- President Ranil Wickremesinghe has initiated efforts to identify areas occupied by plantation workers on state-owned plantation lands managed by the State Plantation Corporation and regional plantation companies. The goal is to draft legislation that will formally designate these areas as new settlement villages.A special discussion regarding this initiative took place at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (17), under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
- The Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa stated that multi-functional technology parks will be established in every Divisional Secretariat Division in the country, under a Samagi Jana Balavegaya Government. These multi-functional technology parks will house digital technology training centers, providing young people with access to the digital world, he said.
- Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has notified the Election Commission to enforce the Election Expenses Regulation Act No. 03 of 2023 for the forthcoming presidential election. Highlighting issues with the current Proportional Representation electoral system, the minister stressed that it has become ineffective in addressing illegal activities, bribery, and extortion during parliamentary elections.
- The Court of Appeal has granted bail for Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero, who had been sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment for making defamatory comments on Islam at Kuragala, until the hearing of the revision petition filed by him.
- Minister of Justice Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has instructed his ministry’s secretary not to publish the Gazette notification on the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution until the Presidential Election is held. However, the Justice Minister has claimed that this decision was made in order to eliminate the uncertainty regarding the holding of the presidential election.
- The Supreme Court has concluded considering the Fundamental Rights petitions filed challenging the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police (IGP). Accordingly, the court will announce on July 24 whether or not to grant leave to proceed with the petitions.
- Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave with immediate effect, until such time that the disciplinary investigation against him pertaining to the Easter Sunday terror attacks is concluded, the National Police Commission said.
- A comprehensive package of financial facilities was introduced today to revitalize micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises (MSMEs) in Sri Lanka. The package, which includes both investment and working capital facilities, was launched under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat.
- Sri Lankan authorities continue to use the ‘notorious’ Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to target perceived opponents and minority communities without credible evidence to support the allegations despite repeated pledges to end the practice, claims Human Rights Watch (HRW).
- The opening ceremony of the first phase of the Polonnaruwa National Cricket Stadium took place, attended by the Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando, Sri Lanka, and former President Maithripala Sirisena and Cricket Board Chairman Shammi Silva. This new stadium was constructed under the Sri Lanka Cricket “National Development Pathway” program, which aims to provide equal opportunities for talented cricketers to represent the national team.
