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The Sri Lanka Railway Station Masters' Association (SLRSMA) has threatened trade union action if authorities fail to urgently resolve unresolved signalling defects that it says are compromising safety on key railway lines.

The warning was issued by Association Chairman Sumedha Somaratne, who said the matter had already been formally communicated in writing to the relevant authorities.

Somaratne's chief concern centres on the Medawachchiya to Talaimannar Pier section, where he said train operations are currently being run under what is known as the "pilot method."

He explained that this approach is meant to be used only in exceptional situations, such as temporary signal failures, yet it has instead become the standard mode of operation on the single-track line, raising serious questions about the safety of continued services there.

He linked this directly to the resumption of services on the Talaimannar railway line last week, noting that trains had returned to the line despite serious defects in the signalling system that have yet to be properly addressed.

No adequate repair or restoration work has been carried out on the damaged signalling infrastructure since services resumed, he said, leaving the line to operate under conditions he described as unsafe.

Somaratne also pointed to similar unresolved problems in the Maho to Anuradhapura section, where train movements are likewise continuing under temporary signalling arrangements rather than a fully restored system.

He expressed particular concern that railway lines rebuilt at a cost of billions of rupees in public funds are now being allowed to deteriorate due to a lack of proper maintenance and operational upgrades, undermining the value of that investment.

The Association reiterated that it would proceed with trade union action should the authorities fail to deliver effective solutions to the signalling failures and broader operational challenges facing railway stations across these sections.

The Sri Lankan government has launched a fresh push to speed up the implementation of Indian-funded development projects, moving to address delays that have slowed progress across several key sectors.

The initiative followed a high-level review meeting between Labour Minister and Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando and Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha, held at the Presidential Secretariat.

Officials at the meeting examined the obstacles preventing the smooth rollout of India-backed projects spanning multiple ministries, including Transport, Highways and Urban Development, Ports and Civil Aviation, Plantation and Community Infrastructure, Housing, Construction and Water Supply, Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Science and Technology, and Justice and National Integration.

Discussions centred on clearing administrative and operational bottlenecks, renewing existing agreements, and building stronger mechanisms to keep projects on track going forward.

A significant share of the talks focused on projects financed through India's $450 million loan and grant assistance package for disaster recovery and reconstruction, work considered economically important given its links to rebuilding damaged infrastructure and strengthening resilience in communities affected by natural disasters.

To reinforce oversight going forward, the government has decided to set up a dedicated monitoring unit within the Presidential Secretariat to identify bottlenecks earlier, improve coordination between ministries, and ensure that financial commitments are converted into completed infrastructure and tangible community benefits.

The review carries broader economic weight given India's standing as one of Sri Lanka's most significant development partners, especially across infrastructure, transport, energy, housing, fisheries and community development.

Delays in major projects of this kind tend to push up costs, postpone economic benefits, and blunt the immediate impact of foreign-funded investment on employment and regional development, while faster execution is seen as capable of boosting construction activity, improving connectivity, and drawing further investment into the country.

The renewal of project agreements between the two countries is also expected to provide greater certainty for initiatives already under way, with clear agreements and effective oversight seen as essential to keeping development aligned with national priorities while sustaining investor confidence.

Imesha Dulani's magnificent century powered Sri Lanka Women to a six-wicket victory over Pakistan Women in the opening T20I of the three-match series at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Friday.

Asked to bat first, Pakistan posted a competitive 176-7 in their allotted 20 overs, thanks to impressive knocks from opening pair captain Muneeba Ali and Shawaal Zulfiqar.

Shawaal was the standout batter, smashing a fluent 63 from 41 deliveries, including 10 fours and a six, while Muneeba made a brisk 42 off 24 balls, striking nine boundaries.

Eman Naseer added 21 from 27 deliveries, including one four, while Ayesha Zafar chipped in with a quickfire 17 off 11 balls, featuring two sixes.

The remaining batters failed to make significant contributions as Eyman Fatima managed five off five balls, Saira Jabeen scored 13 from eight deliveries with two fours, Umm-e-Hani made five off three balls with one boundary, while Waheeda Akhtar was dismissed for a duck.

Kavisha Dilhari spearheaded Sri Lanka's bowling attack with figures of 2/36 in four overs, while Kawya Kavindi and Chamudi Praboda claimed one wicket each.

In reply, Sri Lanka comfortably chased down the 177-run target with six wickets in hand and six balls to spare, inspired by Dulani's unbeaten match-winning century and valuable support from captain Chamari Athapaththu.

Dulani produced a sensational unbeaten 101 from 64 deliveries, laced with 17 fours and a six, while Athapaththu scored 39 off 22 balls, hitting five fours and two sixes.

Kavisha Dilhari added 11 from 14 deliveries, while Nilakshika Silva remained unbeaten on nine off four balls, including one boundary.

Nashra Sandhu was Pakistan's most successful bowler, returning figures of 2/25 in four overs, while Humna Bilal and Umm-e-Hani claimed one wicket each.

Source: Geosuper

Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage has won Sri Lanka's first ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in men's javelin, throwing 89.75m to top the podium at Scotstoun Stadium in Glasgow on Friday (31).

