August 12, Colombo (LNW): Former Election Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya has renewed calls for the introduction of a dedicated youth quota in both parliamentary and provincial council elections, arguing that meaningful youth participation is essential to revitalising the country’s political landscape.
Speaking to the media on the eve of International Youth Day, Deshapriya expressed concern over the limited space available for young voices in mainstream politics. While local government elections currently include provisions to ensure youth representation, no such mechanism exists at higher levels of governance.
“Young people need democracy, and democracy, in turn, needs young people,” he remarked, stressing that without a generational shift in political involvement, democratic institutions risk becoming disconnected from the evolving needs of society.
Deshapriya’s appeal is receiving growing support from civic organisations such as Volunteer Initiatives for Election Watch (VIEW) and the Association of Friendship and Love (AFRIEL).
Both groups are set to launch awareness campaigns on Tuesday in several districts—including Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Nuwara Eliya, Colombo, Gampaha, Matara and Hambantota—to draw public attention to the issue of youth underrepresentation.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody has stated that there will be no reduction in fuel taxes until the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) fully settles its outstanding debts, signalling that motorists and industries should not expect any immediate easing of fuel prices through tax cuts.
In a recent television interview, the Minister explained that any attempt to eliminate or significantly lower the current tax on fuel—which stands at approximately 50 per cent—would severely compromise the Corporation’s ability to meet its financial obligations.
Jayakody noted that whilst a portion of the CEYPETCO’s loans has already been paid off, a substantial amount remains unsettled. He estimated that roughly 30 to 40 percent of the total debt has been cleared to date.
According to him, maintaining the current tax rate is essential to ensuring that the repayments continue without disruption. Reducing or removing the tax prematurely, he warned, would force the government to explore alternative revenue streams to cover the resulting shortfall—an approach he suggested would be economically unsustainable under present conditions.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet of Ministers has nodded green for the removal of Dhammika Jayasundara from his position as the General Manager of Railways.
The decision stemmed from the ongoing administrative concerns within the department.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): A serious road accident in the early hours of this morning has left 26 people injured following a collision between a long-distance passenger bus and a heavy-duty tipper truck on the Colombo–Batticaloa highway near Batu Oya in Minneriya.
The crash, which occurred at approximately 3:00 a.m. this morning, involved a bus travelling from Maduroya towards Colombo and a tipper lorry that was reportedly moving in the opposite direction. Initial reports suggest that the impact was severe, leaving the front sections of both vehicles significantly damaged.
Emergency response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the incident, and the injured were rushed to nearby hospitals in Polonnaruwa, Minneriya, and Hingurakgoda for urgent medical treatment.
Medical staff at the hospitals have confirmed that several victims are in critical condition, with some requiring intensive care due to the extent of their injuries.
Minneriya Police have launched a full inquiry to determine whether any traffic violations or negligence contributed to the incident. Authorities are also expected to examine the mechanical condition of both vehicles involved and will likely obtain statements from surviving passengers and witnesses.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): The Constitutional Council is set to hold a crucial meeting today (12), under the leadership of Speaker of Parliament Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The session, scheduled for 1:30 p.m., is anticipated to address significant developments in the nation’s law enforcement leadership and police oversight.
One of the central matters on the agenda is the nomination of a new Inspector General of Police (IGP), following the recent dismissal of Deshabandu Tennakoon. His removal, enacted through a parliamentary resolution, left the top post in the police force vacant, prompting widespread speculation over who might be chosen to fill the role.
In accordance with constitutional procedure, the President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, is expected to propose a candidate for the IGP position. The Constitutional Council will then deliberate on the nomination, with indications suggesting that a final decision may be reached during today’s meeting.
The appointment is seen as especially significant given ongoing public discourse about law enforcement accountability, institutional reform, and the rule of law. The selection of a new police chief is likely to shape both the direction and credibility of future policing efforts in Sri Lanka.
In a separate but related development, Renuka Ekanayake has formally stepped down from her role on the National Police Commission. Her resignation has already been submitted to the Constitutional Council, according to official sources. With her departure, the Commission now finds itself operating with two unfilled positions, raising concerns about its current capacity to effectively carry out its mandate.
August 12, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (12).
Several spells of showers will occur in the North-western province, with a few showers being expected to occur in the Northern Province.
Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts after 2.00 p.m. Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Sothern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Marine Weather:
Condition of Rain: Showers are likely at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Matara via Colombo and Galle.
Winds: Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.
Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.
Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.
State of Sea: The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times.
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu will be fairly rough at times.
August 11, Colombo (LNW): Daya Lankapura, a seasoned media professional with decades of experience in journalism and editorial leadership, has been appointed to lead Sri Lanka’s Right to Information Commission.
His appointment marks the end of a prolonged vacancy that had raised concerns among media watchdogs and civil society advocates.
