Sat, Aug 1, 2026
12 headlines
SRI LANKA DAILY NEWS DIGEST - Saturday, August 1, 2026
TOP STORY: Former IGP Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando were sentenced to death by the Colombo Trial-at-Bar on Friday over criminal dereliction of duty for failing to act on prior intelligence warnings ahead of the 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attacks. Both were taken to prison following the verdict.
One person was injured in a shooting near Mirissa Junction on Friday, Police Media said. The motive and identity of the suspects remain unknown, and the victim's condition has not been disclosed.
The Government has moved to legally vest with the State illegal assets worth Rs. 3.8 billion seized between 2024 and 2026, part of its ongoing nationwide anti-drug operation, Police Spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler said.
Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Chairman D.J. Rajakaruna confirmed there will be no fuel price revision for August.
Sri Lanka reviewed a strategic roadmap on Friday aimed at growing digital export earnings to US$5 billion by 2030, during a national workshop with key industry stakeholders.
The Colombo Stock Exchange closed the week on a soft note, with both benchmark indices edging marginally lower amid cautious sentiment; trading was dominated by high-value crossings rather than broad market participation.
The Department of Meteorology issued a heat advisory for the Eastern Province and the districts of Kilinochchi, Mullaittivu, Vavuniya, Polonnaruwa and Monaragala, urging residents to stay hydrated.
The French National Bar Council has backed the Bar Association of Sri Lanka's concerns over the Government's proposal to raise the retirement age of judges.
WORLD: At least 25 people were killed and dozens injured in Algeria after a bus overturned near Boumerdes, east of Algiers, on Friday.
SPORT: A senior adviser to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Carlos Cordeiro, has resigned, calling Infantino's latest proposal "a bad deal for football" that would "mortgage football's future," as the AFC also voices opposition.