Marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive industry, President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (17) inaugurated the Western Automobile Assembly Private Limited (WAA) vehicle assembly plant in Kuliyapitiya..

The first vehicle to be assembled at the $27 million facility, a 15-seater passenger van, is expected to enter the market by the end of the month. The factory, equipped with cutting-edge machinery designed by global automotive experts, will generate both direct and indirect employment opportunities for local youth. In line with international industry standards, the facility also houses a vocational training institute, offering young people the chance to gain skills that will qualify them for overseas job opportunities.

During the ceremony, President Wickremesinghe unveiled a commemorative plaque and toured the factory, engaging in friendly conversation with staff. In his speech, the President emphasized that no one will be allowed to obstruct projects vital to strengthening the national economy, despite protests. He also noted that although the Western Automobile Factory was initiated in 2015, it lacked the necessary support for timely completion.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that his administration is committed to advancing development projects that will benefit the country, noting that significant job opportunities for youth were lost due to the 10-year delay in completing this project, which was initially expected to be finished in two years. He highlighted that the new factory will not only boost the local economy of Kuliyapitiya but also strengthen the national economy.

By Hemantha Randunu and Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon

Over 60,000 police officers would be deployed to protect polling stations, other election-related locations, and maintain law and order on 21 September, Viyani Gunathilaka, Secretary of Public Security, told The Island on Tuesday (17).

Gunathilaka said the number of officers could be increased if necessary.

The assistance of the tri-forces would also be sought to provide security at strategic locations across the country on both election day and the day after, he added.

Two police officers will be stationed at each polling centre, while special police teams, including units from the Special Task Force (STF), will be deployed to protect counting centres and conduct patrols and carry out search operations, Gunathilaka confirmed.

He said the 2024 presidential election campaigns had been remarkably peaceful so far, with no reports of serious election-related violence to date.

The Russian Embassy in Colombo on Tuesday (17) refuted claims made by the Latvian Embassy in New Delhi regarding the delay of a crucial shipment of Russian potash fertilisers bound for Sri Lanka.

Last week, the Russian Embassy stated that the vessel Asian Majesty, carrying 55,000 tonnes of potash fertilisers, valued at approximately USD 34 million, had been held at the Port of Riga, Latvia, since mid-2023.

According to the Russian Embassy, Latvia is planning to nationalize the shipment under pressure from Western powers. On Monday, the Latvian Embassy rejected these accusations, asserting that it has been actively working to expedite the shipment without causing any delays.

In a statement issued yesterday, the Russian Embassy in Colombo criticized Latvia, claiming that the delay reflects the limited sovereignty of the Baltic state. The Embassy argued that key foreign policy decisions for Latvia, like other Baltic nations, are made in other capitals.

“Latvia continues to claim its significance, yet it has become a leader in implementing measures that jeopardize global food stability,” the Russian Embassy noted. It added that Riga has repeatedly (in October and December 2023, and January 2024) proposed blocking Russian agricultural products from the European market in line with the EU’s sanctions policy.

However, the Russian Embassy claimed such actions are harmful to global food security, as they contribute to the rising prices of European agricultural exports to third-party countries. This, combined with a reported 30% decline in fertiliser production in Europe since 2021, has left vulnerable nations in Africa, Asia, and other regions increasingly at risk.