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The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will provide technical assistance for evidence-based legislative decision-making on demographic resilience, sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality, gender-based violence, and harmful social practices, to Sri Lanka Parliament. UNFPA will also provide analytical information to Parliament based on the latest census data and population research.
Parliament and UNFPA recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in this regard. The MoU was signed by Ms. Kushani Rohanadeera, the Secretary General of Parliament, on behalf of the Parliament of Sri Lanka, and Phuntsho Wangyel, Acting Representative of UNFPA Sri Lanka, on behalf of the United Nations Population Fund. The event was attended by a delegation, including Dr. Aleksandar Sasha Bodiroza, Director for the Asia and Pacific Region of UNFPA.
Parliament said in a statement that the MoU would strengthen the legislative process, enhance the institutional capacity of Parliament, and elevate cooperation between the two parties in policymaking related to population and social development.
UNFPA has agreed to brief Members of Parliament on international policy frameworks, intergovernmental processes, and Sri Lanka’s international commitments related to population dynamics, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality.
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The liquidation process for 33 selected State-owned Enterprises (SOEs) is currently underway, the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has announced.
The Ministry has said a specialised State-Owned Enterprise Reform Unit was established under the Ministry in March this year, with Cabinet approval, to oversee the restructuring of State enterprises.
The unit is currently supervising the liquidation proceedings of the 33 selected enterprises.
Meanwhile, the Treasury is taking steps to settle long-standing outstanding liabilities relating to Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and Employees’ Trust Fund (ETF) contributions and gratuity payments of selected SOEs, in line with the 2026 Budget proposals.
Of the Rs. 5 billion allocated for this purpose, Rs. 2.8 billion had been disbursed by the end of August 2026, the Ministry said.
The Ministry also noted that State-owned enterprises had faced several challenges during the second quarter of this year due to the continuing conflicts in West Asia. They includ rising raw material costs, supply chain disruptions and order cancellations.
However, despite these difficulties, 51 major SOEs had recorded a combined profit of Rs. 259.3 billion during the first six months of 2026, compared with Rs. 227.8 billion in the corresponding period last year.
This represented an increase of Rs. 31.5 billion in their combined profits year-on-year, according to the Ministry.
Investigations have been launched after a tusker was found dead in a forested area, in Kahatagasdigiliya, with its left tusk cut and removed the Department of Wildlife Conservation said.
Wildlife officers discovered the carcass on Sunday (01) in a forested area, bordering a paddy field near the Kayagollewa tank, within the Meeminnawala Grama Niladhari Division.
Preliminary observations indicate that the animal had died about a week before its carcass was discovered and that its left tusk had been cut off after its death.
The tusker is estimated to have been between 20 and 25 years old and approximately seven feet in height.
The circumstances surrounding the incident were due to be reported to the Kahatagasdigiliya Magistrate’s Court yesterday (02), while a post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Pandulagama Wildlife Veterinary Unit to establish the cause of death.
Wildlife officers and Civil Defence Force personnel have been deployed to protect the carcass.
The Kahatagasdigiliya Police, Army Intelligence and Wildlife officials are jointly investigating the incident to identify and arrest those responsible for removing the tusk, and establish the circumstances surrounding the animal’s death.
The Police Department yesterday denied allegations that its officers demanded free bottles of liquor from licensed outlets, threatening legal action against Sri Lanka Association of Liquor Licensees President Ajith Udugama for making what they called false and fabricated claims.
Police spokesman ASP F.U. Wootler categorically rejected the allegations, saying legal action would be taken against Udugama for making false statements. He said police had recently observed attempts by various parties to tarnish the Department’s image for political or other gains.
Udugama, meanwhile, warned that the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill could facilitate abuse of police powers, including demands for free liquor from licensed outlets.
In a statement, he alleged that police officers had previously demanded liquor from licensees and initiated what he described as unfair legal proceedings against those who refused. The Association had even been compelled to intervene legally in some such cases, he said.
He argued that any expansion of police powers, under the proposed legislation, should be accompanied by effective oversight and safeguards against abuse. Misuse of the proposed powers could also expose transport companies and lorry owners, engaged in liquor distribution, to difficulties, he warned.
While supporting the government’s efforts to combat corruption, irregularities and the illicit liquor trade, Udugama stressed that such measures should not infringe the rights of licensed liquor operators and ordinary businesspeople. He called for the proposed powers to be clearly defined, properly limited and subject to accountability mechanisms.
Part III of the Bill deals with police powers, including provisions on stopping vehicles, taking control of them and obtaining information for investigations. Sections 38 and 39 specifically address stopping vehicles and taking control of them.
The Association has also proposed that Parliament consider including several offences under the Excise Ordinance in the Bill’s First Schedule, citing Sections 19, 28A and 49, in addition to Sections 46, 47 and 48.
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