- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says Domestic Debt Re-structuring will not be suspended even if banking services and stock market collapse: asks banks to take over responsibility and carry forward the economy: warns he will close the stock market if it collapses.
- Mass Media Minister and Economic Guru of SLPP Dr Bandula Gunawardena says it will not be possible to re-structure the foreign debt without re-structuring the local debt: outlines the massive borrowing of USD 12.5 bn during the period 2015 to 2019.
- Former Minister Wimal Weerawansa says the US controlled Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the “Aragalaya”: also says when GR decided to flee the country, India and US wanted him to fire PM Wickremesinghe before announcing his resignation: opines Wickremesinghe’s residence may have been set on fire to put him down mentally and force him to resign: further says the US Ambassador has requested the Speaker to take over the Presidency following the resignation of GR.
- Former President Maithripala Sirisena alleges Cardinal Ranjith is “impatient” with the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks: also says the Cardinal is only keen to send him (Sirisena) to the gallows: adds many countries have taken 10 to 15 years to conclude similar terrorist attack investigations.
- Controversy erupts over 7 Senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police, including L S Pathinayake, Ajith Rohana, S C Medawatte and Priyantha Weerasooriya being transferred with immediate effect.
- Industry insiders say more fintech start-up firms are relocating to other countries to overcome funding issues and other red tape in doing business: add that the “Fintech sandbox” which is a framework set up by the Central Bank to allow small-scale, live testing of financial innovations by private firms in a controlled environment under the regulator’s supervision, has not done much to the industry.
- Transport Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardena says the structure of an “Authority” is more suitable to provide an efficient service to the public and generate enough revenue to keep a public service commercially afloat in a sustainable manner: asserts a Railway authority will generate enough revenue for the government to run the railway operations across the country at a profit within 2 years.
- CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says Sri Lanka has decided to allow Indian tourists to make payments in Indian Rupees: expresses support to link digital payment interfaces between the 2 countries.
- Ambassador of China Qi Zhenhong hands over the new Out-Patient Dept building with 8 stories & 50,000 square feet, to the National Hospital: Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella says China decided to donate the project in response to a request by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa during his term as Head of State: also says the project is the largest ever, single grant by China.
- International Chess Master Susal de Silva of Nalanda College and Women Candidate Master Dahamdi Sanudula of Musaeus College emerge champions at the Sri Lanka Open and Women’s National Chess Championships: it’s Susal de Silva’s 3rd consecutive year as National Champion.
