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Parliamentarian Faiszer Musthapha (PC) and Upul Kumarapperuma (PC) have launched a high-level diplomatic intervention to save Anojan Sivarasa, a Sri Lankan youth sentenced to death in Saudi Arabia over a social media post.

The decision to send the senior legal experts as special diplomatic envoys followed direct intervention by the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, who officially announced the mission in Parliament yesterday (22).

Funding the critical diplomatic mission out of their own personal resources rather than state funds, the envoys are scheduled to fly to Saudi Arabia in the coming days to plead for the young man's life.

Former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed has also pledged his complete backing during a meeting with the two special envoys in the Maldives today (23).

During the discussions, former President Nasheed acknowledged that while the social media post posed a serious grievance to the Muslim community, he would intervene on strictly humanitarian grounds to assist the youth.

The crucial meeting in the Maldives marked the first official step in the international effort to secure royal clemency or a sentence reduction prior to the legal team's arrival in Saudi Arabia.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met an International Monetary Fund (IMF) delegation at the Opposition Leader's Office in Parliament today (23) to discuss Sri Lanka's economic stability following the conclusion of the current Extended Fund Facility programme.

The high-level meeting brought together key representatives from both sides as the IMF continues its structured engagement with the country.

Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou led the IMF delegation alongside Resident Representative Martha Woldemichael and other officials.

A Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) delegation including Parliamentarians Harsha de Silva, Kabir Hashim, and Harshana Rajakaruna accompanied the Opposition Leader.

The engagement took place ahead of the scheduled seventh review in October 2026 and the eighth review in March 2027.

Focus on post-2027 economic strategy

Both parties examined the structural framework necessary to protect the nation from future external shocks once the present financing facility expires in March 2027.

The discussions centred on debt sustainability, foreign exchange reserves, fiscal conditions, and external sector performance.

They evaluated specific economic targets required by the end of the current arrangement to ensure sound public finances and manageable external debt burdens.

Premadasa questioned the IMF regarding the exact quantitative indicators that would mark a successful transition away from IMF financial assistance.

He requested details on the specific circumstances that might require a successor financing programme beyond the current cycle.

Protecting vulnerable citizens and businesses

Premadasa argued that tax policies and fiscal consolidation measures must not impose an unfair burden on working class citizens and low-income households.

He said that the progress of IMF reforms should be evaluated through real improvements in poverty reduction, employment, and everyday living costs rather than top-level macroeconomic figures alone.

He highlighted the severe debt challenges confronting micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises across the island.

Premadasa urged international lenders to support policies that protect local entrepreneurship and bolster domestic production capacity.

He called for reliable, timely household data to enable evidence-based policymaking that actively tracks social welfare impacts.

He asserted that true economic recovery requires a shift from basic stabilization toward inclusive growth that elevates household incomes across all segments of society.

The Opposition Leader stressed that macroeconomic discipline remains vital, but must directly translate into tangible economic security for the general public.

The Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar has convicted 15 accused in the long-running case over the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, with one defendant receiving 260 years of rigorous imprisonment.

The three-member bench, comprising High Court Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka, delivered the final judgment yesterday (22).

The court found that the prosecution had established beyond reasonable doubt the charges against the 15 accused, including allegations relating to conspiracy, providing assistance and support, and conducting extremist lectures.

Five of the convicted accused were sentenced to 200 years of rigorous imprisonment each, while another five received 220 years each. Four others were sentenced to 240 years each.

Abdul Manaf Mohamed Firdous received the longest individual sentence, with the court imposing 260 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Those sentenced to 200 years each were Mohamed Anwar Mohamed Rizkan, Mohamed Mansoor Mohamed Samsudeen, Huseinul Rizvi Khalid Sameer, Mohamed Hanifa Zainul Abdeen and Kachchi Mohamed Mohamed Jemsith.

