- UN FAO Director General Dr. Qu Dongyu visits President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the Presidential Secretariat, praising his leadership during Sri Lanka’s economic challenges: assures continued FAO support, while President Wickremesinghe outlines recovery efforts, emphasising the need for an agriculture modernisation project.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the government has failed in its inability to serve the people in a bankrupt country: stresses the government has not been able to reach an IMF agreement favouring the citizens of Sri Lanka: laments it favours the rich rather than protecting the people: adds that the Online Safety Act and Anti-Terrorism Act are being used to restrict people’s freedom and bar their right to know the truth.
- Renowned human rights activist, Attorney-at-Law S.G. Punchihewa donates his well-known library to the National Peoples Power (NPP): says the NPP is an ‘excellent creation’ in the field of politics in Sri Lanka.
- The Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of sections in the Anti-Terrorism Bill, stating that some sections require a special majority vote in Parliament: Article 62/1 would require both a special majority vote and a referendum for approval: Deputy Speaker Ajith Rajapaksa presented the determination to Parliament.
- Iranian Foreign Minister Dr. Hossein Amir Abdollahia begins a three-day visit to Sri Lanka: His visit includes meetings with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena: Official discussions with Minister Sabry are scheduled at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Education Minister Susil Premajayantha announces the launch of a digital education pilot project in March 2024, with Microsoft aiding in teacher training.
- The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) praises Canada’s Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre for pledging to pursue legal action against Sri Lanka for alleged war crimes, including genocide, through international avenues like the ICJ and Magnitsky sanctions: Poilievre aims to advocate for accountability at the UN and elsewhere, aligning with Canadian values: stresses the need for accountability amid ongoing racial violence against Tamils in Sri Lanka, advocating for peaceful, democratic solutions and international support.
- US Ambassador Julie Chung expresses significant concerns regarding Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill, highlighting procedural flaws, ambiguous intentions, and potential threats to freedom of expression: stresses shortcomings in stakeholder engagement, cautions against misuse of the bill to suppress lawful expression, and questions the effectiveness of proposed amendments: urges the government to address citizen concerns and prioritise indigenous perspectives alongside international considerations.
- Ex PUCSL chairman Janaka Ratnayaka criticises the current chairman’s handling of a public consultation on electricity tariff revision, deeming it inappropriate and unacceptable: stresses the importance of selecting qualified members for independent commissions like the PUCSL: adds that there is a need for proper representation, especially from the business community, in the commission’s composition.
- Sadeera Samarawickrama (51) and Angelo Mathews (42n.o) add 66 runs sixth wicket stand as SL recorded 72 runs win over Afghanistan in their second T-20 game played at Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium: The victory also marked 2-0 series win with one game to spare and Sri Lankan dominated both games: The first game won with thrilling 4 runs margin but it was fine team effort to beat them more comfortably with 72 runs margin.
