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The Power System Strengthening and Renewable Energy Integration Project (PSSREIP), which aims to modernize Sri Lanka’s transmission network and facilitate the integration of renewable energy into the national power system, was officially launched yesterday (13).

The launch was marked by the commencement of construction of the Homagama 132/33 kV Grid Substation, under the patronage of Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Hon. Anura Karunathilaka.

Implemented with a significant investment of USD 328.25 million through concessional financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the project will be implemented through Lanka Electricity Company (LECO) and the two fully government-owned successor companies of the Ceylon Electricity Board — National Transmission Network Services Provider (NTNSP) (Pvt) Ltd and National System Operator (NSO) (Pvt) Ltd.

The launch event was attended by NTNSP Chairman Mr. Nushith Kumaratunga, Chief Executive Officer Mr. N. S. Weththasinghe, Advisor Mr. Pubudu Niroshan, officials of the Ministry of Energy, chairpersons and officials of the successor companies, and industry experts.

New Homagama Grid Substation

The rapid development taking place in Homagama, Kottawa, Malabe and Horana has resulted in a significant increase in industrial and commercial electricity demand.

The new grid substation to be constructed in Homagama will provide the capacity required to meet this growing demand.

It will also help reduce the overloading currently experienced by the Pannipitiya and Kosgama substations, which supply electricity to these areas.

New Negombo Grid Substation

Under Package 1B of the project, a new 132/33 kV Grid Substation will also be constructed in the Negombo area.

This will help meet the growing electricity demand arising from tourism and industrial development in the Negombo region.

Furthermore, it will provide additional electricity capacity required for the expansion of Bandaranaike International Airport and the proposed Aero City project.

Benefits to the Public

The project will contribute to strengthening the national power system and creating the capacity required to meet future electricity demand.

It will also improve the reliability of the power system while strengthening security of supply and operational stability.

Furthermore, the project represents a significant step towards developing a stronger transmission network capable of integrating future renewable energy generation into the national grid.

In addition, it will help reduce voltage-related issues and facilitate infrastructure development driven by industrial, commercial and tourism-related requirements.

Future Plans

The construction of the Homagama and Negombo Grid Substations, launched yesterday , is scheduled to be completed within the next two years.

NTNSP also plans to construct and develop several additional grid substations and transmission systems.

Accordingly, plans are underway to construct a 220/33 kV Grid Substation in Mirigama and a 132/33 kV Grid Substation in Peliyagoda.

A 78-kilometre-long 132 kV double-circuit transmission line will also be constructed from Hambantota to Matara.

In addition, 132 kV grid substations and sections of 220 kV transmission lines with LILO (Line-In Line-Out) connections to other substations are planned to be developed.

A 2-kilometre-long 132 kV single-circuit underground transmission line will also be installed, providing an LILO connection from the Kelaniya–Kotugoda transmission line to the Peliyagoda Grid Substation.

Meanwhile, construction of the 220 kV underground transmission cable system from Kerawalapitiya to the Colombo Port also commenced last week.

Through all these initiatives, Sri Lanka’s journey towards a reliable power system and a stable energy future will be further strengthened.

Member of Parliament M.L.A.M. Hizbullah has appeared before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to provide a statement as part of an ongoing inquiry into his assets.

Hizbullah arrived at the commission premises a short while ago following a summons issued by CIABOC.

Officials are expected to record his statement in connection with the investigation, which concerns matters related to his declared assets.

The appearance comes as the bribery commission continues its inquiry into the matter.

The Centre for Workers' Struggle (CWS) has expressed its strong opposition to the government’s decision to merge the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and the Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) and amend the EPF Act.

A delegation representing the CWS arrived at the Labour Ministry in Narahenpita to submit a formal memorandum on the issue to the Labour Minister.

Speaking to the media, CWE secretary Duminda Nagamuwa said ministers were discussing replacing the traditional lump sum paid to workers at age 55 with a monthly pension scheme.

He said the proposed change represented a clear violation of fundamental worker rights across the private sector.

Trade union representatives also said that the government has been attempting since June to merge the two statutory funds under a tripartite management structure, noting that Sri Lanka faces no legal obligation under international conventions to execute such a merger.

Accusing the NPP of betraying working people and attempting to plunder their life savings, Nagamuwa said the government was merely continuing the economic policies previously introduced by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

He urged workers across all sectors to prepare for widespread street protests to force the government to abandon the plan.

The United Nations has warned the Sri Lankan government that a proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of superior court judges risks undermining judicial independence and public trust.

UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Satterthwaite outlined the international human rights concerns in an official communication addressed to state authorities on August 7.

