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Deputy Minister Sunil Watagala told Parliament today that stocks of tear gas held by the police have expired due to non-use.

He also stated that any group was free to organise protests against the government and that members of the public had the right to criticise the government.

"Any group is allowed to stage protests against the government. Likewise, anyone is free to criticise the government," he said.

LAUGFS Gas PLC has been taken to court by the state consumer watchdog as Sri Lanka’s liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage deepens and questions grow over how the company was run.

The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) filed the case on 29 October, accusing the company of breaching consumer protection directives and causing public inconvenience.

Company executives have been summoned to appear before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court on 11 November.

Trade Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe said two promised shipments of 3,800 metric tons each, due between 24 and 28 October and in the first week of November, failed to arrive, while a cargo expected on 3 November has been pushed back to 14 November.

Sanctions expose a weak balance sheet

The disruption follows action by the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which placed Slogal Energy DMCC on its Specially Designated Nationals list.

The Dubai-based subsidiary handles part of LAUGFS’ international procurement, and the listing relates to alleged dealings involving Iranian-origin LPG shipments.

The company has denied knowingly engaging in prohibited transactions and has begun a compliance review.

The sanctions have nonetheless upset international banking arrangements, making it harder to secure letters of credit and arrange new cargoes.

Critics argue that the sanctions alone do not explain the crisis.

The company’s audited accounts show a full-year net loss of about Rs. 2.52 billion, and later reporting periods point to further losses. Group liabilities reportedly exceed Rs. 41.2 billion, against shareholders’ equity of about Rs. 1.79 billion.

Heavy borrowing and rising finance costs have further limited its ability to pay for supplies on its own.

These figures raise doubts over whether the firm could maintain statutory reserves, find alternative suppliers and meet its obligations to the domestic market. The slippage has also unsettled confidence in commitments for November and December.

New owner, old questions

The company’s ownership has changed at the same time. Billionaire businessman Dhammika Perera has acquired a 50 per cent stake in LAUGFS Holdings through Vallibel Three (Pvt) Ltd.

Co-founder Thilak De Silva sold his entire 39.6 per cent holding, and Chairman W K H Wegapitiya sold 10.4 per cent.

Perera is a former National List MP and Investment Promotion Minister, which gives the deal added weight.

His arrival does not make him responsible for the company’s earlier financial troubles or procurement failures.

The issue is whether the new arrangement will bring financial stability, transparent management and steady supplies.

The Government, for its part, must establish whether the company’s internal problems were properly disclosed before the restructuring, and whether the new controlling shareholder has committed enough money to restart procurement.

In the meantime, the state-owned Litro Gas has raised its daily distribution by 80,000 to 100,000 cylinders to make up for the lost market share, shifting the immediate burden onto the public sector.

Sri Lanka needs more than corporate assurances and rescheduled delivery dates, and only an independent investigation into LAUGFS’ procurement, finances, reserve compliance and ownership change can ensure that households do not pay for the failings of a private supplier.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced that the mandatory submission of Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) certificates for eight specified transactions has been postponed until April 1, 2027.

The requirement was initially scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2026. However, its implementation has been deferred following a significant increase in public demand for TIN certificates.

According to the IRD, the decision was made with the approval of the Ministry of Finance, taking into consideration the growing demand from both individuals involved in the specified transactions and the general public.

The mandatory submission requirement was introduced under Section 103(6) of the Inland Revenue Act, No. 24 of 2017, as amended by the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026. It was communicated through Circular No. SEC/PN/IT/2026/05 dated September 22, 2026.

During the extended period, the IRD plans to introduce alternative and more convenient methods for individuals who have already registered for a TIN to obtain their certificates.

The Department has also encouraged individuals who have not yet obtained a TIN to complete their registration through its online e-Services platform.

The IRD stressed that the requirement has been postponed rather than cancelled and will become effective on April 1, 2027.

Heavy traffic congestion has been reported along Parliament Road, beginning near Polduwa Junction, due to a protest organised by the Frontline Socialist Party (FSP).

