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TISL welcomes passage of Proceeds of Crime Act

Published

11 months ago

2025/04/12

The Proceeds of Crime Act’s introduction of non-conviction based asset forfeiture would strengthen Lanka’s legal tools for recovering illicit assets, including those held abroad, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said in a statement.

It welcomed the passage of the Proceeds of Crime Act, which was approved by Parliament on 08 April 2025. This is a landmark development in Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption and asset recovery framework, filling a long-standing legal gap and introducing powerful tools to combat illicit enrichment and the flow of black money.

TISL commends the work of the drafting committee for navigating the complexity of this legislation, which is designed to ensure that stolen assets are recovered and redirected for public benefit.

The new law introduces mechanisms for identifying, freezing, seizing, and confiscating the proceeds of crime, including in cases where a criminal conviction may not be possible. Notably, it provides for non-conviction-based forfeiture, a shift in the burden of proof in specific proceedings, and robust channels for international cooperation in tracing assets hidden across borders.

These legal tools are crucial in addressing grand corruption, where assets are often laundered through sophisticated local and global networks. Without such mechanisms, Sri Lanka has historically struggled to recover stolen public funds.

Importantly, the law focuses on the recovery of illicit assets rather than the prosecution of offenders. This is a critical strategy to disrupt the financial rewards of corruption and weaken the foundations of kleptocracy.

TISL also draws attention to several concerns that must be addressed to ensure the Act’s successful implementation. Stronger safeguards and judicial oversight are necessary within investigation processes to prevent the misuse of powers and uphold due process. The Proceeds of Crime Management Authority (PCMA) must function with the highest standards of transparency, and board members should be adequately and fairly compensated to attract qualified professionals and reduce corruption risks. Likewise, the Victims of Crime Reparations Trust Fund must be governed with clear selection criteria, term limits, disqualification processes, and strong conflict-of-interest safeguards to maintain public trust.

In addition to implementation issues, TISL remains concerned about broader challenges in Sri Lanka’s legislative process. The development of this law highlighted continued translation errors from English to Sinhala, which risk undermining its intent and application—particularly since the Sinhala version has legal precedence. These issues reinforce the need for institutionalised mechanisms for public and expert participation from the earliest stages of lawmaking, to ensure clarity, coherence, and alignment with the public interest and international standards.

Looking ahead, TISL urges the government and implementing institutions to ensure that the Proceeds of Crime Act is applied with integrity, fairness, and transparency. This includes the responsible and open management of recovered assets, robust public oversight, and ensuring that these powerful tools are used proportionately and in line with the law’s intended focus on grand corruption and serious crime. The ultimate goal must remain clear: to ensure that corruption and crime do not pay—and that stolen wealth is returned to its rightful owners, whether individuals or the public at large.

TISL remains committed to supporting the effective implementation of this law, for which it has long advocated, and will continue to push for transparency, accountability, and public participation across every stage of Sri Lanka’s reform journey, it said.

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Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity – PM

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarsooriya in her message on International Women’s Day 2026 says that the governments goal is to build a Thriving Nation where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity.

The PM’s message:

“I extend my greetings to all sisters and daughters in Sri Lanka and around the globe on the occasion of International Women’s Day.This year, the United Nations has declared the global theme for International Women’s Day as “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls,” emphasizing the realization of rights, the delivery of justice, and meaningful action for all women and girls.

Women are the true pillar of Sri Lankan society and economy. The role they play within the family and in society has today become a decisive factor in shaping the future of our nation. Through the Government’s policy statement, “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life,” we envision going beyond treating women as mere beneficiaries and recognizing them as active partners in national development, ensuring that they receive the dignity and opportunities they rightfully deserve.

