Rajapaksa Remanded, Global Tensions Rise, and Sri Lanka Braces for El Niño

SLPP National Organizer and MP Namal Rajapaksa has been remanded in connection with an alleged Airbus deal from 2013, an arrest described by his party as a 'clear political hunt' based on a statement from a businessman who fled Sri Lanka 13 years ago

. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized the government for shrinking democratic space and discussed protecting women's rights with UNFPA Sri Lanka

. Internationally, US and Iran exchanged strikes, with US attacks on Iran's Larak Island and oil tankers leading to 18 deaths and 108 wounded, and Iran retaliating on US bases in Jordan, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE

. Amidst this global tension, Sri Lanka will maintain its fuel QR system to manage consumption and mitigate impacts from the Middle East conflict

. Foreign Affairs Minister Wijitha Herath visited the UAE to bolster economic ties, inviting the Emaar Group to invest in Colombo Port City

. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake launched nationwide rallies to strengthen the NPP and engage the public on future government plans

. The UN General Assembly adopted a new world map, the 2018 Equal Earth design, to accurately depict Africa's size, with 164 votes in favour and the US voting against

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

. Finally, the government held a special discussion on September 25th to prepare for El Niño's impact on essential food supply and prices, ensuring uninterrupted imports

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The suspect in the Kollupitiya shooting, a 51-year-old man, has been apprehended and is scheduled to appear in court today after injuring a 42-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman

. Sri Lankan law enforcement has frozen millions of rupees in assets, including properties, vehicles, cash, and gold, linked to alleged drug trafficking and organized crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act

. The Sri Lanka Navy rescued eight individuals, including four women and three children, from a sandbank off Thalaimannar, suspecting a human smuggling operation from Rameshwaram, India

. In Boralesgamuwa, a 74-year-old man was fatally shot in what police believe was a mistaken identity assassination attempt targeting his son, orchestrated by an underworld figure

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The Meteorological Department has issued warnings for strong lightning with thundershowers in the Eastern and Uva provinces, and Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu districts, with moderate heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm expected in some areas

. Rain and thundershowers are also forecast for today and tomorrow in the Uva, Central, and Eastern provinces, and Polonnaruwa and Mullaithivu districts, with the public advised to take precautions against strong winds and lightning

. The El Niño-induced drought continues to severely affect 115,534 people across seven districts in Sri Lanka, impacting 35,149 families, with Monaragala being the most affected district

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An IMF delegation, led by Mission Chief Evan Papageorgiou, will visit Sri Lanka from September 10 to 23 for the Seventh Review of the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme and the 2026 Article IV Consultation, discussing economic developments and reform policy frameworks

. Litro Gas has announced price reductions effective September 5th, with the 12.5kg domestic cylinder now costing Rs. 4,365 (a Rs. 100 reduction), and smaller cylinders also seeing price drops

. The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has imposed maximum retail prices for locally produced canned fish, effective September 5, 2026, setting prices such as Rs. 220 for a 155g tin of Tuna

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Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to win a Diamond League Final with a throw of 89.04 metres in Brussels on September 5, 2026. This victory also saw him reclaim the world number one ranking in men's javelin

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A Chinese national was miraculously rescued alive from a Nepal hydropower tunnel 10 days after a glacier collapse, following the rescue of two Nepali workers two days prior. The disaster, which occurred on August 26, has now resulted in over 1,300 deaths and over 5,600 missing

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