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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of attempting to dismantle the independence of the judiciary and establish autocratic single-party rule through its proposed changes to judges' retirement ages.

Premadasa made these remarks while addressing a public dialogue on the protection of democracy, the rule of law and judicial independence, organised by the Samagi Lawyers' Association at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on Saturday.

The Opposition Leader questioned why the government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, had proposed raising the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65, while making no move to abolish the Executive Presidency through a constitutional amendment, despite having campaigned on such a promise.

He noted that when this inconsistency was raised in Parliament, the government had denied any such commitment existed, a response he characterised as an attempt to erode democracy entirely.

He said that the manoeuvre would not only damage the independence of the judiciary but also undermine public confidence in it.

Premadasa further pointed to the government's failure to fill several outstanding vacancies in the superior courts, describing this as both a violation of fundamental rights and a form of undue pressure exerted upon the judiciary.

He observed that political actors often invoked international principles on judicial independence and the separation of powers while in opposition, only to abandon them once in office and begin consolidating power instead.

Placing these developments in a longer historical context, the Opposition Leader traced the evolution of legal and democratic principles from the Mesopotamian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilisations through to the Magna Carta, the development of common law in medieval England, the 1787 American Constitution, the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 1966 covenants on civil and political rights, and the 1985 basic principles on the independence of the judiciary.

He said that governance rooted in this democratic tradition depended on a strong separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, supported by a functioning system of checks and balances, adding that judicial independence and the strength of democracy were directly linked.

Premadasa also warned of potential economic repercussions, cautioning that pressure from institutions such as the IMF could follow the government's course of action, and that facilities such as the European Union's GSP+ trade concession could similarly come under threat.

He said it was necessary to establish the IMF's position on the proposed amendments, and called on the public to unite across class, colour and political lines to resist what he described as an anti-democratic programme, stressing that past periods of judicial interference must not be allowed to recur.

The final rites of former Inspector General of Police (IGP) C.D. Wickramaratne will be held with full police honours this afternoon (20) at the Borella General Cemetery.

Wickramaratne, Sri Lanka's 35th Inspector General of Police, passed away at the age of 63 after sustaining a gunshot injury on Friday.

He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1986 and rose through the ranks before being appointed Acting Inspector General of Police following the suspension of then IGP Pujith Jayasundara in the aftermath of the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. He was officially appointed as Inspector General of Police on November 27, 2020.

Although he was scheduled to retire on March 25, 2023, his tenure was extended several times by then President Ranil Wickremesinghe until a new IGP was appointed. He ultimately retired on November 23, 2023, after serving nearly eight additional months beyond his original retirement date.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death and suspect the incident may have been a suicide. Investigators allege that the firearm issued to his security officer was used in the shooting.

Following the post-mortem examination conducted by the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) at the Colombo East Hospital, an open verdict was returned. The JMO also directed that body samples be sent to the Government Analyst for further examination.

The firearm believed to have been used has also been forwarded to the Government Analyst for forensic analysis.

Investigations are being conducted by the Western Province South Crime Division and the Malabe Police. As part of the inquiry, investigators have recorded statements from Wickramaratne's wife and three of his security officers.

The investigation remains ongoing pending the results of the forensic examinations and other inquiries.

The Supreme Court has dismissed without hearing a Fundamental Rights petition that sought an order to invalidate an official circular allowing individuals in the country to legally alter their gender identity.

The petition was filed by retired disabled Sri Lanka Air Force Warrant Officer Shantha Jayathilake.

The named incumbent President Anura Kumara Dissanayake alongside former Presidents Maithripala Sirisena and Ranil Wickremesinghe among its respondents.

This decision reinforces existing state policy on legal identity recognition, safeguarding human rights protections and preventing legal regressions that could impact Sri Lanka's standing on fundamental rights indicators.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) has announced that there are currently no plans to discontinue the QR code-based fuel quota system, citing continued uncertainty in the global fuel market.

CPC Managing Director Mayura Neththikumarage said the system will remain in operation as it plays an important role in managing fuel supplies and protecting the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

He explained that maintaining the QR-based system would help prevent a possible return of fuel queues and the difficulties experienced by the public, particularly if ongoing global conflicts lead to further disruptions.

Neththikumarage said the recent escalation of international conflicts has not affected Sri Lanka’s fuel supply network. However, he added that the CPC is closely monitoring global developments, including possible impacts on fuel prices.

The CPC will continue to assess the global situation while maintaining measures aimed at ensuring a stable fuel supply within the country.

The Public Health Inspectors’ (PHI) Union of Sri Lanka has announced that legal action will be taken against individuals found selling smokeless tobacco leaves together with betel quids.

Acting President of the PHI Union Upul Rohana said the relevant laws will be enforced under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, No. 27 of 2006.

