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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has proposed introducing a low-cost ticketing system for tourist attractions to draw visitors towards lesser-known destinations and ease congestion at Sri Lanka's most popular wildlife parks.

He outlined the proposal while addressing the Parliamentary Caucus on Climate Change, where he raised a set of concerns spanning tourism management, wildlife conservation and the resourcing of the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Premadasa said an affordable ticketing system could encourage tourists to explore a wider range of destinations, thereby helping to relieve the heavy traffic and overcrowding currently seen at national park entrances, while simultaneously supporting the growth of tourism in areas that presently attract far fewer visitors.

He also drew attention to a longstanding shortage of veterinary surgeons within the Department of Wildlife Conservation, noting that although the department requires 33 such professionals, only 17 are currently in service, a shortfall he said has persisted for decades.

According to the Opposition Leader, wildlife veterinary surgeons play an essential role in managing human-wildlife conflicts and treating animals such as elephants and leopards, yet continue to lack adequate legal recognition and powers under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance.

He called for these professionals to be properly integrated into the department's structure, alongside clearer pathways for career advancement and promotion.

Turning to water management within protected areas, he proposed that accumulated silt be removed from reservoirs in national parks during the dry season to improve their capacity to retain water.

He pointed to the Yala National Park in particular, where water levels in tanks have fallen sharply amid the current dry conditions, forcing authorities to transport water by bowser to some of the smaller water sources.

He also stressed the need for better facilities and support for wildlife officers, noting that their duties extend around the clock given that human-wildlife conflicts occur both inside and outside designated wildlife areas.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has called on Sri Lankans to reject political opportunism and unite behind strategic development, pointing out that the nation has endured five major national tragedies over the past seven years.

Speaking at a religious ceremony in Elpitiya, Premadasa highlighted the sequence of crises the country has faced, ranging from the Easter Sunday terror attacks to the fallout of international conflicts such as the Iran crisis.

Addressing the state's constitutional obligations, Premadasa said that the government must uphold its duty to give foremost place to Buddhism and protect the Sambuddha Sasana.

At the same time, he emphasised that safeguarding the identity, culture, and security of all religious and ethnic communities remains a vital collective responsibility necessary to sustain a civilised and law-abiding society.

Maha Sangha

The Opposition Leader raised concerns over recent attempts by adverse groups to distort Buddhist teachings.

He noted that members of the Maha Sangha, who act as the guardians of the Sasana, have faced unfair criticism, public insults, and coordinated character assassination attempts.

Protecting the Buddhist clergy must be treated as a fundamental national duty and civic responsibility, he added, regardless of political or personal divisions.

Call to revive Dhamma education

Highlighting Sri Lanka's extensive religious network—which includes 14,129 temples, 10,347 Dhamma schools, 327 Sasana Arakshaka divisions, and 824 Pirivenas, Premadasa expressed concern over falling attendance at Sunday Dhamma schools following the pandemic.

He called for an immediate national strategy to re-engage young people in religious education.

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Defendants in a case involving more than 23,000 charges, including allegations of conspiracy linked to the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, began presenting their defence before the Colombo High Court today (17).

The trial is being heard by a three-member High Court bench comprising Judges Navaratne Marasinghe, Ramanathan Kannan and Sujeewa Nissanka.

When the case was taken up, three defendants—Zainul Abdeen Mohamed Jeseem, Mohamed Mustapha Mohamed Rizwan and Meera Zahir Mohamed Nafli—made statements from the dock.

A total of 24 defendants have been named in the case, and all are currently being held in remand custody.

The defendants are expected to continue presenting evidence in support of their defence as the trial proceeds.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP S.M. Marikkar says that residents of the Colombo Port City are effectively disenfranchised during local government elections, raising fundamental rights concerns over their lack of local council representation.

Speaking at a recent meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Infrastructure and Strategic Development which Marikkar chairs, he pointed out that while Port City residents are registered to vote within the Colombo District for national elections, they have no designated local polling area or local body representation for local council elections.

He said that although residents can cast ballots in presidential or parliamentary elections under the Colombo District, the absence of a designated local council polling venue violates their fundamental rights.

He added that establishing a separate local authority specifically for the Port City area may be necessary to resolve the issue.

Officials explained that a 2019 Gazette issued by the Minister of Internal and Home Affairs and Provincial Councils and Local Government formally incorporated the Port City land into the Colombo Administrative District under Section 3 of the Administrative Districts Act No. 22 of 1995.