Naufar Moulavi, identified in the case as an ideological mentor of Zahran Hashim and a subsequent leader of the extremist group, was among those sentenced to 220 years. Mohamed Ramish Mohamed Sajith, Abdul Latheef Mohamed Safi, Mohamed Mustafa Mohamed Haris and Rasiq Raza Hussein also received 220-year sentences.

Mohamed Saribu Adam Lebbe alias Gafoor Mama, Hayathu Mohamed Ahmed Milhan, Mohamed Ibrahim Sadiq Abdullah and Mohamed Ibrahim Zahid Abdul Haq were each sentenced to 240 years.

In addition to the prison terms, the court ordered the confiscation of all movable and immovable property belonging to the 15 convicted accused, effective from the time the judgment was delivered.

The case was instituted in 2019 against 25 individuals, including Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Naufar alias Naufar Moulavi, over offences connected to the Easter Sunday attacks.

More than 23,270 charges had been filed against the accused, relating to alleged conspiracy, assistance and other activities connected to the attacks, which targeted three Catholic churches and three major hotels in Colombo, along with other locations.

During the lengthy trial, 2,309 prosecution witnesses gave evidence, with the recording of evidence concluding on August 24.

Delivering the judgment, the presiding judge said the three-member bench had reached its decision unanimously after carefully considering the evidence presented during the proceedings.

The court, however, acquitted and ordered the release of nine other accused after determining that the prosecution had failed to prove the charges against them beyond reasonable doubt.

Following the sentencing proceedings, the 15 convicted accused were taken into the custody of prison officials and transported to Welikada Prison at around 2.30 a.m. today.

pposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has pressed the government to provide a clear timeline for filling public sector vacancies promised to unemployed graduates, raising the issue in Parliament under Standing Order 27(2).

He called on the government to disclose the total number of unemployed graduates in Sri Lanka, along with the progress achieved under existing programmes designed to secure them employment.

He said that commitments made to graduates during the election period remained largely unfulfilled two years on, with many still awaiting job placements.

The Opposition Leader demanded specific details on the number of vacancies available for direct graduate recruitment across ministries, departments and provincial councils, and sought confirmation on whether these positions would be filled before the close of 2026.

He also requested clarification on the government's plans to recruit development officers and to absorb existing graduate development officers into the teaching service.

The Opposition Leader stressed that tackling graduate unemployment could not rely solely on public sector recruitment, calling instead for a dedicated programme to generate employment opportunities for graduates within the private sector.

He noted that with the next Budget due in the coming weeks, the government ought already to possess the necessary data and strategy to address the issue comprehensively.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa has been further remanded until September 30 in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to the procurement of Airbus aircraft for SriLankan Airlines.

The order was issued by Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena today (23), after Rajapaksa was produced before the court.

The court had been scheduled to deliver its decision on the MP’s bail application today. However, the Magistrate ordered that he remain in remand custody until September 30.

The case was filed by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in relation to alleged financial irregularities surrounding the acquisition of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines.

Rajapaksa was previously ordered to remain in remand custody until September 23 after being named as a suspect in the investigation.

The Airbus-related proceedings are separate from another case being investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) concerning the same transaction. Rajapaksa was also remanded in that case following his arrest earlier this month.

The Central Environmental Authority (CEA) has called on visitors attending the Colombo International Book Fair 2026 to carry reusable, environmentally friendly bags when purchasing books, as part of efforts to curb plastic waste.

The CEA said it had observed widespread use of plastic shopping bags, commonly referred to as “sili sili” bags, by visitors at previous book fairs for carrying purchased books.

The Authority highlighted regulations introduced under Gazette Extraordinary No. 2456/41 dated October 1, 2025, issued under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act. Under the regulations, plastic bags with handles cannot be provided to consumers free of charge.

Where such bags are sold, the charge must be clearly included on the customer’s bill.

The measures are intended to reduce the environmental impact of single-use polythene and plastic products.

