- During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, President Ranil Wickremesinghe was actively involved in two significant events, including a high-profile business roundtable discussion titled “Economic Opportunities in Sri Lanka,”
- Emirates and SriLankan Airlines have signed a reciprocal interline agreement to boost connectivity for passengers of both airlines. This will enable access to new points on each other’s networks via Colombo and Dubai, utilising a single ticket and enjoying the convenience of baggage transfers. The tickets are now on sale for travel effective immediately as the interline partnership unlocks 15 regional destinations operated by SriLankan Airlines via Colombo, for Emirates’ passengers to choose from.
- Several senior members of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) are being considered for the vacant position of party’s General Secretary, with MP Duminda Dissanayake currently leading the race, while former Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake, a Senior Deputy Secretary of the SLFP, is also expressing interest despite facing legal complications after a court injunction prevented him from serving as Acting General Secretary.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe had a productive meeting with Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on bilateral relations and cooperation between the two South Asian nations, during which Prime Minister Hasina expressed her satisfaction with Sri Lanka’s swift recovery from the financial crisis and the prompt repayment of loans.
- Six individuals, including a father and his two sons from Katana, have been arrested by Seeduwa Police in connection with the discovery of a man’s body inside a traveling bag left on the banks of the Dandugam Oya in Seeduwa on 15 September.
- State Minister for Social Empowerment, Anupa Pasqual, highlights the significance of empowering the disabled community for enhancing the country’s economic productivity, announced the upcoming presentation of a new Disability Bill to Parliament aimed at protecting the rights of the disabled population: emphasized the government’s commitment to reducing their dependence on government support through this legislative initiative.
- Ranil Wickremesinghe declares the Aukus security pact between Australia, Britain and the US “a mistake” while rejecting any concerns over Beijing’s perceived influence on his debt-ridden island nation. “It is a military alliance moved against one country – China,” he said at an event hosted by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
- Government officially gazettes the Online Safety Bill, which has received Cabinet approval and aims to establish the Online Safety Commission, prohibit certain online statements of fact, prevent the misuse of online accounts, identify prohibited online locations, and address the financing and support of false online statements of fact in Sri Lanka.
- Susil Premajayantha states that the Commissioner General of Examinations will soon provide information regarding the potential postponement of this year’s Advanced Level Examinations in response to a proposal by SJB MP Rohini Kaviratne, who recommended rescheduling the exams to take place from January 22nd to February 17th of the following year.
- Swimmer Ramudi Samarakoon makes history by becoming the first Sri Lankan swimmer to receive a FINA scholarship, announced the Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union (SLASU). At the age of 21, Samarakoon has been recognized with the scholarship for her exceptional performance, earning the highest FINA points.
