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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 Chief Prelates of the three major Buddhist Chapters have urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to abandon proposed constitutional amendments extending the retirement age of superior court judges, following the public disclosure of their joint letter in Colombo on Wednesday (12).

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Sujeewa Senasinghe released the letter during a press conference, bringing official documentation to an ongoing political debate surrounding the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

Under existing constitutiona provisions, Court of Appeal judges must step down at 63, while Supreme Court judges retire at 65, limits the Chief Prelates insisted should remain unchanged.

“We believe that it is not appropriate for the Government to act in this manner to increase those age limits,” the letter states, according to the section released by Senasinghe.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa and Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara conducted high-level consultations with the Chief Prelates of the Asgiriya, Malwathu, Ramanna, and Amarapura Chapters to clarify the NPP government's policy stance.

They informed the prelates that the proposed tenure adjustments form part of an overarching judicial overhaul designed to resolve massive case backlogs, expedite court proceedings, and enhance system-wide efficiency.

Minister Jayatissa clarified that the age extension is not tailored for specific individuals, explaining that the revision would uniformly apply to approximately 400 judicial officers ranging from magistrate level up to the apex court bench.

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.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed to declare the Sri Lankan elephant as the country’s National Animal while calling for comprehensive legal and environmental safeguards to resolve the escalating human-elephant conflict.

The recommendation was put forward in an official statement issued in Colombo to mark World Elephant Day today (12), targeting national policy reforms across agrarian and wildlife sectors nationwide.

Habitat loss and co-existence framework

Addressing the root causes of regional tensions, Premadasa noted that the destruction of natural habitats and traditional migration corridors has forced wild herds into human settlements, triggering severe agricultural damage and animal deaths.

He stressed that resolving the crisis requires a balanced approach that protects farming communities without compromising wildlife conservation. He added that the country must establish a sustainable framework where rural families can live free from danger while wild populations remain safe from harm.

Policy commitment and conservation strategy

Emphasising the need for concrete action, Premadasa stated that conferring national status on the species must extend beyond symbolic gestures to encompass a formal state pledge toward scientific conservation.

He said that responsible development policies must integrate the protection of natural ranges alongside the preservation of rural livelihoods.

He highlighted that true peaceful coexistence must become a national priority, ensuring that rural residents receive adequate protection while preventing any unlawful persecution of wild elephants.

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.

Sri Lanka is observing World Elephant Day today (12) against the backdrop of mounting concerns over the survival of wild elephants and the continuing loss of human lives in encounters between people and wildlife.

The Ministry of Environment has warned that expanding human activity is placing growing pressure on elephant habitats. According to the Ministry, years of development without adequate planning have disrupted established elephant corridors and migration paths, affecting both ecosystems and biodiversity.

The scale of the crisis has also been highlighted by environmental groups. Hemantha Withanage, Chairperson of the Centre for Environmental Justice, said more than 400 elephants are killed in Sri Lanka each year, while the human-elephant conflict claims nearly 200 human lives annually.

According to Withanage, 180 elephant deaths and 56 human fatalities have already been reported this year.

He said around 75 of the elephant deaths recorded so far were linked to human actions. These included approximately 30 deaths caused by gunfire, 23 from electrocution and 19 involving explosives commonly known as ‘hakka patas’.

Withanage also questioned existing estimates of the country’s wild elephant population. While earlier figures had placed the population at around 5,000, he said a recent wildlife survey found that the number had surpassed 7,000.

He noted that the conflict is becoming increasingly difficult to contain, with human settlements and elephant habitats overlapping across more than 40% of Sri Lanka’s land area.

The Centre for Environmental Justice has proposed a systematic programme aimed at addressing the escalating conflict, with Withanage calling for the implementation of such measures.

The issue was brought into sharp focus again last evening (11), when a 43-year-old man was killed in a wild elephant attack in Ambanpola.

According to police, the man had entered his paddy field to drive away wild elephants that had moved into the area when he was attacked.

The victim, who was a resident of Ambanpola, died following the incident, while police have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

As Sri Lanka marks World Elephant Day, the latest figures and incidents underscore the growing challenge of protecting the country’s elephant population while reducing the danger faced by communities living alongside them.

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

Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, has appeared before the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Rajapaksa arrived at the CID a short while ago in connection with an ongoing investigation being conducted by the department.

He is currently before CID officials as part of the investigative process. No further details regarding the nature of the inquiry were immediately available.

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.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says that while other political parties have exerted various pressures on the judiciary at different times, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is the only untainted political party that has made no such interference.

Addressing a public meeting in Galle yesterday (10), he warned that the National people's Power (NPP) government is engaging in an undemocratic act by extending the retirement age of judges.

He emphasised that the government intends to pave the way for a single party rule through these statutory amendments.

Highlighting past instances of judicial interference, the Opposition Leader noted that a previous political faction took measures to impeach and remove former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake from her office.

He also recalled how another political faction had previously threatened members of the judiciary, declaring that judges would be summoned before a Parliamentary Select Committee over decisions made regarding local government elections.

The Opposition leader stressed that while other political parties have repeatedly exerted pressure on the courts at different times, the SJB stands out as the only untainted political party in the country that has never compromised judicial independence.

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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A sophisticated cyberattack targeting WhatsApp accounts on older iPhones has reportedly affected users in Sri Lanka, prompting complaints to the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT).

Unlike common online scams that rely on victims opening links or scanning fraudulent QR codes, the reported attack can compromise an account without any action from the user. The threat is believed to exploit weaknesses in the way WhatsApp handles synchronization with linked devices.

Several people from Sri Lanka’s media and business sectors have reportedly encountered or raised concerns about similar incidents, suggesting that the threat has reached local users.

A forensic examination by an Italian cybersecurity company found that compromised WhatsApp accounts were allegedly used to contact other people with fraudulent requests for money. In some cases, victims reportedly did not see unfamiliar devices in their WhatsApp linked-device lists, potentially allowing the unauthorized access to go unnoticed.

The attackers have also reportedly gained administrator control of WhatsApp groups after taking over individual accounts.

The incidents are believed to involve iPhones operating on iOS versions older than 16.7.12, underscoring the security risks associated with using outdated software.

Cybersecurity experts are urging iPhone users to install the latest available iOS and WhatsApp updates. They also recommend activating WhatsApp’s two-step verification and Chat Lock features as additional security measures.

Users have further been advised to independently confirm any unexpected request for money or sensitive information, even if the message appears to have been sent by someone they know.

The reported incidents highlight how increasingly sophisticated zero-click attacks are being used by financially motivated cybercriminals and reinforce the need for users to keep both their devices and applications updated.