<ul><li>Vijay’s TVK emerges as single largest in TN in Assembly Poll&nbsp;</li></ul> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Party was on course to win two of four crucial State Elections yesterday (4), expanding its influence and weakening its key rival half-way into his third term in office. Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was set to return to power in the eastern State of Assam for the third straight term, and was sweeping West Bengal, counting trends on the Election Commission website showed.&nbsp;Both States border Bangladesh and infiltration into India was a key Poll issue.The BJP has never ruled West Bengal, a State where it had only three local lawmakers until 2021.Modi, his closest aide and Home Minister Amit Shah and several senior BJP leaders have campaigned extensively in West Bengal for weeks, focusing on what they called illegal immigration from Bangladesh and the weak local economy under incumbent Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Banerjee is a fierce critic of Modi and a key member of India’s Opposition alliance. She has been in power in the State since 2011.In the southern State of Tamil Nadu (TN), a major hub for electronics and automobiles, popular movie star Joseph Vijay, a first-time entrant into politics who launched his Party only two years ago, looked on course to oust the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Party. The actor, who goes by the single name Vijay, has a frenzied fan following in the State, which has a history of electing film stars to the top office.In the other southern State of Kerala, an alliance led by the Congress Party looked set to defeat the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist).The DMK is also a vocal rival of Modi, and DMK and Banerjee’s ruling TMC Party were the main pillars of the Congress-led Opposition INDIA alliance. The alliance jointly fought the 2024 General Election and deprived Modi of an outright majority, forcing him to rely on the support of regional parties to form a coalition Government.Their losses are expected to significantly weaken opposition to Modi in 2029, when he will contest for a record fourth term in office.In TN, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) Party, led by Vijay, is making significant gains, overtaking the ruling DMK. Early results show the TVK leading in 66 constituencies, with the DMK ahead in 49 and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam in 45.Vijay himself is leading in both of the constituencies where he is contesting — Perambur and Trichy East — highlighting his growing influence in the State’s politics. The surge by the TVK has positioned it as the single largest Party in the ongoing Assembly Elections, reshaping the traditional political landscape.While projections remain provisional, the rising popularity of Vijay’s Party indicates a shift in voter sentiment, with the actor-politician’s entry adding a new dynamic to TN’s political scene.Final results were expected to be clear by yesterday evening but the outcome is not expected to have an immediate impact on politics or policy at the federal level.Reuters and Hans India

Indian State Elections : Modi’s Party set to gain big 

Deputy Minister of Energy, &nbsp;Arkam Ilyas, said yesterday (4) Sri Lanka is currently engaged in negotiations with the Chinese side and remains hopeful of a positive outcome on the US$ 3.7 billion Hambantota oil refinery project.“The discussions are ongoing to arrive at a workable arrangement by addressing the concerns of all the parties involved. We are engaging in negotiations with them. We need to make it workable by addressing the concerns of all the parties, and we are hopeful of a positive outcome at the end of the negotiations,” the Minister said.It was reported earlier that China had informed the Government the project would not be viable under the original terms, which required 80 per cent of the refinery’s output to be exported and only 20 per cent&nbsp; to be sold in the domestic market. The Chinese side is now seeking a higher share for local sales, with indications that around 30 per cent of the output would need to be allocated to the Sri Lankan market for the project to be sustainable.&nbsp;Once operational, the proposed refinery in Hambantota is expected to process 200,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The project, announced in January of 2025 during President Dissanayake’s State visit to Beijing, China, has been described as the largest single Chinese direct investment in Sri Lanka.

