Rajapaksa Arrested in Airbus Probe, Fuel Prices Drop, Drought Relief Underway Amidst Political Tensions and Dengue Surge

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government's 22nd Constitutional Amendment, stating it severely impacts the independent judiciary and fundamental rights, linking it to ongoing violence and arguing reforms should not be politically driven

. Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya met with Bhutan's Minister of Education and Skills Development, Yisha De Thapa, to strengthen cooperation in education and vocational training

. MP Namal Rajapaksa was arrested by the Bribery Commission over allegations of receiving a Rs 100 million bribe related to the SriLankan Airlines Airbus deal

, with the UNP condemning it as politically motivated

. Former Minister Johnston Fernando was granted bail with a foreign travel ban in a probe concerning Rs. 74 lakhs in chair procurement irregularities

. The Supreme Court concluded hearings on 15 petitions challenging the constitutionality of the Anti-Corruption Amendment Bill, reserving its confidential determination for the Speaker and President

. The Bribery Commission is also investigating multiple complaints against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne and former Deputy Secretary-General Chaminda Kularatne regarding alleged corruption and financial abuse within Parliament

. Police warn officers against rejecting digital motor insurance cards, emphasizing it is a serious dereliction of duty

. The Supreme Court imposed a foreign travel ban on former State Minister Premalal Jayasekera and two others, ordering their appearance on October 21, 2026, following an appeal against their acquittal in a 2015 shooting incident

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The Sevanagala Sugar Factory has suspended operations indefinitely due to worker unrest and unresolved farmer issues, risking the destruction of 6000 tons of harvested sugarcane and causing a severe financial crisis for local farmers

. An IMF staff team will visit Sri Lanka from September 10 to 23 for discussions on the Seventh Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and the 2026 Article IV Consultation

. Compensation payments for crops damaged by drought and El Niño commenced today, with Rs. 3,000 million allocated to aid affected farmers in six districts

. The Lanka Mineral Oil Corporation (CPC) announced a reduction in the price of Kerosene by Rs. 38 per liter to Rs. 210 and Naphtha by Rs. 35 per liter to Rs. 175, effective from midnight on September 4th

. Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake called for urgent action to alleviate the significant burden of the Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax, particularly on the lower-middle class, emphasizing the need for swift reforms

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The Meteorological Department forecasts rainfall exceeding 75mm in Uva, Central, and Eastern provinces, and in Polonnaruwa and Mullaithivu districts, with thundershowers and strong lightning expected in the evening or night

. An updated warning for sea areas is valid until September 5th at 10:30 AM, with wind speeds reaching 50-60 km/h from Kankesanthurai to Mannar and Hambantota to Pottuvil, advising caution for fishing and naval communities

. The El Niño-induced drought now affects 96,584 people across six districts, with Monaragala reporting the highest number of affected families, and drinking water being distributed to 94,356 individuals

. A new warm weather advisory for Saturday, September 5th, covers the North-Central and Eastern provinces, and districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Monaragala, with the heat index expected to reach the ‘Caution Level’

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Sri Lanka's dengue crisis continues to deepen, with Gampaha district recording 20,444 cases, Colombo district 19,008, and Kandy district 7,043, contributing to over 95,000 total cases and 72 deaths nationwide

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In a remarkable rescue operation in Nepal, two men, Sanjay Shah and Kabir Maharjan, were pulled alive from the Trishuli 3A hydropower tunnel on Friday, nine days after being trapped by a massive ice, rock, and mudslide that killed at least 1,252 people

. Officials believe at least 900 people remain trapped in tunnels related to six hydropower projects along the Trishuli River valley.

The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has extended the water supply interruption in Colombo suburbs until 11:30 PM on September 4th, and potentially until 11:30 PM on September 5th, due to ongoing repair work on a leak in the Ambatale-Dehiwala transmission pipeline

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A shooting incident in Kollupitiya left a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman injured and hospitalized, with the suspect apprehended. The incident, reported to have occurred around either 3:00 AM or 9:00 AM, is believed to be related to a personal dispute

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Sri Lanka's Kusal Mendis has been ruled out of the T20I series against England due to a right hamstring injury, with Charith Asalanka appointed to lead the squad in his absence

. Fast bowler Binura Fernando is also unavailable, leading to Pavan Rathnayake and Dilshan Madushanka being called up as replacements.