- All fuel suppliers increase prices: Ceypetco says Petrol 92 up by Rs.4 per litre to Rs.365, Octane 95 up Rs.3 to Rs.420, Auto Diesel up Rs.10 to Rs.351, Super Diesel up Rs.62 to Rs.321, & Kerosene up Rs.11 to Rs.242.
- Renowned energy expert Dr Thilak Siyambalapitiya warns SL will become the country with the most expensive electricity tariff in South Asia: urges the development of a new strategy to slash electricity prices.
- The International Commission of Jurists raises concerns about the new Online Safety Bill: warns that, if adopted in its present form, the legislation would serve “to crush free expression and further contract an already shrinking civic space” in the country.
- Acting Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon says the Govt has taken a policy decision to reduce the number of army personnel to around 100,000 by 2030, from the present cadre of over 200,000, and to “make the army a technical & tactical army”: similar reduction to be done in the case of Navy & Air Force personnel as well.
- Former member of the WHO’s Technical Advisory Committee on Covid-19 Professor Neelika Malavige says the bat-borne Nipah virus is at a low risk of spreading: also says that does not rule out the necessity to be vigilant about it.
- NPP MP Vijitha Herath says SL has not received anything from the IMF programme so far other than the unbearable tax burden on the people: also says SL sought IMF assistance with the hope of restructuring international loans but has not been able to restructure or get a haircut on a single Dollar even after 17 months.
- Former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission Janaka Ratnayake asserts the proposed electricity tariff revision is illegal & also in violation of the Constitution: points out the proposed tariff increases electricity prices by a staggering 250% since August 2022, thereby sending shockwaves through the nation.
- Ceylon Motor Traders Assn Chairman Charaka Perera says the Assn has sought a meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe to raise concerns on a proposal to permit a zero customs tariff on import of electric vehicles with power up to 500 kW, or plug-in hybrid electric vehicles up to 3000 CC in semi-knockdown form for local assembly.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulates Dr Mohamed Muizzu, the newly elected President of the Maldives.
- Chairman of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Alleviating the Impact of the Economic Crisis Gamini Weleboda says a new agreement will be necessary to receive the 2nd tranche from the IMF: also says only 38 of 100 IMF conditions have been fulfilled: adds that 43 conditions have not yet seen any progress, and the remaining conditions have only been partially addressed.
