- A Cabinet Sub-Committee report on improving the Revenue Administration Management Information System (RAMIS) was delivered to President Ranil Wickremesinghe: The report, chaired by Minister Kanchana Wijesekera, recommends, Initiating an Expression of Interest (EOI) process; Creating a takeover plan before the current contract ends; Clearing the system backlog; Using the National Identity Card for tax identification; Integrating RAMIS with other government institutions; Enhancing the user portal; Amending laws for tax policy changes.
- Tensions in Parliament rise after Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena affirmed the legitimacy of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon’s appointment, despite a Supreme Court injunction barring him from serving in the post: The government maintained the appointment’s validity, which the Opposition deemed contempt of court: Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa demanded President Ranil Wickremesinghe appoint an Acting IGP as per the Court’s order, criticising the President for not fulfilling his constitutional duties.
- In response to the upcoming Presidential Election on September 21, the National People’s Power (NPP) establishes an Election Monitoring Centre, appointing an eight-member operational committee: This committee includes former ministerial secretaries Ashoka Peiris, Tissa Warnasuriya, K.G. Leelananda, Attorney-at-Law Akalanka Ukwatta, and retired senior police officers SDIG Ravi Seneviratne, SDIG Gamini Navaratne, DIG J.A.K. Mark, and DIG D. Gajasinghe.
- The Election Commission announces the deposit window for the 2024 Presidential Election, open from 8:30 am today until 12 noon on 14 August: Recognised political party candidates must deposit Rs. 50,000, while others need Rs. 75,000: Deposits can be made at the Election Commission Office: The election is set for 21 September 2024, with nominations on 15 August.
- Political sources claim the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) will announce its choice for the 2024 Presidential Election on 29 July: The Election Commission has set the election for 21 September 2024, with nominations starting from 15 August: President’s Counsel Ronald Perera has submitted bonds for President Ranil Wickremesinghe to run as an independent candidate.
- The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce (CCC) urges the Government to reassess the e-Visa system’s pricing model to better support tourism growth, highlighting ongoing cost and procedure concerns: calls for collaboration between the Government, private sector, and stakeholders to enhance marketing efforts and improve the overall tourism experience.
- The All-Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association has announced that the price of a 450g loaf of bread will be reduced by Rs. 10, effective from midnight tonight (26).
- Sri Lanka’s delegation to the Seventh Round of Bilateral Political Consultations with Pakistan, led by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane, will meet in Islamabad on 30 July 2024: Co-chaired by Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, the meeting will review bilateral cooperation across various sectors: Wijewardane will also meet Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar.
- The Chief Magistrate of Anuradhapura directs the Assistant Director of Wildlife Conservation to capture and relocate the wild elephant Agbo from Thirappane to a forest reserve: This decision, following a police report, aims to protect both Agbo and local residents from potential harm: Additionally orders charges against an individual who used a drone to photograph the elephant.
- Sri Lanka faces Pakistan in the Asia Cup T20 semi-final today at 7 pm, while India will play Bangladesh at 2 pm: Both Sri Lanka and India topped their groups unbeaten: Sri Lanka’s captain, Chamari Athapaththu, highlights the team’s readiness and strategic adjustments for the semi-final: India’s Shafali Verma and Bangladesh’s Mushida Kautan lead the tournament’s run charts, with top bowlers like Deepthi Sharma and Rabeya Khan also in form.
