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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says that a referendum is needed if the government moves ahead with a constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges across all courts, including the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.

BASL President Attorney-at-Law Rajeev Amarasuriya made these remarks during an interview on a private media channel following Cabinet approval of the controversial proposal.

He raised concerns over existing administrative delays within the judicial sector, pointing out that eight vacancies currently remain unfilled across the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Amarasuriya urged the President to address these critical appointments without further delay rather than pushing through structural changes to judicial tenures.

The opposition from the BASL adds to growing resistance across the legal sector, where judicial unions and regional lawyer groups have already warned that altering retirement ages risks eroding public trust and stalling career progression for junior judicial officers.

Altering the constitutional framework governing judicial tenure carries profound implications for the rule of law and the independence of Sri Lanka's judiciary.

With Cabinet approval secured, the draft amendment is expected to head to parliament for debate, setting up a major legislative and legal showdown over the necessity of a public referendum.

Mounting institutional friction between the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) and the Finance Ministry over regulatory accountability has come to the fore following revelations of an alleged USD 715 million foreign exchange fraud.

The dispute surfaced during recent proceedings before Parliament's Committee on Public Finance (COPF), where lawmakers examined how 105 shell companies managed to transfer vast sums overseas through 13 commercial banks between January 2023 and March 2026 without delivering physical goods to the country.

Both institutions have engaged in mutual blame over legislative loopholes, while public scrutiny intensifies regarding how such large-scale capital flight continued undetected through the formal banking sector.

CBSL officials defended their regulatory stance before the parliamentary committee by pointing to enforcement constraints created by the Foreign Exchange Act of 2017.

They argued that the repeal of the previous Exchange Control Act removed criminal sanctions for major foreign exchange violations, forcing law enforcement officers to pursue cases indirectly through money laundering and organised crime legislation.

In response to these claims, the Finance Ministry confirmed that it is drafting legislative amendments to restore criminal penalties for deliberate foreign exchange fraud involving false documentation.

Meanwhile, details presented by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) revealed a highly sophisticated network encompassing 55 individuals, 227 bank accounts, and nearly 24,300 telegraphic transfers.

Investigators alleged collusion among commercial bank officers and traced international links to Dubai-based narcotics syndicates, noting that a single primary suspect controlled 43 entities responsible for remitting USD 43 million abroad.

The policy clash between the central bank and the treasury underscores severe systemic vulnerabilities in state oversight mechanisms at a time when Sri Lanka is attempting to rebuild its foreign reserves.

The Finance Ministry is expected to present the proposed legal amendments to Parliament in the coming months, while law enforcement authorities continue tracing overseas assets and preparing formal indictments against the primary suspects.

The Gampaha Lawyers' Association has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abandon a plan to increase the statutory retirement age of superior court judges over fears of compromising judicial independence.

In an official communication sent on 22 July 2026 from Gampaha, Association President Chandima Wijerathna and Secretary Sudarshani Rathnayake cautioned the head of state that altering constitutional tenure rules risks eroding public trust in the administration of justice.

Concerns raised by the regional legal organisation focus on the structural friction an extended tenure would create within the legal system.

Prolonging the service of sitting Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges would directly choke the promotion pipeline for lower court officials, leaving High Court judges, district judges, and magistrates unable to advance through established career channels.

The legal body warned that such delays would severely demoralise serving judicial staff and discourage promising young legal practitioners from seeking appointments on the bench.

The association stressed that judicial tenure is an essential element of the constitutional architecture that must remain entirely shielded from executive influence.

Rather than modifying tenure limits, the lawyers urged the government to focus immediately on filling current vacancies in the higher courts through transparent constitutional channels to tackle case backlogs.

The lawyers insisted that any future constitutional changes concerning the judiciary must only proceed following comprehensive consultation with key stakeholders, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, civil society representatives, and sitting judicial officers.

Upholding an uncompromised separation of powers remains vital to preserving institutional stability and reinforcing public faith in Sri Lanka's democratic system.

The government is expected to face mounting pressure from legal bodies across the country as parliament considers upcoming judicial reforms and cabinet deliberations continue over the proposed constitutional amendments.

The owner of a private tuition centre in Horana has been arrested for allegedly possessing the narcotic drug known as "Ice" (crystal methamphetamine), police said.

The suspect, a 44-year-old resident of the Narthanagala area in Horana, was taken into custody during a police raid carried out at his residence.

