- President Ranil Wickremesinghe meets UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the United Nations Headquarters & the duo engage in “cordial discussions”.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe tells the UN that adverse climate impacts affect clean energy, food security, water, and farmers’ livelihoods in SL, straining the recovery from last year’s economic crisis: also says, as a climate-vulnerable, debt-ridden nation, the need for climate finance is urgent, but wealthy countries are falling short on their commitments.
- Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera says the Govt has earmarked Rs. 12 bn to facilitate farmers in procuring fertiliser for the upcoming cultivation season: also says farmers will receive Rs.15,000 per hectare, allowing them the flexibility to choose between organic or chemical fertilisers based on their specific agricultural needs.
- Police say the measures taken to suppress crimes such as murders and drug trafficking are being implemented continuously, but that certain crimes being led by individuals residing in foreign countries raises practical problems in terms of the implementation of the law.
- Japanese Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki confers “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold and Silver Rays” on Sunil Wijesinha, former President of Japan-SL Technical & Cultural Association, JASTECA, in recognition of his distinguished contribution to strengthening economic relations and promoting mutual understanding between Japan and SL.
- Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake submits an audit report on the fuel price data which shows significant discrepancies in the pricing calculations presented to the COPE Committee on 7 July 2022: indicates that the overall loss is estimated at over Rs. 40 billion in 2022.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe to reconstitute the Monetary Board of the Central Bank: the new Central Bank Act, which was drafted with the support of the IMF, is expected to ensure “more independence to the country’s monetary authority”.
- India’s IndiGo airline announces the introduction of new direct flights between Hyderabad and Colombo from 2 November.
- SJB MP S M Marikkar says that a Govt led by SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa would initiate an investigation and apprehend the individuals responsible for orchestrating the 2019 Easter Sunday attack.
- Women’s Cricket Consultant & Olympic silver medalist Susanthika Jayasinghe says the Asian Games is the biggest sporting event in the Asian region: also says the SL women’s cricket team led by Chamari Athapaththu is strong and their performance has been very good recently.
