… Warns would-be polluters of criminal prosecution, hefty fines and even blacklisting

The Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) has warned that ship owners, operators and local entities responsible for marine pollution will face criminal prosecution, heavy financial penalties and possible blacklisting, MEPA Chairman Samantha Gunasekera said yesterday.

Gunasekera told The Island that Sri Lanka would no longer tolerate negligence and regulatory breaches that threaten the country’s marine ecosystems, coastal livelihoods and national economy.

“Any party that pollutes our seas—whether foreign vessels or local operators—should be prepared to face the full force of the law,” Gunasekera said. “There will be no room for excuses, delays or backdoor negotiations when marine pollution is involved.”

He said MEPA has intensified surveillance of major shipping routes, ports and environmentally sensitive zones amid rising maritime traffic through Sri Lankan waters, which remain among the busiest in the Indian Ocean.

by Ifham Nizam

A 10-member delegation from Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice P. Padman Surasena, departed to New Delhi on the 11th of December, 2025, for an official visit to the Supreme Court of India as part of the ongoing official visit by the delegation to India.

The group was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the Court’s main hall, led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. CJI Kant told the assembled Judges that “the Indian judiciary was honoured to host” their Sri Lankan counterparts, expressing hope that the visit would be “meaningful and very constructive” and underscoring the “close emotional bonds” between the two countries.

The focal point of the programme was a special sitting of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Surasena joined CJI Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi on the bench, presiding over the Court as a guest Justice. He was accompanied by nine other Supreme Court justices from Sri Lanka, who took seats in the well of CJI Kant’s courtroom to observe the day’s proceedings.

Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh formally greeted the delegation and praised Justice Surasena’s reformist efforts. Singh recalled the Sri Lankan Chief Justice’s own maxim, “If you want something you have never had, then you have got to do something you have never done”, highlighting the bold changes Surasena had introduced to modernise Sri Lanka’s Court system. Singh noted that these initiatives, particularly court digitization, were aimed at eradicating “the persisting problems of law delays” and streamlining case backlogs.

The Sri Lankan Judges spent the morning observing live Supreme Court proceedings in CJI Kant’s courtroom. This first-hand exposure to Indian court operations formed a key part of the programme’s judicial engagement. During the hour-long session, the visiting justices witnessed a range of cases on the Supreme Court’s roster, with Justice Surasena and the delegation following arguments from the front. The experience was designed to be immersive and following the hearing the Sri Lankan Judges were briefed on India’s own initiatives towards a digitalised court system, e-filing and case management systems.

The official programme then shifted to capacity-building and information exchange. In the early afternoon, Indian Supreme Court officials gave the Sri Lankan delegation detailed briefings on India’s technological initiatives. Court registrars demonstrated the e-filing system and other e-initiatives implemented by the Supreme Court of India. Additional presentations outlined the Court’s new case management systems and administrative reforms. These sessions highlighted how digital tools and better case-listing procedures have been used in India to increase efficiency. The Sri Lankan judges asked questions about India’s experience with electronic court records and the integration of technology in daily judicial work, reflecting their own interest in similar reforms back home.

The visit underscored the growing collaboration between the Indian and Sri Lankan judiciaries. Throughout the proceedings, both sides emphasised their shared legal traditions and mutual respect. As Chief Justice Surasena noted during the sitting, India is Sri Lanka’s “closest neighbour,” and historic links, even dating back to ancient epics, form the backdrop for today’s judicial dialogue. CJI Kant remarked that having the chief justices of two vibrant democracies together on the bench was a “significant moment” for the rule of law.

The Sri Lankan delegation continued its programme in Delhi on 12 December with a visit to the Delhi High Court and its International Arbitration and Mediation Centres. The exchange visit is expected to deepen judicial cooperation and provide practical insights for both courts. Officials on both sides say the engagement aimed at sharing best practices in court administration, reinforce legal ties and support ongoing reforms aimed at reducing case backlogs and delays.

Relentless monsoon rains continued to batter large parts of the country yesterday, triggering floods and landslide warnings and placing disaster response units on high alert, as authorities warned of further deterioration in ground conditions.

The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) said persistent rainfall has inundated roads and houses in low-lying areas while sharply increasing the risk of landslides and slope failures in vulnerable districts.

“District and divisional disaster management committees have been activated and response teams are on standby to assist affected communities,” DMC Director General Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Sampath Kotuwegoda said, urging the public to strictly follow official advisories.

The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) warned that saturated soil conditions caused by prolonged rainfall have heightened landslide hazards in the hill country and adjoining areas.

“Residents in identified high-risk zones must remain vigilant and evacuate immediately if early warning signs such as ground cracks or leaning trees are observed,” an NBRO official said.

Irrigation authorities said spill gates of several reservoirs have been opened, advising downstream communities to exercise caution. The DMC urged the public to avoid unnecessary travel and to contact hotline 117 for emergency assistance.

By Ifham Nizam