Dengue Crisis Deepens, High-Profile Cases Advance, and El Niño Threatens Power Amidst Political Scrutiny

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government for causing farmers a loss of Rs. 17 per kilogram of paddy and for failing to pass promised legislation, accusing their rule of leaving people helpless

. In international news, New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced a bill to ban social media for children under 16, with significant penalties for platforms failing to verify user age

. Domestically, SJB MP Chaminda Wijesiri was granted bail following an appeal against his prison sentence for threats and assault, with a foreign travel ban imposed

. A special audit report revealed unlimited fuel allocations for top Sri Lankan parliamentary officials, including the Speaker, showing a significant increase in consumption

. The Colombo Permanent Trial-at-Bar has set September 22 for the verdict in the Easter Sunday attacks case against 25 accused facing 23,270 charges

. Separately, the Central Bank bond scam case, involving former Governor Arjuna Mahendran and former Finance Minister Ravi Karunanayake, is set to be called again on September 9

. The family of retired Major General Suresh Salleh, former Director of State Intelligence, appealed to President Dissanayake over his detention under the PTA, citing his serious heart condition and emphasizing his 37 years of military service

. A World Bank delegation discussed the Colombo Fort tourism development project with the Presidential Secretariat, aiming to preserve heritage and promote tourism

. Energy Minister Anura Karunathilake assured an uninterrupted power supply despite El Niño concerns, while the PUCSL cautioned that El Niño could lead to increased electricity demand and reduced power generation

. The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) announced new feed-in tariffs for renewable energy sources, effective from August 25, 2026

. The President's Fund launched a scholarship program for children of low-income lottery sales assistants, with the inaugural ceremony held in Anuradhapura

. Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya undertook religious visits to the Munneswaram Shiva Kovil and Kataragama

. Finally, new US Ambassador Eric Meyer arrived in Sri Lanka, expressing his intent to strengthen democratic relations and create new opportunities in trade, security, and economic fields

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Underworld figure Lalith Kannangara, known as 'Bus Lalith', was extradited from Dubai to Sri Lanka on February 25th, facing charges of organized crime, drug trafficking, and murder

. Authorities in Hambegamuwa dismantled a large-scale cannabis cultivation, seizing 54,096 plants worth over Rs. 73 million and arresting one suspect

. The body of Badulla Teaching Hospital anesthesiologist Dr. Prabath Dayaratne was found in the Loggal Oya reserve after he was reported missing

. Police arrested a 21-year-old suspect for aiding the shooting death of the mother of notorious criminal Bako Saman

. Four suspects, including a woman, were arrested after a live hand grenade was found near a house in Borella, linked to organized crime

. Naval forces seized 264 kg of dried ginger and 69 kg of cardamom pods in coastal operations at Battalangunduwa and Sinnagunduwa beach areas

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The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) seized nearly 8,500 bottles of drinking water in Avissawella, allegedly bearing a counterfeit Sri Lanka Standards (SLS) certification mark

. Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals surpassed 990,032 by May 24th, with Indian nationals being the largest group, indicating a recovery and growth in the tourism industry

. By mid-August 2026, Sri Lanka recorded a total of 1,468,980 tourist arrivals, marking the second consecutive year to surpass one million arrivals before the end of May

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Sri Lanka's dengue crisis has worsened, with the total number of cases reaching 94,037 and 71 deaths reported. The Western Province remains the most affected, accounting for 49,771 cases, with Gampaha and Colombo districts leading the count

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New forecasts indicate rain or thundershowers are expected after 2 PM on August 25th in Ampara, Monaragala, and Batticaloa districts. Additionally, moderate to heavy showers exceeding 50 mm are anticipated in parts of the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, including Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, and Matara districts, with light rain also forecast for the North Western and Anuradhapura districts

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The second Randoli Perahera of the Kandy Esala Perahera commenced on August 24th, with tusker Sinha Raja carrying the sacred relic casket, accompanied by Miyan Raja and Pulathisi Raja

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The Department of Examinations has announced key school examination dates for 2027: the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination on August 1, the G.C.E. Advanced Level (A/L) Examination from August 3 to August 28, the General Information Technology (GIT) Examination on October 24, and the G.C.E. Ordinary Level (O/L) Examination from December 7 to December 17

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A tricycle travelling on the Hatton-Maskeliya main road caught fire due to a fuel leak in its engine compartment. No injuries were reported, but the engine sustained significant damage

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