- The Central Bank expects a significant reduction in market lending interest rates as part of monetary easing measures, while potential inflation concerns may arise due to Budget 2024 and global petroleum price increases. Central Bank Governor addresses key points, including inflation trends, decreasing policy interest rates, state bank restructuring, the status of the Employees’ Provident Fund management, and disputed growth projections compared to the World Bank and IMF during the briefing.
- Fitch Ratings affirms its ratings on fifteen (15) Sri Lankan banks, while 14 of them have been removed from ‘Rating Watch Negative’ (RWN) and assigned stable outlooks. Affirms that Bank of Ceylon’s (BOC) Long-Term Local-Currency Issue Default Rating (IDR) at ‘CCC-‘ and removed it from RWN while adding that the Outlook is Stable.
- Saliya Wickramasuriya has been appointed as the Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals Ltd (CPSTL). The Managing Director of the CPC, Darshana Rathnayake has been appointed as the Managing Director of the CPSTL.
- The President of the All Island Canteen and Restaurant Owners’ Association, announces that the prices of three food items have been increased in line with the recent gas price hike: Plain tea has been increased by Rs. 10, Koththu Rotti by Rs. 20, and Rice packets by Rs. 50.
- Sri Lanka’s official reserves stand at approximately US $3.5 billion, including a US $1.4 billion agreement with China’s People’s Bank subject to certain conditions as of September’ 23 During the first eight months of 2023, Sri Lanka’s reduced spending on imports contributed to a smaller trade deficit, and despite some declines in merchandise exports, the impact was not as significant as the import reductions.
- The Socialist Youth Union (SYU) files a petition in the Supreme Court seeking an order declaring that the Online Safety Bill tabled in the parliament by the government is in violation of the constitution. Alleges that the relevant bill is in violation of the fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
- The G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination will be held from January 04, 2024 to January 31, 2024, announced the Commissioner General of Exams.
- The Supreme Court, with a bench of Justices Murdu Fernando, Yasantha Kodagoda, Shiran Gunaratne, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando, instructed the Attorney General to provide a report on the compensation granted to the families of fishermen impacted by the MV X-Press Pearl disaster.
- Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera informs that there is significant international demand for Sri Lankan toque macaque monkeys, with numerous foreign nations expressing interest in obtaining them for their zoos, following a high-profile request from a Chinese firm that led to a court case.
- England makes ODI history in World Cup opener with unusual record. All 11 England batters reached double figures in England’s total of 282/9, meaning that Jos Buttler’s team became the first ever to do so in the history of the international format across both the men’s and women’s games.
