghe said that the pension increase will apply to government employees who retired between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2019.

He further noted that the upcoming budget includes provisions for this adjustment.

The Sri Lanka Police distributed 30 advanced speed guns, valued at over Rs. 91 million, during a ceremony held on January 11, 2025, at Police Headquarters. Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya presided over the event.

As part of the first phase, the devices were allocated to divisional officers in Negombo, Kelaniya, and Gampaha, as well as the Southern Traffic Division of the Western Province. Future plans include distributing the equipment nationwide, along with officer training on device usage.

The U.S.-manufactured speed guns utilize laser technology and are effective in nighttime operations.

In 2024, 24,589 traffic accidents were reported in Sri Lanka, with 2,242 fatal crashes causing 2,253 deaths. Police addressed 31,182 speeding violations, and 731 accidents were linked directly to excessive speed. Authorities aim to reduce such incidents through these new measures.

Measures have been taken to close the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka in Anuradhapura indefinitely.

Accordingly, the Governing Council of the Bhiksu University has decided to close the university from 12.00 noon tomorrow (11).

This was revealed by the Most Venerable Niyangoda Wijithasiri Thero, the Anunayake Thero of the Malwathu Chapter of the Siyam Maha Nikaya.

Train services have been disrupted between the Ohiya and Idalgasinna railway stations due to a landslide caused by the ongoing adverse weather conditions, the Ministry of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation announced today (12).

The landslide has led to delays in several train services, including the night mail train from Colombo Fort to Badulla and the scheduled train from Badulla to Colombo Fort.

Both trains will be delayed until the affected section of the railway line is cleared and made safe for operations.

The Railway Department has deployed teams to the site to remove the debris and restore normal train services as quickly as possible.

Authorities are working around the clock to clear the obstruction and resume rail operations.

Passengers are advised to expect delays and check for updates on the status of the train services.

The Ministry is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further information as the restoration work progresses.

Former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has been arrested by the Mirihana Police.

He has been arrested for allegedly assaulting his neighbor and will be produced before the court today, according to police.

A 66-year-old resident of Thalapathpitiya, who was assaulted by former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga, has been admitted to the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital and is currently receiving treatment for injuries.

The incident had reportedly occurred yesterday (09) during an argument between them over the alleged breaking of a boundary wall by the ex-diplomat’s neighbor, a resident of Kanaththa Road, Thalapathpitiya, Nugegoda.

According to reports, Weeratunga had attacked his neighbor with a plastic pipe, resulting in injuries to his face including a broken nose. Video footage of the incident has also surfaced.

Mirihana Police have launched an investigation into the incident.

Four new justices of the Supreme Court were sworn in before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the President's office this morning.

The newly appointed justices are Sobhitha Rajakaruna, Menaka Wijesundara, Sampath B. Abeykoon, and M.S.K.B Wijeratne, all of whom were previously serving as justices of the Court of Appeal.

The economy is, slowly but surely, on the path to collapse once again, said SJB MP Rohini Kavirathna in a statement.

She said the current account had a balance of 432 million US dollars in the second quarter of 2024 , but it dropped to 303 million USD by the following quarter.

She cited failures in governance and economic management as the reasons for this decline.

The previous regime was able to keep the current account balance on a positive note even while repaying loans and interest to multilateral lenders.

But, that has reversed within 100 days of the present regime, said Kavirathna, adding that all spheres of society are now heavily burdened with taxes.

The resultant pressure will be felt strongly by April, added the MP.