Construction of the Crescendo apartment project in Malabe, being developed for middle-income families by the Urban Development Authority (UDA), has exceeded 85% completion.

The UDA said the project, located in Kaduwela-Malabe, comprises a 20-storey apartment complex with 256 housing units, including 128 units of 920 square feet and 128 units of 700 square feet.

Construction of the project commenced in 2021 but was suspended in 2022 following the economic crisis. Work resumed in 2025 after the UDA signed new agreements with the relevant contractors.

The project is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 4, 375 million, with the UDA planning to hand over the apartments to residents before the end of this year. (Newswire)

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has sought a meeting with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake after holding discussions with Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara on the Government’s proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday (29), BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said the Association explained its position on why the proposed amendment should not proceed at this time.

He said the BASL submitted to the Minister the report unanimously adopted at its Special General Meeting earlier in the day, which sets out the Association’s position on the proposed amendment and refers to recommendations made following a comprehensive study conducted in 2023.

Amarasuriya said the BASL also requested a meeting with the President to discuss the matter, adding that the Justice Minister had agreed to convey the request.

According to Amarasuriya, the Minister has said he would study the BASL’s submissions and brief the President and relevant officials before responding.

The BASL President expressed hope that the report would be carefully considered and that further expert discussions on the proposal could take place.

He also clarified that the Association had not discussed or decided on any form of protest or disruption to court proceedings following the meeting. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Army troops have been deployed to assist in containing a wildfire that broke out on a mountain range adjacent to the Fox Hill area in Diyatalawa.

The wildfire erupted on Monday (27), prompting troops to immediately join efforts to bring the blaze under control. (Newswire)

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A 31-year-old Palestinian woman was killed after a powered parachute (paramotor) crashed into the sea in Bentota this evening.

According to Police, the accident occurred on July 29 in the Bentota Police Division during a recreational paramotor ride operated by a private establishment along the beach road.

The woman died in the crash, while the Colombian national piloting the paramotor survived the incident.

The victim’s body has been placed at the Nagoda Hospital mortuary.

Bentota Police are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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A of 104 low-floor buses purchased for the upcoming Lanka Metro Transit project have arrived in Sri Lanka.‎

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‎According to the latest assessment conducted by S&P Global Ratings in July 2026, the Government has successfully maintained Sri Lanka’s sovereign credit rating at its previous level, reflecting the country’s continued economic stability.
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‎It is particularly noteworthy that this stability has been preserved despite significant external shocks, including the impact of cyclone Ditwa and the conflict in the Middle East. By maintaining its economic policy direction without deviation, the Government has been able to safeguard this stability, which we regard as a significant achievement.
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‎The assessment also reflects a notable improvement in investor confidence through the enhancement of Sri Lanka’s Transfer and Convertibility Assessment (T&C Assessment), an important indicator for international investors. The T&C Assessment measures a country’s ability to facilitate the transfer of investment returns abroad and the conversion of domestic currency into foreign currency for the repayment of loans, interest and other financial obligations.
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‎Sri Lanka’s credit assessment, which was at the highly vulnerable ‘CCC’ level in 2022, improved to ‘CCC+’ in 2025 and has now advanced to ‘B-’ (B minus) in 2026. This progress has been driven particularly by the implementation of sound macroeconomic policies and improved political stability. Having moved beyond the period of economic instability, Sri Lanka has strengthened its foreign exchange liquidity and continued to build up its reserves, which have contributed significantly to this improvement. Therefore, achieving the ‘B-’ level should be recognised as a significant milestone and an important reflection of the country’s improving economic fundamentals.
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‎It is important to note that these foreign exchange reserves were not accumulated through import restrictions or by suppressing economic activity. Rather, they have been built while allowing normal economic activity to continue, supported by the Central Bank’s strategic interventions to maintain monetary and financial stability. This assessment has been made by internationally recognised institutions with the expertise, experience and technical knowledge to evaluate such matters, rather than by commentary circulated on social media. As such, it deserves careful consideration. The decision to assign Sri Lanka a ‘B-‘ T&C Assessment has also been influenced by the country’s progress in strengthening debt transparency and improving engagement with its creditors, as recognised by international financial institutions.
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‎Past experience has demonstrated the consequences of inadequate debt transparency. At one stage, even certain audit reports highlighted shortcomings in the recording and reporting of public debt, making it difficult to determine where some borrowings had been accounted for. A lack of transparency in public debt management undermines investor confidence. Strengthening transparency and maintaining open and credible engagement with creditors are therefore essential to enhancing confidence among investors and the international financial community.
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‎The latest assessment also demonstrates that, compared with 2025, Sri Lanka has made significant progress in strengthening its engagement with investors and enhancing debt transparency.
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‎As a result, Sri Lanka has achieved a score of 43.67 out of a possible 50, representing an improvement of 6.34 points from the 37.33 recorded in 2025. This places Sri Lanka fourth among the countries assessed in 2026.
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‎We believe that this marked improvement in investor confidence and debt transparency has been a key factor contributing to Sri Lanka’s upgraded ‘B-‘ T&C Assessment.
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‎Overall, it can be concluded that several key policy measures implemented by the Government have contributed to these positive outcomes. Despite a range of external and domestic challenges, the Government has remained committed to consistent and prudent economic policies, enabling the country to achieve strong economic progress. Notably, Sri Lanka recorded 5.1 per cent economic growth in the first quarter of 2026, reflecting the resilience of the economy and the effectiveness of the policy measures adopted.
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‎It is equally important for the Government to generate sufficient revenue to finance public services and capital investment. Sound fiscal management depends not only on setting realistic revenue targets but also on ensuring that those targets are achieved. Since assuming office, we have closely monitored revenue collection on a daily basis to ensure that it remains aligned with our fiscal objectives, and we have consistently met our targets.