The role had remained unfilled for close to five months, prompting growing calls from journalists, transparency advocates, and rights groups for a swift and responsible nomination. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has now moved to address those concerns with the formal installation of Lankapura at the helm of the institution tasked with safeguarding citizens’ access to public information.
Lankapura’s career spans a wide range of roles in the country’s media landscape, including senior editorial positions in both print and broadcast journalism. He has been an outspoken proponent of media independence and has played an instrumental role in campaigns for greater openness and accountability in government.
August 11, World (LNW): Five members of the press, including respected journalist Anas al-Sharif, have been killed in an Israeli airstrike near the gates of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, according to Al Jazeera. The group, which included two correspondents and three cameramen, had reportedly been sheltering in a tent marked for media when the attack occurred.
The fatalities have drawn sharp condemnation from press freedom advocates, with Al Jazeera describing the strike as a deliberate attempt to silence independent reporting. The news organisation characterised the incident as a “targeted assassination” and labelled it a grave attack on the rights of journalists to report without fear.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have acknowledged responsibility for the strike and claimed that Anas al-Sharif was not a legitimate journalist, but rather a high-ranking member of Hamas, accused of directing attacks on civilians and soldiers. However, these assertions have been met with deep scepticism by global press organisations.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which monitors media safety worldwide, has criticised the IDF’s justification, calling for concrete evidence to support the claim. CPJ’s CEO, Jodie Ginsberg, highlighted what she described as a troubling pattern, where journalists are posthumously labelled as militants without substantive proof.
Al Jazeera’s managing editor, Mohamed Moawad, emphasised that al-Sharif was a credentialed reporter and an essential voice in a region where international media access remains severely restricted. Since the conflict began, foreign journalists have been largely barred from entering Gaza independently, making local reporters the only source of frontline coverage.
Moawad condemned the attack, asserting that the journalists had not been near active combat zones and had clearly identified themselves as members of the press. He accused the Israeli government of attempting to stifle media reporting from within Gaza entirely.
Al-Sharif, 28, had been actively posting updates on social media shortly before his death, warning of intensified airstrikes in the area. His final post appeared to have been scheduled in advance and was published after his death by a colleague.
The United Nations has also weighed in. Irene Khan, a UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, previously called Israeli accusations against al-Sharif “unfounded” and warned of an alarming trend of media professionals being targeted in the region.
This is not the first such incident involving journalists from Al Jazeera. In 2024, Ismael Al-Ghoul was also killed in an Israeli airstrike, prompting similar outrage. The IDF alleged he was involved in the October 2023 attacks, but the broadcaster firmly rejected the claim.
According to the CPJ, at least 186 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since Israel’s military campaign began in October 2023. Many of those still reporting from the area face not only aerial bombardment but extreme shortages of food and basic supplies.
As conditions worsen, major global news agencies including the BBC, AFP, Reuters and AP have jointly voiced urgent concern for the wellbeing of their local teams, some of whom have gone days without proper meals.
Despite increasing international appeals for the protection of journalists and civilians alike, the conflict shows little sign of abating. The humanitarian toll continues to rise, with over 61,000 reported deaths in Gaza and growing fears of famine across the besieged territory.
August 11, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka have made a notable leap in the ICC Men’s One Day International (ODI) Team Rankings, reclaiming a place among the top four sides in the world. The latest rankings, released on 10 August 2025, show the island nation rising to fourth position with a rating of 103, nudging Pakistan down to fifth.
Sri Lanka’s climb comes after accumulating 4009 points from 39 ODIs, reflecting consistent performances over recent months. Their advancement sees them narrowly edge past Pakistan, who now trail with a rating of 102 following a dip in form.
India remain firmly at the summit of the table, maintaining a commanding lead with a rating of 124. New Zealand and Australia occupy the second and third spots respectively, both tied on 109 points, with decimal margins separating their positions.
Completing the top ten are South Africa in sixth, followed by Afghanistan in seventh, England in eighth, West Indies in ninth, and Bangladesh rounding out the list in tenth place.
August 11, Colombo (LNW): Authorities have apprehended over 700 individuals in a large-scale anti-crime and narcotics operation conducted across the country, police officials confirmed.
The extensive operation, which took place the day before, saw officers carry out checks on more than 25,000 individuals in various parts of the island. The coordinated effort aimed to disrupt criminal networks, apprehend wanted individuals, and strengthen public safety.
Out of the 704 individuals arrested, 29 were identified as being directly involved in active criminal cases. A further 203 people were taken into custody on the basis of long-standing arrest warrants, with another 107 being held for failing to respond to open warrants issued by the courts.
In addition, 100 individuals were arrested for driving under the influence, highlighting the operation’s broad scope that extended to addressing road safety concerns alongside its primary focus on crime and drug enforcement.
