News

The government has decided to increase the stamp duty on agreements for leasing or renting property by 100%.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the revised fees will take effect from April 1.

Currently, for lease or rental agreements, the stamp duty is charged at Rs. 10 for every Rs. 1,000 or part thereof, including any advance payments made for the entire lease period.

The ministry stated that this stamp duty will be increased to Rs. 20 from April 1. A gazette notification regarding the change has already been issued by Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Notably, this is the first revision of the stamp duty since 2006.

However, the ministry clarified that the stamp duty on agreements under the Consumer Credit Act, which is charged at Rs. 10 per Rs. 1,000 or part thereof of the total value, will remain unchanged.

Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dasanayake has been remanded until April 1 in connection with corruption charges.

The charges stem from his tenure as Chief Minister of Uva Province.

Dasanayake was produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court, where he was remanded until April 1.

Dasanayake was taken into custody by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) this morning (27) after arriving to provide a statement.

He faces three charges, including causing a loss of Rs. 23 million to the government by withdrawing all fixed deposits maintained by the provincial council from a state bank after the bank manager refused to provide additional funds, for which he was remanded by the court.

He faces two other charges from the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC)/

One of the charges involves the misappropriation of Rs. 2.5 million obtained from two state banks, which were allegedly transferred to Dasanayake's foundation's account.

Another charge accuses him of directly receiving Rs. 1 million from a state bank, intended for the provincial council, which he reportedly took personally from the bank branch.

Former Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles, will appear at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) tomorrow (31), to record a statement in connection with the shooting incident at a private hotel in Matara.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court had previously issued an arrest order for eight police officers, including former officers of the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) and former IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, naming them as suspects in the shooting incident that occurred in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara, on December 31, 2023.

However, bail was granted to the other suspects, with the exception of Tennakoon.

Police sources have indicated that the CID has grown suspicious that former Minister Alles may possess additional information about the incident, leading to his scheduled questioning.

This inquiry follows a press conference held by the former Minister on January 18, 2024, where he spoke about the incident.

The CID is now expected to probe further into these disclosures as part of the ongoing investigation.

Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, shared a detailed analysis of how changes in US trade policies could potentially affect Sri Lanka’s economy.

Responding to questions about the impact of US tariffs at different rates (10%, 20%, 25%), Dr. Weerasinghe provided an in-depth explanation of the current situation.

“We have carried out some studies to gauge the potential impacts, but it's too early to draw final conclusions. The situation is still developing, and the exact details of US tariffs, including their rates and the countries they will target, remain unclear,” he stated.

He emphasized that Sri Lanka’s export sector, particularly the apparel industry, which generates about $2 billion annually, has a favorable trade balance with the US. However, Sri Lanka’s market access is relatively small when compared to major trading nations such as Mexico, China, and Canada.

Dr. Weerasinghe stressed the need for careful monitoring, suggesting that any effects would largely depend on US policy decisions and whether higher tariffs on specific countries would lead to shifts in trade routes.

“There could be a diversion in trade. Orders may shift to Sri Lanka, or possibly to countries like Bangladesh or Vietnam,” he remarked.

The Governor reassured that the Central Bank is committed to closely following these developments to ensure responsive and well-informed policy decisions. He also highlighted the importance of being flexible in response to global economic challenges.

“Our primary concern is the potential impact on external demand. At the moment, Sri Lanka’s exporters have a full order book for the first half of the year. The critical question will be whether new orders will continue into the second half,” he concluded.

The Sunday Times Deputy Editor–Investigations Namini Wijedasa has been selected as one of the recipients of the US Secretary of State’s 2025 International Women of Courage (IWOC) Award.

This year’s IWOC Awards ceremony will be hosted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and First Lady Melania Trump next week at the US State Department in Washington D.C. The US State Department’s citation of Ms. Wijedasa reads as follows:

“Namini Wijedasa, an award-winning journalist with over 30 years of experience, began her career chronicling the human toll of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict and giving voice to those affected by its aftermath. Over time, her focus shifted to combating corruption through investigative reporting, bringing critical accountability issues to the forefront and inspiring the next generation of journalists.