Police said officers recovered 15g 250mg of crystal methamphetamine from the suspect's possession. A mobile phone, a SIM card believed to have been used in drug trafficking activities, and an electronic weighing scale were also seized during the operation.

According to investigators, the suspect attempted to flee when police arrived at the residence but was apprehended following a brief pursuit.

Preliminary investigations have revealed that the suspect is the son of a well-known businessman in the Horana area. Police also stated that he has previously faced several drug-related charges.

Further investigations are underway to determine whether the suspect had links to organized drug trafficking networks, operated a wider drug distribution network, and whether narcotics were supplied to students attending his tuition classes.

Sri Lanka and China reaffirmed their commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation as outgoing Chinese ambassador Qi Zhenhong held farewell talks with opposition leader Sajith Premadasa on Monday (27) at the Opposition Leader’s Office in Colombo.

The high level engagement served as a platform to review diplomatic progress and establish priorities for future bilateral relations.

Discussions focused heavily on key areas of economic cooperation, including investment, trade, and financial assistance for national development.

Premadasa conveyed his gratitude to the departing ambassador for his active role in advancing diplomatic relations throughout his stint in Colombo.

Both parties agreed that continuous dialogue remains essential for maintaining long term strategic partnerships, while Premadasa highlighted the need to build a mutually beneficial framework that serves the economic interests of both nations.

The opposition leader also offered his well wishes for the ambassador in his upcoming diplomatic roles.

Five suspects, including Anuda Janadith Bandara, the son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara, have been granted bail by the Fort Magistrate's Court in connection with the alleged robbery of Rs. 20 million belonging to a Chinese national.

Fort Magistrate Pasan Amarasena ordered that the suspects be released on personal bail of Rs. 500,000 each. The court also imposed a travel ban preventing all five suspects from leaving the country.

The suspects, including Bandara, were arrested on July 21 over allegations that they robbed a Chinese national of Rs. 20 million.

The case is being heard before the Fort Magistrate's Court.

The Government has taken steps to introduce amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act, No. 9 of 2023, with a proposed amendment Bill officially published in the Gazette.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has submitted the proposed Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, which was published in an Extraordinary Gazette issued yesterday (27).

The proposed legislation aims to introduce several amendments to the existing Anti-Corruption Act, according to the gazetted document.

The Bill will now be presented to Parliament for consideration and approval.

The move marks the Government’s latest step towards revising the legal framework established under the Anti-Corruption Act, which was enacted in 2023. Further details on the specific amendments will be considered during the parliamentary process.

Sri Lanka's minor court judges have urged the government to scrap a planned constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age for superior court judges, citing severe risks to judicial independence and institutional stability.

The Judicial Service Association (JSASL), which represents the country's District Judges and Magistrates, submitted its official opposition to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara following a resolution adopted at its General Assembly on 11 July.

The association confirmed that it will also formally communicate its stance in writing to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the administration prepares to submit the proposal to the Cabinet.

The association highlighted that altering the existing retirement limits would freeze upward mobility across all tiers of the bench for roughly two years.

It noted that higher court promotions would grind to a halt, directly delaying appointments to the High Court and disturbing the long-established hierarchy of judicial career progression.

This stagnation threatens to alter the structural balance of the legal system by restricting opportunities for career judges to rise to the highest levels of the bench.

The proposed changes carry wider consequences for professional morale and future recruitment across the legal sector.

The JSASL warned that delaying advancement would demotivate serving judicial officers while simultaneously discouraging skilled young legal professionals from entering the bench.

This criticism mirrors concerns previously raised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), indicating broad opposition within the legal community against altering the constitutional provisions governing judicial tenure.

Undermining the structured progression of career judges poses a direct threat to the long-term integrity and public standing of the country's legal system.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has rejected allegations that he entered into a political deal with Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) President Rajiv Amarasuriya to oppose the government plan to extend the retirement age of superior court judges.

Premadasa issued the denial via a statement on X following accusations made in Parliament by National People’s Power (NPP) MP Asitha Niroshana, who alleged that the opposition leader had bribed the legal body to resist the proposed judicial changes.

Challenging the ruling coalition lawmaker to repeat the claims outside the legislative chamber where parliamentary privilege does not apply, Premadasa described the assertion as a baseless attempt to defend an unpopular policy.

Further defense of the legal body emerged from Free Lawyers Association Convenor Maithri Gunaratne (PC), who similarly challenged government members to make their accusations publicly.

