The Pulse of Sri Lanka: Flour Prices Soar, Fuel Drops, and Judiciary Under Scrutiny

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government over the farmer crisis and unfulfilled promises, highlighting a Rs. 17 per kg increase in wheat flour and Sri Lanka's low ranking (120th) in an international minimum wage survey

. Former Minister Ravi Karunanayake was granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate's Court after being arrested by CIABOC on allegations of misusing recruits for political activities

. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear nearly 40 petitions today regarding the constitutionality of the proposed 22nd Amendment, which aims to extend judges' retirement age, with the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) and others challenging it as a threat to judicial independence

. Premadasa also emphasized climate change as a national security issue, urging preparedness for El Niño-La Niña impacts

. The GMOA and Government Dental Surgeons’ Association have united with the BASL to oppose the 22nd Amendment, citing concerns over the proposed extension of the mandatory retirement age

. President Dissanayake visited Kandy for blessings and inspected the Malwathu Oya Project, emphasizing the importance of preserving national festivals

. MP Dayasiri Jayasekara sought clarification from the Speaker on serious allegations against Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, including matters related to family assets and the X-Press Pearl compensation case

. A section of the Colombo Courts building collapsed, halting District Court proceedings and revealing cracks in High Court chambers, prompting an investigation

. The government successfully surpassed its Yala season paddy procurement target, acquiring over 46,000 metric tons and allocating Rs 6 billion for the drive

. Internationally, the US military struck two rocket launchers on Iran's Larak Island, marking the first US attack on Iran since July, which was met with Iranian retaliation on US military bases in Jordan

. Sri Lanka Police reinforced warnings against loudspeaker misuse, threatening seizure under Supreme Court orders and the Penal Code, citing concerns for public health

. The Aswesuma welfare scheme will now exclusively benefit poor and extremely poor families, with payments for transitional and vulnerable categories discontinued

. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya departed for Bhutan to attend the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit, where she will deliver a keynote address

. The Court of Appeal nullified a decision by the Commissioner General of Inland Revenue regarding Advance Personal Income Tax on national cricket players

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Major wheat flour suppliers Prima and Serendib have increased prices by Rs. 15 to Rs. 20 per kilogram, citing rising global wheat, shipping, and insurance costs due to the global war situation

. Consequently, the All Ceylon Bakery Owners' Association confirmed a Rs. 10 price hike for a 450g loaf of bread and increases for other bakery products, effective midnight August 31st

. In contrast, the Lanka Mineral Oil Corporation (CPC) reduced Octane 92 petrol by Rs. 15 and Octane 95 petrol by Rs. 20 per liter, while other fuel prices remained unchanged

. Sri Lanka's export sector achieved a record USD 10.49 billion in earnings during the first seven months of 2026, marking a 5.5% increase year-on-year

. Expressways generated over Rs. 408 million in revenue during the past week, with approximately 1.1 million vehicles utilizing the system

. Sri Lanka welcomed a significant group of 250 Japanese tourists, businessmen, and investors, who will visit key historical sites until September 4th

. Global oil prices surged, with Brent crude reaching around $90.32 a barrel, following US strikes on Iran's Larak island, intensifying fears of supply disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz

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Sri Lanka is bracing for flooding and landslide risks with intermittent rain expected in Sabaragamuwa, Galle, Matara, Kandy, and Nuwara Eliya, alongside strong winds of 40-50 km/h in several provinces

. Vavuniya recorded the highest temperature at 38.8°C on August 31st, with other Northern, North Central, and Eastern regions also experiencing extreme heat

. The Meteorology Department issued a heat advisory for parts of the Eastern Province and districts like Polonnaruwa and Jaffna, where the 'felt temperature' is at an 'attention required' level, advising residents to stay hydrated and seek shade

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Conflicting reports emerged regarding the Pamunugama drowning incident, with one source stating four bodies recovered (a mother, her daughter, and two related children), while others reported three bodies found and a 13-year-old boy still missing

. In the Nepal-Tibet border disaster, the death toll climbed to 903, with over 4,200 people still missing after devastating floods, now believed to be triggered by a glacier collapse

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A massive 463-kilogram 'Ice' drug consignment was seized at Colombo Port, reportedly intended for Cameroon and imported from Pakistan concealed within a container declared as towels; two businessmen from Dematagoda were arrested in connection with the operation

. Sri Lanka Customs officers at BIA apprehended a 41-year-old three-wheeler driver from Dematagoda, arriving from Bangkok, with 7.5 kilograms of 'Kush' cannabis valued at approximately Rs. 75 million, concealed in his travel bag

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Sri Lanka is battling an escalating dengue crisis, with the year-to-date case count rising to 95,174. The National Dengue Control Unit has instructed education authorities to conduct dengue control programs in all schools before the new term, as intermittent rainfall is expected to increase mosquito breeding

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Veteran Sri Lankan model and actress Chulpadmendra Kumarapathirana, 46, was found dead on a bed at a businessman's residence in Piliyandala, with police launching an investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding her death

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