They said that this gazette notice adequately covers representation concerns at the district level.

However, the Marikkar countered that while the gazette ensures inclusion for national-level voting, it completely fails to address local authority representation.

He said that if the issue remains unaddressed and is eventually taken to court, potential legal challenges could risk causing delays to the Port City project.

Four managers of private commercial banks have been arrested by the Police Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) over an alleged USD 1 billion transfer involving a Colombo Fort-based money changer.

According to police, the investigation centres on allegations that the money changer transferred approximately USD 1 billion without importing any goods into Sri Lanka.

The four bank managers were arrested while they were at their respective private banks. Police said the arrests are believed to be the first of their kind in Sri Lanka involving bank managers in connection with such an investigation.

Investigators have reportedly found that the main individual allegedly involved in the scheme had made weekly payments to the four suspects.

The payments varied on different occasions, with the officials allegedly receiving amounts of Rs. 30,000, Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 100,000 per week.

Investigators have also found that one of the four arrested bank managers had allegedly received approximately Rs. 1 million as a payment on one occasion.

The Financial Crimes Investigation Division of the Criminal Investigation Department is continuing investigations into the alleged financial transaction and the involvement of the arrested bank officials.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Parliamentarian Harshana Rajakaruna has accused the government of undermining the judiciary's independence by pushing ahead with the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution.

Speaking at a media briefing, the opposition lawmaker claimed the NPP government was attempting to bring the judicial system under direct political control.

He asserted that key domestic and international stakeholders, including the Mahanayake Theras, the United Nations, and legal organisations both in Sri Lanka and abroad, had voiced strong opposition to the legislative changes.

Economic promises ignored

Rajakaruna questioned the timing and priority of the constitutional amendment when citizens were awaiting relief from high living costs.

He said that the government had failed to deliver on economic promises, such as reducing fuel and electricity tariffs, while prioritizing political reforms instead.

He also observed that the proposed 22nd Amendment offered no solutions to pressing public concerns.

Rajakaruna said the draft legislation would neither increase paddy prices for farmers, cut electricity bills by a third, eliminate the fuel pricing formula, nor safeguard the office of the Presidency.

He added that the governemnt was actively disregarding both public hardship and religious guidance in its pursuit of constitutional changes.

Authorities of a hospital in the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka have been challenged for preventing a group of newly appointed Muslim officers from reporting for duty on the grounds of their attire.

When nine Muslim women appointed as Junior Health Assistants at Kalmunai North Base Hospital went to assume duty on 6th August, the hospital’s Deputy Director, Dr. Sri Shankar, had not allow them to make entries in the reporting register, saying that they could not be allowed to report for duty in the attire they were wearing.

On the following day also, when the Muslim officers again went to the hospital to report for duty, they faced the same situation.

At the Cabinet decision press conference held by the Government Information Department on 11th August, a journalist informed the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, that the group of Muslim female officers were wearing “long trousers, a long sleeve dress and a headscarf” over their uniforms.

Five of the female officers filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on 10th August, alleging that the hospital authorities had continuously prevented them from reporting for duty. Attorney at Law M. M. M. Mugasam, who is appearing on their behalf, told provincial journalists that attempts to resolve the issue with the hospital authorities internally had also failed.

“We met with the Deputy Director of the hospital, Dr. Sri Shankar, and another medical superintendent, Dr. Rajindran, and inquired about this. We also looked into whether this matter could be resolved within the hospital premises under a domestic method. However, it became clear to us after this discussion that there are no such easy methods,” he said.

Attorney at Law M. M. M. Mugasam said he had drawn the attention of the hospital authorities to the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Disaster Management and Rural Economic Affairs on 26th June 2019 regarding the dress code of government officials.

As stated in Public Administration Circular 13/2019(1), issued by the Secretary to the Ministry of Public Administration, Disaster Management and Rural Economic Affairs, J. J. Ratnasiri, on 26th June 2019 under the title “Dress Code for Government Officials”, officials are required to dress in “appropriate modest attire that upholds the dignity of the public service”. The circular also states that if officials dress according to any religious ritual, they may wear additional attire after dressing in official attire to confirm their religious identity, while enabling officials to clearly identify their full face, excluding the ears.

