Aug 18 (ST) Though it did not initially show on his face, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was not happy when he sat down for a widely anticipated meeting with the BASL at the Presidential Secretariat on Wednesday. He was irked after being blindsided earlier that morning by a BASL statement regarding the topic that was to be discussed with him later that day, namely the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution seeking to more..

Aug 18 (Island) President of the Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Gemunu Wijeratne has lodged a complaint with the CID over an alleged online smear campaign against him. He says he has become the target of a social media vilification campaign since he made some critical remarks about the metro bus service. Defamation cannot be countenanced on any grounds, and it is hoped that social media platforms concerned and the police will intervene to safeguard his interests. more..

Aug 18 (Island) Tabling of the 22nd Amendment has brought the significance of constitutional change once again to the centre of public attention. Controversy surrounding the proposal has become larger than the question of two additional years for judges. It has raised a more fundamental question about the direction in which the new govt is taking SL. In its 2024 election manifesto, NPP promised to introduce a new Constitution while implementing the existing constitutional framework till then. more..

Aug 18 (CT) In central banking, accumulating reserves by flooding the domestic market with liquidity is like trying to put out a fire with a hose connected to a gasoline tank. SL’s macroeconomic recovery remains precariously balanced. Recent figures from the banking system highlight a startling expansion of excess rupee liquidity—surging from approximately LKR 40 billion in mid-June 2026 to LKR 200 billion—largely driven by the CB purchasing roughly USD 475 million from more..

Aug 18 (TM) Throughout August, the English language newspapers published a steady stream of news articles, editorials and commentary as did several Sinhala language social media channels, opposing the Govt’s proposal to raise the retirement age of Superior Court (Supreme Court [SC] and Court of Appeal [CA]) Judges. The criticism was loud, consistent, and often emphatic. What was missing however was the one thing that an informed public debate requires: an explanation. more..

Aug 18 (SO) Senior Professor of Archaeology Raj Somadeva, overseeing the Chemmani mass grave excavations, has recently submitted a formal document to the medico-legal inquiry titled Chemmani Mass Grave Excavation: A Proposed Road Map for the Continuation of the Medico-Legal Investigation. The document provides the most systematic account to date of the excavation’s findings and sets out what more..

Aug 18 (ST) When bare knuckle prize fighting was civilized with the advent of the Queensberry rules in the 19th century, an element of basic sportsmanship was introduced into a brutal game. Aficionados of the sport however protested against requiring boxers to wear padded gloves and other safeguards, wanting instead the full measure of blood to be drawn. Post-independence politics in Sri Lanka, particularly from the late seventies, has been like boxing without fair-play, ie, more..

Aug 18 (TM) The drop in cumulative water storage across 74 major reservoirs under the Irrigation Dept to approximately 37% of total capacity provides evidence of an escalating climate and governance crisis. In the agricultural heartlands of the Dry Zone, particularly in Ampara, water levels in nine major reservoirs have fallen to roughly 23%, whereas four key reservoirs in Batticaloa stand at 26%, and primary storage bodies in Trincomalee sit at 28%. Major agricultural centres more..

Aug 18 (TM) An allegation by SJB MP Mujibur Rahman that an unnamed former SL MP had been detained and questioned by immigration authorities in the UK after his new SL passport could allegedly not be properly read has brought the quality of the country’s new passports under fresh scrutiny. Raising the issue in Parliament, Rahman claimed that British immigration officials had experienced difficulties reading passport, more..

Aug 18 (DN) Founded in Europe in the late 18th Century by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann, homeopathy has survived for more than two centuries and continues to attract practitioners and patients around the world. Its supporters regard it as a distinct system of medicine, while its critics question whether its highly diluted remedies can produce effects beyond those of a placebo. So, what exactly is homeopathy? How is it supposed to work, how does someone more..

Aug 18 (GV) Once again, the spectre of the hangman has returned to SL’s policy discourse. At National Operations Council convened at the Presidential Secretariat on Aug 10, the imposition of the death penalty for drug-related offences was raised as a possible response to the country’s deepening narcotics crisis. The cabinet spokesman has since clarified that no final decision has been taken. Before any such decision is reached, policymakers would do well to pause and more..

