Former External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (15) briefed the UN Resident Coordinator in Colombo, Marc-André Franche, on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s move to extend the retirement ages of the superior court judges and the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal.

Prof. Peiris, the convenor of the People’s Joint Opposition, led the delegation that included UNP General Secretary and former Minister Thalatha Atukorale, former UPFA National List parliamentarian Suren Raghavan and ex- SLPP MP Premnath C. Dolawatta.

Having met the top official here, Prof. Peiris briefed the media on their decision to bring the developing situation to the notice of the UN.

Referring to the opposition of the legal fraternity to the NPP government’s plan, Prof. Peiris emphasised that the civil society, too, had opposed the politically motivated initiative.

Prof. Peiris said that instead of addressing the burning issues affecting the public, the government was creating new problems.

A week-long crackdown to begin in 11 districts

Hospitals are coming under mounting pressure as the country’s dengue epidemic gathers pace, with nearly 70,000 infections and 48 deaths reported so far this year, prompting health authorities to launch an intensive week-long mosquito control campaign in 11 districts.

The National Dengue Control Unit (NDCU) said 69,951 dengue cases had been reported by July 13, with 14,572 new infections recorded during the first 13 days of July alone. June saw the highest monthly caseload of the year, underlining the rapid spread of the mosquito-borne disease during the southwest monsoon.

Acting Director of the NDCU, Dr. Kapila Kannangara, warned that the hospital system was facing severe congestion due to the unprecedented influx of dengue patients.

“We are seeing an alarming increase in admissions. Hospitals are under tremendous pressure, and public cooperation is essential to bring the outbreak under control,” he said, announcing that a special one-week dengue control programme would be implemented across 11 high-risk districts.

Health authorities have identified 175 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) divisions as high-risk dengue zones. Public Health Inspectors will conduct inspections, eliminate mosquito breeding sites and initiate legal action against those maintaining mosquito-infested premises.

The Western Province continues to account for the largest share of infections, with Gampaha and Colombo among the worst-affected districts. Several hospitals are already operating beyond capacity as the number of admissions continues to climb.

Health officials attributed the surge to intermittent rains, poor waste disposal, stagnant water collections and inadequate community participation in vector control programmes.

The Ministry of Health has appealed to local authorities, schools, workplaces, religious institutions and households to inspect their premises regularly, clear blocked drains and roof gutters, cover water storage containers and remove discarded tyres, cans, bottles and other containers capable of collecting rainwater.

Medical experts urged the public not to ignore symptoms such as persistent fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, vomiting, abdominal pain and bleeding manifestations, stressing that early medical treatment is critical in preventing severe dengue and deaths.

Officials emphasised that eliminating mosquito breeding sites remains the single most effective way of controlling dengue, warning that unless communities actively participate, the outbreak could worsen during the ongoing rainy season.

With daily case numbers continuing to rise and hospitals struggling to cope, health authorities said the coming weeks would be crucial in determining whether the country can curb one of its worst dengue outbreaks in recent years.

By Ifham Nizam

In an era where artificial intelligence can create convincing stories, images and videos within seconds, journalism is facing one of its most defining moments. The challenge before the media is no longer simply finding information, but establishing what is true in an increasingly crowded and confusing information environment.

The future of journalism will not be determined only by technological advancement. It will depend on whether journalists and media organisations can preserve the values that have sustained the profession for centuries — truth, independence, verification, accountability and public trust.

This was the central message that emerged from The Media Fest 2026, organised by the Sri Lanka–India Media Friendship Association (SLIMFA) at Taj Samudra, Colombo, bringing together leading media personalities, editors, journalists, academics, digital experts and communication professionals from Sri Lanka and India.

Held under the theme “Staying Relevant in a Changing World,” the forum examined the transformation taking place across the media industry — from artificial intelligence and misinformation to changing audience behaviour, investigative journalism, digital innovation and the future sustainability of news organisations.

The discussions demonstrated a common reality faced by newsrooms globally: technology may change the tools of journalism, but credibility remains the profession’s most powerful asset.

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described MediaFest as an important platform strengthening professional dialogue between journalists of the two countries.

He said India and Sri Lanka, as vibrant democracies with deep historical and cultural connections, shared similar challenges in adapting to technological change while protecting journalistic values.

“As two vibrant democracies, our journalists share many common challenges, from adapting to new technologies and combating misinformation to sustaining public trust and preserving editorial integrity,” Jha said.

He emphasised that closer cooperation between media institutions could help both countries learn from each other’s experiences.

“We can certainly benefit from sharing our experiences, which is an opportunity this platform provides us. We can also use this occasion to strengthen partnerships between our media institutions,” he added.

Jha said artificial intelligence, digital platforms and social media had transformed journalism by expanding the reach and possibilities of storytelling.

However, he stressed that traditional journalistic principles had become more important than ever.

“Accuracy, fairness, verification, integrity and public trust are more important today than ever before,” he said.

Highlighting the resilience of Sri Lanka’s media sector and the scale of India’s media landscape, Jha encouraged greater journalist exchanges, newsroom visits, professional training and institutional partnerships.

Describing the media as a bridge between people, he called for stronger collaboration to create informed and constructive narratives about both countries.

“People-centric narratives can address past stereotypes and false narratives that sometimes inhibit meaningful cooperation,” he said.

SLIMFA President Nisthar Cassim said MediaFest had emerged as an important professional platform connecting journalists, editors, media executives, academics, digital creators and communication experts.

He said SLIMFA, established in 2024, had rapidly developed into a forum promoting closer engagement between the media communities of Sri Lanka and India.

Through editor discussions, roundtables, masterclasses and training initiatives, SLIMFA had encouraged dialogue on issues shaping the future of journalism.

Cassim said the value of such programmes extended beyond discussions, creating opportunities for professional friendships, knowledge sharing and institutional cooperation.

Centre for Investigative Reporting (CIR) Director Dilrukshi Handunnetti brought the perspective of accountability journalism to the discussion, highlighting the continuing importance of investigative reporting in protecting democracy.

She stressed that journalism must go beyond simply reporting events and must examine the deeper issues affecting society.

In an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, investigative journalism remains a vital mechanism for uncovering facts, questioning powerful institutions and ensuring public accountability.

Handunnetti emphasised that technology could provide powerful tools for journalists — from analysing large volumes of information to identifying patterns and strengthening evidence-based reporting.

However, she noted that no technology could replace the essential qualities of an investigative journalist: curiosity, independence, courage and commitment to the public interest.

Her message reflected a central theme of MediaFest — journalism’s relevance depends on its ability to serve society, not merely chase attention.

Another key message from the panel was that organisations must experiment with new technologies rather than wait until others succeed.

The speakers noted that AI, social intelligence and digital platforms would reward organisations willing to learn, adapt and innovate.

By Ifham Nizam