Speaking to the media, Rohana stated that the sale of smokeless tobacco leaves has been completely prohibited in Sri Lanka under the First Schedule of the Gazette notification issued in September 2016.

He emphasized that the move is aimed at protecting public health, particularly in reducing the risk of oral cancer, rather than creating difficulties for betel quid vendors.

According to the PHI Union, Sri Lanka records between 1,750 and 1,900 oral cancer cases annually. The union said stronger enforcement of existing legal provisions is necessary to help reduce the prevalence of the disease.

Rohana warned that individuals who continue to sell smokeless tobacco leaves with betel quids will face legal action. Under the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol Act, those convicted by a Magistrate’s Court may be fined Rs. 2,000, face imprisonment of up to six months, or receive both penalties.

He noted that due to long-standing cultural practices, enforcement of the law had not been strict in the past, with authorities focusing mainly on awareness programmes.

However, Rohana said sufficient time has now been provided for the public to move away from these practices, and the relevant legal provisions will be implemented more strictly in the future.

He further clarified that the sale of smoking tobacco leaves remains permitted under the current legal framework.

Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in the Korathota area within the Nawagamuwa Police Division, police said.

The shooting took place on July 16, 2026, resulting in the death of one person. Following the incident, officers from the Homagama Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau commenced investigations into the attack.

Based on information gathered during the inquiry, police arrested two suspects yesterday evening (19). One of the suspects is believed to have operated the motorcycle used by the assailants during the shooting, while the other is alleged to have assisted in carrying out the crime.

The arrests were made in the Delgoda area of the Biyagama Police Division and the Wanduramulla area of the Nawagamuwa Police Division.

Police have also taken into custody the motorcycle allegedly used in the shooting.

The suspects, aged 21 and 29, are residents of Ranala and Pallama. Further investigations into the incident are being carried out by the Homagama Divisional Criminal Investigation Bureau.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that the vast majority of the country's farming community, numbering in the millions, placed their trust in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) because they had claimed on election stages that only they understood the pulse of the farmer.

He said that despite claims that numerous relief measures never before given in history would be provided to the farming community, those promised reliefs remained non existent.

The Opposition Leader made these remarks while addressing a public gathering held in Weerawila, Hambantota, yesterday (16), to look into the grievances of the farming community.

Escalating production costs and delayed subsidies

Premadasa said that 30%-40% of the country was impoverished and that this government had driven farmers into poverty.

He said farmers had been impoverished due to the harassment and policies directed at them, pointing out that high quality seed paddy, fertiliser and agrochemicals were not available at affordable prices.

He further revealed that even the fertiliser subsidy was received only after cultivation activities had concluded, and said the farmer had been left destitute due to the importing of substandard fuel, fertiliser and agrochemicals into the country.

He added that instead of the harvest increasing, expenditure had risen, and the prices of agricultural equipment had also escalated sharply.

Policy failures and media suppression

Premadasa said that just as there were no solutions to the human elephant conflict, the irrigation rehabilitation programme too had not been properly implemented.

He remarked that after gaining power, the Agriculture Minister was now pointing fingers at journalists, and said there was today no space either in Parliament or in the media to raise questions on behalf of the farmer.

He added that the farming community had been rendered absolutely helpless due to the government's inability to implement a properly managed agricultural policy.

The Department of Meteorology has forecast several spells of showers today (20) in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces, as well as in the Kandy, Nuwara-Eliya, Galle and Matara districts.

Showers or thundershowers could also develop in some areas of the Ampara and Monaragala districts after 2.00 p.m., according to the Meteorological Department.

Meanwhile, mainly dry weather conditions are expected to continue across the rest of the island.

The Department further warned that strong winds reaching speeds of around 40–50 kmph may occur at times over the western slopes of the Central hills, Northern, North-central, Central and North-western provinces, as well as in the Ratnapura, Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The public has been advised to take necessary precautions to minimise possible damage caused by temporary strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar says the government is hiding behind International Monetary Fund mandates while mismanaging the national currency and failing to prevent a massacre at Negombo Prison.

The opposition lawmaker firmly rejected the government's official narrative that the sharp depreciation of the rupee is a positive development for the export sector.

While acknowledging that exporters earn more in local currency terms during a depreciation, Marikkar stressed that this argument ignores the structural realities of the country's import-dependent economy.

Because the nation relies heavily on foreign imports for essentials like fuel, medicine, and food, a weaker rupee causes massive economic losses, inflates the trade deficit, and drastically increases the number of dollars required to service foreign debt.

He stated that the country desperately requires a proper, structured programme to manage its dollar earnings rather than letting the currency slide.

He dismissed the government’s attempts to blame the IMF for soaring prices and high taxes.

He remarked that IMF principles are not rocket science, explaining that the lender merely acts like a standard commercial bank assessing a borrower's ability to repay.

