News
UK minister visits Colombo, Delhi to reiterate London’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific
UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Minister for Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan is here on a three-day visit with the focus on climate finance and green growth, bilateral trade discussions, human rights, justice reform and opportunities to enhance UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties, according to a statement issued by the BHC, Colombo yesterday (10).
Minister Trevelyan arrived in Colombo yesterday and is scheduled to visit Jaffna before she left for India.
The BHC statement: “The three-day visit to Colombo and Jaffna marks the celebration of 75 years of diplomatic relations between the UK and Sri Lanka and is the Minister’s first visit to Sri Lanka in her role.
Minister Trevelyan will emphasise the UK’s long-term commitment to the region at the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial meeting hosted by Sri Lanka. Minister Trevelyan will also seek to strengthen IORA work on climate mitigation. Through collaborative programmes that underpin biodiversity objectives and the Glasgow Pact (agreed at COP26), the Minister will highlight UK support for Sri Lanka’s environmental work. This builds on the UK’s strong track record as the first major economy to legislate for Net Zero, cutting carbon emissions faster than any other G7 country.
Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “As the UK celebrates 75 years of diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka, we’re working together on climate action, peacebuilding and human rights. “Through key regional forums like IORA, we can accelerate progress towards enhanced security for the Indian Ocean region, collaborate on shared climate goals and on boosting maritime security.”
While in Colombo, Minister Trevelyan will meet members of the Sri Lankan government including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry as well as businesses and civil society. Discussions will focus on climate finance and green growth, bilateral trade discussions, human rights, justice reform and opportunities to enhance UK-Sri Lanka diplomatic ties.
Travelling to Jaffna, in the Northern Province, Trevelyan will meet with Governor P.S.M. Charles and regional parliamentarians, civil society and the local business community. She will visit a land mine clearance site in Muhamalai to see demining and sustainable resettlement work which is supported through the UK’s Conflict, Security and Stability Fund (CSSF). Following her engagements in Sri-Lanka, the Minister will travel to India as part of a wider trip to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
News
Showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02 SEPTEMBER 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 02 September 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for afternoon thundershowers in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces in the next few days.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Mullaitivu district after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the Central hills, the North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Matale districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon today (02)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (02) are Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon.
News
SC rejects petitioners’ request for full bench
The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request that the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court.
Rejecting the request, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena said the consideration of the petitions would proceed before the five-judge bench.
Appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran made the request when the petitions were called for hearing yesterday before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Surasena.
President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Ali Sabry, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Eraj de Silva, Srinath Perera, Anura Meddegoda, and Maithri Gunaratne, along with other counsel appearing for several other petitioners, also made the same request.
Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, pointed out that the authority to determine the composition of a judicial bench rested with the Chief Justice. Refering to Article 132(3) of the Constitution, the Solicitor General argued that the discretion to determine the number of judges on a bench lay with the Chief Justice and that no other party had the authority to interfere in the matter.
Counsel including President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch, appearing for an intervening petitioner, also made submissions pointing out that the discretion to determine the composition of a bench rested with the Chief Justice.
-
News5 days agoEight politicians in drug kingpin probe
-
Features3 days ago“Wrap Me Up in My Blazer”— A Gentlemanly Bradby Reminiscence
-
Business5 days agoSri Lanka opens up: A new season of direct connectivity
-
Features5 days agoRedefining ageing in Sri Lanka
-
Latest News6 days agoNepal-Tibet floods: What happened, what caused them and who is missing?
-
Editorial6 days agoUnfolding El Niño and burning issues
-
Foreign News7 days agoAt least eight killed, hundreds missing after Nepal flash flood
-
Latest News7 days agoAdvisory for High Waves for the sea areas extending from Colombo to Pottuvil via Galle, Matara and Hambantota
