News

Sri Lanka’s growing stray dog population is creating consequences beyond animal welfare, with dogs reportedly linked to around 30% of road accidents and nearly Rs. 1 billion being spent each year on rabies vaccinations for people bitten by dogs.

The figures were highlighted by Dr. Chamith Nanayakkara, founder of the Association of Veterinarians for Humane Management of Animal Population, during a media briefing in Colombo.

Dr. Nanayakkara said the issue was placing an increasing burden on the country’s economy and argued that human behaviour was a major factor behind the growth of the stray animal population.

He pointed to irresponsible ownership practices and limited awareness of social responsibility as key contributors. Poor waste management was also identified as a factor, as discarded food provides stray animals with an easily accessible source of nourishment and can contribute to population growth.

A proposed legal framework for animal population management could offer a longer-term response to the problem, Dr. Nanayakkara said.

Under the proposed legislation, owners would have to register their dogs with the appropriate local authority. At the same time, responsibility for dogs living on the streets without an owner or caregiver would be assigned to the relevant local authorities.

This would mean that the government would take responsibility for programmes to vaccinate and sterilise such animals, with the aim of ensuring that street dogs are not left without care.

Dr. Nanayakkara described the proposed approach as a positive step towards managing the country's stray dog population.

He also questioned the circumstances that leave dogs living on the streets, arguing that the animals themselves should not be held responsible for a situation largely created by human actions.

The financial implications of the problem, he said, are significant. Public funds are spent on rabies vaccinations following dog bites, while accidents involving dogs create another economic burden.

Dr. Nanayakkara therefore stressed the need to address the issue through a system that combines responsible dog ownership, local authority involvement, vaccination and sterilisation, alongside improved waste management.

The proposed legislation, he said, could provide a structured approach to ensuring that both owned and stray dogs come under an identifiable system of responsibility and care.

Veteran Sri Lankan artist, Virindu vocalist and renowned dance instructor Daya Nellampitiya has passed away at the age of 91.

According to family sources, she died at her residence in Kalubowila.

Nellampitiya was a respected dance instructor who taught at several leading schools across Sri Lanka over the course of her career. She was particularly recognised for her dedication to teaching and preserving the country’s Kandyan dance tradition, having introduced generations of children to the art form.

She was also the wife of veteran Virindu artist Sena Fonseka and served as the first teacher of several artists who later became prominent figures in Sri Lanka’s arts sector.

Throughout her career, Nellampitiya made a significant contribution to safeguarding and promoting Sri Lanka’s traditional folk arts, folk music and dance. Her commitment to passing these cultural traditions to younger generations earned her widespread respect within the country’s artistic community.

Her work in nurturing young performers and preserving traditional artistic practices leaves a lasting legacy in Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage.

According to family sources, her final rites are scheduled to be held tomorrow (15).

The Attorney General’s Department has initiated steps to name Parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa as a suspect in a money laundering investigation concerning alleged financial irregularities in the procurement of Airbus aircraft by SriLankan Airlines.

The development comes as authorities continue probing allegations surrounding the national carrier’s Airbus aircraft procurement process and possible financial misconduct linked to the deal.

The investigation is also being monitored by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. Previously, the court directed the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) to provide an update on its probe into the alleged bribery scandal involving the aircraft deal.

The case was taken up before Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama, during which CIABOC submitted a report on the progress made in its investigation and requested additional time to continue the inquiry.

The court subsequently scheduled the matter for October 13, 2026, directing CIABOC to submit a comprehensive progress report on the investigation.

The case has several other suspects. The first accused, former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena, recently died under circumstances described as mysterious.

The court had earlier issued arrest warrants for the second suspect, Chandrasena’s wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake, and the third suspect, Shamindra Rajapaksa, a former SriLankan Airlines board member and the son of former Minister Chamal Rajapaksa.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine the alleged financial irregularities and other circumstances connected to the Airbus procurement process.

Sri Lankan political activist Maheel Bandara Dehideniya addressed the Asia Pacific Civil Society Conference in Jinan, China, pitching the island nation as a prospective regional hub for wellness tourism and knowledge exchange under the Belt and Road Initiative.