The victory came in a stacked field that included some of the biggest names in world javelin, cementing Pathirage's arrival as a genuine force in the event.

Pathirage's winning throw was enough to hold off Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India, who settled for silver with 85.83m, while his compatriot Yash Vir Singh claimed bronze with a throw of 85.41m.

Paris 2024 bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fourth with 83.88m.

The anticipated clash with reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan never materialised as a genuine contest for gold, with Nadeem finishing well down the field in ninth place on 77.41m.

The win carries historical weight for Sri Lanka, marking the country's first Commonwealth Games gold since weightlifter Chinthana Vidanage's triumph at the 2006 Melbourne Games.

Speaking to reporters in the mixed zone afterwards, Pathirage said he was incredibly happy to have delivered Sri Lanka's first javelin gold, adding that the achievement meant everything to him and that hearing the national anthem played as he stood on the podium was a moment of immense pride.

Reflecting on the conditions inside the windy Scotstoun Stadium, he admitted the weather had made things difficult for all the throwers, but said he had focused on producing his own best distance rather than trying to match his rivals.

The result also extends a recent pattern of South Asian dominance in Commonwealth Games javelin, with Chopra having won gold at Gold Coast 2018 and Nadeem doing likewise at Birmingham 2022, both athletes going on to become Olympic champions at the following Games.

Pathirage, a former fast bowler and current Olympic Solidarity scholarship holder, will now see his sights turn towards the possibility of Olympic qualification, with attention already shifting to how his form develops ahead of LA 2028.

Sri Lanka’s overall inflation increased to 7.3% in July 2026 on a year-on-year basis, according to the latest figures released by the Department of Census and Statistics.

The increase was measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) and marks a rise from the 6.8% recorded in June 2026.

The Department said food inflation climbed to 6.3% in July, up from 3.6% reported in the previous month.

Meanwhile, non-food inflation eased to 7.8% in July from 8.4% recorded in June.

The latest data reflects an increase in overall inflation driven by higher food inflation, while non-food inflation showed a decline compared to the previous month.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has accused the government of exceeding its electoral mandate by seeking to alter the retirement age of judges, stating that the move amounts to turning the judiciary into an instrument of the executive.

Speaking to the media, he said that the mandate secured by the JVP-led government was to abolish the executive presidential system, not to compromise judicial independence.

Premadasa contended that the government, having been entrusted with a mandate to reform the system of governance and strengthen democracy, was instead pursuing measures that risked entrenching dictatorship, authoritarianism and single-party rule, including a constitutional amendment introduced for this purpose.

He said that the President's mandate extended only to reforming the presidential system through constitutional means, and not to altering judges' retirement age or enabling the executive to exert pressure on the judiciary.

Expanding on the constitutional principles at stake, the Opposition Leader said democracy rested on three pillars, the legislature, the executive and the judiciary, bound together by a system of separation of powers and checks and balances.

He noted that those unfamiliar with this framework consult Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws for clarity.

He also warned that political authorities in many countries had, at various points, attempted to interfere with the judiciary and the legislature, and urged the Government not to overlook recent developments in India in this regard.

Citing the Indian example, the Opposition Leader recalled that when the country's unemployed youth were disparagingly referred to as cockroaches, millions of young people mobilised in major cities and pressured the government into holding a minister accountable for a leaked examination paper scandal, ultimately forcing his resignation.

He added that ongoing reforms within India's education system were themselves a product of sustained youth pressure, and that Indian youth had responded to the insult not with silence but by building a mass movement demanding accountability.

Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne has been appointed as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

He succeeds Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, who concluded his tenure as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

Before assuming the top military post, Lieutenant General Premaratne served as the 69th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, the second-highest appointment in the service. He assumed those duties on June 1, 2026, at Army Headquarters.

Prior to becoming Chief of Staff, he held the position of Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. He also served as the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery.

Lieutenant General Premaratne, who is from the Sri Lanka Artillery, now takes over the leadership of the Army following the completion of his predecessor's tenure.

The Centre for Policy Innovation and Development (CPID) successfully concluded its inaugural workshop, “Empowering the Youth in a Changing World: Opportunities from China–Sri Lanka Cooperation,” bringing together 45 emerging young leaders from diverse professional, academic, and social backgrounds in Colombo.

The workshop was designed to help young leaders better understand the rapidly evolving global landscape while exploring the opportunities arising from the growing partnership between Sri Lanka and China. Participants engaged in discussions on geopolitics, economic transformation, technological innovation, governance, and youth leadership.

The programme featured four distinguished resource persons who shared their expertise from different perspectives.

Indrananda Abeysekara, Chairman of the Association for Sri Lanka–China Socio-Cultural Partnership, spoke on the longstanding Sri Lanka–China relationship, emerging challenges and opportunities, Chinese culture, and China’s approach to human development.

Vinod Munasinghe, Convener of the Asia Progress Forum, delivered a comprehensive session on China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, explaining its priorities and the opportunities it presents for economic development, regional cooperation, and young people.

