- President Ranil Wickremasinghe outlines plans for devolution: states the 13th Amendment with full powers, except Police powers, as outlined under List 1, will be implemented subject to agreement among political parties in Parliament.
- President’s Media Unit says a draft law for the Office of National Unity & Reconciliation has been sent to the Attorney General for Constitutionality review: law to be presented to Parliament shortly: The national action plan on reconciliation drafted by ONUR to also be presented to Cabinet soon.
- Central Bank prints a massive Rs.105 billion on 17th July, and provides money to the Govt for its expenses: IMF likely to be “displeased” as the CB has undertaken to desist from providing financing to the Govt under its agreement with the IMF.
- LKR continues to depreciate rapidly to reach Rs.328.65 per USD, from Rs.297.23 on 01.06.23: records a massive depreciation of Rs.31.42 (10.57%) in just one and a half months: business persons and would-be investors in a major panic: only “hot-money” investors in Govt T-Bills & Bonds enjoy incredible profits and gains.
- SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara says the Working Committee of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya has decided to expel Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara from the Party.
- Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana says the Cabinet has approved changes to the country’s income tax law applicable to superannuation funds to facilitate domestic debt restructuring: analysts say authorities are coercing the pension and provident funds who do not agree to extending the maturities of their Treasury bonds, to agree to be taxed at a huge 30%, instead of the current 14%.
- Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana says Govt has approved the increase of water and sewerage charges: asserts the financial viability and sustainability of National Water Supply and Drainage Board has to be assured.
- State Minister of Finance and SLPP MP Shehan Semasinghe says in Parliament that the Cabinet under then President Gotabya Rajapaksa took the decisions that bankrupted the country: SLPP leader Mahinda Rajapaksa was the Prime Minister and SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa was the Finance Minister in that Cabinet.
- Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardane says thefts of iron rods and iron nails at Dematagoda and Ratmalana railway yards and bridges are rampant at present: also says he will seek the assistance of the STF to provide security to these places: dodges the question raised by MP Dayasiri Jayasekera in Parliament that nails, nuts & bolts valued at Rs.286 million had been removed from the New Kelani Bridge by drug addicts.
- Pivithuru Hela Urumaya Leader and MP Udaya Gammanpila says the Cabinet has committed a collective offence against the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance by granting approval to cut down the Crudia zeylanica tree which is endemic to Sri Lanka.
