- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the “Puluwan Sri Lanka” agreement, signed by 34 political parties and alliances, was not intended to create a new political party but to unite the nation and build a brighter future for the country and its people.
He noted that those who signed this agreement are not individuals who shied away from the economic challenges, but rather, they are people who embraced these challenges, believing in the potential to rebuild the country. - Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) Batticaloa District MP Ali Zahir Moulana has met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and assured his support at the upcoming Presidential Election.
- Former President Maithripala Sirisena states that he has not decided to support any of the candidates who are contesting the 2024 Presidential Election. Issuing a statement, Sirisena also refuted certain media reports and the statements made by some politicians of both the ruling party and the opposition regarding him.
- It has been reported that strict disciplinary action has been decided against members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) who are supporting Ranil Wickramasinghe in the 2024 presidential election.
- The Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) predicts that the headline inflation is expected to be below the target in the forthcoming months, and reach the 5% target with appropriate policies in the medium term.
- Justice Sobhitha Rajakaruna has been appointed as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. Accordingly, Justice Rajakaruna took oath as the Acting President of the Court of Appeal before President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s Office.
- The passenger ferry service between Nagapattinam in India and Kankesanthurai (KKS) near Jaffna in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka, which was earlier launched in October 2023, has resumed on Friday (August 16) after repeated delays.
- In view of the ongoing heavy rains, steps have been taken to issue pre-slide warnings for three districts. Accordingly, landslide warnings have been issued for Neluwa, Elpitiya, Nagoda, Yakkalamulla in Galle district, Horana, Matugama in Kalutara district and Pitabeddara in Matara district.
- Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne has become the first Sri Lanka Women’s player other than Chamari Athapaththu to score an ODI Century in the 1st ODI against Ireland being played in Belfast.
- Sri Lankan cricketer Niroshan Dickwella has been suspended from participating in all forms of cricket with immediate effect due to an alleged anti-doping violation, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) confirmed. Dickwella found guilty of a doping violation during the recent Lanka Premiere League (LPL).