Police have advised motorists to expect delays and use alternative routes where possible.

Lung cancer cases in Sri Lanka have increased by approximately 50% since 2010, with health experts raising concerns over the growing number of cases among both men and women.

Consultant Thoracic Surgeon at the National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Dr. Saman Iddagoda, disclosed this during a media briefing held at the Health Promotion Bureau.

He said an analysis of data from the National Hospital for Respiratory Diseases and the National Cancer Control Programme, covering the period from 2010 to 2020, had shown an approximately 50% increase in lung cancer cases among both males and females.

According to Dr. Iddagoda, lung cancer has become one of the major cancers affecting men and is also among the 10 most common cancers among women.

He also highlighted an increase in cases among non-smokers, particularly women who have never smoked.

Meanwhile, Consultant Community Physician at the National Cancer Control Programme, Dr. Hasarali Fernando, said approximately 90% of lung cancer cases are associated with smoking.

However, she pointed out that non-smokers are also vulnerable due to exposure to second-hand smoke and indoor and outdoor air pollution.

Dr. Fernando explained that outdoor air pollution, particularly emissions from vehicles and industries, can increase the risk of lung cancer. Indoor pollution caused by burning firewood and kerosene, especially in poorly ventilated homes, was also identified as a contributing factor.

She further identified certain chronic respiratory conditions and exposure to carcinogenic substances, including radon, asbestos and silica, as additional risk factors for the disease.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has held a series of bilateral meetings with leaders and representatives from Rwanda, Jamaica and Uganda on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda.

According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of economic cooperation, trade and investment.

The two leaders also explored opportunities to broaden cooperation and increase economic engagement between Sri Lanka and Rwanda.

Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met Jamaican Prime Minister Dr. Andrew Holness, with discussions centred on improving people-to-people connections and strengthening bilateral cooperation.

During the meeting, she invited Jamaica to participate in Expo Sri Lanka, scheduled for January 2027, and the Commonwealth Women's Affairs Ministers Meeting, which Sri Lanka is expected to host in the first quarter of 2028.

In a separate meeting, the Prime Minister held discussions with Uganda's Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao, on expanding cooperation in technical and vocational education, trade, investment and agriculture.

Both sides identified opportunities for sharing knowledge and expertise and developing initiatives that would benefit the two countries.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Amarasuriya also exchanged greetings with Maldives Vice President Hussain Mohamed Latheef during a brief meeting.

The Prime Minister's Media Division said the meetings reflected Sri Lanka's commitment to strengthening relations with Commonwealth member countries and expanding cooperation across economic, educational, agricultural and social sectors.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) is expected to announce its final decision on the proposed electricity tariff revision for the fourth quarter of this year next week.

PUCSL Director of Communications Jayanath Herath said an oral public consultation on the proposed revision is scheduled to take place today (05).

The National System Operator (NSO) has requested a 2.88% increase in electricity tariffs for the final quarter of the year. However, after reviewing the proposal, the PUCSL has recommended a lower increase of 1.46%.

Herath said the Commission would reach its final decision after considering the submissions and views presented during today's public consultation.

The consultation is scheduled to be held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, from 9.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m.

More than 40 representatives from various consumer groups and organisations in the electricity sector have registered to present their views on the proposed tariff revision.

According to Herath, the Commission has completed its preliminary assessment and published a consultation paper outlining its observations for public consideration.

The final decision on the proposed electricity tariff revision is expected to be announced during the second week of November.

A supplementary estimate amounting to Rs. 47 billion was presented to Parliament today (04) to reduce the financial burden on the public caused by rising fuel prices and provide additional assistance to Aswesuma beneficiaries.

Presenting the estimate, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said Rs. 41 billion would be allocated under the expenditure head of the Ministry of Energy, while the remaining Rs. 6 billion would be provided through the operational programme of the Ministry of Finance and Planning for additional payments under the Aswesuma welfare programme.

