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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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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.