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While the government has imposed heavy taxes on agricultural equipment, it has reduced taxes on cigarettes, having granted the tobacco company tax relief amounting to Rs. 9.2 billion from January to July 14, 2026, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

He said the government had acted to grant tax concessions to tobacco companies while placing a tax burden on farming equipment.

The Opposition Leader made these remarks while participating in a meeting held at Suriyawewa in Hambantota to discuss the problems faced by farmers.

He said that although the government had announced a guaranteed price of Rs. 120 for Nadu paddy, Rs. 130 for Samba and Rs. 140 for Keeri Samba as a means of protecting paddy farmers, it had promised during the election period that a guaranteed price of Rs. 150 for paddy would be made law in the country, a promise that had not been fulfilled to date.

He said farming had today become a loss making profession.

"The farmer is trapped in a deadly debt trap"

The Opposition Leader said that farming had today become a vicious cycle in which farmers had become trapped in a deadly situation, borrowing money from money lenders at high interest to carry out cultivation, while not receiving quality fertiliser, seed paddy or agrochemicals, and not even receiving the fertiliser subsidy as promised.

He said that, in addition, the prices of agrochemicals and fertiliser had risen, and at a time when the prices of equipment had already increased amid these problems, the government had imposed further taxes on this equipment.

He added that the human elephant conflict had also intensified, and that although property, lives and everything else were being lost, none of this appeared to be a concern for the government.

"The government has no answers to farmers' problems"

The Opposition Leader said that although questions had been raised in Parliament today on behalf of the farming community, the government had reached a point where it was delaying answers to these questions.

He said that although the harvesting season in the Eastern Province was drawing to a close, no solutions had been provided, and that the government's attempts amounted to delaying matters until they could be forgotten. He noted that currently only Rs. 120 was being paid for paddy with 14 percent moisture content, and that this had been limited to 2,500 kilograms.

"Govt has no interest in making the country self sufficient"

The Opposition Leader further said that although false promises had been made to win votes, the government was today acting in a manner that caused farmers loss upon loss.

He said that at a time when the farming community was facing numerous problems, the very government that had obtained the farmers' votes had now become a burden to them.

Premadasa said the government itself claimed that it was not the farmer who could guarantee food security and self sufficiency, adding that this government had no target for food security.

He said false promises had been made while in opposition, and that the SJB would continue to fight until a fair price was given for paddy.

Sri Lanka has secured a place among the world’s leading culinary destinations after being named in the Top 50 Food Destinations around the World for 2026 by Travel And Tour World (TTW).

The recognition places Sri Lanka alongside some of the world’s most celebrated food cultures, highlighting the island nation’s unique blend of traditional flavours, regional diversity and authentic dining experiences.

According to TTW, the annual ranking celebrates countries shaping the future of global culinary tourism. The selection was based on several factors, including culinary heritage, street food culture, fine dining experiences, locally sourced ingredients, sustainability, beverage traditions, cultural authenticity and the overall appeal of food experiences.

Sri Lanka was praised for its vibrant cuisine, which reflects centuries of cultural influences combined with the island’s natural abundance of spices, tropical produce and fresh seafood.

“Sri Lanka is a vibrant culinary destination where aromatic spices, tropical ingredients and centuries of cultural influences create unforgettable dining experiences, from bustling street-food stalls to elegant coastal restaurants,” TTW stated.

The island’s traditional dishes, including rice and curry, hoppers, kottu roti, seafood specialities and a variety of sweet delicacies, continue to attract international travellers seeking authentic food experiences.

As part of its feature on Sri Lanka, TTW highlighted 10 destinations across the country known for their distinctive culinary offerings.

Colombo was recognised for its famous rice and curry, kottu roti, hoppers and seafood, while Galle was highlighted for its seafood dishes, Sri Lankan curries and colonial-era dining experiences.

Kandy was noted for traditional cuisine and local sweets, while Negombo gained attention for seafood curries, grilled fish and lagoon-based specialities. Ella was recognised for organic produce and hill-country dining, while Jaffna was celebrated for its crab curry, dosas and strong Tamil culinary influences.

Beach destinations such as Mirissa and Hikkaduwa were praised for fresh seafood and relaxed coastal dining, while Nuwara Eliya was recognised for tea-inspired cuisine, pastries and colonial-style dishes. Trincomalee was also featured for its authentic coastal cuisine and seafood offerings.

