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A hotel owned by former North-Central Province Governor Maheepala Herath, located on the Peramiyankulama tank reservation, was demolished on the instructions of the Divisional Secretary as part of an ongoing effort to clear encroachments in the Anuradhapura district.

Nuwaragama Palatha Divisional Secretary Sudarashana Disanayake confirmed the action, noting that a notice had been issued on 18 September to Ajantha Herath, the former Governor’s wife, directing the removal of the unauthorised structure.

The Irrigation Department, supported by the Survey Department, is carrying out the Government’s program to demarcate tank reservations in the district and eliminate illegal constructions. Disanayake added that the survey of the Peramiyankulama tank reservation has now been completed.

A World Bank delegation has called for urgent reforms in Sri Lanka’s energy sector, public sector workforce and investment framework, warning that the country’s current cost structure and inefficiencies pose a significant drag on competitiveness and long-term economic recovery.

The team, led by Country Manager Gevorg Sargsyan, met on 25 September with the Committee on Public Finance (CoPF) Chair Dr. Harsha de Silva as well as with the Chairs and members of the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE), Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) and the Committee on Ways and Means.

World Bank officials stressed that Sri Lanka’s energy costs remain among the highest in the region, burdening both households and industries, and insisted reforms in pricing, management, and investment were critical to lowering costs and ensuring reliable supply.

They also flagged the need to ‘rightsize’ the public sector, noting that while Sri Lanka employs one of the largest public sector workforces compared to peer nations, low productivity and relatively low wage levels continue to hinder fiscal sustainability.

The discussions also centred on strengthening ports and logistics, which the World Bank described as vital to unlocking Sri Lanka’s potential as a trade and investment hub.

Beyond structural reforms, the World Bank delegation underscored the importance of efficiently run Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) as a viable alternative to wholesale privatisation. Sharing international examples, officials highlighted how well-designed PPPs can improve service delivery and attract investment, particularly in infrastructure and utilities.

Committee Chairs including CoPE Chair Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, CoPA Chair Kabir Hashim and Ways and Means Chair Wijesiri Basnayake welcomed the recommendations and reiterated their commitment to oversight and reform in areas such as revenue collection, job creation, poverty reduction, women’s participation in the economy, and the strengthening of tourism, education, agriculture and entrepreneurship.

World Bank Group Senior Operations Officer Stephan Massing, IFC Senior Country Officer Victor Anthonypillai, and Parliament Director Legislative Services and Director Communication (Acting) M. Jayalath Perera were also present in these meetings.

An International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission is in Colombo for the fifth review of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF), with the country’s program showing strong results in revenue, inflation, and growth, IMF Communications Department Director Julie Kozack said.

‘What I can say with respect to the timing of the next review is that we do have a mission on the ground now in Sri Lanka to conduct the fifth review of the EFF,’ Kozack said at the IMF’s weekly press briefing in Washington.

She said the team is in discussions with the authorities and will communicate outcomes at the end of the mission.

Kozack described Sri Lanka’s progress under the program as ‘impressive,’ citing better tax collections and price stability. ‘There has been a post-crisis rebound in growth to 5% in 2024, which is a remarkable achievement,’ she said.

‘The revenue-to-GDP ratio in the Budget improved to 13.5% of GDP from 8.2% in 2022, which is also a significant increase, although still work to be done. The debt restructuring process is nearly complete. Program performance overall is generally very strong, and the Government remains committed to the program’s objectives.’

Flights between Katunayake and Colombo resumed yesterday with the opening of a new water aerodrome at Beira Lake, an initiative aimed at expanding domestic aviation and strengthening tourism.

The launch was attended by Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Ratnayake.

Cinnamon Air, part of the John Keells Group, will operate the service. The inaugural flight, a Cessna 208, departed from Katunayake Airport and landed at the Cinnamon Lakeside Pier in Colombo.

Among those on board were Ports and Civil Aviation Deputy Minister Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku, Tourism Deputy Minister Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Civil Aviation Authority Chairman Sunil Jayaratne, and other officials.

‘With this initiative, we aim to develop domestic air services and encourage more companies to expand operations to regional airports such as Palaly. The Government is committed to providing maximum support for such ventures,’ Ratnayake said at the event.

Cinnamon Air already connects Colombo with 10 domestic destinations including Nuwara Eliya, Batticaloa, Sigiriya, Koggala, Weerawila, Hatton, and Trincomalee.

The Civil Aviation Authority has said that feasibility studies are ongoing for additional landing sites, including Colombo Port City, along with plans to establish two heliports in the capital.

About 22 inland airports have now been cleared for domestic operations following inspections. The expansion, carried out in partnership with the Ministries of Tourism and Defence, is expected to further integrate aviation into Sri Lanka’s tourism strategy.

Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam yesterday accused the Government of neglecting critical economic infrastructure in the North, despite foreign donor grants being available to upgrade facilities such as the Palaly Airport and the Kankasanthurai (KKS) Port ferry service.

Rasamanickam questioned why Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake has shown ‘no interest’ in advancing the development of the Jaffna International Airport, even though land issues have been resolved and international partners have expressed readiness to support expansion.