Aug 17 (NW) Sri Lankans working overseas do not need to fear additional taxes when sending their legally earned income to SL through the banking system, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has said. Senior Deputy Commissioner of the IRD Hiran Meneripitiya said no separate tax is imposed through the banking system when money earned overseas is remitted to SL. He explained that the tax treatment of foreign income depends on whether an individual is considered a resident of SL for more..

Aug 17 (Island) SL’s escalating human-elephant conflict has reached a tragic stage, with more than 400 elephants and nearly 200 people dying each year, environmental activist Ananda Dissanayake said last week. Addressing a press conference at SL Foundation in Colombo to mark World Elephant Day, Dissanayake said the govt and relevant authorities were implementing various measures to address the conflict, but elephants and their offspring continued to die on a daily basis. more..

Aug 17 (EN) SL’s economic growth could slow down between 4-5% in the second half of this year due to tight monetary policy and higher prices, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe said. CB raised the key monetary policy rate by 100 basis points in May after inflation started to rise from around 2%. It jumped to 7.3% in July. “There could be some slowdown in the second half, but still, it could be around within 4-5%. more..

Aug 17 (NW) The Irrigation Dept has urged the public and all water users to use water sparingly as water levels in the 74 major reservoirs under its control have fallen to around 37% of total capacity. An Irrigation Dept official said the available water is expected to be sufficient for the remainder of the Yala cultivation season and for drinking water requirements in areas supplied by the major reservoirs until the expected monsoon rainfall in November and December. more..

Aug 17 (EN) Anton James, founder of The Tree House International, Sri Lanka’s school for children with special needs, has been elected a Fellow of the Psychological Society of Ireland (PSI). “This recognition belongs to the educators, therapists and families in Sri Lanka who strive every day for better neurodevelopmental care, and strengthens my resolve to ensure that every child with special needs has access to world class, evidence-based intervention,” said Anton. more..

Aug 17 (TM) The GMOA has called for the disturbance availability and transport allowance paid to medical professionals to be revised from the current Rs 70,000, noting that the allowance approved in 2018 was up to Rs 120,000. GMOA Secretary Dr Ubaya Warakagoda said the revision was among several proposals submitted by the GMOA ahead of the 2027 Budget to improve the retention of medical professionals in SL. more..

Aug 17 (NW) The 22nd Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, has been included in the Parliament Order Book ahead of its scheduled presentation to Parliament on Tuesday (18). The Bill is due to be presented by Minister Harshana Nanayakkara. The Bill seeks to amend the Judicature Act No. 2 of 1978 in relation to the retirement age of judges. Under the proposed amendment, retirement age of SC judges more..

Aug 17 (AD) The govt of Japan has provided a JPY 282 million (Rs. 591 million) grant to Sri Lanka for the Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS) programme. The programme will enable 15 promising Sri Lankan public sector officials to pursue two-year Master’s degree programmes at universities in Japan from 2027. The officials will specialise in areas including Public Policy, Int'l Relations, International Development, Macroeconomics, Public Finance and more..

Aug 17 (AD) The prevailing El Niño conditions could have an impact on electricity generation in SL in late March and during the first two weeks of April next year, Minister Anura Karunathilaka said. Hw said the govt is preparing measures to reduce the potential impact on the power supply by increasing the use of battery energy storage systems. First phase of the battery storage programme is expected to add 160 MW to the national electricity system before December this year. more..

Aug 17 (NW) Trade union action launched by Grama Niladhari officers has been called off following discussions with the Ministry of Public Administration. Decision was reached after talks today between representatives of Grama Niladhari associations, Minister of Public Administration Chandana Abeyratne & Ministry Secretary. Association representatives said that during the meeting, Prez joined via telephone and assured that steps would be taken to address more..

Aug 17 (CI) Manav Suthar landed in Sri Lanka with big promise, delivered with a wicket first ball, and took three more to help India bowl SL out for 284, which gave them a formidable first-innings lead of 178. With three wickets, Ravindra Jadeja provided a good helping hand, as did the other three bowlers with a wicket each. India might have entertained thoughts of enforcing a follow-on in this rain-curtailed Test when they had the hosts down at 90/5. more..

