The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has called on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to urgently revise and update laws protecting the country’s wildlife and plant life, including the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance (FFPO).

In a letter to the President, the BASL stressed the need for short-term amendments to strengthen fines and penalties, noting that existing punishments are outdated and ineffective.

“Such measures, if implemented, would necessarily become short-term deterrents to the unlawful killings of these protected species that we now witness,” the BASL said.

The association highlighted growing concern over rising numbers of elephant deaths — the highest in the world — as well as the killing of leopards and other protected species. It emphasized that Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity is not only a vital part of the nation’s heritage but also a key attraction for international tourism and an important contributor to the economy.

The BASL added that it will shortly present detailed proposals to the President for comprehensive legal reform in this sphere, but urged immediate steps to update the FFPO to safeguard wildlife in the interim.

The United Kingdom has agreed to provide debt relief to Sri Lanka by rescheduling outstanding obligations, following bilateral discussions concluded after the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Official Creditor Committee (OCC).

Diplomatic Notes related to the bilateral agreement were exchanged yesterday between Finance, Planning and Economic Development Ministry Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma and British High Commissioner in Colombo Andrew Patrick.

Under the agreement, the rescheduled debt amounts to USD 86.07 million and JPY 582.94 million.

In a statement, the Finance Ministry said the agreement will not only support Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring efforts but also strengthen the longstanding bilateral relationship between Colombo and London.

It described the deal as a “significant milestone” in the external debt restructuring process, underscoring the government’s commitment to restoring debt sustainability at the earliest possible time and laying the foundation for economic recovery.

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) will be repealed by early September 2025 and replaced with new legislation to safeguard national security, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament yesterday.

Speaking during the adjournment debate on human rights issues faced by Tamils and Muslims in the North and East, Minister Herath stressed that the repeal was a commitment outlined in the National People’s Power (NPP) policy statement — not the result of external pressure.

A Gazette notification will be issued in September following the final report of a committee headed by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsakularatne. The committee, appointed soon after the NPP assumed office, has already met multiple times and is expected to complete its recommendations by the end of August.

Highlighting the government’s broader agenda, Minister Herath said national unity among all communities — Sinhala, Tamil, Muslim, Burgher, and Malay — is vital for rebuilding the country’s economy. He emphasized that the NPP received a historic mandate from the North, East, and Estate sectors in the 2024 Presidential Election, demonstrating a collective trust in President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s leadership.

The government’s three-pronged policy focuses on eradicating poverty, digitalizing systems, and creating a clean Sri Lanka. Minister Herath said the NPP recognizes that historical inequalities and economic injustices contributed to conflict in the North and East, and pledged to address these root causes through reconciliation and inclusive development.

He further noted that the government has:

• Established an independent judiciary and police service free from political interference.
• Approved a five-year national reconciliation plan with UN support.
• Initiated the drafting of a new Constitution to reflect the will of all communities, to be passed following a referendum.
• Committed to upholding women’s rights in line with UN conventions.

“Our government has restored true democracy within a short period, taking all decisions in line with the Constitution while protecting Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and territorial integrity without bowing to external influences,” Minister Herath said.

The islandwide strike launched by postal workers has continued into its sixth consecutive day today (23).

Chinthaka Bandara, co-convener of the United Postal Trade Union Front, announced that legal action will be pursued over the alleged unauthorised removal of mailbags stored at the Central Mail Exchange during the ongoing strike.

The trade union action, which began on Sunday (17), is centered on 19 demands put forward by the workers.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was arrested and remanded on Friday over allegations of misusing state funds during his tenure, has been admitted to the Prisons Hospital on medical advice, according to the Prisons Spokesman.

Wickremesinghe, 76, became the most senior opposition figure to be detained in the government’s ongoing anti-corruption drive after the Fort Magistrate’s Court ordered his remand until August 26.

“The suspect (Wickremesinghe) will be held in custody till Tuesday, but considering his medical condition he could be admitted to the prison hospital or another hospital,” Magistrate Nilupuli Lankapura stated.

Wickremesinghe’s lawyers argued that he suffers from heart disease and diabetes. He faces charges under the Public Property Act and two sections of the Penal Code — “dishonest misappropriation of property” and “criminal breach of trust.”

The arrest follows an inquiry into his September 2023 visit to London, which coincided with his return from the G77 Summit in Havana and the UN General Assembly in New York. The brief London stopover was to attend a ceremony where his wife, Maithree, was conferred an honorary professorship by the University of Wolverhampton.

His office has consistently denied any misuse of state resources, maintaining that his wife funded her own travel. However, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) alleged that Wickremesinghe spent 16.6 million rupees of public money on what it described as a private visit, accompanied by a delegation of 10, including bodyguards.

Following the court order, Wickremesinghe was taken to Welikada Prison under heavy security before being transferred to the Prisons Hospital.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Northern, North-Central, Central, Uva and Eastern provinces after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy falls above 50 mm are likely at some places in above areas.A few Showers may occur in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Colombo (LNW): President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne, appearing on behalf of Ranil Wickremesinghe, told court that this inquiry had been initiated based on a complaint submitted by a secretary to a president residing in the Kurunegala area.

He pointed out that a report issued by the National Audit Office had referred to this visit and that it clearly stated no illegal act had taken place. However, the investigating officers had failed to take that report into consideration, and had they done so, such a case would not have arisen.

He further noted that all invitations received by a Head of State are considered official invitations, and that in the past, leaders such as former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, Lakshman Kadirgamar, and Lalith Athulathmudali had also participated in such visits.

The President’s Counsel argued that a Head of State cannot simply travel overseas on an economy-class ticket, move around in hired vehicles, and stay at friends’ homes, stressing that such conduct would not be compatible with the dignity of the office.

He explained that Ranil Wickremesinghe had participated in this visit to the United Kingdom following an invitation extended by the University of Wolverhampton through the Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK. He questioned how an invitation conveyed through the Sri Lankan High Commission could be considered anything but official.

The Counsel also pointed out that a Head of State is a person who works 24 hours a day, and that this invitation had been extended to him not in his personal capacity as Ranil Wickremesinghe, but in his official capacity as the President of Sri Lanka.

He further argued that the financial regulations referred to in the complaint apply only to Ministry Secretaries and Provincial Council Secretaries, and not to officials such as the President, the Prime Minister, or the Speaker of Parliament.

Presenting medical records to court, the Counsel informed that his client suffers from heart disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and hypertension, while his wife is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Considering these as special circumstances, President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne requested the court to order the suspect’s release on bail under any conditions.