- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says the foundation for a strong new economy has already been formulated: asserts country is successfully completing the difficult stage required to get support from the IMF.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the corrupt political factionalism that deceives the people and makes them poor forever, should be changed: also says that is the “system change” the youth of the country have been demanding for a long period.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe calls on all Sri Lankans at home and abroad to devote themselves and unite as children of one mother to make Sri Lanka one of the most developed countries in the world by 2048.
- SLPP Economic expert & Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardena says Sri Lanka will fall into a “bottomless economic, social and political abyss” unless Govt increases taxes, imposes controls on imports and cuts expenditure: also says there’s “no other option” than agreeing to the IMF conditions.
- China’s Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning, in a landmark statement, says multilateral lenders like the IMF & World Bank must restructure their loans to developing countries like Sri Lanka and Zambia that are struggling to repay: on 27th March 2021, at a UN Finance Ministers Sessions, Sri Lanka’s former State Minister of Finance Ajith Nivard Cabraal had also called on the multi-lateral organisations like the IMF & World Bank to provide a “debt moratorium” to emerging nations.
- UNICEF says 7 mn people in SL are in need of humanitarian assistance due to the economic crisis: also says essential services for children such as health, nutrition & education have been severely impacted by shortages of medicine, food insecurity, lack of fuel and long power cuts.
- Several suspects who were arrested yesterday over the attack on the protestors who were near the Elphinstone Theatre in Maradana, remanded until 17th February: 4 activists, who were produced before court, granted bail.
- Prominent crypto-currency advocate and billionaire Tim Draper’s proposal to promote the widespread adoption of Bitcoin in Sri Lanka, not well received at meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe.
- Sri Lanka Customs Spokesman Sudattha Silva says bringing gold-plated credit cards and capsules that contain gold gel are the newest ways of smuggling gold into the country: also says Customs officials are now employing technology to detect gold of more than 22 carats.
- Deputy Director of the National Hospital Dr Rukshan Bellana alleges he is under threat subsequent to the exposure of what he called a “narcotics mafia” operating in Govt Hospitals: previously, Dr Bellana had to be rescued by Police when a group of minor staff laid siege to his office.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 05/02
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