- All Ceylon Filling Station Owners’ Assn President Shelton Fernando says the demand for fuel during the festive season has reduced by a staggering 50%, and therefore the filling station owners are facing difficulties: Central Bank however insists that the economy has “stabilized”.
- Former SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara expresses willingness to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election if the majority of his Party consents: also says the vacuum left by leftist progressive nationalist political forces can’t be filled by “outdated politicians” from the 1950s.
- President’s Office says Treasury released funds for all government-approved payments until December 15, 2023, aligning with the 2023 budget: insists it’s the first time in 25 years all payments were settled in one year: critics say several Ministers including Dr Bandula Gunawardene have however lamented that essential projects have been delayed due to funds not being released by the Treasury: others point out that the Treasury Secretary is on record that Rs.10bn allocated for the conduct of the LG elections couldn’t be released due to lack of funds.
- Dept of Census & Statistics says Inflation as measured by the CCPI increased to 4.0% in Dec’23 from 3.4% in Nov’23: Food-Inflation increased to 0.3% in Dec’23 from (-3.6)% in Nov’23, while Non-Food Inflation decreased to 5.8% in Dec’23, from 6.8% in Nov’23.
- Arrack prices to increase by an average of Rs.300 per 750ml bottle, following the imposition of VAT @ 18% from 1st Jan’24.
- Opppsition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa denounces increase in VAT: cites official statistics that 60% of SL households have experienced income reductions while 90% have seen their expenses surge: analysts point out SJP’s own “economic guru” Harsha de Silva has however been the most ardent advocate of higher Govt Revenue which has led to higher taxes being imposed on the people.
- CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe responds to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s pledge to “renegotiate the IMF agreement in case they get back to power”: says any Govt could renegotiate the IMF programme, but it would be required to follow the path already chosen to get “international support”: insists that SL needs to go in that direction during the 10-year period of “debt restructuring”.
- CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe emphasizes the “parate law” is important for the security and safety of bank deposits: says those who call for the abolishing of the “parate law” are those groups who are defaulting on loans.
- Ministry of Public Security says 17,837 suspects were arrested in the last 12 days during the “Yukthiya” operation to crackdown on drugs & underworld: also says investigations launched into 850 suspects: further says the Illegal Assets & Property Investigation Unit has launched probes into 186 suspects: asserts that 10.51kg of Heroin, 6.74kg ICE, 288.5kg Cannabis were also seized.
- Chathurika Priyanthi, representing the SL Navy in the 87kg weight-lifting category, lifts a remarkable 90kg in snatch, 113kg in clean & jerk, totaling an impressive 203kgs: this performance shatters 3 SL records.
