- President Ranil Wickremesinghe prorogues Parliament: next session of the 9th Parliament to begin on 7th February’24.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe urges political parties to unite for discussions with IMF on potential “alternative proposals”: expresses readiness to extend invitation to IMF MD to visit SL: former CB Governor & State Minister Ajith Nivard Cabraal had repeatedly warned that it is highly risky to assume there’s no option other than IMF proposals: he had also urged the consideration of alternative policies to deal with the economic crisis.
- CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe gives evidence before the Parliamentary Select Committee investigating the Bankruptcy of the country: retracts Treasury Sectetary Sirwardene’s and his own previous statements that SL had become a bankrupt state: analysts contend that the previous announcements of the Governor and Treasury Secretary had prompted the President, Cabinet and entire country to believe SL is bankrupt.
- Wayamba University Professor of Economics & Statistics Aminda Methsila Perera says it is very likely the inflation rate in January’24 will rise above 9% although CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe has claimed it will rise to 7% only.
- Chief Executive Director of the Free Trade Zone Investors Federation Dhammika Fernando says the country’s garment exports have shrunk by 20-23% in 2023: laments many small & medium scale factories have closed: also says most large-scale garment industry investors have closed their factories and are investing in Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Myanmar & India.
- State Minister Shasheendra Rajapaksa says the Uma Oya project will add 120 MW to the national grid by 25th February’24 and boost SL’s energy security.
- Secretary to the President Saman Ekanayake appoints a new Board of Directors to SL Telecom which is to be privatised shortly: Chairman – A K D D D Arandara: Board Members – Dr K A S Keeragala, Dinesh Vidanapathirana, Professor K M Liyanage, Dr D M I S Dassanayake & Chathura Mohottigedara.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the Govt is considering leasing state-owned plantations to SL companies or SL companies with foreign shareholders for the development of the food industry including confectionery: asks the confectionery industry to explore inter-cropping with cocoa; pledges Rs.8 bn for research & development.
- Police in Thailand arrest woman Sawangjit Kosoongnern, whose pet lion was videoed going on a joy-ride in the streets of Pattaya: the viral video shows the chained lion cub seated in the back of a white, open-top Bentley driven by a SL man who has since left the country, and is believed to be a friend of the woman.
- Colombo International School’s Reshan Algama, 15, recognised as the Most Outstanding Schools Golfer of 2023: accordingly, he will be chosen to be part of the Vision 2036 ‘Lion Warrior’ programme to develop SL athletes to take part in the 2036 Olympics.
