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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.

Sri Lanka is increasingly being exploited as a key transshipment hub for international narcotics syndicates who are deploying vulnerable individuals to smuggle illicit drugs across borders.

Speaking at a press briefing at the 'Ratama Ekata' National Operation Office, senior Sri Lanka Customs officials revealed that criminal networks are taking advantage of the island nation's strategic maritime location to move contraband while using children, elderly citizens, HIV-positive patients, and pilgrims to evade security checks.

Under the new operational strategy, border authorities have instituted a mandatory hundred per cent inspection protocol for all cargo containers arriving from designated high-risk origin countries.

This policy follows significant interceptions by the Customs Narcotics Control Unit, including a major seizure of 999 kilograms of cocaine hidden within a container shipped from Brazil to India through Sri Lanka.

According to Deputy Director Nuwan Abeynayake, international trafficking operations frequently recruit Sri Lankan migrants who have faced deportation from countries like Thailand, offering to cover their travel expenses on the condition that they return home carrying baggage packed with hidden narcotics.

Customs media spokesperson Chandana Punchihewa said that organized crime groups are also targeting group tourists and religious pilgrims traveling to India, tricking them into bringing back commercial goods, such as sarees, in which drugs are secretly concealed.

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

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the government is causing a loss of Rs. 17 per kilogram of rice, and in doing so is destroying not only the farming community but the democratic system itself.

Speaking at a public meeting held in Habarattawala, Suriyawewa, to discuss the problems faced by farmers, Premadasa said the government is undermining the judiciary, one of the three pillars of democracy alongside the legislature and the executive.

He pointed out that despite numerous vacancies for judges of the Supreme Court, the government has failed to fill them, while at the same time attempting to change the retirement age of judges. None of this, he said, features anywhere in the government's "Rich Country, Beautiful Life" policy framework.

He said that the government had promised to reduce electricity bills by 33 per cent and supply fuel at the price at which it is unloaded at the port, yet neither promise has been kept.

Those who once promised a Vitz car worth Rs. 1.2 million now deny ever making the pledge, he said.

Not a single promise has been fulfilled, he added, while the government continues to pressure the judiciary, leaving the public without any relief.

Government wants to curtail power of judiciary

Premadasa said the government's aim is to strengthen the executive pillar of democracy while curtailing the power of the judiciary, subordinating it to the executive and turning it into a tool of executive control.

He said even the Judges of the Judicial Service Commission opposed the move, rejecting it by a vote of 65 to nil.

The Bar Association, he observed, has also unanimously rejected the government's attempt to place the judiciary under executive control.

He said the government's aim is both to weaken the judiciary and to tarnish the dignity and character of judges, thereby destroying the respect they hold in society.

Fatal blow to judicial independence

Premadasa described the government's attempt to suppress the judiciary as a fatal blow aimed at judicial independence. He said the opposition will work to defeat this attempt, strengthen democracy and establish the rule of law.

Ministers now intimidating media

Premadasa said ministers are now silencing camera crews and insulting media channels.

He said that no matter how much various channels insult him personally, he will never impose censorship on any media outlet. Free media, he said, must be respected, along with civil society, as both safeguard democracy. He added that Sri Lanka must not forget it is a democratic nation, not a dictatorship.

This government came to power through lies

Premadasa said the government came to power in the presidential, general and local government elections on an unprecedented mountain of lies and false promises.

He said the JVP-NPP government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has betrayed and abandoned the farming community along with the wider public.

He said the government, after promising to end the "76 year curse" and bring systemic change, called the farmer "king" and even "God," making numerous promises before deliberately abandoning farmers and pushing them into poverty.

Highest VAT still charged on agricultural equipment

Premadasa said farmers mortgage their land and borrow from usurious moneylenders to farm, yet the quality of paddy seed has declined and fertiliser subsidies are not delivered on time.

He noted that the prices of agrochemicals, weedicides, fuel and fertiliser have changed while quality has worsened, and the cost of agricultural equipment has risen.

He said the government, which claims to love the farmer, still imposes VAT on agricultural equipment to this day.

No stable price for farmer's harvest

Premadasa said farmers toil to cultivate and harvest their crops, yet there is no stable price for their harvest.

He said the government now calls the suffering farmer a "moonshine brewer," telling farmers to grow something other than paddy if they cannot manage it.

He noted that during the election campaign, the government promised food security and self sufficiency, but none of that has materialised.

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.

The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory for strong winds affecting several provinces and districts due to active south-west monsoonal conditions.

The advisory, issued today (31), will remain in effect until 11.00 a.m. tomorrow (01).

According to the Department, wind speeds of around 40–50 kmph are expected at times in the Northern, North Central, North Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, along with the Monaragala, Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

The public has been advised to remain vigilant and closely follow future weather updates and advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology.

Authorities have urged people in the affected areas to take necessary precautions while the strong wind conditions continue.

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.