He said that the stringent conditions, high taxes, and price hikes are a direct consequence of the government's failure to expand the national income base. According to the opposition legislator, the government has failed to introduce effective measures to boost dollar inflows or create new investment opportunities, choosing instead to blindly follow external instructions.

Marikkar also addressed the recent fatal unrest at Negombo Prison, labelling the tragedy a massacre that occurred because authorities completely failed to control the situation.

He highlighted that out of approximately 2,400 inmates held at the facility, only a small faction was involved in the disturbance. Reminding the current leaders that they held the state strictly accountable for past prison riots when they were in opposition, he insisted that the government bears total responsibility for the safety of individuals in its custody.

He said that the opposition is not only raising the issue in Parliament but is also actively moving a no-confidence motion against the Minister of Justice.

Spain dethroned Argentina to claim the World Cup with a 1-0 victory over the defending champions after extra time on July 19.

A Ferran Torres strike in the 106th minute helped Spain edge past 10-man Argentina for their first World Cup title since 2010.

Second-half substitute Torres was the hero for the European champions, thumping home in the second half of extra time after Nico Williams nodded down a cross.

After a pre-game “closing ceremony” featuring Hollywood star Tom Cruise and American singer Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of the US national anthem, the match kicked off with US President Donald Trump in attendance following long lines endured by fans and other attendees caused by enhanced security checks.

Spain were the better side in a sleepy first half that saw just four shots on goal – all from La Roja – and only one on target. Spain goalkeeper Unai Simon was barely tested by the defending champions, who struggled to find their rhythm.

Argentina were dealt a blow just before half-time as defender Lisandro Martinez went off injured and was replaced by veteran Nicolas Otamendi.

The final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey featured a star-studded half-time show for the first time, with performances by Madonna, flanked by Brazilian legends Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, K-pop boyband BTS, and Shakira.

The interval show also squeezed in cameos from the fictional football coach Ted Lasso (played by Jason Sudeikis) and the Muppets, including Miss Piggy and Kermit the Frog.

The second half was all Spain again. Barcelona forward Torres had the clearest chance before the second-half hydration break, but his header was directed straight at Emiliano Martínez.

The goalkeeper showed a safe pair of hands to keep Spain’s attack at bay after relentless attacks on the Argentina goal, including a stoppage-time free kick by Lamine Yamal.

Martinez, who play his club football for England’s Aston Villa, made 10 saves in regulation time, the most in a World Cup final.

It was a one-sided game, with captain and talisman Lionel Messi largely anonymous and the defending champions became the first side to fail to register a single shot on goal in a World Cup final.

Argentina went a man down in stoppage time after midfielder Enzo Fernandez, scorer of their equaliser in their semi-final victory over England, received a second yellow for a late challenge on teenage centre-back Pau Cubarsi.

The match ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, meaning the US, hosting football’s showpiece for the second time, still has not seen a goal in a World Cup final after the 1994 showpiece in California also ended goal-less between Brazil and Italy before the Italians’ penalty shoot-out victory.

Spain substitute Williams put the ball in the net in extra time, but Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic swiftly ruled out the 97th-minute strike for a foul.

It was the first World Cup final that pit the reigning South American and European champions against each other, while also the first in which the world’s two top-ranked nations faced each other in football’s most important game.

Argentina, FIFA’s top-ranked side, lifted the Copa America for a record 16th time in 2024 while second-ranked Spain won Euro 2024.

Spain’s second World Cup puts them level with France and Uruguay, with Brazil still the most successful team in the tournament with five wins.

Argentina were aiming to become the third team in history to retain the World Cup. Only Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) have achieved that feat.

France captain Kylian Mbappe won the Golden Boot with 10 goals, followed by Argentina’s Messi who had eight.

England beat France 6-4 to finish third on July 18.

Source: The Straits Times 

A 41-year-old man from Pitipana, Homagama, has been found to have been brutally murdered after his body was discovered in a canal in the Galagahena area of Homagama.

A post-mortem examination conducted at the Homagama Base Hospital following a Magistrate’s inquest revealed that the victim died due to severe injuries caused by his throat being slit.

Police identified the deceased as a resident of Pitipana who was employed at a garment factory while also working part-time as a motorcycle taxi driver through a ride-hailing application.

According to police, the victim had left his residence at around 7.00 p.m. on July 15 to transport a passenger on his motorcycle. His body was later discovered in a canal in the Galagahena area early the following morning.

Investigators suspect that the murder may have taken place on a plot of auctioned land near the location where the body was found. Police believe the assailants fled after stealing the victim’s motorcycle, gold necklace, mobile phone and wallet.

A pair of shoes and a Rs. 20 currency note believed to have belonged to the deceased were recovered from the suspected crime scene, according to police.

The suspects involved in the killing have not yet been identified. The Homagama Police are continuing investigations to identify and arrest those responsible.