- Former CB Deputy Governor P Samarasiri says the Forex debt default declared on 12April’22 was not a default of debt by the Govt but a default of foreign currency payments by the Central Bank: warns the macro-economic catastrophe that the public confronted after the default by the Central Bank will spread across society for several decades to come: calls for the conduct of a special investigation into the circumstances of the default, including undisclosed conspiracies behind the default.
- CEB spokesperson Engineer Nandika Pathirage says water in the CEB hydro-power reservoirs had dropped to 25% of capacity: asserts the CEB had to go for “emergency power” purchases because drinking water for Colombo is supplied from the Laxapana reservoir and priority has to be given to that.
- Officials in the livestock sector warn that the lack of water and feed for cattle and buffaloes in the prevailing drought condition will have a severe impact on the country’s milk production.
- SLPP rebel MP and PHU leader MP Udaya Gammanpila requests President Ranil Wickremesinghe to take steps for SL to become a member of BRICS, originally consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa: says the world power is shifting towards Asia and that it is time for SL to review its foreign policy in the latest context and reset it accordingly.
- Leader of the House Susil Premajaynath says the ruling party is ready to confer with the Opposition to amend standing orders to expel MPs who commit various offences and tarnish the image of Parliament.
- Minister of Defence of India Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit SL from 2-3 September: expected to hold discussions with President Ranil Wickremasinghe and his Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayaka: also expected to visit Trincomalee to inspect the fuel pipeline system to be built between the two countries.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces the “swift implementation” of a “comprehensive plan” to elevate the Arugam Bay tourist zone into a highly desirable destination for both local and international tourists, with the potential to generate substantial revenue.
- Gampaha Magistrate Sheelani Chaturanthi Perera acquits former CID Director Shani Abeysekara and 4 others who were charged with introducing a stock of explosives and weapons including a claymore mine and T56 rifles into a outhouse at Kalagedihena in Gampaha and fabricating evidence that the stock of weapons and explosives belonged to former DIG Vaas Gunawardene & others, and thereby implicating them in a false charge.
- Sources say SL High Commissioner in Kenya Kana Kananathan has been selected as an Observer of Zimbabwe’s 2023 Presidential and Parliamentary elections, for the 4th time.
- Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority introduces a programme for Kandy residents to list their properties, including residences as accommodation for the upcoming Asia Cup Cricket Tournament: under the scheme, Kandy property owners will be able to rent out their extra rooms, homes or apartments to cater to the high demand for accommodation during the Asia Cup series.