The three-day international forum, which ran from 1 September to 3 September, gathered approximately 300 delegates representing 40 countries across global research institutes, universities, United Nations agencies, and non governmental development organisations.

High level oversight for the event was led by Xiao Jie, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress and President of the China NGO Network for International Exchanges, alongside Liu Haixing, Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Senior parliamentary figures from Thailand, Spain, and Vanuatu also attended the sessions alongside Lu Kang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Representing Sri Lanka on an international panel, Dehideniya spoke during a specialised thematic session focused on promoting practical cooperation and people to people connectivity between China and partner nations through smart health and wellness livelihood initiatives.

He emphasised Sri Lanka's strategic potential within the Belt and Road Initiative framework, detailing how targeted infrastructure and health sector investments could transform the country into a primary destination for regional wellness tourism.

His presentation outlined the economic and social advantages of leveraging international partnerships to build cross border expertise and establish robust medical exchange programs across Asia.

Police have arrested two suspects in connection with a hand grenade attack on a residence in Dehiwala that claimed the lives of two children.

The incident took place at around 3.00 a.m. on September 11 along Sirisangabo Mawatha, where an unidentified person reportedly arrived at the house in a three-wheeler.

According to police, the suspect approached the residence and knocked on the front door. When the occupants opened the door, the suspect allegedly threw a hand grenade into the house before fleeing the scene.

The explosion seriously injured two children, aged 11 and 17, who were inside the residence at the time. Despite being admitted to hospital for treatment, both children later died from their injuries.

The children's 55-year-old father was also injured in the blast, suffering an injury to his leg. Police have confirmed that he has no previous criminal record.

CCTV footage obtained during the investigation is reported to have captured the suspect arriving at the location in a three-wheeler.

Police have now taken two individuals into custody over the attack, while investigations are continuing to determine their alleged involvement and establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has accused Sri Lanka Customs of operating an organised extortion scheme that targets importers.

Speaking in parliament, SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said that unchecked officer harassment was driving micro, small, and medium enterprises out of trade while simultaneously threatening jobs, household incomes, and national tax revenue.

He questioned the silence of the ruling National People's Power (NPP) government on the issue, noting that steady declines in import activity coincided directly with sustained pressure on business operators.

The lawmaker highlighted structural flaws in penalty distribution, explaining that fifty per cent of collected fines fund officer rewards, twenty per cent enters the welfare pool, and only thirty per cent reaches the Treasury.

He revealed that while initial valuation units issue on-the-spot fines before releasing shipments, separate excise teams routinely conduct secondary raids on the same businesses to impose additional financial penalties.

He noted that importers face deliberate delays during questioning, with officers pressuring them to alter documentation under explicit threats of business closure.

He added that affected traders regularly avoid legal appeals out of fear that officials will subject their subsequent shipments to retaliatory delays.

He further criticised the promotion of a former Customs official to Additional Secretary despite previous presidential commission findings implicating the officer in the improper release of 320 uninspected containers.

These parliamentary allegations emerged while an International Monetary Fund delegation visited Colombo for the Seventh Review under the ongoing Extended Fund Facility programme.

Previous governance assessments by the multilateral lender highlighted deep-seated vulnerabilities across revenue agencies, citing persistent corruption, a lack of disciplinary enforcement, and delays in digital transformation.

The severe criticism coincides with record financial performance by Sri Lanka Customs, which reported revenues of Rs 2,557.535 billion in 2025 alongside collection of Rs. 1,852.5 billion during the first eight months of 2026.

The opposition maintains that urgent structural reforms remain essential to protect legitimate businesses and preserve economic stability.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will launch a major national demonstration on 24 September to oppose the government's proposed 22nd Constitutional Amendment.

Speaking at a meeting of SJB local government members and electorate organisers from the Colombo District at the Opposition Leader’s Office, Premadasa said the current government was advancing the amendment to destroy democracy, undermine the independence of the judiciary, and corrupt the administration of justice and the rule of law.

The Opposition leader accused the government of misleading the electorate to secure a two-thirds parliamentary majority, asserting that holding 159 seats gives the government no authority to disregard the rights of 22 million Sri Lankans.