“Through her work, Ms. Wijedasa has consistently championed accountability, emphasising that meaningful change can only be achieved when the people demand transparency from those in power, urging them to address the nation’s long-standing challenges.

“Despite restrictive legislation that had a chilling effect on many reporters and freedom of expression in Sri Lanka, she remains undeterred in her pursuit of positive change. Her work not only aims to hold the most powerful accountable but also fosters dialogue on economic prosperity and transparent governance, paving the way for a new generation of reporters and ensuring a legacy of courageous, impactful journalism.”

Now in its 19th year, the Secretary of State’s IWOC Award recognises women from around the world who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership—often at great personal risk and sacrifice, the official release from the US State Department states.

Since 2007, the Department of State has recognised more than 200 women from over 90 countries with the IWOC Award. U.S. diplomatic missions overseas nominate one woman of courage from their respective host countries, and finalists are selected and approved by senior Department officials.

Following the IWOC ceremony, the awardees will participate in an International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) and additional programming in Los Angeles.

The other recipients of the 2025 IWOC Award are:

• Henriette Da (Burkina Faso) – “A sociologist by training and an expert in human rights, women’s rights, and development, Ms. Da is also a founding member of Burkina Faso’s Association for Religious Tolerance and Intercommunity Dialogue. In 2018, she was appointed President of the National Human Rights Commission.”
• Amit Soussana (Israel) – “Ms. Soussana uses her voice to courageously advocate for survivors by using her own lived example to describe the trauma she suffered as a hostage of the October 7th attack in Israel.”Major Velena Iga (Papua New Guinea) – “She has been a key figure in combating violence against women, sorcery accusation-related violence, and trafficking in persons in Papua New Guinea for over a decade.”
• Angelique Songco (Philippines) – “Better known as “Mama Ranger,” Angelique Songco leads a small team of rangers protecting the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park from illegal fishing and poaching.”
• Georgiana Pascu (Romania) – “Has dedicated her career to promoting access to accountability and recognition of human rights for institutionalised children and adults with psychosocial and intellectual disabilities.”
• Zabib Musa Loro Bakhit (South Sudan) – “Ms. Bakhit women’s rights leader with more than 10 years of experience in fragile, post-conflict, and resource-poor settings. She has held several leadership positions at the national and regional levels.”
• Amat Al-Salam Abdullah Abdo Al-Hajj (Yeman) – “She is the founder and president of the Abductees’ Mothers Association, which continues to be a powerful voice in bringing international attention to the plight of thousands of Yemeni detainees and their families.”

This year’s Madeleine Albright Honorary Group Award, which will also be presented at the ceremony, has been awarded to the “Women Student Protest Leaders of Bangladesh.” The US State Department notes that “A valiant group of women were key drivers in the student protest movement against violent repression in Bangladesh in July-August 2024. They demonstrated extraordinary bravery, including standing between security forces and male protestors in spite of threats and violence.”

The distribution of an essential goods package for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festival, from 01- 13 April 2025, has received Cabinet approval.

According to the government, a proposal was submitted under the budget 2025 by the President for the provision of an essential goods package for a concessionary price during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year Festive season.

As such, it has been planned to provide a ‘timely food package’ containing essential food items valued at Rs. 5000 for only Rs. 2,500.

The government expects to select appropriate beneficiaries among 812,753 candidates who have submitted new applications to receive Aswesuma benefits.

Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development along with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation.

Approval has been granted to take necessary steps to provide the food package to the beneficiaries through Lanka Sathosa outlets and Sri Lanka Consumer Co-operative Societies Federation outlets from 01- 13 April.

Two individuals, including a Police Constable, have been arrested for aiding suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon to evade arrest.

According to the Police Media Spokesman, the suspects had aided Tennakoon to evade the Police from 27 February to 19 March.

The arrested Police Constable is attached to the Special Protection Division, while the other individual is a resident of Thalawathugoda.

Deshabandu Tennakoon was wanted in connection with the shooting incident in front of a prominent hotel in Weligama in 2023.

He is accused of orchestrating the shooting involving officers from the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD), Weligama Police, and the Special Task Force, which resulted in the death of a CCD officer and injuries to another.

After an open warrant was issued to arrest Deshabandu Tennakoon, he surrendered before the Matara Magistrate’s Court after evading arrest for 20 days.