‎As of July 2026, the Government had achieved 63.5 per cent of its projected annual revenue target. Based on current performance, we are confident that the revenue target set for 2026 will not only be achieved but is also likely to be exceeded. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our fiscal planning, financial discipline and revenue collection efforts. It also provides assurance that the expenditure commitments outlined in the Budget will be fully implemented for the benefit of the public. The Budget includes allocations to maintain the public administration and deliver essential public services, and we have the financial capacity to meet these commitments without difficulty.
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‎Similarly, the Government has the necessary fiscal space to finance the capital expenditure allocated under the Budget. Where delays occur in utilising these funds, they are generally related to implementation mechanisms, administrative efficiency or procedural constraints, rather than a lack of financial resources. Overall, the Government’s strong fiscal discipline and improved revenue performance have placed it in a sound position to fund both its recurrent and capital expenditure commitments.
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‎The Government has also been able to continue building foreign exchange reserves without restricting economic activity or slowing economic growth. A few months ago, there were concerns that the exchange rate would depreciate significantly, leading to economic instability, with claims that the US dollar could rise to Rs. 400–500. However, the latest assessment has demonstrated that such concerns were unfounded. The key achievement is that Sri Lanka has strengthened its foreign reserves while allowing normal economic activities to continue. This has become an important factor in improving investor confidence and reflects greater stability in the economy.
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‎At the same time, we must recognise that several challenges remain. Some challenges, including domestic governance and political issues, can be addressed through effective policy measures. However, there are also structural challenges and external factors beyond the country’s immediate control. One of the most significant challenges is the substantial debt burden created by imprudent and unnecessary borrowing decisions made by successive governments in the past. As a result, the Treasury was required to allocate more than Rs. 2,500 billion for interest payments alone in 2025, placing considerable pressure on development expenditure. We are addressing these challenges gradually through a strategic approach. Progress has already been made through the implementation of a medium-term debt management framework, which has also received recognition from international institutions. Sri Lanka is gradually moving towards greater reliance on Treasury bonds and securing longer-term financing at more stable and lower interest rates. The latest assessment highlights positive indications that the country is strengthening debt sustainability and improving its long-term financial stability.
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‎Another challenge is that a portion of the existing debt was obtained in the past for projects that were unsuccessful or generated limited economic returns. Managing the consequences of such borrowing remains a challenge and the Government is taking steps to address this issue responsibly. In addition, Sri Lanka must remain prepared to face external shocks, including natural disasters and disruptions arising from geopolitical conflicts such as the situation in the Middle East. These challenges require a strong and resilient economy capable of absorbing external pressures, and Sri Lanka has already made progress in strengthening such resilience. One area requiring continued attention is the impact of global energy market fluctuations. As Sri Lanka’s transport sector remains heavily dependent on imported fuel, structural changes will be necessary in the future to reduce this vulnerability. At present, dependence on imported fuel remains a challenge, along with limitations in fuel storage capacity. The Government is therefore taking necessary measures to address these issues and strengthen energy security.
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‎It is important to emphasise that these achievements have been made possible through sound decision-making, policy consistency, political stability and effective governance. As the Government continues this work, the support and contribution of all stakeholders will be essential to sustaining the progress achieved and ensuring that the benefits of economic stability reach the people of Sri Lanka. (PMD)
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A 31-year-old Palestinian woman was killed after a powered parachute (paramotor) crashed into the sea in Bentota this evening.

