- The President of France, Emmanuel Macron on Friday night (July 28) undertook a brief ‘historic’ visit to Sri Lanka. Macron’s stopover at the island nation, a first by a French President, came after his visit to the South Pacific Region. President Ranil Wickremesinghe and President Macron have held friendly and productive bilateral discussions which lasted for an hour and fifteen minutes.
- Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena has given directives to finalize the bank account opening process for the payment of ‘Aswesuma’ social welfare benefits by this weekend and take immediate action thereafter to disburse the payments to the beneficiaries. Issues regarding the ‘Aswasuma’ program and the problems related to particular areas were discussed at the Maharagama Divisional Coordination Committee meeting.
- Sri Lanka has recorded over 120,000 tourist arrivals from 01 – 27 July , Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando revealed. A total of 123,503 tourist arrivals have been recorded for the month of July, he said, of which a majority has been identified as Indian nationals.
- Two petitions were filed before the Supreme Court, seeking an order deeming the decision to reduce the interest rates paid when investing the funds of Employees Provident Fund (EPF) in treasury bills and bonds to 9% a violation of fundamental rights.
- The Sri Lanka Japan Business Council expressed hope that with stability and economic recovery more Japanese trade and investments will take place new President Mahen Kariyawasan said. Expressed gratitude to Japan for extending support in bringing stability and supporting recovery with its active participation in Sri Lanka’s external debt restructuring
- Investigations have found Rs. 12.2 billion worth of transactions related to bank accounts held by Sri Lankan Pastor Jerome Fernando. Additional Solicitor General Priyantha Nawana informed the court that the transactions were found following the examination of 11 bank accounts held by the controversial pastor.
- A group of 62 Sri Lankan nationals have been deported from Kuwait, for working illegally without the required valid visas. The group was deported from Kuwait using temporary passports prepared by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait, a spokesman for the Embassy stated.
- Minister of Education Susil Premajayantha has announced the date to commence the new school term for the academic year 2024. The new school term is scheduled to begin on February 21, 2024.
- Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said an investigation will be carried out to find out why the Veterinarian Research Institute which earns a lot of income and falls under the Department of Animal Production and Health had not been subject to an audit for many years. The comment was made in response to an inquiry raised regarding what action will be taken in connection with the financial fraud of Rs.15 million at the Veterinarian Research Institute.
- Galle Titans, one of the prominent franchises in the Lanka Premier League has officially appointed the renowned actor Ranjan Ramanayake as their brand ambassador.
