- Elections Commission says the LG Election will not be held on 9th March: new date to be notified on 3rd March, 2023.
- Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says multilateral lenders IMF, World Bank & ADB who enjoy the status of “Senior Creditors” must also have their loans restructured like other bilateral and commercial creditors, in any sovereign debt re-structuring exercise: also says he urged IMF top management in March 2020 to grant a moratorium of at least one year on all emerging nations’ debt due to “Senior Creditors” at the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic: laments that was not done, unfortunately.
- Finance officials from China and US to discuss debt and other issues today: the US has repeatedly criticized China’s stance in relation to debt relief for low and middle-income countries including Sri Lanka: meanwhile, the US-backed “Senior Creditors” IMF and World Bank have been reluctant to grant any concession whatsoever to debt-distressed countries.
- State Minister Lasantha Alagiyawanna appointed as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Accounts (COPA).
- IUSF convenor Wasantha Mudalige and 62 others who were arrested for focibly entering the Education Ministry, remanded until 26th February.
- New Central Bank Bill published: under the new law, the Central Bank to have “administrative & financial autonomy”: provides for a “Governing Board” to oversee management with the Governor as Chairperson and 6 others who have expertise in economics, banking, finance, accounting & auditing, law or risk management.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces plans to make Sri Lanka a year-round tourist destination: also outlines program to attract over 2 mn tourists including those spending USD 500 per day: says Committee appointed to implement plan: stresses importance of better and positive publicity.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says Bar Association President, Saliya Pieris should not be representing the Election Commission in cases related to the LG poll as Pieris is a “political’ lawyer.
- Self-proclaimed SJB Economic Guru Harsha Silva claims he had been “illegitimately removed” as Chairman of COPF as he had become a headache to a “bunch of rogues” in a “bankrupt nation”: previously, Silva was at the forefront in demanding that the Govt defaults on ISB debt, which had massive “cross-default” consequences.
- GMOA spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe says the Govt is planning to reduce the salaries of those in the health sector by 15%: alleges the Health Secretary has issued a circular instructing the reduction: emphasises the entire health sector is in crisis.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 25/02
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