Sri Lankan AI News Summary

SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST - Saturday, August 29, 2026 CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM The proposed 22nd Amendment drew both support and caution yesterday. Nava Sihala Urumaya leader Sarath Manamendra filed an intervenient petition before the Supreme Court, asking the court to rule that the amendment in its entirety is consistent with the Constitution and therefore needs no approval at a referendum. From the opposition benches, SJB MP Dr. Harsha de Silva said that while those guilty of corruption must be punished, the amendment should not be framed in favour of sitting Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. Parliament will next convene for four days, from September 8 to 11, under a decision of the Committee on Parliamentary Business. GOVERNMENT AND PRESIDENCY President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged full rights and a better standard of living for the Malayagam community, noting that the previous Cabinet had agreed to remove obstacles facing those who left the country during the war and settled in India, allowing their return. The President also announced that a Bill to establish a Central Highlands Protection Authority will be presented shortly. Separately, Public Administration Minister Prof. Chandana Abeyratne said Colombo-based diplomatic missions have sought nine State bungalows previously occupied by former ministers. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya paid tribute to veteran politician Vasudeva Nanayakkara, calling him a significant figure in the country's left-wing political history. ECONOMY The Port of Colombo has risen to 20th place among the world's busiest container ports, handling 4.44 million TEUs in the first half of 2026 - an 11.9 per cent year-on-year increase, according to Alphaliner. An International Monetary Fund delegation is due in Colombo on September 17 for the next review of the Extended Fund Facility, Finance Ministry sources said. The Colombo Stock Exchange closed Friday marginally higher on both benchmark indices after a volatile session, helped by a return of foreign buying. HEALTH AND SOCIETY Drug and alcohol use is now linked to between 80 and 100 deaths every day in Sri Lanka, said Dr. Manoj Fernando, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Sciences at Rajarata University. Psychiatrist Dr. Rumi Ruben warned of rising digital risks to children, citing excessive online gaming, cyberbullying and exposure to online betting, and called for stronger protective measures. ENVIRONMENT Authorities have launched an urgent joint action plan to tackle worsening water pollution at Gregory Lake in Nuwara Eliya, combining immediate steps with longer-term measures to protect the lake and its tourism value. Yala National Park will close for a month from September 14, with Wildlife Department Director General Ranjan Marasinghe citing severe El Nino conditions disrupting animal behaviour. REGION The death toll from this week's flash floods along the Nepal-China border has reached at least 547, with more than 1,400 people still missing. India dispatched relief within 12 hours of the disaster, with an Air Force C-130J delivering the first 10 tonnes to Kathmandu and 62 tonnes sent in total. Nepal's foreign ministry said on Friday it does not require foreign help for search-and-rescue operations, despite multiple offers. CULTURE AND SPORT The Kandy Esala Perahera 2026 concluded with Diyawadana Nilame Pradeep Nilanga Dela presenting the traditional Perahera Sandeshaya scroll to the President. Head coach Gary Kirsten praised Sonal Dinusha's innings as one of the great match-saving knocks in Sri Lanka's Test history. INTERNATIONAL Ugandan king Oyo Nyimba, who became the world's youngest reigning monarch in 1995, has died aged 34.