- During a meeting with the staff of ‘Udayan’ newspaper in Jaffna, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stresses the importance of national unity to address Sri Lanka’s challenges, including the ethnic issue: highlights the need to overcome bankruptcy, which has been resolved, and now aims to focus on job creation and provincial development: President assures support for strengthening provincial councils to meet youth expectations.
- Political sources indicate the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is working to reconcile MPs who previously supported President Ranil Wickremesinghe: Efforts are underway to individually approach these MPs and persuade them to return to the SLPP, backing the party’s presidential candidate announced on August 7: Some MPs have already shown willingness to rejoin the SLPP.
- The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) announces temporary district leader appointments: MP Namal Rajapaksa for Anuradhapura, State Minister Indika Anuruddha for Gampaha, State Minister Mohan De Silva for Galle, and MP Nipuna Ranawaka for Matara: These changes follow former district leaders’ alignment with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, shifting away from SLPP’s candidate support strategy.
- The Election Commission suspends the ‘Urumaya’ land distribution initiative led by President Ranil Wickremesinghe: The programme is expected to resume following the Presidential election.
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms the release of 24 Sri Lankans, including artists Indrachapa Liyanage, Samanalee Fonseka, and Upeka Nirmani, detained in Kuwait on August 2: They were arrested for holding an event without proper permits: Following intervention by the Sri Lankan Embassy, the detainees were released on August 3, though two organisers remain in custody: Labour Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says the event was organised by the JVP-affiliated ‘Ethera Api’ organisation.
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) wins the Best International Tourism Board award at the Global Tourism Awards 2024, as announced on 2 August in New Delhi: Minister Harin Fernando, who attended the ceremony, returned to Sri Lanka on 3 August: The SLTPB’s efforts have led to significant tourism growth, with 1.2 mn international arrivals recorded from January to 1 August.
- The Committee on Public Accounts (CoPA) urges the promotion of Wallapatta cultivation for its foreign exchange potential: During a discussion with the Department of Forest Conservation, Chair Lasantha Alagiyawanna highlighted its economic benefits: Forest officials noted that while Wallapatta cultivation is legal, transport from forests without permits is not: Plans are underway to scientifically distinguish Wallapatta from Aquilaria to combat smuggling.
- The Postal Department will deploy around 8,000 staff members to distribute polling cards for the upcoming Presidential Election: Deputy Post Master General Rajitha Ranasinghe’s circular informs all post offices of this initiative: Special arrangements are also being made to manage regular postal letters by increasing personnel.
- Sri Lanka Police are seeking public help to find three suspects involved in a July 8, 2024, shooting in Athurugiriya that killed two and injured four: Suspects are Waruna Indika de Silva alias “Sankha,” Peti Harambage Ajith Rohana alias “Chandi,” and Muthuwandura Tharindu Madhusanka de Silva alias “Bahirawaya”: Contact numbers for tips are 072 4222223 and 071 8591657.
- Sri Lanka’s preparations for the second ODI against India have been disrupted as Wanindu Hasaranga is ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained during the first match: Jeffrey Vandersay replaces Hasaranga, who will miss the rest of the series: The injury comes after fast bowlers Matheesha Pathirana and Dilshan Madushanka were also sidelined: Despite these challenges, Hasaranga had a strong performance in the first ODI.
