Sat, Sep 12, 2026
22 headlines
SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST - Saturday, September 12, 2026
GRENADE ATTACK KILLS TWO CHILDREN IN KALUBOWILA
Two children were killed and their father seriously injured when unidentified assailants threw a hand grenade at a house on Sirisangabo Mawatha, Kalubowila, on Friday morning. The attack is under investigation.
SLPP LAUNCHES "PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE" AT ANURADHAPURA RALLY
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna holds a mass rally in Anuradhapura today, which National Convener D.V. Chanaka confirmed. Party figure Cassilingam described the event as the start of a fresh "public struggle," accusing the Government of targeting political opponents while failing to ease cost-of-living pressures.
FORMER LEADERS FACE LEGAL SCRUTINY
Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appeared before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division on Friday to give a statement on the procurement of MiG-27 fighter jets from Ukraine. Separately, former Central Bank Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal has appealed to the Supreme Court against a Colombo Permanent High Court Trial-at-Bar order refusing to dismiss a CIABOC indictment.
ASWESUMA CUTS DOMINATE PARLIAMENT
Labour Minister and Deputy Finance Minister Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando told Parliament that Aswesuma beneficiary numbers have fallen by 50 percent, insisting the reduction is a systematic phasing out rather than an arbitrary cut, with a re-survey to fix the final figure. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa challenged the cutbacks, arguing they come as poverty levels continue to rise. Opposition parties also strongly opposed a government move to extend the term of the Parliamentary Select Committee examining the provincial council election system.
RAILWAY UNIONS PREPARE 48-HOUR STRIKE
The Railway Joint Trade Unions will hold an awareness discussion with commuters on service problems and the planned 48-hour trade union action on September 17 and 18. The unions warned that continuing disruption risks eroding public confidence in the railway system.
MARKETS AND ECONOMY
The Colombo Stock Exchange snapped a three-session losing streak on September 11, with the ASPI closing marginally higher after a volatile day driven by sudden swings in global oil prices. Internationally, US inflation held at 3.4 percent in the year to August as gasoline costs rose, with diesel passing 6 dollars a gallon.
URBAN AND ENERGY DEVELOPMENT
Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister Bimal Ratnayake announced Rs. 65 billion for developing 26 cities under the "Life Cities" programme. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said urban development must go beyond concrete construction and make cities safe for people and animals alike. Power and Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake told Parliament that over 2,762 MW of solar, wind and battery storage capacity is planned for the national grid.
HEALTH
The National Medicines Regulatory Authority seized a batch of Filgrastim over a labelling issue, but Chairman Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama confirmed there is no shortage, with fresh stocks imported from other suppliers. The UNFPA handed over emergency supplies worth USD 250,641 to the Health Ministry to strengthen disaster preparedness for women and girls.
IN BRIEF
The Ministry of Labour launched a redesigned website with expanded online services. The National Film Corporation has opened applications for Sri Lanka's entry in the International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards in 2027, with a nine-member expert panel to be appointed to make the selection. A leading businessman has offered a new gold casket to the Sri Dalada Maligawa to house the Sacred Tooth Relic.