SL-China refinery talks ongoing - Minister 

The Computer Emergency Readiness Team (CERT) is stepping up efforts to raise cyber security awareness among Government officials, as part of a broader national push to safeguard the country’s digital space following recent incidents that resulted in the loss of millions in terms of money.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Senior Information Security Engineer at the CERT, Charuka Damunupola said that while implementing cyber security policies established for Government institutions and systems, any possible weaknesses in the system would be immediately connected to the Cyber Security Control Centre. This, he noted, would enable the identification of security threats at an early stage. He further added the National Security Strategy which was already launched may help mitigate such events.&nbsp; In addition, CERT is planning awareness programmes for Government officials in order to enlighten them on such threats.When queried as to whether the recent incident in which US$ 2.5 million was lost from the General Treasury had resulted from weak security of the national cyber space, Damunupola explained that the mistake cannot be totally attributed to a cyber security lapse, noting the human factor and other loopholes in the process also played a role.The National Cyber Security Strategy of 2025 to 2029, launched on 19 September 2025, aims to create a secure, resilient, and inclusive digital ecosystem. It focuses on enhancing regulatory frameworks, developing a skilled workforce, securing critical information infrastructure, and strengthening public-private partnerships to counter cyber threats.However, multiple reports and experts have described Sri Lanka’s cyber security as facing significant challenges, with many classifying its status as low or vulnerable, particularly between 2024 and 2026.

Cyber security: CERT to raise Govt awareness 

The Agriculture Ministry has prioritised producing seed varieties that are identical to the country amidst concerns of a future seed shortage, while also seeking the feasibility of producing more hybrid varieties at a time when the country lacks the technology to produce them.Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Agriculture Minister Namal Karunarathne said that centering around the Peradeniya and Gannoruwa research institutes mainly, a programme was started focusing on seed production for the country. "We are introducing identical seed varieties mainly, while producing seeds. For instance, recently, we have introduced a special 'chillie' variety that has become a success already. We are identifying the seed varieties with better production and promoting them." He also accepted that hybrid seed varieties are mainly bought from the foreign market, noting that there are producers of those varieties and that we cannot arbitrarily grow them in our country without a proper programme.Yet, he added that within the country, research centres like those in Bathalegoda are doing experiments on hybrid varieties with a higher yield and higher nutritious values, and hence the issue of seed production will be sorted out soon.The comments from him come in light of the President of the National Agrarian Unity organisation, Anuradha Tennakoon having warned that Sri Lanka is at risk of a serious seed shortage in the future due to the heavy reliance on imports and global political instability. He had said that 92 per cent of the seed necessity is being imported even though there are 18 institutes that produce seeds in the country.

Native seed variety production prioritised 

<ul><li>Loki Pattie associate cum org. crime suspect nabbed with weapon, ammo, Ice&nbsp;</li><li>Navy, Coast Guard and Fisheries Dept. nab 77 for illegal fishing&nbsp;</li><li>120 foreign racketeers remanded&nbsp;</li></ul>A janitorial supervisor of the National Hospital in Kandy has been injured and hospitalised following a shooting incident at Gohagoda, in Katugastota, according to the Police.A suspect has been arrested in the Ambalangoda, Balapitiya area for the possession of a foreign-manufactured pistol, one magazine, 16 live rounds of ammunition, and 11.5 grams of the narcotic substance crystal methamphetamine (Ice). The arrest was made during a raid carried out by a team of officers from the Ahungalla Police Station. The suspect has been identified as a 31-year-old resident of Balapitiya.&nbsp;Investigations have revealed that the firearm had been handed over to him a few days earlier by another individual, aged 22-year-old and a resident of Balapitiya, who was also arrested on 2 May in the Ambalangoda, Wadduwa area.&nbsp;Further inquiries have uncovered that both the suspects are associates of the organised crime figure known as Loku Pattie.&nbsp;It is believed the firearm had been provided to them with the intention of carrying out a crime.Elsewhere, under the directives of the Inspector General of Police, a large number of individuals were taken into custody during island-wide operations conducted to prevent crime and drug trafficking. A total of 26,346 individuals were screened during operations carried out on 3 May.&nbsp;Of these, 548 individuals were arrested on suspicion, while 147 persons were directly identified as being involved in criminal activities. In addition, 212 individuals with outstanding warrants and 158 suspects named in open warrants were apprehended during these operations. Furthermore, 135 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, and 83 were taken into custody for reckless driving.&nbsp; Legal action was also initiated against 3,996 individuals for various other traffic-related violations.Also, the Navy, working with the Coast Guard and the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Department, apprehended 77 individuals for illegal fishing practices during search operations from 17 to 30 April. The operations, spearheaded by the Eastern, Northern, and North-Western Naval Commands, spanned across Kattanthalei, Karumalaiyootru, Valaichchenai, Kallarawa, Kinniya, Thuduwa, Kayankerni, Bolder Point, Sampoor, Chilawaththai, Irakkandi, Mohoththuwaram, Panichachankerni, and the Nandikadal Lagoon in Trincomalee. Furthermore, surveillance was tightened across Veththalakeni and Point Pedro in Jaffna, as well as the coastal stretches of Savaripuram in Mannar. The crackdown also led to the recovery of 17 dinghies, six tractors, fishing gear, illegally harvested sea cucumbers as well as commercial explosives utilised for these illicit activities. The suspects, together with the seized items, were handed over to the Department offices in Kokkilai, Mullativu, Jaffna, Valaichchenai, Kuchchaveli, Silavathurai and Kinniya for onward legal proceedings.Further, the group of foreign nationals arrested on 3 May, at a location on Meda Welikada Road in Rajagiriya, has been remanded in custody. The suspects were produced before Colombo Additional Magistrate R.D. Janaka on 3 May, following which the remand order was issued. Accordingly, after considering the facts presented, the Magistrate ordered that the suspects be remanded until tomorrow (6). The group was arrested on charges of engaging in illegal financial operations and other unlawful activities. Police apprehended 120 foreign nationals at a multi-storey apartment in the area. Among those arrested are individuals from several countries, including China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Madagascar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Cambodia. A number of computers and mobile phones found in their possession were also taken into Police custody. Investigations revealed that the suspects had rented several floors of the apartment and were operating the illicit business from the premises.