According to Police, the accident occurred on July 29 in the Bentota Police Division during a recreational paramotor ride operated by a private establishment along the beach road.

The woman died in the crash, while the Colombian national piloting the paramotor survived the incident.

The victim’s body has been placed at the Nagoda Hospital mortuary.

Bentota Police are conducting further investigations into the incident. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police have warned the public against fake websites and SMS messages designed to resemble the Government’s official GovPay payment platform, following several cases of financial fraud.

Fraudsters had created fake websites similar to GovPay to deceive users into making payments, particularly for traffic fines.

According to Police, information has also been received in recent days about fraudulent SMS messages sent in the name of Sri Lanka Police, falsely claiming recipients had committed speeding or other traffic offences and instructing them to pay fines through malicious links.

Police stressed that traffic offenders are informed of offences at the scene and are either issued an on-the-spot traffic ticket or prosecuted through the courts.

They further clarified that even when traffic offences are detected using surveillance cameras, Police do not send SMS messages requesting bank account details or directing motorists to payment links.

The public has been advised not to access payment links received via SMS or other unofficial channels, as GovPay services are available only through official banking and fintech applications.

Police also urged anyone who has fallen victim to such scams to lodge a complaint at the nearest police station. (Newswire)

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warm weather advisory for Thursday (30), warning that the heat index is expected to reach the ‘Caution level’ in parts of the Eastern Province and five districts.

The advisory covers the Eastern Province and the districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala.

The heat index, which reflects the temperature felt by the human body, is likely to reach caution levels in some areas during daytime hours.

The Department has advised the public to take necessary precautions to minimise the impact of the prevailing hot weather. (Newswire)

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has adopted a seven-point resolution outlining its position on the Government’s proposed constitutional amendment to extend the retirement age of judges, including those of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

The resolution was unanimously adopted at the BASL’s Special General Meeting held on Wednesday (29).

Among the key resolutions, the BASL said the proposed constitutional amendment should not proceed without a demonstrated institutional necessity, a transparent and evidence-based justification, meaningful consultation with relevant stakeholders, and a comprehensive assessment of its constitutional implications.

The Association also called on the Government to prioritise filling existing judicial vacancies through the constitutional appointment process instead of altering the tenure of serving judges.

It further urged the Government to focus on implementing recommendations contained in the Justice Sector Assessment and Strategic Action Plan, including reforms to reduce case delays, strengthen institutional capacity, modernise court infrastructure and improve access to justice.

The BASL said any future review of judicial retirement ages should be undertaken only as part of a comprehensive constitutional and judicial reform process following broad public consultation and independent expert evaluation.

The Association also reaffirmed its commitment to defending judicial independence, the separation of powers, the rule of law, constitutional governance and the integrity of Sri Lanka’s justice system, while authorising its office-bearers to take all lawful and appropriate steps, both locally and internationally, to safeguard judicial independence.

In its final resolution, the BASL called on the President, the Government and all Members of Parliament to refrain from proceeding with constitutional amendments affecting the tenure of serving judges unless they are demonstrably necessary, transparently developed, widely consulted upon and fully consistent with Sri Lanka’s constitutional traditions and international obligations relating to judicial independence. (Newswire)

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The Government has allocated an additional Rs. 237 million to accelerate the implementation of its ‘Ceylon Tea Village’ project, which aims to establish 500 tea villages across the country.

The decision was announced at a meeting chaired by Plantation and Community Infrastructure Minister Samantha Vidyarathna on Tuesday (28) to review the implementation and expansion of the programme.

The project, launched on July 15, is part of the Government’s plan to increase Sri Lanka’s made tea production to 400 million kilogrammes and tea export earnings to US$2.5 billion by 2030.

The additional allocation includes Rs. 68 million for the Small Tea Estate Development Authority to establish demonstration tea cultivations in the first 144 tea villages, while Rs. 169 million will be provided through the Ministry of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment to establish quality tea nurseries.

