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Sri Lanka's minor court judges have urged the government to scrap a planned constitutional amendment to raise the retirement age for superior court judges, citing severe risks to judicial independence and institutional stability.

The Judicial Service Association (JSASL), which represents the country's District Judges and Magistrates, submitted its official opposition to Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara following a resolution adopted at its General Assembly on 11 July.

The association confirmed that it will also formally communicate its stance in writing to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as the administration prepares to submit the proposal to the Cabinet.

The association highlighted that altering the existing retirement limits would freeze upward mobility across all tiers of the bench for roughly two years.

It noted that higher court promotions would grind to a halt, directly delaying appointments to the High Court and disturbing the long-established hierarchy of judicial career progression.

This stagnation threatens to alter the structural balance of the legal system by restricting opportunities for career judges to rise to the highest levels of the bench.

The proposed changes carry wider consequences for professional morale and future recruitment across the legal sector.

The JSASL warned that delaying advancement would demotivate serving judicial officers while simultaneously discouraging skilled young legal professionals from entering the bench.

This criticism mirrors concerns previously raised by the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), indicating broad opposition within the legal community against altering the constitutional provisions governing judicial tenure.

Undermining the structured progression of career judges poses a direct threat to the long-term integrity and public standing of the country's legal system.

A new Animal Welfare Bill has been introduced with proposals to strengthen the laws protecting animals and prevent acts of cruelty in Sri Lanka. The draft legislation, published in the Government Gazette dated 17 July 2026, sets out provisions aimed at ensuring proper care, protection and welfare of animals, while introducing stricter penalties for violations.

Under the proposed bill, denying animals essential needs such as food, clean water and suitable shelter would be considered an offence. The legislation also seeks to hold individuals accountable for causing unnecessary suffering through neglect, overworking animals, or keeping them in unsuitable conditions.

Those found guilty of animal cruelty could face a fine of up to Rs. 250,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both. A person convicted of cruelly killing an animal could face a fine of up to Rs. 500,000, imprisonment of up to three years, or both.

The proposed law also includes provisions to take action against the abandonment of pets, the neglect of sick or injured animals, and allowing animals to suffer without necessary treatment. Animal fights and other activities involving animals that result in injury or death are proposed to be prohibited, along with the organising, promoting or facilitating of such events.

The bill further introduces regulations governing the transportation of animals, requiring measures to prevent unnecessary pain, injury or distress. Violators of these provisions could face a fine of up to Rs. 300,000, imprisonment of up to two years, or both.

A licensing system for pet shops and animal breeding centres has also been proposed, aimed at regulating the trade and breeding of animals across the country.

The draft legislation was prepared following recommendations made by a special expert committee appointed under a Cabinet decision. It was subsequently approved by the Attorney General and published in the Government Gazette ahead of being submitted for parliamentary approval.

Authorities said the proposed law was intended not only to punish cruelty against animals but also to promote a more responsible and humane approach to animal welfare within society.

Russia says it has found the bodies of five foreign climbers – believed to be Bosnian – on Mount Elbrus, authorities and state media say.

Authorities said earlier that out of a group of seven climbing Russia’s highest mountain, they had recovered two bodies and were searching for three more.

“According to investigators, on July 24 a group of seven climbers – foreign nationals – was climbing Mount Elbrus. The following evening, due to rapidly deteriorating weather conditions, the group strayed from the route,” the local prosecutor’s office said on Sunday.

It said one of the alpinists went down and told authorities that “two members of the group had fallen ill at an altitude of 5,100 metres and died”.

The statement added: “Subsequently, rescuers found another surviving climber and the bodies of three other climbers who had died.”

Bosnia’s foreign minister, Elmedin Konakovic, confirmed reports of the deaths, which he called “a major tragedy”.

Mount Elbrus, which rises to 5,642 metres just north of the border with Georgia, is infamous for sudden ⁠changes in weather and climbing conditions.

Bosnian media reported the seven ​members of ​the climbing expedition were residents ​of the central town of Zenica and included ​a married ‌couple and a ​female doctor ​who worked at the local hospital.

Russian media reported that adverse weather conditions including strong winds had complicated the search and recovery operations.

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has warned that the country's farmers will ultimately decide the fate of the government, accusing the NPP administration of neglecting the agricultural sector despite promises made at the last election.

Premadasa made the remarks while addressing a public rally in Anuradhapura.

He said the Agriculture Minister had himself acknowledged that the cost of producing one kilogram of paddy stood at around Rs. 137, even as the guaranteed price paid to farmers remained fixed at only Rs. 120.