Sri Lanka ranked 50th on the global list, which was topped by Mexico, followed by Italy and Spain. Other major culinary destinations featured included Japan, India, Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, France and Indonesia.

The ranking also included food destinations from across Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East, recognising countries that have preserved their culinary traditions while embracing innovation and sustainable food practices.

Sri Lanka’s inclusion in the list is expected to further enhance the country’s appeal among international visitors, particularly travellers seeking cultural experiences through food.

With its diverse regional flavours, historic culinary traditions and growing reputation as a destination for authentic dining, Sri Lanka continues to strengthen its position on the global tourism map.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Ajith P. Perera has claimed that the government is planning to implement a proposal to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges before the end of this year.

Speaking on the "360°" programme aired on TV Derana, Perera alleged that the move raised serious concerns, particularly since no official request for such an amendment had been made by any relevant institution or stakeholder.

He said Parliament had not been informed of the reason behind the proposed constitutional amendment, and that the matter had not been discussed by any parliamentary committee.

He noted that no request had come from the Chief Justice, Supreme Court judges, Court of Appeal judges or the Bar Association of Sri Lanka to increase the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, and pointed out that both the High Court Judges' Association and the Bar Association were opposed to the move. He added that no one had explained to Parliament why the amendment was being introduced, nor had it been taken up by any parliamentary committee.

Alleging that the proposal carried a hidden political motive, Perera questioned who was actually bringing it forward, saying that no one knew, which in his view pointed to a hidden agenda. He said the party had obtained a draft prepared by a privately appointed committee, and claimed the government was determined to push it through.

Perera further charged that the objective was to influence the balance of the judiciary for political purposes. He said it was now clear that the move was intended to reshape the judiciary to suit the government's political interests, adding that there was a target to have the amendment passed during the first week of December, which he said explained why the entire process appeared highly secretive.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly killing both of his parents following a domestic dispute in the Kiralawelkaduwa area of Embilipitiya, police said.

According to preliminary investigations, an argument within the family had escalated into violence, resulting in the deaths of the suspect's parents.

The victims have been identified as a 58-year-old man and his 54-year-old wife, both residents of Kiralawelkaduwa.

Police said the suspect was arrested shortly after the incident on suspicion of committing the double homicide.

The bodies have been referred for post-mortem examinations, while investigators continue to gather evidence and record statements to determine the circumstances leading to the killings.

Embilipitiya Police are conducting further investigations.

Sri Lanka is currently undergoing profound demographic transformations characterised by declining fertility rates, an ageing population, accelerated youth migration, and shifting family structures.

Ahead of World Population Day 2026, Prof. of Demography at the University of Colombo and President of the Population Association of Sri Lanka Manori Kaluthantiri Weeratunga observed that these evolving patterns should be analysed through comprehensive demographic evidence rather than being prematurely viewed as an immediate crisis.

She explained that current fertility trends are being actively shaped by broader structural factors such as expanded educational opportunities, greater participation of women in the workforce, and evolving personal preferences regarding family size.

The academic noted that the noticeable trend of delayed marriage and childbearing among contemporary youth is a direct response to prevailing economic and social pressures rather than an outright rejection of traditional family life.

Today young people are forced to navigate a volatile environment marked by soaring living costs, acute employment uncertainty, a lack of affordable housing, and intense career pressures.

Prof. Weeratunga said that the modern desire to achieve financial stability, secure employment, and personal fulfilment before entering parenthood reflects wider global socioeconomic shifts rather than being an isolated or unrealistic phenomenon unique to Sri Lanka.

To address these generational challenges, she emphasised that state policies must focus on creating an enabling environment that supports the aspirations of the younger demographic.

Prof. Weeratunga urged the implementation of strategic interventions such as the provision of quality education, decent employment opportunities, affordable housing options, accessible healthcare, and family friendly workplaces.

She added that empowering young people to realise their life goals is both an essential social responsibility and a vital long term investment in the future stability of Sri Lanka.

Punchage Kalumenika, recognized as Sri Lanka's oldest woman, has passed away at the age of 114.

A resident of Sangili Kanadarawa in Rambewa, Kalumenika was born over a century ago on 4 July 1912.

Her remarkable lifespan spanned major eras of the nation's contemporary history, making her one of the country's oldest known citizens at the time of her passing.

Throughout her long life, Kalumenika oversaw an extraordinarily large and expanding family.