Attorney at Law M. M. M. Mugasam, who took the initiative to submit the complaint to the Ampara Regional Office of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka on 10th August together with Attorney at Law Rudani Sahir, further told journalists that the Director, Deputy Director and Hospital Disciplinary Officer of Kalmunai North Base Hospital had violated the 2019 circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, Disaster Management and Rural Economic Affairs.

“That means there is no change or reduction in their uniform. They come in the uniform of the health workers. In addition, there are some things that need to be covered. They can make changes in the clothes they need to cover those. That is clearly stated in this circular. Therefore, it is clear that the Director of the Kalmunai North Base Hospital, the Deputy Director, the Hospital Disciplinary Officer Dr. Rajindran, the Administrative Officer and the Health Workers’ Supervisory Officer have violated this circular,” he said.

Attorney at Law Mugasam said the hospital authorities had emphasized during discussions with the lawyers that there is a separate circular for health workers and that, since there is a circular relating to clothing, it must be followed.

During the Cabinet decision press conference held on 11th August, a journalist questioned Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa regarding the hospital authorities not allowing the group of Muslim female officers to report for duty on the grounds of their attire.

The minister said that he was not aware of the matter until that moment.

“There are still about ninety thousand people outside. Therefore, do not create unnecessary problems and disrupt the hospital service,” the minister warned with a mocking smile.

The minister also asked health workers to file complaints with the Ministry of Health if there was a problem.

Subsequently, Social Justice Party Chairman and Dehiwala Mount Lavinia Municipal Council member Arqam Munir told journalists in Colombo on 12th August that his party had complained to the Secretary of the Ministry of Health regarding the problematic situation faced by the Muslim female officers due to their attire.

The Caucus on Climate Parliament of Sri Lanka has emphasized the need to move beyond reactive crisis management and establish Anticipatory Crisis Governance mechanisms to strengthen Sri Lanka’s climate resilience in the face of climate change, including El Niño conditions.

At the meeting, held recently in Parliament under the joint chairmanship of Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa and Member of Parliament Prof. L.M. Abeywickrema, discussions covered a wide range of issues, including climate change, El Niño conditions, agriculture, water management, wildlife conservation, human-elephant conflict, disaster management and environmental management, the Department of Communication of Parliament stated.

Delivering the main expert presentation at the meeting, Prof. Charitha Pattiarachchi, Winthrop Professor of coastal oceanography at the University of Western Australia, highlighted the need for early preparedness in the face of climate risks, science-based policymaking and stronger disaster management mechanisms.

The disaster management model of the Indian state of Odisha was also discussed. It was noted that, during a cyclone in 2019, the state was able to evacuate approximately one million people to safe locations within 24 hours, the statement said.

The interim report presented by Dr. Sumith Pilapitiya, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Human-Elephant Conflict, pointed out that climate conditions could intensify human-elephant conflict and highlighted the need for short- and long-term measures, including community-based electric fences, seasonal paddy-field fencing, wildlife habitat management and water management.

The interim report presented by Prof. Sampath Seneviratne, Chairman of the Independent Expert Advisory Group on El Niño Resilience, analyzed the impacts of climate change on agriculture, biodiversity, water security and the rural economy.

The report also proposed a Strategic Climate Resilience Framework based on scientific evidence, according to the statement.

With regard to wildlife conservation, attention was drawn to addressing the shortage of veterinary officers, strengthening wildlife management, and reducing environmental damage caused by human activities, plastics and waste in and around national parks.

Proposals were also put forward to minimize environmental impacts in sensitive sacred areas, introduce a differential pricing system for the tourism sector, and develop infrastructure in national parks, it said.

The meeting also emphasized the need to strengthen science-based policies, institutional coordination and early-preparedness mechanisms in order to enhance Sri Lanka’s resilience to climate change, the statement added.

Members of Parliament, government officials, representatives of international organizations and development partners, researchers, youth representatives and representatives of civil society organizations participated in the meeting

More than 68,000 people across four districts have been affected by the prevailing dry weather conditions in Sri Lanka, according to the National Disaster Relief Services Centre.

Senior Assistant Secretary of the Centre, Prageeth Danansooriya, said 68,041 people belonging to 21,873 families have been affected by the dry conditions.

The impact has been reported in 17 Grama Niladhari divisions across Batticaloa, Ampara, Moneragala and Ratnapura districts.

