Today’s News Digest: Your go-to summary of the key events and headlines that shaped the day. From major developments to breaking news, we bring you everything that happened today, all in one quick and easy read.
Gnanasara Thera sent back to prison to complete six-year sentence
The Court of Appeal today (05) ordered authorities to enforce the remaining period of the prison sentence imposed on Ven. Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara Thera over his conviction for contempt of court. The order was issued after Gnanasara Thera was produced before the Court of Appeal by prison officials today. An open warrant had previously been issued for his arrest in connection with the enforcement of the sentence. After considering the submissions made before court, the bench directed the Commissioner General of Prisons to take the necessary steps to implement the remainder of the prison sentence imposed on Gnanasara Thera.
No US pressure on Sri Lanka over vessels near its waters: Vijitha Herath
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath has rejected claims that the United States has pressured Sri Lanka not to provide food or water to vessels operating near the country, amid concerns over the presence of dozens of ships in the region. Addressing an event on Sunday (04), Herath said around 47 vessels are currently in the seas near Sri Lanka, including approximately 19 Iranian vessels, but stressed that none of them are within Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.“All 47 ships are beyond the 12-nautical-mile limit of our territorial waters,” Herath said, adding that navigation in the region has become more complicated due to the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.
UN experts raise concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed NGO regulation bill
Four UN Special Rapporteurs have raised concerns over Sri Lanka’s proposed Non-governmental Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Bill 2026, warning that several provisions could restrict freedom of association and civic space. The communication was signed by Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Leopoldo Maldonado Gutiérrez, Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression; Gina Romero, Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association; and Andrea Bolaños Vargas, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders. The experts said the latest version of the Bill, published in June 2026, could impose extensive registration, reporting and monitoring requirements on NGOs and other civil society groups.
Shiranthi Rajapaksa seeks anticipatory bail over possible arrest on return to Sri Lanka
Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa has filed an anticipatory bail application before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court, citing the possibility of being arrested at the airport when she returns to Sri Lanka from overseas. Rajapaksa, the wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, filed the application today (05), requesting that she be released on bail under any conditions in the event of her arrest. The application was taken up before Maligakanda Magistrate Janani Perera. Filed through Attorney-at-Law Jayabalan, the application names the Director of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) as the respondent and Shiranthi Rajapaksa as the petitioner.
IMF urges Sri Lanka to let fuel prices rise with global markets as risks mount
The International Monetary Fund has urged Sri Lanka to allow domestic fuel prices to move with international prices and maintain cost-recovery energy pricing as the country faces renewed economic risks from the prolonged war in the Middle East, global trade uncertainty and the potential effects of El Niño.The call came as the IMF and Sri Lankan authorities reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh review of the country’s four-year Extended Fund Facility program. The agreement is subject to approval by the IMF Executive Board. “In response to a protracted Middle East war, the government should allow domestic fuel prices to adjust in line with international fuel price movements and preserve cost-recovery energy pricing, while protecting the vulnerable,” IMF Mission Chief for Sri Lanka Evan Papageorgiou said in a statement.
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