The Ministry said 144 tea villages have already been launched islandwide, with each village expected to establish a tea nursery and a model cultivation plot.

To oversee the programme, the Ministry has also introduced a three-tier committee system comprising national, regional and village-level committees to coordinate implementation. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, with the government calling for stronger collective action to combat human trafficking and protect victims.

In a message to mark the day, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Chairman of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), said this year’s global theme, “Trapped Behind the Scam,” highlights the growing use of trafficking victims in online scams and financial fraud orchestrated by organised criminal networks.

He said people involved in online scam operations may themselves be victims who have been deceived, threatened and forced to commit crimes under coercion.

Thuyacontha said the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force remains committed to preventing human trafficking, protecting victims, strengthening investigations and prosecutions, and supporting the reintegration of survivors.

He stressed that tackling human trafficking requires the support of all sectors of society and urged the public to work together to protect human dignity, support survivors and dismantle criminal networks that profit from human exploitation.

The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Science and Technology has launched the “V-Pramithi” national programme to improve the quality and safety of consumer goods sold in Sri Lanka.

The programme was launched at the Pettah Public Market as part of the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative and National Integrity Week.

As part of the inaugural inspection, officials collected random samples of products, including street food, coconut oil, toys, jaggery, treacle, cosmetics, spices and electrical appliances, for laboratory testing to assess their quality, composition and safety.

Science and Technology Minister Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena said the programme aims to ensure that food, beverages and other consumer products entering the market are free from harmful substances, including toxins and heavy metals.

The initiative, supported by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution, Industrial Technology Institute and Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board, will be carried out with the cooperation of the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs Authority and Sri Lanka Police.

Authorities said the programme is intended to protect consumers, promote quality standards among manufacturers and traders, and prevent unsafe products from reaching the market. (Newswire)

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The Lawyers for Public Mandate (LPM) Organization has defended the government’s proposed judicial reforms, alleging that politicians facing unresolved corruption cases are attempting to portray the legislation as a threat to judicial independence.

Speaking at a media briefing, Attorneys representing the National People’s Power (NPP) affiliated lawyers’ organization said the Cabinet-approved proposal would increase the retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65.

Under the proposal, the Chief Justice would serve until the age of 67 or for six years from the date of appointment, whichever comes first.

The retirement age of High Court judges would be increased from 61 to 63, while Magistrates and District Judges would retire at 62 instead of 60.

The attorneys said similar retirement ages are found in several other countries, noting that judges retire at 70 in Australia and Denmark, at 75 in Canada and Brazil, while the United States has no mandatory retirement age for federal judges.

They also cited the views of American jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr., saying judicial experience is an important asset that strengthens the legal system.

According to the LPM, the proposed changes are intended to help reduce delays in the courts and support the government’s broader judicial and anti-corruption reform agenda.

The reforms are aimed at addressing the longstanding shortage of judges and the resulting case backlog, they said.

They noted that although 110 High Court positions have been approved, only 93 are currently filled, adding that additional courts and judicial officers are also required.

The group also rejected claims that the amendment was designed to benefit any individual judge, alleging that politicians facing corruption investigations were attempting to undermine the proposal by presenting it as a threat to the independence of the judiciary. (Newswire)

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Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa on Wednesday criticised the government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of judges, alleging it would undermine judicial independence and allow the executive to exert greater influence over the judiciary.

In a special statement, Premadasa said the government had received a public mandate to abolish the executive presidency and strengthen democracy, not to introduce constitutional changes that would make the judiciary “an instrument of the executive.”

He argued that the proposed amendment would weaken the separation of powers and damage public confidence in the independence of the courts. He urged the government to withdraw the proposal, warning that any attempt to interfere with the judiciary would pose a long-term threat to democracy.

Premadasa also said the Samagi Jana Balawegaya would oppose the proposed amendment and support efforts to safeguard the independence of the judiciary. (Newswire)

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Samagi Jana Balawegaya MP Chaminda Wijesiri has filed an appeal in the Badulla High Court seeking to overturn his 18-month prison sentence and be acquitted.

Wijesiri also requested the High Court to refer the appeal to the Court of Appeal and sought bail pending the hearing and determination of his appeal.

The Badulla High Court on Tuesday sentenced Wijesiri to one-and-a-half years’ imprisonment after finding him guilty of unlawfully obstructing a public road, assaulting two police officers, causing them injuries, and issuing death threats.

