Maria Benanza, a German national who recently acquired Sri Lankan citizenship, has deposited her nomination to contest as an independent candidate in the 2025 Local Government elections.

She will be running for a seat in the Galewela Pradeshiya Sabha and has expressed her intention to contest as a means of contributing to positive change in Sri Lanka.

A traffic congestion is reported after a container truck transporting beer bottles, had overturned on the Colombo-Ratnapura road.

The incident had taken place in the Meennana area in Eheliyagoda, reports say.

The container truck had reportedly toppled while taking a bend. A large number of beer bottles have shattered on the road, reports add.

A 18-member delegation from the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) visited Sri Lanka from March 17 – 18, 2025.

The delegation included representatives from leading Indian vehicle manufacturers across all segments, including commercial vehicles, passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers.

During the visit, the delegation called on Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, Hon. Sunil Handunneththi, and Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development – Chathuranga Abeysinghe. 

In addition, they held meetings with senior officials from the Ministry of Finance, Board of Investment of Sri Lanka, and with the members of Ceylon Motor Traders Association.
The delegation also met Deputy High Commissioner of India, Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, and apprised him on the operations of Indian automobile companies in Sri Lanka.

This visit further strengthens the economic partnership between India and Sri Lanka, fostering collaboration and development in the automobile industry.