The proposed legislation seeks to raise the mandatory retirement age from 65 to 67 for Supreme Court judges and from 63 to 65 for Court of Appeal judges.

Under the current draft, the extended tenure would apply directly to sitting judges rather than solely to future appointees.

Satterthwaite acknowledged that retaining judicial expertise and maintaining institutional continuity can justify an increased retirement age.

However, she emphasized that reforms altering judicial tenure demand extensive public debate and robust legislative safeguards because the judiciary acts as a vital check on executive and legislative authority.

The Special Rapporteur cautioned that applying the change without transitional arrangements could create a perception that the government intends to manipulate the current bench for immediate political objectives.

She noted that allowing sitting judges to benefit from the extension could trigger serious conflicts of interest if those same judges are called upon to rule on the constitutionality of the amendment.

While this situation may not automatically establish individual bias, the lack of disqualification mechanisms threatens to destroy public faith in judicial neutrality.

Any legislative effort to alter judicial service conditions must occur within a transparent and comprehensive reform framework involving civil society, legal academics, and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Ad-hoc constitutional amendments that compromise the separation of powers threaten Sri Lanka's democratic governance and international standing.

The United Nations has requested that the Sri Lankan government submit detailed information regarding the rationale behind applying the extension to serving judges, alongside evidence of previous consultations with legal stakeholders and planned safeguards against executive interference.

Child neglect, abandonment, and physical and psychological abuse are on the rise across Sri Lanka, according to new figures released by the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA).

Sajeewani Abeykoon, Director of Law Enforcement at the NCPA, revealed that the authority now receives between 600 and 1,000 complaints each month regarding child cruelty and welfare violations.

Highlighting the legal repercussions for perpetrators, Abeykoon warned that parents and guardians convicted of such offences under the Penal Code face severe punishment, including imprisonment terms ranging from two to ten years.

Sri Lankans now require a higher monthly income to satisfy basic living requirements following a price surge in essential consumer goods.

Official data released by the Department of Census and Statistics reveals that the national minimum expenditure threshold reached Rs. 17,592 per person in June.

This represents an increase of 277 rupees compared with the preceding month.

The official baseline measures the minimum monthly funds required for an individual to afford a predetermined selection of essential food and non-food items.

Authorities update the figures on a monthly basis to account for ongoing shifts in retail market prices.

Significant regional variations were recorded across the island during the period under review.

Colombo registered the highest regional requirement at Rs. 18,973 per person, closely followed by Gampaha at Rs. 18,876 per person.

Conversely, Monaragala recorded the lowest financial threshold in the country, where the monthly cost of basic necessities stood at Rs. 16,821 per person.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that government plans to extend the retirement age of senior judges pose a direct threat to the independence of the judiciary.

He said proposed constitutional changes applying to sitting judges could undermine public trust in the courts, echoing concerns raised by the United Nations and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.

Under the proposals, the retirement age for Supreme Court judges would rise from 65 to 67, while Court of Appeal judges would see their tenure extended from 63 to 65. The changes would apply to both current sitting judges and future appointees.

In a statement posted on social media platform X, Premadasa questioned why the extension must apply to incumbent members of the bench.

"A government does not spend its political capital on a two-year adjustment unless it knows exactly whose two years it is buying," he said. "If a government can decide how long a judge stays, that judge is no longer fully free to rule against the government."

The Opposition leader's comments follow a intervention by Margaret Satterthwaite, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers.

In a letter dated 7 August, Satterthwaite warned that altering judicial terms without clear safeguards could give the impression the law was tailored to benefit specific judges.

She added that while retaining judicial expertise was a valid goal, any reform to tenure required transparent debate to prevent potential conflicts of interest, particularly if sitting judges were required to rule on the constitutionality of the changes.

Premadasa also noted that the proposed amendment fails to address Sri Lanka's backlog of 1.1 million pending court cases.

He called on the government to explain the plan publicly in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, and insisted the government hold a national referendum before proceeding, citing a 2022 Supreme Court ruling.

Police in Japan have arrested an 18-year-old Sri Lankan national on suspicion of murder after he allegedly stabbed a 21-year-old Sri Lankan man at a residence in Nagareyama City, Chiba Prefecture.

According to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, both men were Sri Lankan international students and lived at the same residence. Police said the incident occurred at around 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday.

The suspect allegedly stabbed the 21-year-old man in the abdomen with a knife. He then called emergency services, and the victim was taken to hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Police questioned the 18-year-old, who was at the scene, and arrested him after he allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim.
The two men were acquaintances, police said.

According to police, the suspect told investigators that he “snapped” after allegedly being called a derogatory term referring to a gay man, having his mother insulted and being punched.

Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stabbing, including the events that preceded the fatal confrontation.

Source: Japan Today

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in collaboration with the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute of International Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS), organized an almsgiving on 12 August 2026 to commemorate the 21st death anniversary of former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar.

The religious observances were conducted by Rajakeeya Panditha Venerable Mahanuwara Amitha Gaveshi Thero and seven members of the Maha Sangha from the Sri Sambodhi Vihara, Colombo. Delivering the Anusasana, Venerable Mahanuwara Amitha Gaveshi Thero reflected on the late Minister's statesmanship, commitment to national unity, and lifelong service to Sri Lanka. The sermon was followed by Pirith chanting, invoking blessings on the continued work of the Institute in the national interest.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; wife of the late Minister and Life Member of the LKIIRSS Board of Management, Suganthie Kadirgamar; and Acting Executive Director of LKIIRSS, Thushara Rodrigo, attended the ceremony. Members of the Board of Management, senior officials of the Ministry, and staff of the Institute were also present.

Former Foreign Minister Lakshman Kadirgamar served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for over a decade and made a significant contribution to Sri Lanka's foreign policy and diplomatic service. The almsgiving invoked merit on the late Minister while recalling his contribution to Sri Lanka's diplomatic traditions and the principles of patriotism, integrity, and dedication that continue to guide the work of LKIIRSS.

Sri Lanka is seeing a growing number of intestinal and digestive problems among adolescents and young adults, with changing diets, stressful lifestyles and increased consumption of processed foods emerging as possible contributing factors, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist Dr. Supun Kulathunga has said.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau, Dr. Kulathunga said the increasing preference for processed and artificial food products among young people could be affecting their digestive health.

He explained that the digestive system is closely connected to the brain through the gut-brain axis, meaning emotional conditions such as stress and anxiety can also influence intestinal function.

According to Dr. Kulathunga, the combination of psychological pressure, lifestyle changes and unhealthy eating patterns may contribute to conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).

He noted that dietary habits among young people are changing, with convenience increasingly shaping food choices. As a result, foods such as vegetables, fruits, leafy greens and grains are being consumed less frequently, while processed alternatives are becoming more common.

Dr. Kulathunga urged young people to pay greater attention to their diets and make healthier food choices, stressing the importance of returning to more natural and nutritious foods to support intestinal health.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has declared he is willing to risk his presidency to push through the 22nd Amendment, pushing back forcefully against critics who warn the constitutional change could cost him his position.

The government released the President's full remarks and the footage from his August 12 meeting with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka, revealing a leader unflinching in the face of mounting opposition. Dissanayake was blunt in his assessment of the BASL delegation, stating he arrived with an open mind while accusing the lawyers' body of having already closed theirs.

"I am willing to take the risk of losing my position to make the change I promised to the nation," the President told the delegation.

The remark came in direct response to former BASL President Upul Jayasuriya, who warned during the meeting that history shows presidents who meddle with judicial tenure ultimately lose their standing. Dissanayake's retort effectively framed the amendment not as a power grab but as a test of political courage.

The proposed amendment, gazetted on August 7, seeks to raise the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It has triggered a wave of opposition from religious leaders, civil society organisations, and overseas legal associations.

The Cabinet approved the amendment on July 27 following constitutional clearance from the Attorney General. Senior ministers, including Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Cabinet Spokesperson Nalinda Jayatissa, have continuously defended the proposal.

The amendment is likely to be passed before November 12, ahead of the budget debate. The government commands an easy two-thirds majority in Parliament, unless the Supreme Court determines a referendum is required. Inside sources reveal the government is willing to face that prospect if necessary.

Government efforts to raise the retirement age of judges will fail to address Sri Lanka's economic hardship or enrich the nation, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the Kirinda fishing harbour, Premadasa accused the government of ignoring pressing public issues.

He alleged that the proposed legislative change is a calculated move to concentrate state administrative power within the ruling party headquarters in Pelawatte.

Addressing members of the local fishing community, the Opposition Leader criticised the official national development program.

He said that government pledges of widespread prosperity cannot be realized without direct support for farmers, fishermen, industrial workers, and entrepreneurs.

He questioned the official policy focus, noting that national wealth cannot be generated by altering judicial service conditions while vital public sectors languish.

He argued that the government appears to prioritize judicial tenure extension over necessary investment in state healthcare and education services.

The Opposition Leader warned that the government intends to introduce a new constitutional amendment to solidify political control.

He described the move as a direct attempt to erode public trust in state institutions and warned that centralizing state authority under party control poses a serious threat to democratic governance in Sri Lanka.

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