He pointed out that Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake has already reached peak capacity, with airlines cancelling weekly flights due to a shortage of slots.

‘The Government has $ 63 million in donor funding ready, yet the Palaly Airport remains underdeveloped. Why is the Minister refusing to answer questions about this?’ Rasamanickam asked, warning that the neglect carries significant economic consequences, not just for the Northern Province, but to the entire country.

Regarding the KKS Port and its ferry link to Nagapattinam in India, the MP said the route connects Sri Lanka to a potential market of 2 billion people, but poor facilities undermine its potential. ‘A video circulating on social media showed the low standards at KKS Port. If passengers have such experiences, they won’t return, and it tarnishes Sri Lanka’s international image,’ he noted.

Rasamanickam criticised the ruling NPP Government, saying one year into its tenure it has failed to put in place mechanisms to boost economic activities, focusing instead on symbolic openings and small-scale projects. ‘Refurbishing a bus station in Fort, opening a tap, or handing over bicycle tyres will not drive economic development,’ he remarked.

He also tied the issue to broader concerns over governance, saying Sri Lanka will face renewed scrutiny at the upcoming 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), where stronger accountability mechanisms for economic crimes and misuse of public funds are expected to be discussed.

‘The failure to deliver on promises of economic justice affects not just minorities in the North but the entire country. For youth across the North and South, the common aspiration is to leave for better opportunities abroad,’ Rasamanickam stressed, warning that continued inaction risks worsening inequality and eroding trust.

England’s spin trio of Linsey Smith, Sophie Ecclestone and Charlie Dean took seven wickets between them in England’s 10-wicket win over South Africa in their ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match played at Guwahati yesterday.

In a repeat of the 2017 and 2022 semi-finals, England were instantly on the front foot as Captain Laura Wolvaardt was caught and bowled by Smith for five. Her fellow opener Tazmin Brits departed for the same score as Smith’s second victim with former skipper Sune Luus being clean bowled by Lauren Bell for two. Marizanne Kapp departed for four as she became Smith’s third wicket and South Africa slipped to 19 for four.

Anneke Bosch and Jafta provided some resistance, but England continued to chip away as Nat Sciver-Brunt took two wickets, with Ecclestone following suit with two wicket maidens as she dismissed Jafta. With her fellow spinners impressing, it took a little while for Dean to be brought into the attack, but the off-break bowler soon made an impact with the final two wickets to see South Africa bowled out for their second lowest total at a World Cup.

In response, Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont chased down their modest target of 70 in just 14.1 overs. England had all the time in the world to chase down their target. Beaumont and Jones came up against the fearsome firepower of Kapp, who bowled in tandem with the spin of Chloe Tryon. While South Africa had struggled to deal with England’s spinners, Jones and Beaumont were able to work steady boundaries off Tryon. Masabata Klaas dropped a catch off her own bowling as Jones survived on 31, eventually posting 40 from 50 balls with Beaumont making 21 from 35.

Scores:

South Africa 69 (20.4) (Sinalo Jafta 22, Linsey Smith 3/7, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/5)

England 73-0 (14.1)

(Amy Jones 40*, Tammy Beaumont 21*)

Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), an international peace NGO, hosted the 11th HWPL World Peace Summit in Cheongju, gathering over 800 global leaders.

The summit served as a platform for governments, international organisations, and civil society to share achievements and discuss future strategies for realising lasting peace.

This year’s summit highlighted significant progress in three key areas. In the field of international law, HWPL’s Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) gained further momentum, with the Latin American and Caribbean Parliament (PARLATINO) and 16 national parliaments and government institutions officially adopting resolutions in support of the declaration.

In peace education, institutionalisation at the national level is underway. The Ministry of Education of Zambia has implemented HWPL’s Peace Education across all public schools in the capital, Lusaka, with plans for nationwide expansion. Mongolia has also formally incorporated the program into its national curriculum.

In interfaith dialogue, the launch of the Solidarity of Religions’ Peace Committee (SRPC) marked a new milestone. Since 2023, the HWPL International Religious Peace Academy (IRPA) has officially been recognised in several countries as a platform enabling both religious leaders and citizens to engage in peace-centred discourse.

In his keynote address, HWPL Chairman Man Hee Lee said: ‘Conflict can never be good. Only the achievement of peace is good. If we fail to establish peace in our time, we will burden future generations with conflict. What we must leave behind is a world of peace, not war.’

Former President of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, in his congratulatory message said: ‘Our activity for banning war throughout the world is more important now than ever. This year’s achievements are the guarantee that humankind will one day achieve eternal peace.’

Senior Journalist in Sri Lanka Sukumar Rockwood, who attended the summit, said: ‘Civic awareness reform is essential to overcome challenges such as environmental issues, drug abuse, and corruption. HWPL’s LP Program can lead to these changes.’ He further expressed confidence that cooperation with HWPL will play a crucial role in both peacebuilding and national development in Sri Lanka.

