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The ongoing drought has severely affected water availability at the Wilpattu National Park, with several natural water sources drying up and leaving wild animals facing difficulties in accessing drinking water.

The Department of Wildlife Conservation has taken emergency measures to support wildlife by transporting water in bowsers and filling concrete ponds located within the park.

Wilpattu National Park Warden R.D.D.D. Samaranayake said several key water sources in the park’s Eastern Zone, including the Maradankaduwa, Parcibendiwewa and Kukulkatuwa tanks, have completely dried up, leaving animals without sufficient water.

He said the department is currently pumping water from bowsers into available ponds as a temporary solution to help meet the animals’ water requirements during the dry period.

However, the Warden noted that water levels in several lakes located in other zones of the national park remain at satisfactory levels.

The Wildlife Department continues to monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance to minimise the impact of the drought on animals within the park.

A civil society organisation, ‘Rata Next’, has called for a national referendum on the government’s proposed constitutional amendment to increase the retirement age of judges, stating that the current process risks a potential conflict of interest.

The call follows a recent Cabinet decision approving a proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice to extend the judicial retirement age. Because the move involves altering the Constitution, it requires a two-thirds majority in Parliament before being submitted to the Supreme Court to determine whether public approval via a referendum is necessary.

In a statement released on Tuesday (28), Rata Next organisation said that expecting Supreme Court judges to rule on legislation that directly alters their own terms of service places them in an untenable position. The organisation noted that such a scenario could create a perceived conflict of interest and potentially undermine public trust in the judiciary.

"The judges of the Supreme Court should not be placed in a position where they are required to determine a constitutional amendment that directly affects their own retirement age," the statement read, urging that the final decision be put directly to the electorate.

Rata Next also questioned whether extending the retirement age would meaningfully address systemic delays in the administration of justice. The group argued that if the government’s primary goal is to clear court backlogs and improve efficiency, more direct structural reforms are required.

Among the measures suggested were increasing the overall judicial cadre, recruiting more judges, accelerating the digital transformation of court infrastructure, expanding the network of District and Magistrates' Courts, and introducing a legally regulated house arrest system for eligible offenders.

The organisation respectfully urged the Supreme Court to rule that the proposed amendment be submitted to the people in a referendum to safeguard transparency and maintain public confidence in Sri Lanka’s constitutional framework.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa held talks with a visiting American Congressional delegation on strengthening ties between Sri Lanka and the United States.

The discussion took place at the Opposition Leader's Office in Colombo, where Premadasa met U.S. Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, a Democratic Party member of the House of Representatives and the House Intelligence Committee, along with her accompanying delegation.

The talks centred on deepening bilateral cooperation across several key areas, including economic recovery, governance, education and regional stability.

The Opposition Leader stressed the importance of sustained American support in helping Sri Lanka navigate its ongoing economic recovery and pursue long-term development goals.

He also spoke of the relationship between the two nations, describing the continued assistance extended by the United States to Sri Lanka in recent years as a clear reflection of a longstanding and enduring partnership.

He indicated that such support remained vital as the country worked to consolidate its economic gains and strengthen democratic governance.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a substantial allocation of Rs. 2 trillion for capital expenditure in 2027, marking an increase of roughly 40 per cent to accelerate state-led economic development.

Speaking at the Galle District Special Coordination Committee Meeting at the Galle District Secretariat on Tuesday (28), the Head of State outlined a major fiscal realignment aimed at curtailing recurrent operational costs while channelling greater resources into long-term national growth.

The government intends to recalibrate public spending by trimming recurrent expenditure from its present level of 9 per cent and raising capital expenditure from 4 per cent.

To enhance administrative performance and reduce overall operational overheads, the upcoming Budget will focus heavily on digitalising public services so citizens can access government facilities remotely.

The administration is also evaluating proposals to raise the retirement age across designated sectors in order to preserve skilled talent within the civil service.

Further details presented during the meeting revealed significant progress in regional infrastructure, including the approval of 122 rural road initiatives backed by Rs. 250 million, with 57 projects already fully delivered.

Authorities reported that the ongoing national anti-drug campaign titled 'Ratama Ekata' had yielded 12,608 raids and the seizure of nearly 120 kilograms of illicit narcotics within the Galle District.

Meanwhile, discussions addressed poverty alleviation, urban housing, sports facilities, municipal waste management, water supply schemes, and the wider Galle City Development Plan.

The President observed that recent international evaluations reflected encouraging advancements in Sri Lanka’s economic stability, social indicators, and anti-corruption efforts.

He insisted that every Treasury rupee must be deployed with strict financial discipline to prevent future generations from inheriting unsustainable debt burdens, while directing state bodies to align regional operations under a singular national development strategy.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that a case filed against SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa be taken up on October 29.

Rajapaksa and other suspects appeared before court, where investigators were ordered to submit an update on the progress of the ongoing investigations on that date.

The case has been filed against Namal Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Samabima Party Leader Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne has asserted that economic capital controls society by permitting public expression while strictly preserving existing property ownership structures.

Speaking during a recent broadcast on the Ideas Front YouTube channel hosted by journalist Narada Bakmeewewa, Gunaratne outlined his critique of contemporary political and economic dynamics in Sri Lanka.