Addressing the media, Gunaratne said that the BASL chief had maintained consistent opposition to extending the judicial retirement age since the proposal was first introduced.

He warned that any parliamentarian repeating the bribery allegations outside the House would face legal action and multi-million-rupee compensation claims for defamation.

Russia says it has found the bodies of five foreign climbers – believed to be Bosnian – on Mount Elbrus, authorities and state media say.

Authorities said earlier that out of a group of seven climbing Russia’s highest mountain, they had recovered two bodies and were searching for three more.

“According to investigators, on July 24 a group of seven climbers – foreign nationals – was climbing Mount Elbrus. The following evening, due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the group strayed from the route,” the local prosecutor’s office said on Sunday.

It said one of the alpinists went down and told authorities that “two members of the group had fallen ill at an altitude of 5,100 metres and died”.

The statement added: “Subsequently, rescuers found another surviving climber and the bodies of three other climbers who had died.”

Bosnia’s foreign minister, Elmedin Konakovic, confirmed reports of the deaths, which he called “a major tragedy”.

Mount Elbrus, which rises to 5,642 metres just north of the border with Georgia, is infamous for sudden ⁠changes in weather and climbing conditions.

Bosnian media reported the seven ​members of ​the climbing expedition were residents ​of the central town of Zenica and included ​a married ‌couple and a ​female doctor ​who worked at the local hospital.

Russian media reported that adverse weather conditions including strong winds had complicated the search and recovery operations.

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Sri Lanka has recorded 22 shooting incidents since the start of the year, leaving 15 people dead and 12 injured, with police confirming that nearly half of these attacks occurred within a single fortnight between July 11 and 25.

Police figures show that ten of the 22 incidents took place during the two week period ending July 25 alone, resulting in three deaths and five injuries.

Some of the attacks targeted homes and property without causing casualties, while others appeared aimed at intimidating specific individuals. Several suspects have already been arrested in connection with the incidents, and investigations into the remaining cases continue.

Police Spokesman Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) F.U. Wootler stated that every case investigated thus far had revealed links to organised crime and the illicit narcotics trade.

He explained that rival gangs were increasingly resorting to armed attacks in order to eliminate competitors, settle financial disputes and curb the expansion of opposing groups.

Wootler noted that many individuals believed to be orchestrating the attacks were currently based overseas, while the intended victims were often relatives or close associates of rival gang members, with such attacks designed to intimidate rival organisations as much as to eliminate specific targets.

He added that police, acting under the direction of the Inspector General of Police, had intensified intelligence led operations, including detailed analysis of telephone records and other communications, in order to trace both those organising the attacks and those carrying them out.

Discussing the fatal shooting near the Bellanwila walking track on July 25, in which a 55 year old restaurant owner was killed, Wootler said police had arrested two suspects within an hour of the attack, one believed to be the gunman and the other allegedly the rider of the motorcycle used in the crime.

He noted that preliminary investigations suggested both suspects were heavily dependent on narcotics.

The Police Spokesman further disclosed that investigators were increasingly uncovering cases in which contract killers were being paid in narcotics rather than cash, with some suspects reportedly willing to carry out killings in exchange for relatively small quantities of drugs, underscoring the extent to which the narcotics trade was fuelling violent crime.

He said organised criminal groups typically waited until they had tracked a victim's movements and identified moments when police visibility was reduced before launching an attack.

While acknowledging that it was not feasible to station officers at every location, Wootler said law enforcement agencies remained committed to preventing such violence through intelligence gathering, surveillance and targeted operations, and would continue to act firmly against organised criminal networks and those involved in drug related violence.

The wave of violence recorded between July 11 and 25 spanned several parts of the country.

Attacks included a shooting at a house in Neboda, Matugama on July 11, a suspected drug trafficker seizing and firing an officer's weapon in Katunayake on July 15, the fatal shooting of a 26 year old man in Navagamuwa on July 16, gunfire injuring a security guard at a Dehiwala cemetery on July 19, a police shooting of a sword wielding suspect in Piliyandala the same day, an attack on a fisherman's home in Devinuwara on July 21, gunfire at a police sergeant's residence in Beliatta on July 22, the fatal shooting of a 39 year old man at a birthday function in Wattala on July 23, a serious injury caused by gunfire near a cemetery in Dematagoda the same day, and finally the fatal shooting in Bellanwila on July 25.