Sat, Sep 26, 2026
22 headlines
Sri Lanka Daily News Digest — Saturday, September 26, 2026
Parliament passed the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution by a two-thirds majority in its second and third readings, with 158 MPs voting in favour and around 62-63 against. Speaker Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the amendment, and the related Judicature Amendment Bill also cleared Parliament by the same margin. Chief Government Whip Nalinda Jayatissa said the amendment would strengthen the rule of law and noted a few Opposition MPs backed it, while SJB MPs wore black in protest. ITAK MPs Shanakiyan Rasamanickam and Sivagnanam Shritharan said they could have supported the bill had it been part of a new Constitution, warning it could otherwise fuel further power-sharing disputes. Separately, an MP identified as Jeevan argued that raising the retirement age of judges under the amendment would not resolve the judiciary's case backlog.
The NBRO issued its highest-level red landslide evacuation warning for parts of Galle, Kandy and Nuwara Eliya amid continuing heavy rain. The Met Department also warned of rough seas and gusty winds nationwide over the next 24 hours as a depression weakens over Odisha; the weather-related death toll has risen to three.
In corruption-related cases, the former private secretary to ex-Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake was further remanded until October 9 over an alleged corruption offence. Chinari Lakmanthi Hettiarachchi, wife of former Deputy Minister Sarana Gunawardena, was remanded until October 6 by CIABOC over an alleged attempt to bribe a court official. Separately, a Fundamental Rights petition challenging the detention of former SIS Director Suresh Salley over the Easter Sunday attacks was withdrawn.
Lanka Sathosa announced price cuts on six essential food items, effective today.
On the international front, Ukrainian President Zelensky said Trump has made a "final decision" allowing Kyiv to manufacture Patriot missiles domestically to counter Russian aerial attacks. Saudi Arabia's allies, including France, are rallying support as Houthi attacks intensify, with Paris sending troops to guard the Yanbu oil terminal and Saudi officials meeting Pakistani and Turkish counterparts on their mutual defence pact. Separately, Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming White House visit is being framed as a major test of US-China trust under Trump.
In sport, skipper Kusal Mendis struck 121 off 100 balls and leg-spinner Dunith Wellalage took three wickets for 49 runs as Sri Lanka fought back to victory.