Aug 17 (Island) Dialog Axiata and apparel manufacturer MAS Holdings have concluded the fourth Dialog MAS Enabler Programme, aimed at expanding workplace opportunities and inclusion for persons with disabilities (PWDs). The programme brought together 10 undergraduates and young professionals from leading public and private higher education institutions across SL, providing them with practical exposure to corporate, manufacturing and customer service environments at both more..

Aug 17 (DM) CERT has warned the public about a sophisticated fraud scheme in which scammers impersonate officials of the Central Bank of SL and FCID to steal victims’ bank deposits. Complaints have been received about individuals contacting victims through mobile phones and social media, claiming to have information about their savings and fixed deposits. The scammers allegedly tell victims that complaints have been lodged claiming their deposits were obtained through more..

Aug 17 (FT) Sri Lanka is better positioned than during its 2022 economic crisis to absorb a fresh energy price shock from the Middle East conflict, although high oil prices continue to pose risks to inflation, reserves, and growth, Moody’s Ratings said. Moody’s said SL, along with Bangladesh and Pakistan, remained among Asia’s most vulnerable economies to higher oil prices due to heavy reliance on imported energy. more..

Aug 17 (NW) A Colombo court has ordered a 17-year-old school cricketer arrested over an alleged assault involving a Bloomfield Cricket and Athletic Club employee to remain in probation custody until Aug 24. Order was issued after the case was taken up before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court on Aug 17. The teenager was arrested by Cinnamon Gardens Police following an incident at the Bloomfield grounds in Colombo on August 8. Club employee, identified as 62-year-old more..

Aug 17 (DM) Colombo has the port. India has the cargo. With nearly, Sri Lanka’s record-breaking port performance hides a strategic vulnerability it can no longer ignore. 45% of Colombo’s transshipment business linked to Indian cargo and half of Colombo’s transshipment business is linked to India. This is both Colombo’s greatest opportunity—and its greatest strategic vulnerability. In 2025, the Port of Colombo handled a record 8.29 million TEUs, its highest-ever annual throughput. more..

Aug 17 (Island) Five women were arrested for allegedly stealing gold chains from devotees attending the annual feast of the Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu, in Mannar, on Saturday. The suspects, all from Bulathsinhala, had allegedly mingled with devotees while posing as affluent women, dressed in expensive-looking attire and wearing large quantities of imitation jewellery. They are alleged to have used the crowds and confusion during the religious celebrations to snatch gold chains from more..

Aug 17 (AD) The first Kumbal Perahera of the historic Kandy Esala Perahera will take to the streets tomorrow night, with SL Police implementing a special security and traffic management plan for the event. 2026 Kandy Esala Perahera is scheduled to take place from Aug 18 to Aug 28. Special arrangements have been made to deploy roadblocks and security personnel, conduct vehicle and personal checks, provide guidance to tourists and manage vehicle parking throughout more..

Aug 17 (DM) Four managers of four leading private banks have been arrested in connection with a racket where an estimated US$1 billion has been illegally transferred out of Sri Lanka to foreign countries. The arrests were made by the FCID. The four bank managers were reportedly arrested at their respective private banks. Police said this is the first time that bank managers have been arrested in Sri Lanka in connection with such a case. more..

Aug 17 (Island) National Shoora Council (NSC) has called for an immediate inquiry into an alleged incident at the Kalmunai North Base Hospital in which several newly appointed female public officers were reportedly prevented from entering the hospital to assume duties. In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya dated August 15, the NSC said the incident had occurred on August 10 and urged the PM to direct the Health Ministry to investigate the matter. more..

Aug 17 (NF) Minister Vijitha Herath has assured that the temporary tax restrictions imposed on vehicle imports will be removed once the ongoing conflict situation in the Middle East comes to an end. He made these remarks while attending the Motor Rally 2026 vehicle exhibition organized by Vehicle Importers' Association of SL in Colombo yesterday. The event was organized with the primary objective of promoting a responsible motoring culture and disciplined driving practices within SL society. more..