The case stemmed from an incident in 2019 in which an argument broke out after a police jeep overtook the MP’s vehicle. Prosecutors said the confrontation escalated, leading to the assault and intimidation of police officers.

President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne and a team of lawyers filed the appeal on Wijesiri’s behalf. (Newswire)

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) says its members have unanimously opposed the government’s proposal to extend the retirement age of Supreme Court judges, describing the move as a threat to judicial independence.

The decision was reached at a special general meeting of the BASL held on Wednesday to discuss the government’s proposal and possible action.

BASL President Rajeev Amarasuriya said between 3,000 and 4,000 lawyers participated in the meeting, both in person and virtually.

According to Amarasuriya, all members who took part in the vote opposed the proposal, which was approved by the Cabinet on July 27 despite objections from the BASL, the Judicial Service Association, President’s Counsel and several political parties.

He described the proposal as “unethical” and warned that it would have long-term implications for the independence of the judiciary. He added that if the government intends to proceed with the proposal, it should be put to a referendum.

The BASL also decided to meet the Minister of Justice on Wednesday evening to present its position on the matter. (Newswire)

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The rogue artificial intelligence model that broke out of a controlled test and hacked another AI company also compromised a customer at a second technology firm, the Reuters news agency reports.

According to a timeline published on Tuesday by Hugging Face – the company hacked by OpenAI’s test model – the rogue agent broke into an isolated testing environment (or sandbox) “hosted on a third-party provider’s infrastructure” and launched its latest hack from there.

Hugging Face did not name the third-party company, but Reuters has reported that it was New York-based Modal Labs.

Modal’s chief technology officer, Akshat Bubna, said the agent exploited vulnerable code written by a customer that was hosted on their platform.

“Modal’s platform or isolation were not compromised in any way,” Bubna told Reuters.

Although the compromise of a Modal customer was just part of the hacking campaign against Hugging Face, it shows that the rogue agent roamed further afield than previously known.

OpenAI declined to comment specifically on the hack of one of Modal’s customers, instead referring Reuters to an update in which the company said its rogue agent had broken into four accounts at four separate services.

OpenAI did not identify the services.

The company said it had not identified “any other activity at the level of severity or scale of what we’ve shared related to Hugging Face, which involved a platform-level compromise”.

Beyond human control

The recent hacking of Hugging Face drew global attention and alarm, as OpenAI’s out-of-control agent managed to escape its test environment and reach the open internet.

It then used stolen login details and found an unknown security flaw to access Hugging Face servers, OpenAI said.

The AI firm said the hack represented the agent going to “extreme lengths” to retrieve information that would help satisfy the testing goals.

Hugging Face cofounder Clement Delangue said the company had suspected a frontier lab was behind the attack, and that he believed there was no malicious intent on OpenAI’s part.

The rogue agent has since been “deactivated, encrypted, and restricted from research access”, according to OpenAI.

Experts have repeatedly sounded the alarm over AI-enabled cyberattacks and models slipping beyond human control. (Al JAzeera)

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The Sri Lanka Navy has arrested 12 suspects and seized more than 14,000 sea cucumbers in an operation targeting illegal smuggling activities in Mannar.

The suspects were apprehended on July 28 during a search operation at South Bar beach and nearby coastal areas, where naval personnel intercepted a consignment of 14,072 sea cucumbers allegedly being smuggled by sea and prepared for transport by land without the required permits.

The operation, carried out by personnel attached to SLNS Gajaba of the North Central Naval Command following intelligence, also resulted in the seizure of three dinghies and two motorcycles.

The suspects, aged between 24 and 46, are residents of the Mannar area. They, along with the seized sea cucumbers, dinghies and motorcycles, were handed over to the Assistant Directorate of Fisheries in Mannar for legal proceedings. (Newswire)

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The Department of Meteorology has issued an Amber advisory warning of strong winds and rough seas in several coastal areas around Sri Lanka, valid until 11 a.m. on Thursday.

The advisory, issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, covers the sea areas extending from Pottuvil to Hambantota and from Kalpitiya to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankasanthurai.

According to the department, sea conditions off the coasts from Hambantota to Pottuvil and from Kalpitiya to Mullaitivu via Mannar and Kankasanthurai will be rough at times, with strong gusty winds of 50 to 60 kmph.

Naval and fishing communities have been urged to remain vigilant and monitor future forecasts and advisories. (Newswire)

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