Sri Lanka: Latest news in Sri Lanka, October 5th, 2026

Judicial and Legal Updates

• Gnanasara Thero Remanded: The Court of Appeal ordered that the remaining prison sentence for Bodu Bala Sena General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thero take effect immediately, following the Supreme Court judgment that voided his earlier presidential pardon.

• Organized Crime Asset Freezes: The Police Illegal Assets Investigation Division ordered the freezing of bank accounts and properties valued at approximately Rs. 40 million connected to organized crime and narcotics suspect Nirmala Prasanga (alias “Backhoe Saman”).

  adaderana.lk

Politics and Foreign Affairs

• No-Confidence Motion Against Speaker: The opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) parliamentary group finalized plans to submit a formal no-confidence motion against the Speaker of Parliament, citing 49 specific allegations.

  Daily Mirror – Sri Lanka

• Maritime Policy Stance: Official representatives rejected claims that Sri Lanka faced foreign diplomatic pressurespecifically from the United Statesregarding the entry and supply of Iranian vessels calling at local ports.

• KDU Chancellor Appointment: President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed former Air Force Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha A. Gunathilake (Retd.), as the new Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.

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Economy and Trade

• IMF Extended Fund Facility Progress: Sri Lankan authorities and the International Monetary Fund reached a staff-level agreement on the seventh review under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) program.

  Daily Mirror – Sri Lanka

• Food Supply Bilateral Agreement: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between India’s National Cooperative Exports Limited (NCEL) and Sri Lanka’s Consumer Cooperative Societies Federation (COOPFED) to safeguard long-term supplies of essential foodstuffs.

• Fuel Distribution and Market Stability: Amid friction between fuel distribution agents and pricing regulations, authorities assured the public that national fuel reserves remain adequate, urging citizens to avoid panic buying.

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Transport and Infrastructure

• Upcountry Railway Resumption: Train operations on the Upcountry railway corridor resumed following emergency clearance of a Peradeniya-area derailment, though railway trade unions raised ongoing safety concerns regarding slope and track clearances.

• National Housing Handover: The state commenced the countrywide distribution of 5,000 newly completed government-assisted houses to low- and middle-income families.