The prolonged dry weather has also resulted in water shortages in several affected communities. According to Danansooriya, arrangements have been made to provide drinking water to 12,291 people from 3,495 families currently experiencing difficulties in accessing water.

The National Disaster Relief Services Centre is coordinating assistance programmes with local government authorities to provide the necessary support to communities affected by the dry conditions.

Authorities are continuing to assess the situation and implement measures to address the immediate needs of residents facing water shortages.

The recent meeting between the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, Shri Santosh Jha, accompanied by Dr. Rambabu C., Counsellor (Political) & Head of Chancery, and representatives of Bahujana Balaya lasted for nearly three hours, reflecting the importance both parties attached to an open and meaningful exchange of views. The meeting demonstrated India's continued engagement with a broad spectrum of political and social stakeholders in Sri Lanka, including emerging nationalist movements. Rather than being a ceremonial courtesy call, the discussion provided an opportunity to better understand each other's perspectives on issues of mutual importance.

The discussions covered a wide range of subjects, including Sri Lanka – India diplomatic relations, trade and economic cooperation, regional security, the 13th Amendment, and the relationship between the Northern and Southern communities. One of the most insightful aspects of the meeting was the High Commissioner's explanation of India's system of governance, its democratic institutions, and the principles that guide Indian diplomacy.

The Bahujana Balaya delegation approached the meeting in a constructive spirit. The discussion was not used as a platform to criticize the President or the Government of Sri Lanka, nor was it intended to present complaints. Instead, the focus remained firmly on matters of national importance. Our belief is simple: in diplomacy, the nation must always come first. Open dialogue, even where differences may exist, is essential for building trust and promoting long-term cooperation.

As a token of appreciation, Bahujana Balaya presented the High Commissioner with a replica of the renowned Naga Raksha mask, one of Sri Lanka's most iconic cultural symbols. The mask embodies protection, wisdom, vigilance, and the triumph of truth over evil. Its cobra hood signifies divine knowledge, spiritual transformation, and immortality, while its striking bulging eyes are believed to ward off the "evil eye" and intimidate malicious spirits. The lolling tongue represents constant vigilance, fearless communication, and the discernment to filter truth from falsehood, while the vibrant red and gold scales symbolize vital energy, cosmic power, and purification.

The Bahujana Balaya delegation comprised Chairman Milinda Rajapaksha, General Secretary Iranga Mendis, National Organiser Piyal Dharshana Guruge, Media Secretary Anjana Udara, Deputy Chairwoman Kumudini Bandara, and Executive Committee Member Sonala Gunawardene.

We sincerely appreciate the openness and willingness of Shri Santosh Jha and Dr. Rambabu C. to engage in an honest and meaningful discussion. Diplomacy is strengthened through mutual respect, understanding, and continuous dialogue. As Sri Lanka moves forward, constructive engagement between India and all responsible national stakeholders will continue to play an important role in promoting peace, stability, and shared prosperity.

Iranga Mendis
General Secretary
Bahujana Balaya

Two suspects have been arrested over the disappearance of a stock of school textbooks valued at approximately Rs. 800,000, which had been allocated for distribution to students in Sri Lanka’s Eastern Province.

The arrests were made following an investigation by Thalangama Police after the Educational Publications Department reported that the textbooks had not reached their intended recipients.

According to police investigations, the textbooks were handed over to an institution in the Biyagama area that had been contracted by the Educational Publications Department to transport and distribute them among students.

A total of 19,892 textbooks were included in the consignment. The stock had been taken into the custody of a driver attached to a lorry belonging to the contracted institution in May.

However, the textbooks were not delivered as required. After the department received information regarding the missing consignment, an official lodged a complaint with Thalangama Police.

Investigations subsequently led to the arrest of the lorry driver. Police reportedly found that he had sold the entire stock to a person engaged in collecting used bottles and waste paper for recycling.

The driver is alleged to have received Rs. 47,000 for the textbooks, which were sold by weight rather than being distributed as intended.

Police later arrested the individual who purchased the textbooks. During questioning, the suspect reportedly told investigators that he had subsequently sold the books to a recycling facility in Peliyagoda that handles old newspapers and waste paper.

Thalangama Police said investigations are continuing, with several other suspects believed to be connected to the incident yet to be arrested.

The investigation remains focused on tracing the movement of the missing textbooks and identifying all those involved in the alleged sale and recycling of the educational materials.