The regulations also prohibit the sale, free distribution, display or use of several other single-use plastic and polythene items, including plastic drinking straws and stirrers, disposable plastic plates, cups, spoons, forks and knives, as well as polythene-based food wrappers commonly known as “lunch sheets”.

The CEA said it had held discussions with food vendors operating within the book fair premises and reached an agreement to ensure that the prohibited plastic and polythene products would not be used during the event.

The Colombo International Book Fair 2026 is scheduled to commence on September 25.

Throughout the event, the CEA, together with the Sri Lanka Publishers’ Association, will conduct a special awareness programme aimed at educating both vendors and visitors on reducing plastic use and promoting environmentally responsible practices.

A High Court Trial-at-Bar has convicted 15 accused in the case concerning the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, imposing lengthy prison sentences ranging from 200 to 260 years.

The verdict was delivered by a three-member Trial-at-Bar comprising High Court Justices Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nishshanka.

The first accused was sentenced to 220 years of rigorous imprisonment, while the second, third, fourth and fifth accused were each sentenced to 240 years.

The sixth and seventh accused received 200 years each, while the eighth accused was sentenced to 260 years. The ninth and tenth accused were each given 220 years.

The eleventh and fifteenth accused were sentenced to 200 years each, while the sixteenth, eighteenth and nineteenth accused received 220, 220 and 200 years respectively.

The court also ordered the confiscation of the properties belonging to all 15 convicted accused.

At the same time, nine other individuals who had been indicted in connection with the attacks were acquitted and released. They were identified as Husainul Rizvi Khalid Sameer, Mohamed Sawahir Mohamed Hassan alias Abu Dawood, Mohamed Iftikhar Mohamed Insaf alias Abu Mohamed, Zainul Abdeen Mohamed Jaseen, Mohamed Mustafa Mohamed Rizwan, Meera Zaheed Mohamed Nafli alias Abu Sana, Mohamed Ameen Ayantullah, Mohamed Ansardeen Hilmi and Mohamed Akram Ahakkam.

The judgment relates to the Easter Sunday attacks of April 21, 2019, in which suicide bombers targeted three Catholic churches and three major hotels in Colombo. The attacks killed 269 people and injured more than 500 others.

Nine suicide bombers, including National Thawheed Jamaath leader Zahran Hashim, carried out the coordinated attacks, which drew widespread international attention.

Legal proceedings were initiated in 2019 against 24 accused over more than 23,270 charges. The charges included allegedly conspiring to carry out the attacks, providing assistance and abetment, promoting extremist ideologies and creating discord between communities.

The prosecution presented evidence from 2,309 witnesses in the case filed by the Attorney General, which included former National Thawheed Jamaath figure Naufer Moulavi among the accused.

The reading of the judgment began before the Trial-at-Bar at around 12.30 p.m. yesterday. Presiding Judge Navaratne Marasinghe told court that, given the extensive nature of the judgment, only the key matters would be read out in open court.

He noted that the indictment served on the accused consisted of nine volumes and approximately 8,900 pages.

The court considered allegations relating to the conduct of workshops, the maintenance of safe houses and activities involving extremist lectures and weapons training prior to the Easter Sunday attacks.

Explaining the court’s consideration of the alleged conspiracy, Judge Marasinghe said that individuals involved in a conspiracy did not necessarily have to be physically together or participate at the same stage. He noted that an agreement to commit an offence could be formed directly or implicitly and that individuals who became involved at different stages could all become parties to the conspiracy.

The Trial-at-Bar subsequently considered the individual defence submissions made by the accused.

The court rejected the defence pleas of 15 accused, resulting in their convictions, while the defence pleas of the nine acquitted accused were accepted.

Authorities have maintained the highest-level landslide evacuation warnings in 13 Divisional Secretariat divisions across six districts as heavy and unsettled weather continues to affect parts of Sri Lanka.

The National Building Research Institute (NBRO) said landslide warnings remain in effect across 10 districts, with Level 3 red warnings issued for areas facing an elevated risk of landslides.