She was the mother of 12 children and lived to see her family tree grow across multiple generations, eventually counting 325 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Sri Lanka's ongoing vehicle import restrictions could trigger severe market complications if left unaddressed, CEO of Advocata Institute Dhananath Fernando said.

He said that the domestic demand for vehicles has already been met to a certain degree, meaning that state tax revenue generated from vehicle imports this year is highly anticipated to decline compared to the previous year.

He pointed out that the trajectory of the market will heavily depend on whether the government decides to extend the current vehicle import policy beyond the upcoming 15 August deadline.

Ferando further explained that a gradual decline in vehicle registrations is already visible because importers have actively brought in vehicles to satisfy current requirements, which will inevitably drag down import tax revenue levels compared to last year.

He noted that while additional surcharges cannot be legally introduced under the active agreements signed with the International Monetary Fund, the outright removal of existing surcharges could paradoxically deliver another shock to the local automotive market.

Highlighting the existing tax framework, Fernando said that it would be fundamentally unfair for the government to impose further financial levies on consumers when vehicles are already hit with customs duties as high as 150 per cent and 200 per cent.

Instead of continuously increasing the tax burden on the exact same segment of society, he urged the state to focus its efforts on effectively managing public expenditure.

He added that tax revenue could instead be expanded by accelerating essential economic reforms, a move that would simultaneously signal to the market that the national economy is transitioning towards recovery and sustainable growth.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said yesterday (14) that the National People's Power (NPP) had relied heavily on farmers to build its political movement, but had failed to protect them after coming to power.

He said the government was continuously insulting and oppressing the farmers of the country, and that the very farmers who had voted for the government in their millions had today been reduced to Kasippu, or illicit moonshine, drinkers and artificial farmers.

He observed that the farmer who had once been an asset to the NPP had now become a headache for the party.

Premadasa said farmers were struggling to survive because government policy kept the fixed buying price for paddy lower than the actual cost of production, resulting in substantial financial losses for the agricultural community.

He pointed out that while in opposition, the NPP had praised farmers as gods and promised them high guaranteed paddy prices, at one point as much as Rs. 150 per kilogram, yet its own administration had since announced a considerably lower guaranteed price of Rs. 120 per kilogram for Nadu paddy.

He said farmers were producing paddy at a loss of Rs. 137 per kilogram, even as the state guaranteed price remained fixed at just Rs. 120.

The Opposition Leader criticised what he described as a lack of support for farmers amid compounding crises, including supply shortages and the ongoing human elephant conflict.

He said farmers were struggling to secure even the most essential agricultural supplies, with widespread reports of shortages and high costs for seed paddy, quality fertiliser and agrochemicals, while the price of farming machinery and equipment continued to escalate.

Premadasa accused the government of betraying the agricultural community, adding that farmers were being left exposed to exploitation by private millers, as last season's paddy remained trapped in harvest centres, pushing many cultivators further into debt.

Sri Lanka's official foreign currency reserves contracted by 6.2 per cent over the course of June 2026, dropping to USD 6,450 million from the USD 6,873 million recorded at the end of the previous month.

This decline occurred even as the monetary authority purchased a net total of USD 70.5 million from the market during June.

This follows a highly turbulent period in May when the rupee faced severe downward pressure due to an unusually high import bill for fuel triggered by Middle Eastern escalation, alongside a persistent demand for dollars to purchase new vehicles.

The central bank had previously responded to this heavy currency depreciation by raising its Overnight Policy Rate in May.

The dip in reserves signals renewed pressure on the island nation's external financial position as it navigates its post 2022 economic recovery.

Despite the recent drop, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has net bought 556.4 million US dollars in the first half of 2026, following a substantial net purchase of USD 2 billion last year.

Aggressive reserve building remains a critical priority for policymakers to meet macroeconomic stability targets agreed upon under the International Monetary Fund's USD 3 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and to ensure adequate funds are available to repay multilateral and bilateral loans before sovereign debt repayments resume in April 2028.

Financial analysts warn that a sustained erosion of foreign reserves could complicate compliance with international performance criteria and potentially delay subsequent tranches of funding, which are essential for maintaining creditor confidence.

While the country has achieved significant progress by restructuring its commercial and bilateral debts to exit sovereign default, the current drawdown highlights the fragile nature of the recovery.

Experts note that policymakers must now focus sharply on expanding export earnings, drawing in foreign direct investment, and maintaining prudent fiscal management to reverse the June decline and preserve economic stability.