Hemantha Srilal, political commentator and social media influencer, discussed the impact of digital culture, youth-led protest movements, and the evolving role of young people in South Asia’s political and social landscape.

Dilanka Karunarathne, a Master of Public Administration graduate from Tsinghua University, shared his experiences studying in China and provided insights into governance, public policy, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.

The interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions reflected the strong interest among participants in understanding global developments and identifying new opportunities through China–Sri Lanka cooperation.

CPID remains committed to creating platforms that empower young leaders with knowledge, global perspectives, and practical insights to contribute meaningfully to Sri Lanka’s future. The organisation plans to conduct a series of similar workshops across the country in the coming months.

The National People's Power’s present-day victory, taken in the context of Newton Gunasinghe’s scientific interpretation, is a victory for the national dialogue against personal use of public property, said Samabima Party leader Deepthi Kumara Gunarathne.

In a discussion for ‘Ideas Front’ YouTube channel, Gunarathne said the same opinion took the upper hand in politics after the NPP’s victory, just like the national struggle overtook class politics after Black July of 1983, he said.

Video below has the full discussion, presented by Narada Bakmeewewa:

Corporate governance standards, not just economic policy, will determine whether Sri Lanka can secure long-term foreign direct investment, opposition MP and President's Counsel Faiszer Musthapha said.

He made the remarks during an interview with private television channel, noting that the efficiency of local companies' boards of directors is now as important to investors as the country's broader economic framework.

Musthapha said international investors no longer base their decisions purely on balance sheets or tax concessions.

He explained that investors also examine whether companies are properly governed, whether boards exercise full oversight, and whether the rights of minority shareholders are adequately protected.

He stressed that good corporate governance can no longer be treated as optional, and that Sri Lankan companies must demonstrate the highest standards of accountability, transparency and board responsibility if the country is to compete with the world's leading investment destinations.

He observed that serious investors are drawn to institutional trust and legal certainty, rather than short-term opportunities alone.

Drawing on his experience as a former minister who held the portfolio of Investment Promotion, Musthapha said international investors closely assess the efficiency of internal governance systems, the level of protection given to shareholders, and the ethical integrity of corporate decision making processes.

Meanwhile, a Sri Lankan-origin businessman engaged in international commerce, echoed Musthapha's views, stating that national policy must actively facilitate investment rather than hinder it.

He noted that even commercially viable projects often become trapped for years in legal disputes or arbitration proceedings, a pattern he said severely undermines investor confidence.

Economic analysts have separately pointed out that tax concessions alone are not enough, and that confidence in the legal system, regulatory certainty and institutional transparency are equally decisive factors when investors choose where to place their capital.

Sri Lanka recorded a budget surplus of Rs. 9.5 billion during the first half of 2026, marking a dramatic turnaround from the Rs. 405.6 billion deficit posted during the same period last year.

The improvement, disclosed in the Finance Ministry's Fiscal Review Report, covers the period between January and June 2026 and reflects a sharp rise in state revenue collection alongside more moderate growth in government spending.

Total government revenue and grants climbed by 27.1 per cent year on year to reach Rs. 2.95 trillion, equivalent to 55.8 per cent of the Rs. 5.3 trillion annual estimate.

Tax revenue accounted for the bulk of this growth, expanding by 25.9 per cent to Rs. 2.71 trillion and achieving 55.2 per cent of the full year target of Rs. 4.9 trillion.

Non-tax earnings performed even more strongly, surging by 43.6 per cent to Rs. 243.6 billion and fulfilling 67.7 per cent of the projected Rs. 360 billion.

Grants, however, fell sharply, dropping by 46.4 per cent to just Rs. 1.8 billion, or 6 per cent of the Rs. 30 billion target.

On the expenditure side, total state spending rose by 7.9 per cent to Rs. 2.94 trillion, representing 39.0 per cent of the Rs. 7.5 trillion annual projection.

Recurrent spending increased by 6.5 per cent to Rs. 2.66 trillion against a target of Rs. 5.8 trillion, reaching 45.7 per cent of the goal. Capital expenditure and net lending grew by 23.6 per cent to Rs. 276.6 billion, fulfilling 16.1 per cent of the Rs. 1.7 trillion estimate for the year.

The primary balance, which excludes interest payments, registered a surplus of Rs. 1.24 trillion, up from Rs. 859 billion recorded in the corresponding period of 2025.

Among revenue collecting agencies, Sri Lanka Customs led overall performance, generating Rs. 1.29 trillion and achieving 58.5 per cent of its Rs. 2.2 trillion annual estimate.

The Inland Revenue Department collected Rs. 1.24 trillion, meeting 52.0 per cent of its Rs. 2.4 trillion goal, while the Excise Department collected Rs. 138 billion, reaching 56.5 per cent of its Rs. 245 billion projection. Other revenue streams contributed Rs. 35.0 billion, fulfilling 60.1 per cent of the annual Rs. 58 billion target.

The figures point to a marked strengthening of Sri Lanka's fiscal position halfway through 2026, offering the government greater room to manage debt obligations and public spending commitments in the months ahead.