22nd Amendment Hearings Conclude Amid Concerns; US-Iran Tensions Escalate; Grade 5 Results Out; Major Drug Busts

The Supreme Court has concluded hearings on petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution, with its confidential determination to be sent to the Speaker

. However, the President of the Commonwealth Lawyers Association (CLA) expressed serious concern over the hearing process, citing denial of oral reply rights and issues with the judicial bench

. Internationally, US and Iran have engaged in their biggest exchange of fire since July, with US forces striking Iranian targets and Iran reporting civilian casualties from a US missile attack, leading to tumbling global stocks and rising oil prices

. Domestically, former Hambantota Mayor Eraj Fernando was found dead in Thimbirigasyaya, with suicide suspected, prompting a police investigation

. The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court has ordered a health report for retired Major General Suresh Sallay, former SIS Director and a suspect in the Easter Sunday attacks, whose prolonged hospitalization has hindered investigations

. In a move to support agriculture, Sri Lanka has broadened its crop insurance to cover all crop types against natural disasters and wild elephants, offering subsidized premiums

. Public transport received a boost with the arrival of seven low-floor buses donated by Japan

. Venerable Battaramulle Seelarathana Thera was assaulted at a temple in Attanagalla and admitted to Gampaha Hospital, with police investigating

. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, attending the Global Conscious Food Systems Summit in Bhutan, highlighted Sri Lanka's traditional agricultural methods as being "not implemented against nature"

. Namal Rajapaksa is scheduled to appear before the Bribery Commission on September 4th, with the reason for the summons undisclosed

. Former Civil Aviation Minister Piyankara Jayaratne was sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment for corruption related to influencing SriLankan Catering to pay for political supporters' food

. Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath is on an official visit to the UAE to enhance bilateral cooperation in foreign employment, trade, investment, and tourism

. During her Bhutan visit, PM Amarasuriya also held bilateral talks with Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, focusing on strengthening ties across various sectors

. Lastly, the government is preparing a new relief mechanism for individuals facing job losses due to the impact of El Niño climate conditions

.

The Meteorological Department forecasts thundershowers in the evening across the Northern, North-Central, Eastern, and Uva provinces, with several spells of rain expected in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces, and Galle and Matara districts

. The Met Department has also issued repeated 'Caution Level' heat advisories for multiple districts, including Northern, North-Central, Eastern, Monaragala, and Hambantota

. A new project, a public-private partnership funded by People's Bank, will deploy technological solutions like beam detection and PIR sensors to prevent elephant-train collisions

. Additionally, Sri Lanka is bracing for afternoon showers or thundershowers across various provinces, accompanied by gusty winds of up to 40-50 kmph in some regions

.

The Department of Examinations has released the results for the 2026 Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, with 56,000 students successfully passing the competitive exam

. The highest score in Sinhala medium was 193 marks from Kurunegala District, and in Tamil medium, 188 marks from Jaffna District, out of 289,867 students who sat for the exam

.

Veteran Sri Lankan singer and actor Priyankara Perera passed away at 64, with his final rites scheduled for today in Borella

. Additionally, veteran model and actress Chulpadmendra Kumarapathirana died at 46, with her remains taken to a private funeral parlour in Borella, and investigations revealing she was in a romantic relationship with the businessman at whose residence she was found

.

In a significant anti-narcotics operation, police arrested a 38-year-old man in Wellampitiya, seizing approximately 8.055 kilograms of 'Ice' and 4.17 kilograms of heroin, along with Rs. 300,000 in suspected drug proceeds

. Separately, a travel agency in Thalawathugoda was subjected to a major robbery, with four suspects escaping with an estimated Rs. 65 million in cash and 29 sovereigns of gold jewellery after assaulting an employee

.

The Sevanagala Sugar Factory has suspended operations indefinitely amid worker unrest, leading to a reported daily loss of Rs 30 million for the Lanka Sugar Company

. Discussions with employees ended without a resolution, prompting management to close the factory to prevent further financial losses.

The death toll from the Nepal-Tibet border disaster has tragically climbed to 1,127, with 4,858 people still missing following glacial floods

. Bodies have been recovered from Nepal and neighboring India, with many remaining unidentified.

Several Colombo suburbs will experience a 24-hour water cut starting from 8 PM on September 3rd due to essential maintenance at the Ambatale Water Treatment Plant, aimed at improving water quality

. Affected areas include Nugegoda, Dehiwala, Mount Lavinia, and Moratuwa.