- SLPP”s P. Wanniarachchi, C.B. Ratnayake and S.M. Chandrasena, together with J. Thondaman (CWC), D. Dissanayake (SLFP), and W. Abeywardene (UNP), tipped to be appointed soon as Cabinet Ministers: 2 or 3 from SJB also expected to join.
- State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says all main bilateral creditors including China participated in latest debt restructuring talks: also says process to obtain IMF loan is in final stage and IMF Board approval likely by year-end.
- Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says there would be a negative impact when approaching the IMF: cautions against “bowing down” to IMF: asks people not to vote for politicians insensitive to their issues.
- Official Reserve Assets dip further by 4.2% to USD 1,704 mn in Oct 22 from USD 1,779 mn in Sept 22: Forex debts accumulated but unpaid for 2nd & 3rd quarters of 2022 estimated at USD 3.2 bn: earlier “expert economist” claims that Reserves will increase if debt is defaulted, debunked.
- Central Bank’s T-Bill holdings (“Money printing”) under Governor Weerasinghe’s first 210 days records a staggering Rs.713 bn: average of Rs.3.4 bn per day, even after interest rate has been nearly tripled: 54% higher than the “per day” average under Governors Cabraal and Lakshman.
- PM Dinesh Gunawardene appoints 5-member National Delimitation Committee to demarcate wards for local authorities: Chairman to be Mahinda Deshapriya.
- Tourist Hotels Assn President M Shanthikumar says tourist hotels are faring badly: notes tourist arrivals are far below expectations: hotel managers say there’s not much hope for the remaining 2 months in the year.
- State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya says Sri Lanka is likely to receive USD 100 mn “infrastructure investment” by Canadian diaspora into Small and Medium Enterprises: no details given.
- San Diego Zoo announces that it has euthanized Sri Lanka born 45-year-old she-elephant “Devi” because of deteriorating health.
- England beat Sri Lanka in the last ICC T20 Cricket World Cup Group 1 match: SL 141/8 (20 overs): ENG 144/6 (19.4 overs): New Zealand and England qualify for the Semi-Finals from the Group.