Explaining his theoretical position, Gunaratne highlighted the political vulnerability of ruling party supporters following judicial outcomes.

He emphasised that the inability of the National People's Power (NPP) government to intervene on behalf of individuals convicted over the fatal violence in Nittambuwa serves as a prime example of capital operating above political allegiance.

According to the party leader, political movements often allow citizens the freedom to voice dissent or support but structural economic arrangements and legal boundaries ultimately dictate the limits of executive protection and social mobility.

Unchecked reliance on modern technology and consumer-driven culture is severing essential human connections and eroding traditional Sri Lankan family structures, the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said.

Speaking at a religious gathering in Seeduwa, the prelate warned that the pursuit of material wealth and the overuse of digital devices are disrupting domestic life across the country.

The Cardinal observed that the expansion of the free market economy has fostered a hyper consumerist society where artificial desires frequently override genuine human needs.

He noted that mobile devices originally intended for basic communication have transformed into pervasive distractions that dominate daily routines.

He expressed deep concern over late night device usage, pointing out that screen addiction has severely damaged meaningful dialogue between parents and children while undermining long standing societal values.

Furthermore, the prelate cautioned that higher education and material advancement should foster humility rather than arrogance, urging citizens to safeguard spiritual and human values during periods of rapid social transformation.

United States Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan is leading a high-level Congressional Delegation to Sri Lanka to strengthen bilateral ties and reinforce regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.

The visit, spanning 27 to 30 July 2026, involves extensive diplomatic engagements in Colombo aimed at advancing mutual security, commercial partnerships, and defence cooperation between Washington and Sri Lankan officials.

During her time in the capital, Representative Houlahan, an Air Force veteran who serves as the Ranking Member on the House Subcommittee on Military Personnel and sits on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, will confer with prominent government, military, and political figures.

Scheduled dialogue partners include Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Retired Aruna Jayasekara, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Dr Rizvie Salih, and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa. Discussions are expected to focus heavily on combating transnational crime, bolstering economic development through expanded trade, and deepening maritime and security collaboration across the region.

American diplomatic officials emphasised that the visit underscores Washington's sustained commitment to an open and prosperous Indo-Pacific framework.

They noted that maintaining strong ties with Colombo remains central to counter-narcotics efforts, maritime domain awareness, and economic resilience in South Asia.

An escalating dengue outbreak has killed 61 people across Sri Lanka this year, as total infections soared past 84,000 by late July, health authorities said.

Data released by the National Dengue Control Unit through midnight on July 29 highlights a dramatic surge during the monsoon season, with health officials recording an average of nearly 2,400 new cases every day during peak weeks.

The western and southern regions have borne the brunt of the epidemic, with the Western Province alone responsible for over half of all recorded illnesses at 44,552 cases.

Gampaha emerged as the worst hit district with 17,850 infections, closely followed by Colombo with 16,716 cases, while Kandy, Matara, and Kalutara also reported heavy caseloads.

Monthly statistics show a sharp acceleration in transmission as July became the deadliest month of the year with 28,717 cases, following a steep rise in June which registered 21,533 infections.

Earlier in the year, monthly tallies remained relatively subdued, fluctuating between 5,000 and 8,000 cases through the first five months.

Despite the massive surge that has placed 175 Medical Officer of Health divisions on high alert, health officials noted that the national case fatality rate has been contained at 0.07 per cent.

Public health teams have urged communities across the island to immediately eradicate vector breeding grounds to help check further spread.

The Vavuniya Magistrate's Court has fined a private healthcare facility Rs. 500,000 after officers of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) caught the institution charging patients above government-mandated price caps for Full Blood Count (FBC) tests.

The CAA launched the investigation after identifying unfair pricing practices at the private medical facility. During the raid, investigators verified that the hospital was issuing bills to patients that exceeded maximum retail prices established by national health regulations for basic blood analysis.

Following the investigation, legal action was taken against the private hospital before the Vavuniya Magistrate's Court.

Parliamentary information technology and digital systems face a severe threat of cyber attacks that could lead to sensitive data theft and severe reputational damage, according to the annual performance report for 2025.

The warning comes following a specialised evaluation conducted by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT), which examined the cybersecurity infrastructure of the legislature over the course of the reviewed year.

The assessment highlighted critical vulnerabilities across the national assembly's digital architecture, with forty six out of fifty six technical and security areas evaluated demonstrating high risk levels.

Experts say that these weaknesses leave systems exposed to malicious activities, including the theft of confidential state documents and the defacement of official web portals.

The audit emphasised that immediate remedial action and robust defensive measures must be deployed to mitigate the substantial risks posed by these digital security lapses.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa says his party is open to alliances based on national interests but will not engage in secret political negotiations.

Speaking to the media, Rajapaksa said the SLPP believed in discussing political matters openly and transparently.

"We do not hide and engage in politics. If we hold discussions, we will do so openly because, in the end, we have to move forward with the people," he said.

He said that any alliance would be formed based on the needs of the country and its people rather than the interests of individuals.

Rajapaksa also said anyone who agreed with the SLPP's political ideology and programme was welcome to join the party.

He added that while some members had left the party in the past, others had joined, and it was his responsibility to unite all those who believed in the party and build a stronger political force.