Within our policy framework, special focus has been placed on women. We are committed to recognizing the economic contribution extended by women as housewives, promoting women’s entrepreneurship, and expanding access to the technical and financial support necessary for self-employment alongside strengthening the legal framework required to ensure women’s safety in public transport, workplaces, and within the family environment. Further, we are taking steps to create the environment to increase women’s representation in decision-making bodies at national and regional levels. Special attention is also being given to implementing targeted programmes aimed at improving women’s nutrition, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Women are not a group seeking sympathy; they are vital social partners endowed with intelligence, resilience, and creativity. Our goal is to build a “Thriving Nation” where a woman can walk without fear or doubt, where her talents are duly recognized, and where she can lead a life of dignity

On this International Women’s Day, I sincerely hope that it marks the beginning of a new era in which the aspirations of all women in our country are realized as they shine before the world.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/8

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 07 March 2026, valid for 08 March 2026.

Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Sabaragamuwa, North-western and North-central provinces and in Colombo, Gampaha, Vavuniya, Mannar, Hambantota and Monaragala districts

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED

Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

News

Lanka tea industry may lose $ 10-15 mn per week from ME war

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/8

Thilina Walpola

The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has adversely impacted on the Sri Lankan tea industry as the exporters are unable to supply tea to the region. The exporters estimate the revenue loss at about $ 10-15 million per week. The exporters have orders in hand for supply of tea and it is the logistical issues and war risk preventing them fulfilling such orders, the Tea Exporters Association (TEA) said in a statement.

“In order to mitigate the impact on the industry, the tea industry has jointly requested the government to support it in addressing the cash flow issue and consider absorbing a part of the additional freight and insurance charges. It has also requested government intervention to obtain the balance payment of about $ 50 million due on tea shipments already made to Iran under the barter deal,” TEA said on Friday.

The statement said approximately 52% of Sri Lanka’s tea exports reach the affected region mainly coming from the low grown area of the country dominated by tea smallholder farmers. According to 2025 tea export statistics, about 125 million kilograms of Ceylon tea were exported to the Middle East, with an estimated value of USD 750 million. The major importing countries of Ceylon Tea in the region include Iraq, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and the United Arab Emirates. Though Libya and Turkey can be reached via Africa, the exorbitant freight charges have prevented the buyers in those countries from importing tea at the moment.

The supply routes to Middle East countries go via Strait of Hormuz and Red sea Suez Canal. Although there is no blockade on Suez Canal, due to the war risk both channels are currently not used by the major shipping lines. The tea exports to the region have almost come to a standstill due to the following reasons:

=All major shipping lines suspended their services to the region immediately after the outbreak of the conflict.

=Several seaports in the region were temporarily closed during the initial stages.

= Although a few shipping lines resumed limited operations from March 4, freight charges have

increased significantly by approximately USD 1,800 for a 20’ container and USD 3,000 for a 40’ container.

= Existing insurance coverage obtained by exporters is no longer valid.

=There is a lack of regular and scheduled vessels operating from Colombo to Middle Eastern destinations.

The tea exporters are experiencing serious cash flow constraints, as payments for shipments already

dispatched have been delayed due to the unsettled situation in the region. This has restricted exporters’

buying capacity and that was evident at this week’s tea auction, where overall prices declined by about Rs. 50/ per kg while low grown tea prices declined by about Rs. 75/ per kg.

If the situation continues for few more weeks it will have a serious impact on the tea auction as buyers may curtail the purchase of tea if the outward movements are restricted. This could directly impact on the income of the tea smallholder farmers.

In January 2026, the country earned $ 121.8 million from tea exports compared to $ 112.7 million in January 2025 (a 5% increase). The figures for February 2026 are not yet available but should be either similar to last year or higher. The disruption to tea exports in March will certainly affect the volume and value of the exports though the exact amounts cannot be estimated at this point.

According to the available data Sri Lanka has settled about 95% of its debt to Iran by supplying tea to Iran under the Tea for Oil mechanism. Even if the military conflict comes to an end, Sri Lanka will find it difficult to continue to supply tea to Iran unless a new mechanism is introduced. Under the prevailing US sanctions on Iran, the exporters may not be able to supply tea to Iran outside the barter system. Iran purchases about 11 million kg of tea from Sri Lanka annually under the barter deal.

The situation was discussed with the Minister of Plantation & Community Infrastructure at a meeting held on March 4, 2026.