He said farmers had continued to cultivate their lands despite this shortfall, and despite ongoing challenges such as the human elephant conflict, yet were still unable to secure a fair and stable price for their harvests.

The Opposition Leader alleged that many farmers had been forced to mortgage their property and borrow money at high interest rates simply to fund cultivation, only to then face shortages of quality seed paddy, delays in fertiliser subsidies, poor quality fertiliser, and rising costs for agrochemicals, fuel and farming equipment.

He noted that loan schemes previously available to farmers in past decades no longer existed, leaving cultivators dependent on informal lenders who charged excessive rates of interest.

Premadasa further alleged that the government had abandoned the farming community after coming into office, despite having promised relief, and claimed that farmers were seeing no meaningful benefit even as the Treasury's financial position had strengthened.

He said warehouses were being filled with imported rice while small and medium scale rice mill owners were being sidelined, and accused the government of insulting the farming community rather than supporting it.

The decomposed body of a 58-year-old man was discovered inside the bathroom of a house in Karapitiya, Galle.

Police said the deceased, who was unmarried, had been living alone at the residence.

The discovery was made after a group of university students residing in a nearby house informed the Karapitiya Police Post about a strong foul smell emanating from the premises.

Following the information, police officers visited the house and found the body inside the bathroom.

The remains have been placed at the morgue of the Galle National Hospital, where a post-mortem examination is scheduled to be conducted.

Galle Police have launched further investigations into the incident.

They were just six words posted on X in a moment of frustration:

"What if all cockroaches come together?"

Now, its 30-year-old author, Abhijeet Dipke, is the face of ​what is arguably India's biggest street protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since he took office in 2014.

The political communications strategist's post, sent on May 16, ‌was initially a witty response to comments by Supreme Court judge Surya Kant, likening India's unemployed youth in a speech to "cockroaches".

Kant later said his comments were misconstrued.

By then Dipke's post had gone viral.

A satirical platform called the "Cockroach Janta Party" (CJP) had sprung up, providing a rallying point for millions of young Indians frustrated over high unemployment and exam paper leaks and seeking greater government accountability.

Over the past three days, tens of thousands have gathered ​in New Delhi demanding the resignation of India's Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over leaks of the medical entrance test paper that affected some 2 million students in May and ​have been linked to several student suicides.

Sporadic protests were reported in other parts of the country, including the financial hub of Mumbai.

At the centre ⁠of it all is Dipke.

Based in the U.S. city of Boston until early June, he flew back to India to launch a protest near the Jantar Mantar observatory ​in the heart of Delhi.

Since then — and particularly after a police crackdown on demonstrators on Monday sparked public outrage — he has become a constant presence on a raised platform at the protest site.

Bearded ​and dressed in a T-shirt and jeans, Dipke addresses crowds of hundreds, urging them to remain peaceful while maintaining pressure on the government.

Even if the CJP has several organisers, Dipke has become its most recognisable face, drawing both admiration and criticism.

Last week a woman threw blue ink at him while he was addressing supporters, smearing his face. She later accused the CJP of insulting Lord Ram, a major Hindu deity.

Dipke was born ​in Aurangabad in the western Indian state of Maharashtra into a Dalit family, one of India's most historically disadvantaged communities.

"My father comes from a very humble background. He grew up in ​extreme poverty. My grandfather was just a farmer," Dipke told Reuters in a phone interview from Chicago in May.

His Dalit identity has long shaped his politics.

When he arrived in Delhi on June 6, Dipke held ‌aloft a ⁠copy of "My Autobiography" by B.R. Ambedkar, a champion of Dalit rights and key architect of India's democratic constitution, as supporters and security personnel swarmed around him.

After the ink attack, Dipke posted a video of the incident with the caption: "Blue is my colour", an apparent reference to the colour closely associated with the Ambedkarite movement.

In 2020, Dipke joined the social media team of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), where he said he developed a style of political messaging built around memes, humour and satire.

He is no longer associated with the party, though AAP and several other Indian opposition parties ​have backed the movement.

In 2023, Dipke moved to ​the United States to pursue a master's ⁠degree in public relations in Boston, but continued to follow Indian politics closely.

Dipke says he is still trying to process his prominence.

One of the first people to amplify the movement was Delhi-based YouTuber Meghnad S. Soon after Dipke's post, he ​and a friend used AI tools to build a satirical website announcing the formation of the Cockroach Janta Party.