NBRO Senior Scientist Hasali Hemasinghe said the red evacuation warnings cover Neluwa in Galle; Walallawita in Kalutara; Pasbage Korale in Kandy; Mawanella, Deraniyagala, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota and Dehiowita in Kegalle; Nuwara Eliya, Kotmale East, Kotmale West and Ambagamuwa in Nuwara Eliya; and Ratnapura in Ratnapura District.

Residents in these areas have been advised to remain alert, closely follow instructions issued by authorities and evacuate when directed.

Meanwhile, the Disaster Management Centre reported that 1,616 people belonging to 458 families in 41 Divisional Secretariat divisions across 10 districts have been affected by the prevailing weather.

One person has died while another remains missing following weather-related incidents reported since September 18.

In Gampaha District, strong winds that affected the Biyagama area last night damaged five houses in the Galahitiyawa North Grama Niladhari Division. The electricity distribution network in the area was also damaged.

Authorities said 94 people from 26 affected families are currently staying at three safety centres.

The Department of Meteorology has meanwhile warned that rainfall could become more intense later today. Although conditions may ease somewhat during the daytime, showers are expected to strengthen during the evening and night.

Director of the Forecasting Division Merrill Mendis said intermittent showers are expected across the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Western and North Western provinces, as well as the Galle and Matara districts.

According to the latest weather information, rainfall could increase further tomorrow and the following day.

Authorities have urged residents in landslide-prone locations, low-lying areas and communities near river basins to remain particularly vigilant and monitor official weather and disaster alerts.

Water levels in several major rivers also remain elevated, with minor flooding reported in some locations.

Amid the continuing rainfall, two spill gates at the Polgolla Reservoir and one spill gate at the Kukule Ganga Reservoir have been opened.

At least 11 people have been killed in a mass shooting in a residential building near the South African city of Durban.

Gunmen stormed a house in the KwaMakhutha township late on Tuesday and opened fire on 14 people. Ten were killed at the scene and four were taken to hospital, where one later died from their injuries, police said.

Police said some of the victims were on their watch in connection with illegal activities, which they could not "divulge at the moment to protect investigations which have been launched".

While the motive of the shooting has not yet confirmed, the police said they could not rule out a "feud between rival groupings".

"Information available at this stage suggests that 13 men and one woman, who is believed to be pregnant, were reportedly having a party inside a house when three men arrived and opened fire on them," the police said in a statement. The woman is among those who died.

A local TV reporter from the eNCA channel at the scene said the gunmen had set fire to a vehicle belonging to one of the victims before fleeing, with footage showing the burnt-out car.

South Africa has one of the world's highest murder rates, with police data showing a murder rate equivalent to more than 60 deaths a day.

In recent weeks, the gruesome discovery of at least nine murdered women, with some of the bodies dumped by the roadside, has heightened fears in the country.

Last year, nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a tavern in Johannesburg.

Source: BBC

The proposed legislation to overhaul the administration and governance of cricket in Sri Lanka is set to be published in the Government Gazette after receiving Cabinet approval.

Cabinet Ministers approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to gazette the Sri Lanka Cricket Bill and subsequently present it to Parliament for consideration.

The move follows an earlier Cabinet decision on June 8, 2026, to introduce legislation aimed at restructuring the administration of Sri Lanka Cricket.

Drafted by the Legal Draftsman, the Bill sets out provisions for the establishment of Sri Lanka Cricket, along with its powers and responsibilities concerning the regulation, development, promotion, governance and administration of the sport.

The proposed framework places emphasis on principles including good governance, integrity, transparency, accountability, inclusiveness and equal opportunity in the development of cricket.

It also contains provisions aimed at protecting the welfare of individuals involved in the sport and preventing corruption and other forms of misconduct within cricket administration.

The Bill has already obtained clearance from the Attorney General.

Once published in the Government Gazette, the proposed legislation will be presented to Parliament for consideration and approval.