He has been remanded until 03 April 2025 and is currently being held at the Dumbara Prison in Kandy.

Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism has issued a statement in response to the decision of the government of the United Kingdom (UK) to impose sanction against three former military commanders and a former minister.

The ministry said it takes note of the Press Release dated 24th March 2025, issued by the UK, Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) entitled “UK Sanctions for Human Rights Violations and Abuses during the Sri Lankan Civil War”.

As stated in the press release, the UK government has imposed sanctions on four individuals, three of whom are former military commanders of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Sri Lanka’s foreign ministry said it is also noted that the UK FCDO Press Release refers to “a commitment made during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity”.

In this regard, the Ministry said it wishes to underline that this is a “unilateral action” taken by the UK government which involves an asset freeze and travel ban on the individuals concerned.

“Such unilateral actions by countries do not assist but serve to complicate the national reconciliation process underway in Sri Lanka,” the ministry said in the statement.

It further said that the government is in the process of strengthening domestic mechanisms on accountability and reconciliation and that any past human rights violations should be dealt with through domestic accountability mechanisms.

The statement further said that the position of the Government of Sri Lanka was conveyed by Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath to the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, today at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.

The female doctor at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital who was sexually assaulted successfully identified the suspect, a former army soldier, during an identification parade held today (28).

The identification parade took place before Anuradhapura Chief Magistrate Nalaka Sanjeewa Jayasuriya at the Magistrate's official quarters.

Following the identification, the case was reconvened in open court.

The Child and Women's Bureau of the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police requested further remand of the suspect, citing ongoing investigations into the crime.

The Chief Magistrate accepted this request and ordered the suspect to be remanded until April 10th.

During the proceedings, the suspect requested permission to make a confidential statement regarding the incident.

The Chief Magistrate stated that this request would be considered after obtaining a medical report from a psychiatrist at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

The Chief Magistrate ordered the Anuradhapura Headquarters Police to present the suspect to a psychiatrist and submit the medical report to the court.

President's Counsel Kalinga Indatissa, along with a team of lawyers, appeared on behalf of the complainant doctor. No lawyer appeared on behalf of the suspect.

The circular pertaining to the revision of salaries for the public sector employees has been issued in accordance with the 2025 Budget proposals.

The relevant circular was issued today (25) to the Ministry Secretaries, Provincial Chief Secretaries, and Heads of Departments, with the signature of the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils, and Local Government, S. Aloka Bandara.

See the relevant circular below:

රාජ්‍ය සේවක වැටුප් සංශෝධන චක්‍රලේඛය නිකුත් වෙයි by poornima

A discussion has been held between US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung and senior members of the United National Party (UNP) at the party headquarters in Sirikotha today.

Accordingly, Ambassador Julie Chung had engaged in discussions with UNP Chairman Wajira Abeywardana and General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.

It is reported that the discussion, which had taken place for over an hour, had focused on the current political state and the UNP’s political activities.

US Ambassador Julie Chung has previously held discussions at the headquarters of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) as well.

Commenting on the discussions, US Ambassador Julie Chung said the meeting had taken place as part of a cross-party engagement.

“Grateful for the perspectives shared today at my meeting with UNP Secretary General Thalatha Athukorala and UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena as part of our cross-party engagement. We spoke about our nations’ shared commitment to democracy and how our U.S.-Sri Lanka cooperation — on maritime security and economic growth — makes both nations safer, stronger and more prosperous,” she said in a statement on ‘X’.

Professor Gananath Obeyesekere, a leading figure in anthropology and a prominent Sri Lankan academic, has passed away at the age of 95.

A former professor of anthropology at Princeton University, Obeyesekere was known for his influential work on religion, myth, and South Asian cultural practices.

His notable publications include The Apotheosis of Captain Cook, The Cult of Goddess Pattini, and The Awakened Ones, which gained international recognition and challenged Western interpretations of non-Western societies.

Educated at the University of Ceylon and then later at the University of Washington, Obeyesekere was a central figure in postcolonial anthropology.

His intellectual debates, particularly with historian Marshall Sahlins, helped shape discourse on historical interpretation and cultural representation.