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in shooting  

<ul><li>Cover tourism, education, health, sports, youth development, archives, defence</li><li>President pushes for investment in IT, AI, fisheries and agro-processing, tourism, real estate, urban development infrastructure</li><li>&nbsp;Land allocated for Maldivian HC in Col., and SL HC in the Maldives&nbsp;</li></ul>Seven Memoranda of Understanding’s (MoUs) have been signed between Sri Lanka (SL) and the Maldives during the State visit of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors. The agreements cover collaboration in the fields of tourism, education, higher education, health, sports, youth development, archives, and defence.The official State reception for President Muizzu, who arrived in Sri Lanka on 4 May for a three-day official visit, was held yesterday (5). The formal welcome ceremony commenced yesterday morning at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.Following the ceremony, the leaders of both countries issued a joint media statement highlighting the outcomes of their discussions.President Dissanayake noted that Dr. Muizzu’s official visit was in response to an invitation extended during his own visit to the Maldives in 2025. During&nbsp; discussions, the President also conveyed appreciation to the Maldivian Government for the humanitarian assistance and support provided during the recent disaster period in Sri Lanka.&nbsp;He further emphasised that global climate change remains a significant shared challenge for both countries.President Dissanayake invited the Maldives to explore investment opportunities in sectors such as information technology (IT), artificial intelligence (AI), fisheries and agro-processing, tourism, real estate, and urban development infrastructure.&nbsp;He also extended his best wishes for the success of the Business Forum scheduled for today (5), which President Muizzu is expected to attend.Marking the occasion, a reciprocal land allocation was made between the two countries. Accordingly, a plot of land has been allocated in Colombo for the Maldivian High Commission (HC) in Sri Lanka, while the Maldives has allocated a plot of land for the Sri Lankan High Commission.Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath has also held discussions with Dr. Muizzu.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;President Muizzu, who is visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Dissanayake, is scheduled to remain in the country until tomorrow (6). During the visit, President Muizzu is also expected to hold bilateral discussions with President Dissanayake, focusing on further strengthening long-standing ties and cooperation between the two nations. This marks his first visit to Sri Lanka since assuming office in 2023.Meanwhile, Police have announced that a special traffic management plan will remain in place in and around Colombo until tomorrow, due to the State visit.