He explained that the Rs. 41 billion allocation would be utilised over October, November and December to minimise the impact of fuel price increases in the domestic market resulting from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Under the additional welfare assistance, beneficiaries in the extremely poor category of Aswesuma will receive an extra payment of Rs. 6,250, while those in the poor category will receive Rs. 4,000.

The Deputy Minister clarified that although the additional payment for beneficiaries in the extremely poor category would be distributed in two instalments, it would be considered a one-time benefit.

He further stated that the supplementary estimate would not create additional government expenditure, as the required funds would be obtained through the reallocation and management of existing budgetary provisions from other sectors.

Two individuals, including a 19-year-old, have been arrested by the Central Crime Investigation Bureau (CCIB) over allegations of demanding Rs. 1 million in ransom while issuing death threats.

The suspects were taken into custody yesterday (04) in Unawatuna, within the Habaraduwa Police Division, following a complaint lodged with the CCIB regarding telephone calls demanding the money.

The arrested individuals, aged 36 and 19, are residents of Unawatuna.

Investigations have revealed that the suspects allegedly made the threatening calls while pretending to be an underworld criminal operating in the area.

The Central Crime Investigation Bureau is conducting further investigations into the incident.

Former LTTE combatant E. Kathir has announced plans to register the People’s Front of Liberation Tigers with the Election Commission of Sri Lanka to contest future polls independently.

Speaking at a press conference at the Jaffna Press Club on Sunday, Kathir declared himself general secretary of the new entity, which he described as the official political party of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

He said that the timing of the announcement was chosen because November is the month dedicated to commemorating fallen Tamil fighters.

Kathir said that existing political parties had failed to address the needs of ex-combatants since the end of the conflict in 2009, prompting the creation of a dedicated political vehicle.

He outlined plans for a national convention in January, noting that regional and district branches have already been established across the northern and eastern regions.

The general secretary said that the party intends to pursue self-determination and a federal solution for Tamils through strictly democratic and non-violent means.

He urged the Sri Lankan government not to hinder its political initiatives and called for international diplomatic backing.

Kathir previously served as secretary of the Crusaders for Democracy, an organization of former fighters that fielded independent candidates in the 2015 parliamentary elections after being turned down by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA).

His past political activity led to intense interrogation by the Terrorism Investigation Division in 2018 regarding his involvement in Tamil war commemoration events.

However, Kathir did not disclose specific dates for the official registration application or reveal the identities of other senior party members during the press briefing.

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena has postponed the decision on a request to lift the overseas travel ban imposed on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in connection with investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks.

The Magistrate ordered today that the decision be delivered on November 25.

Making submissions before court, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raised concerns over whether Rajapaksa would return to Sri Lanka after travelling overseas.

However, the CID informed the court that it would not object to lifting the travel ban if appropriate legal measures were put in place to ensure his return to the country. It stated that it would oppose the request if such arrangements were not established.

The Magistrate subsequently observed that, as the former President had not been named as a suspect in the case, the court did not have the authority to issue an order ensuring his return to Sri Lanka after the travel ban was lifted.

A senior citizen has lost Rs. 4.6 million after falling victim to a phone scam involving fraudsters impersonating bank officials.

Dr. Amila Fernando, in a post on 'X', said his 70-year-old father was targeted in Colombo by callers claiming to handle tax calculations for a private bank.

The victim inadvertently handed over sensitive banking information and one-time passwords during the call, enabling the scammers to drain his account.

According to Dr. Fernando, bank staff confirmed that at least two other individuals had fallen victim to identical fraudulent schemes within the same week.

The financial institution reiterated that legitimate banks, the Inland Revenue Department, and government bodies will never request security credentials over the phone.

Dr. Fernando urged the public, especially elderly citizens, to maintain extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls regarding financial matters.

Account holders are advised to terminate any suspicious phone calls immediately and independently contact their branch using official telephone numbers.

Rising instances of targeted phone fraud highlight an urgent need for heightened public awareness and stronger fraud prevention safeguards across Sri Lanka's banking sector.