- President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared the immediate initiation of the “River for Jaffna” project, which is designed to provide a comprehensive solution to the water scarcity issues in the northern region of Sri Lanka. The President made these remarks while attending the opening of the Thalaiyady Seawater Desalination Plant, part of the Jaffna-Kilinochchi Water Supply Project.
- Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has denied reports which claimed he met President Ranil Wickremesinghe. Meanwhile, MP Namal Rajapaksa says that claims by Presidential Advisor Ashu Marasinghe suggesting an alleged meeting between him and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa are completely false.
- The Online Safety (Amendment) Bill has been published via government gazette. The Online Safety Bill has been a subject of debate and contention, with several parties having raised concerns about potential limitation.
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) has won the “Best International Tourism Board” accolade at the Global Tourism Awards 2024, organized by the Travel World Online (TWO). The Global Tourism Awards 2024 was held on 2nd of August 2024 in New Delhi, India.
- The final rites of the late Ven. Galaboda Gnanissara Thero of the Gangaramaya Temple will be held under state patronage on Monday (Aug 05) at the grounds adjoining the temple, according to the funeral committee. Meanwhile, the funeral committee stated that the remains of the late Thero will be brought to the Gangaramaya Temple at 06.00 a.m. today (03) where it will lie-in-state for the public to pay final respects until Monday (05).
- The Supreme Court has issued an interim order preventing the implementation of the Cabinet decision to grant approval for online Visa Electronic Travel Authorization to two private entities. Furthermore, the court has issued another interim injunction preventing the implementation of the agreements reached with the relevant foreign companies.
- A meeting has taken place between representatives of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce including its Chairman, Duminda Hulangamuwa and the leader of the National People’s Power (NPP) Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the headquarters of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).
- The Supreme Court has fixed for consideration on October 14 the five Fundamental Rights petitions filed seeking an order to invalidate the Cabinet approval granted for India’s Adani Green Energy for a wind power project in Wedithalathivu, Mannar.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says the 2025 Budget needs to be underpinned by appropriate revenue measures and continued spending restraint so as to reach the medium-term primary balance objective of 2.3 percent of GDP—a key requirement for restoring Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability.
- Tharushi Karunaratne of Sri Lanka placed 8th in the preliminary round of the women’s 800m running event at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 2, with a time of 2:07:76 seconds. Despite this result, Karunaratne will have another opportunity to advance as she competes in the repechage round scheduled for August 3
