News Judges’ retirement age row: Govt.-BASL powwow on the cards Published 11 mins agoon 2026/07/27 Harshana By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️ Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara will meet a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) this week to discuss the government’s…
News Judges’ retirement age row: Govt.-BASL powwow on the cards
Published 11 mins agoon 2026/07/27
Harshana By Shamindra Ferdinando ✍️ Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara will meet a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) this week to discuss the government’s hotly disputed decision to introduce a constitutional amendment to increase the retirement ages of judges of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal. Both the Justice and National Integration Ministry and the BASL confirmed the scheduled meeting. The BASL, in a letter dated 16 July, 2026, addressed to Minister Nanayakkara, who is also an Attorney-at-Law, requested that a delegation, consisting of members of the executive committee of the BASL, and senior members of the profession, be granted an opportunity to discuss the issues at hand. Responding to The Island queries, sources revealed that the government, with an overwhelming 2/3 majority in Parliament, was determined to go ahead with the controversial constitutional amendment, whereas the BASL, too, remained inflexible in its opposition to the move. The BASL reiterated that as emphasised in their 16 July dated letter, addressed to Minister Nanayakkara, the premier legal body expected the government to put on hold the process until meaningful consultations take place among principal stakeholders of the justice sector. The BASL wrote to Minister Nanayakkara on 30 March, 2026, seeking clarifi-cation regarding the proposed constitutional amendment and in the absence of response, raised the issue with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on 25 May, 2026. Sources said that the President, too, refrained from responding to the BASL’s letter and they didn’t have any other option than stepping up pressure.
News Organised motorcycle theft gang apprehended
Published 12 mins agoon 2026/07/27
By S.K. Samaranayake ✍️ A team of police officers, led by Kadawatha Police Station Chief Inspector Buddhika Rajapaksha, has arrested two members of an organised motorcycle theft gang, along with three stolen motorcycles, and 14 grams of heroin, in their possession. The Kadawatha Police are conducting investigations to arrest another suspect connected to the gang. Police stated that the suspects had concealed the stolen motorcycles at their residences in Eldeniya, Kadawatha. Further investigations are being carried out by the Kadawatha Police to determine whether the suspects are addicted to drugs. Under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police, Nuvan Asanga, the Kadawatha Police are conducting further investigations to ascertain whether the suspects have stolen any other motorcycles.
News Biometrics required of Sri Lankan pilgrims between 12 to 70 travelling to India
Published 15 mins agoon 2026/07/27
The Indian High Commission said that under new regulations, biometrics are required of Sri Lankans, between the age of 12 and 70, travelling to India for pilgrimage, including to Buddhist pilgrimage sites, and visa is facilitated and issued swiftly. The text of the statement issued by the Indian HC spokesperson: “It is our standing policy to facilitate timely and smooth issuance of visas to all Sri Lankans. It may be noted that Sri Lanka is also one of the many countries around the world whose citizens can avail of the E-visa facility for travel to India. However, those citizens of Sri Lanka who chose to apply at the High Commission are required to apply online and submit their applications to the Indian Consular Application Centres (ICAC), which are located in Colombo, Kandy, Jaffna, Hambantota and Batticaloa. As regards those Sri Lankans who travel to India for pilgrimage, including to Buddhist pilgrimage sites, visa is facilitated, and issued swiftly. Wherever possible, if these applications are recommended by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs, these visas are issued on a Gratis basis for groups of 10 pilgrims and above. For a brief period, due to change in visa outsourcing agency working for the High Commission of India, this practice was discontinued. Subsequent to the selection of the new service provider, which has started working from 07 July 2026, the practice of issuing Gratis visas for Sri Lankans on pilgrimage is being reintroduced. As was the practice earlier, these requests should be forwarded by the Ministry of Buddhasasana, Religious & Cultural Affairs. These visas can be applied as group of 10 or more and applicants are required to visit ICAC as a group or individually as is convenient for the purposes of capturing their biometrics. This is a mandatory requirement under the new regulations of the Government of India. However, biometrics are required for the people between the age of 12 and 70 only. As regards other senior citizens visiting ICAC for their biometrics, special and expedited process has been instituted to keep their waiting time to the minimum possible. Capturing biometrics will ensure that their passage through the Indian Immigration on arrival in India is smooth and convenient. As such, there is no visa fee for Sri Lankan pilgrims, whose applications are submitted as indicated above. The question on any change in visa fee for Sri Lankan pilgrims, therefore, does not arise. However, applicants would be required to pay visa service fee of LKR 1855/- to the ICAC for their services.”