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

<h3> </h3><h3>Mels Automobiles (Pvt.) Ltd., the fully owned subsidiary of Melstacorp PLC, has been officially appointed as the authorised importer and dealer, including the supply of genuine BMW parts, provision of authorised BMW aftersales and service operations in full alignment with global BMW standards.</h3>“The appointment of Mels Automobiles as the official authorised importer and dealer for BMW in Sri Lanka is a defining milestone for our group,” said Melstacorp PLC Chairperson Hasitha Jayawardena. “BMW stands for more than mobility, it represents cutting-edge innovation, uncompromising quality and extraordinary customer experiences. Driven by a relentless commitment to exceeding customer expectations at every touchpoint, these values strongly resonate with our own as we introduce a new era for the BMW brand in Sri Lanka.”Mels Automobiles Chief Executive Officer Anushka Polonowita added: “This is both a privilege and a responsibility. Our vision is to restore, strengthen, and grow BMW’s presence in Sri Lanka through the highest standards of customer experience, technical excellence, and brand stewardship.”“Sri Lanka is an important market to BMW Group Asia, with a long-standing appreciation for premium mobility and craftsmanship,” said BMW Group Asia Managing Director Rene Gerhard. “Following the reopening of luxury vehicle imports, we are pleased to appoint Mels Automobiles as our official Importer and Dealer Partner, marking a new chapter for our brand in the country. This decision underscores our confidence in the market’s long-term potential and our intent to grow responsibly.”During the transition period, existing BMW customers can be assured of uninterrupted service and support. Until the formal transition is completed, Prestige Automobiles (Pvt.) Ltd. will continue to serve all BMW clients with the same level of care and professionalism they have demonstrated in the past. Melstacorp PLC and Mels Automobiles (Pvt.) Ltd. will work closely with Prestige Automobiles (Pvt) Ltd. to ensure a seamless transition, with the continuity of service and customer satisfaction remaining the highest priority.

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automobiles named authorised importer, dealer

A person was arrested in Egodauyana, Moratuwa today (04) with 300 Pregabalin capsules. The arrest was carried out by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard with the Divisional Crime Detective Bureau (Mount Lavinia).The capsules were found ready for sale at the suspect’s residence. The suspect and the items were handed over to Mount Lavinia Police for legal proceedings.

Suspect arrested with 300 Pregabalin capsules in Moratuwa

Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya held discussions with Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu in Colombo. The talks took place during President Muizzu’s ongoing official visit to Sri Lanka. Seven MoUs were signed covering tourism, education, health, defence and youth development. Both leaders noted the contribution of Sri Lankan and Maldivian communities to each other’s development.

Indian State Elections : Modi’s Party set to gain big

SL-China refinery talks ongoing - Minister

SL-China refinery talks ongoin ...

Cyber security: CERT to raise Govt awareness

Cyber security: CERT to raise ...

Native seed variety production prioritised

Native seed variety production ...

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in shooting

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in ...

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automobiles named authorised importer, dealer

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automob ...

Suspect arrested with 300 Pregabalin capsules in Moratuwa

Suspect arrested with 300 Preg ...

Prime Minister and Maldivian President hold bilateral talks in Colombo

Prime Minister and Maldivian P ...

SL-China refinery talks ongoing - Minister

SL-China refinery talks ongoin ...

Cyber security: CERT to raise Govt awareness

Cyber security: CERT to raise ...

Native seed variety production prioritised

Native seed variety production ...

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in shooting

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in ...

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automobiles named authorised importer, dealer

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automob ...

Suspect arrested with 300 Pregabalin capsules in Moratuwa

Suspect arrested with 300 Preg ...

Prime Minister and Maldivian President hold bilateral talks in Colombo

Prime Minister and Maldivian P ...

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SL-China refinery talks ongoing - Minister

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Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Native seed variety production prioritised

Native seed variety production ...

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in shooting

Crime: Hosp. worker injured in ...

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

SL-Maldives sign 7 MoUs

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automobiles named authorised importer, dealer

BMW in Sri Lanka: Mels Automob ...