- Industries Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana states the gem industry will aim to achieve USD 1 bn in exports in 2023: promises to facilitate value-addition of gems by enabling all technology and equipment related to value-addition to be duty-free: assures the establishment of a pension plan for gem miners: at present, gem exports are about USD 250 mn.
- Central Bank says exports contracted by a massive 17.9% (USD 217 mn) in Nov’22 to USD 994 mn, hit by Govt import bans and controls: exports declined in Oct’22 as well, by 11.8% (USD 141 mn) to USD 1,051 mn: apparel factory owners say there has been significant reductions in orders in recent times.
- TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran appeals to the Govt of India to “exercise its authority” to achieve the objectives of the Indo-Lanka Accord and support the legitimate political objectives of the Tamil people in Sri Lanka.
- JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake says the SJB has gone into a state of panic, ahead of up-coming Local Govt elections: says it is evident through the recent statements made by the SJB Leader, General Secretary and National Organiser.
- Head of Lotus Tower Management Prasad Samarasinghe says the landmark Tower has received half a million visitors so far: also says over Rs.268 mn in revenue has been collected.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says the IMF has not made “an immediate reduction in the defence expenditure of the Govt”, a pre-condition for the provision of the long awaited and much-touted approval of the USD 2.9 billion Facility to be disbursed over 48 months: admits however that the IMF is looking for the reduction of military expenditure in stages.
- Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera requests Govt to provide the necessary funds for paddy purchasing before spending funds on elections scheduled for Mar’22: says elections can be held at a later date.
- Cabinet approves the implementation of a cost-reflective Electricity Tariff Formula based on which the tariff will be increased, but does not specify the time-frame for its implementation.
- SLFP General Secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara says, if as alleged by former President Ms Chandrika Kumaratunga the present SLFP leader and former President Maithripala Sirisena should be held responsible for the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks, in the same way, she should be held responsible for the LTTE attacks.
- State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the payment of PAYE Tax of State & Semi-Govt sector employees from funds of the respective institutions, will be prohibited.