Other peace representatives from Sri Lanka also joined the summit, including: Secretary and associate representatives of Alliance Development Trust (ADT) Peace Ambassador of Peace Education Yousuf, SL IPYG Peace Advocates Iresha and Atheefa, Peace Advocate and Religious Representative Yasir and Thusan, and representatives of the Economic Development Welfare Foundation; Trinity International School, Negombo Principal Kithmini Karunanayake.

The summit also addressed the issue of peaceful Korean reunification and announced that HWPL’s global membership has surpassed 580,000. Following the main event in Cheongju, a series of follow-up conferences will continue through October in 78 cities worldwide, involving more than 15,000 leaders. Notably, key figures from India, Sri Lanka, and Gambia representing the fields of law, education, and youth organisations also joined the summit, reinforcing multi-sectoral collaboration for global peace initiatives.

The Government yesterday formally issued the Notice of Assignment (NoA) for the 2025 5G spectrum auction, setting in motion the long-anticipated process to roll out next-generation mobile services in the country.

The announcement was made at a media briefing hosted by the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), and officials said the spectrum assignment would pave the way for the introduction of commercial 5G services. The move is expected to strengthen digital infrastructure, support the economy, and drive growth across multiple industries.

The event was attended by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne, Digital Economy Ministry Acting Secretary Waruna Sri Dhanapal, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission Director General Air Vice Marshal (Rtd.) Bandula Herath, 5G Auction Committee Chairman Dr. Sulakshana Jayawardena and TRCSL Director Shantha Gunanananda.

Deputy Minister Weeraratne said the assignment would provide a strong foundation to expand next-generation telecommunication and ICT services. He stressed that 5G would be central to innovation, economic growth, and industrial transformation. ‘In agriculture, smart sensors can increase yields and reduce waste, while in the apparel industry, automated systems can enhance quality and production capacity,’ he noted.

TRCSL Director General Herath traced the journey toward 5G back to 2017, explaining that regulatory groundwork was completed between 2017 and 2020, followed by consultations with the World Bank, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), and GSMA between 2020 and 2022 to determine the most suitable frequency bands.

‘Following this long process, the final assignment notice is being issued in 2025. The auction is expected to be completed within two months, after which the public will experience services enabled by this milestone,’ he said.

Dr. Jayawardena, who heads the 5G Auction Committee, explained that the auction will run over 40 days and that all relevant documents have been published on the TRCSL website ([www.trc.gov.lk](http://www.trc.gov.lk)). He assured that the process would be carried out with high transparency.

Highlighting the social dimension, TRCSL Director Gunanananda said 5G would help bridge the digital divide. ‘The COVID-19 pandemic proved that the internet is now a basic necessity,’ he said, adding that the new technology would improve access to education and economic opportunities for rural as well as urban populations.

The George Keyt Foundation’s ‘Young Contemporaries 2025’ exhibition culminated with tremendous success at the Barefoot Gallery, drawing over 300 attendees on the first evening and achieving extraordinary sales of artworks.

The event, inaugurated by the British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Andrew Patrick, showcased the creativity of 12 emerging artists from Sri Lanka.

After careful evaluation by a distinguished panel of judges, the coveted ‘Young Contemporary 2025 Award’ was presented to Ponnaiyah Peter, a 27-year-old artist from Kilinochchi. His deeply moving works, rooted in memories of war and its aftermath, shone through their powerful expression of trauma, resilience, and the search for peace. The award was presented by the event’s sponsor Nations Trust Bank CEO Hemantha Gunetilleke.

The works of the artists with the best collection were evaluated by Leena Hirdaramani, Anomaa Rajakaruna, Nelun Harasgama, and Dominic Sansoni.

George Keyt Foundation Chairman Malaka Talwatte, hailed this year’s edition as one of the most successful, highlighting the strong public response and the Foundation’s ongoing mission to promote Sri Lankan art on the national and global stage. The winner’s art captures the very spirit of the George Keyt Foundation as a space where contemporary issues find powerful expression through creativity.

Espncricinfo: India’s batting riches put them in consummate control of the first Test of their home season, with KL Rahul and Dhruv Jurel scoring important centuries. It was Rahul’s first at home since 2016 and it was Jurel’s first one ever. They now have a lead of 286, which is large enough to potentially shrink this down from a five-day game.

Ravindra Jadeja had an equal part to play on a day where India made 327 runs for just three wickets. There was a point when the pitch started crumbling and West Indies’ spinners were able to get the ball to turn sharply out of the rough. India collectively decided to attack them, hoping to throw them off the lengths where they could access the worn out parts of the pitch. Jadeja did this the best. His idea was to charge at the bowler, and every time he did, he was looking to hit a boundary.

Seven of the 11 he ended up with were the result of this ruthless approach, including a six that helped him breeze through the nervous nineties.

Jomel Warrican, Roston Chase, and Khary Pierre, in helpful conditions, were left nursing combined figures of 4 for 283 from 82 overs. Jadeja, meanwhile, helped India reprise a feature of their England tour earlier this year, becoming the third centurion of the innings. The last time that happened at home was 2018, during West Indies’ last visit to the country. Jadeja connected that trio to this trio.

India 448 for 5 (Jurel 125, Rahul 100, Jadeja 104*, Chase 2-90) lead West Indies 162 by 286 runs