Police investigating the detection of two container loads of crystal methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE) in the Middeniya areas, yesterday (22), found 245 kilos of heroin and 380 kilos of ice in three trucks at Seenimodera, Tangalle.

Police also recovered five brand new pistols and one T-56 assault rifle, a senior police officer said.

Police stated that one of the trucks had been parked near a house at Seenimodera where two bodies were found earlier in the day. Sources said that initially, the police visited the Seenimodera house after a person, who had been admitted to the Tangalle hospital, died of poisoning

Police Spokesman ASP and Attorney-at-Law F. U. Wootler said three persons had died after consuming liquor at the Seenimodera house where they recovered 10 kg of what was suspected to be ICE.

Of the three trucks, the one with about 200 kilos was found near a house on the Tangalle-Godella Kadurupokuna road.

The Police launched a major investigation after several wanted persons, including Kehelbaddara Padme, arrested by Indonesian authorities and extradited to Colombo, revealed the existence of a network trying to set up makeshift ICE manufacturing plants in several parts of the country.

Over the weekend, police raided a small hotel, in the Weligama area, where they took into custody a young man from Malta along with paraphernalia used to make ICE.

Police said that Sampath Manamperi, who surrendered to the Walasmulla Magistrate’s Court, was cooperating with investigators.

Police also found 115 rounds of T-56 ammunition, one hand grenade, one magazine, one gold plated weapon and some explosives buried in the garden of a woman living in Middeniya .

By Norman Palihawadana

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne yesterday (22) endorsed the certificate on the National Audit (Amendment) Bill.

The text of the statement issued by Parliament: “The National Audit (Amendment) Bill was presented to Parliament on 2025.07.08 and was passed in Parliament with amendments on 11.09.2025 This National Audit (Amendment) Bill seeks to amend the National Audit Act, No. 19 of 2018.

Accordingly, the main objective of these amendments are to provide provisions for the establishment of a Surcharge Review Committee including its composition, time limits, and procedures, for the purpose of making decisions regarding the imposition of surcharges recommended by the Auditor General.

Further, empowering the Auditor General to lodge complaints with law enforcement institutions regarding fraud or corruption, and extending the time period for submitting the Annual Detailed Management Audit Report from five months to six months, are among the key changes.

In addition, the amendments also make provisions to substantially increase the punishments for persons committing offences under Sections 42 and 43 of the principal enactment.

Accordingly, this National Audit (Amendment) Bill comes into effect as the National Audit (Amendment) Act, No. 19 of 2025.”

In a landmark step towards strengthening the resilience of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) against climate-induced disasters, Chrysalis, with the support of CARE Germany, officially launched Sri Lanka’s first Climate Resilience Revolving Fund for MSMEs in Colombo recently.

The initiative, co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the European Union, and Co-Impact, and implemented by Chrysalis, is part of the broader Climate and Disaster Risk Financing and Insurance (CDRFI) framework. It aims to safeguard livelihoods, accelerate post-disaster recovery, and embed long-term resilience practices among MSMEs in the Uva and Central Provinces.

MSMEs form the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, contributing significantly to employment generation, economic diversification, and community development. Some of these enterprises are women-led or women-powered, making them vital not only for household income but also for advancing gender equality and community resilience. However, they are increasingly exposed to floods, droughts, landslides, and other climate-induced shocks, which can disrupt operations and threaten livelihoods. The newly launched Revolving Fund will provide rapid financial support through MSME consortia in Badulla, Monaragala, Matale, and Nuwara Eliya, enabling quicker recovery, safeguarding women’s economic participation, and ensuring business continuity in the aftermath of disasters.

Hannah Bartels, Programme Coordinator MAP II CARE Germany Representative, emphasised ‘With the leadership of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and the commitment of global partners, this initiative in Sri Lanka illustrates how international funding can directly strengthen resilience at the community level’.

Speaking at the launch, Ashika Gunasena, CEO of Chrysalis, said: ‘SMEs are the backbone of Sri Lanka’s economy, but women-owned businesses are hit hardest by floods, droughts, and other climate shocks. Building climate resilience is not just about protecting enterprises, it is about safeguarding women’s livelihoods and strengthening communities’.

The initiative is a multi-actor collaboration involving government ministries, private sector financial institutions, civil society organizations, and development partners. By linking disaster risk financing directly to MSME consortia, the Fund not only supports immediate recovery but also fosters long-term resilience practices that can be scaled nationally.

The launch event also featured discussions on integrating CDRFI into Sri Lanka’s National SME Policy, the development process of the Revolving Fund, and the symbolic handover of the first round of grants to MSME consortia. It provided a platform for policymakers, private sector actors, and development partners to explore scalable solutions for climate risk preparedness.

This pioneering initiative seeks to strengthen MSME resilience, diversify market opportunities, and foster sustainable livelihoods in tourism, agriculture, and industry. The Revolving Fund marks a critical milestone in the journey toward comprehensive CDRFI solutions, ensuring that Sri Lanka’s MSMEs are better prepared for the climate challenges of today and tomorrow.