"I saw the page ​and thought it was damn ⁠hilarious," Meghnad said.

The Instagram account amassed 22 million followers in a matter of days before swelling further to 25 million recently.

"That's how organic it was," Meghnad said.

But as the online movement grew, so did the stakes.

Speaking to Reuters from Boston in May, Dipke said:

"This is a movement to change the political discourse of India. The youth of India has largely vanished from the mainstream political discourse."

Despite threats ⁠to himself ​and his family, Dipke decided to return to India. He has said he will stay at least until the ​students get justice.

Since June 6, Dipke has remained at the protest site as the demonstrations have swelled and can frequently be seen appealing to protesters to keep the movement peaceful, speaking to the media or grabbing brief naps.

Addressing supporters ​from the stage on Wednesday, he said, "Let me make it clear — we will also not stop until we win."

(Reuters)

A 49-year-old Dutch tourist has reportedly drowned while swimming at Nilaveli Beach in the Kuchchaveli Police Division.

Police said they commenced investigations after receiving information yesterday (26) that a foreign national had drowned while swimming in the sea.

According to preliminary investigations, the victim had been staying at a tourist hotel in the Nilaveli area.

The deceased has been identified as a 49-year-old Dutch national.

Further investigations into the incident are being conducted by the Kuchchaveli Police.

The Colombo High Court today (24) ordered that the money laundering case filed against Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the son of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, be taken up for further hearing on August 20.

The case was called before Colombo High Court Judge Udesh Ranatunga.

Yoshitha Rajapaksa did not appear before the court for the hearing. Appearing on his behalf, President's Counsel Sampath Mendis informed the court that his client was unwell and requested a new hearing date.

After considering the request, the High Court judge fixed August 20 for the next hearing.

The court also instructed the witnesses, including several navy personnel who were present to give evidence, to appear on the next hearing date.

The Attorney General has filed the case against Yoshitha Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that he committed an offence through the purchase of five plots of land in the Dehiwala and Ratmalana areas valued at more than Rs. 73 million.

The Maha Sangha Conference organized by the Sasanarakshaka Sangha Sabha is scheduled to be held in Colombo today (27), with the participation of Buddhist monks from across the country.

The conference will be conducted under the theme “Sukhā Sanghassa Sāmaggī” and will focus on addressing what organizers identify as challenges affecting the Buddha Sasana.

Coordinator of the Sasanarakshaka Sangha Sabha, Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thera, said the event aims to strengthen unity among the Buddhist clergy while supporting efforts to protect and promote the Buddha Sasana, the country, and its cultural and religious heritage.

The conference is scheduled to commence at 2.00 p.m. at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo, with thousands of Buddhist monks expected to attend.

Venerable Ulapane Sumangala Thera said the organizers plan to adopt a series of proposals addressing issues affecting the Buddha Sasana and submit them to the relevant authorities for consideration.

Opposition party leaders convened in Colombo yesterday (23) to coordinate a joint response to the Government's decision to extend the retirement age of superior court judges.

The meeting was held at the office of the Leader of the Opposition and was chaired by Sajith Premadasa, bringing together senior figures from across the political spectrum to discuss what several attendees described as an attempt to interfere with the independence of the judiciary.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, former Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, MPs Namal Rajapaksa, Dilith Jayaweera, Rauff Hakeem, Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, Mano Ganeshan, Jeevan Thondaman, P. Digambaram, Dayasiri Jayasekara, Kabir Hashim, Ranjith Madduma Bandara and former MPs Wimal Weerawansa, Patali Champika Ranawaka, Prof G.L. Peiris, Nimal Siripala de Silva, Tiran Alles, Mahinda Amaraweera, among others, participated at the meeting.

Former President Wickremesinghe pointed out that opposition parties had come together around a shared cause in response to what he described as objectionable conduct on the part of the Government.

He proposed that the Opposition Leader put forward a recommendation for the appointment of a select committee tasked with examining delays within the judicial system, including measures to expedite the hearing of an estimated 1.1 million pending court cases along with other outstanding issues in the sector.

He also indicated that further engagement was planned in the days ahead, with meetings to be arranged with members of the Buddhist clergy and representatives of the legal profession as part of a wider campaign to build support around the issue.

The gathering signals a rare instance of unified opposition action on an issue of judicial independence, one that could shape the national conversation around governance and the rule of law in the weeks to come. Further consultations with religious and legal figures are expected shortly, as opposition leaders look to sustain pressure on the Government over its handling of the judiciary.