He warned that the proposed legislation aims to destroy democratic institutions, erode judicial independence, and clear the path for single-party rule.

The Opposition Leader that his party has already mounted its initial challenge to the measure and pledged to exhaust every constitutional channel to block its passage.

“The September 24 protest will be the biggest step yet in the campaign to defeat the amendment. It would mark the beginning of efforts to change the government,” Premadasa said, adding that such action was essential for the future of both the present generation and generations to come.

Sri Lanka has launched the first project under a national programme designed to add 300 megawatts (MW) of solar power to the country’s electricity grid.

The project was inaugurated in Veyangoda on September 13 under the patronage of Minister of Ports, Civil Aviation and Energy Anura Karunathilaka.

With an installed capacity of 3MW, the Veyangoda facility is the first in a series of ground-mounted solar power projects planned across the country as part of the wider 300MW programme.

The initiative is aimed at increasing the contribution of renewable energy to Sri Lanka’s power supply while reducing the country’s reliance on imported fossil fuels. The Government is also encouraging private-sector involvement in selected areas to speed up the development of renewable energy infrastructure.

Sri Lanka has set a target of obtaining 70% of its energy requirements from renewable sources by 2030, while aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. The country has also committed, in line with the principles of COP26, not to develop new coal-fired power plants.

Alongside the expansion of renewable generation, authorities are working to strengthen the national electricity grid to accommodate increasing amounts of clean energy.

The Veyangoda project has an AC capacity of 3MW and is equipped with 640-watt bifacial solar panels. The panels are designed to generate electricity from both their front and rear surfaces, improving their energy-generation potential.

The facility is expected to supply approximately 6.35 million kilowatt-hours of electricity to the national grid each year.

It is also projected to help reduce annual carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 4,339.53 metric tons, supporting Sri Lanka’s broader efforts to expand clean energy and reduce its environmental impact.

Sri Lanka Police have arrested a 22-year-old man in connection with the murder of an individual who was allegedly attacked with a sharp weapon in front of a house in the Aluketiyawa area of Mahiyanganaya.

The incident occurred on September 10, with officers of the Mahiyanganaya Police Station subsequently launching a special investigation to identify and apprehend the suspect.

Police said the suspect was arrested last night (10) following the investigation.

The arrested individual is a resident of the Mapakadawewa area, police said.

Mahiyanganaya Police are continuing investigations into the incident.

Blocks 1 and 2 of Yala National Park have been temporarily closed to visitors from today (14) as authorities respond to increasingly severe dry weather and its impact on wildlife.

According to the Department of Wildlife Conservation and Forest Conservation, the closure will remain in place for one month, until October 15, 2026.

Yala National Park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including 44 mammal species, 215 bird species, 47 reptile species and 21 fish species.

The park typically experiences its busiest tourist period between August and March. However, the current season has been significantly affected by El Niño conditions, with high temperatures and prolonged dry weather creating difficult conditions for both wildlife and visitors.

Several water sources inside the park have already dried up, leaving animals facing a serious shortage of drinking water. The lack of rainfall has also caused vegetation and grasslands to dry out, reducing the availability of natural food.

Wildlife officers are undertaking measures to provide animals with the water they need during the drought. Water drawn from four locations along the Menik Ganga using solar-powered pumps is being transported through underground pipelines to ponds within the park.

Authorities are also using water bowsers to deliver approximately 200,000 litres of water each day to fill both artificial and natural ponds.

The temporary closure of Blocks 1 and 2 is intended to reduce human disturbances while animals move around the park in search of increasingly scarce food and water.

The Wildlife Department said the measure was taken primarily to safeguard animals and reduce pressure on wildlife during the ongoing dry conditions.

The body of an unidentified man has been recovered from the Kelani River in the Jalthara area, which falls under the Hanwella Police Division.

According to police, the body was recovered yesterday evening (11) after the Hanwella Police Station received information regarding the incident.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been determined.

A magistrate’s inquiry is scheduled to be held in connection with the recovery of the body.

Hanwella Police are conducting further investigations into the incident.