- A high-level IMF delegation arrived in Sri Lanka on 2 October to engage with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government, discussing progress on the $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and the release of its fourth tranche: The meeting, featuring Sri Lanka’s Economic Policy Council, reviewed IMF programme achievements, with the IMF praising recent positive developments in Sri Lanka’s economic outlook.
- Samagi Jana Sandanaya (SJS) leaders announce their willingness to cooperate with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake if they win a parliamentary majority in the upcoming General Election: Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Kabir Hashim, Mano Ganesan, Dayasiri Jayasekera, and Dullas Alahapperuma emphasise they would not undermine Dissanayake’s efforts and urged voters not to grant the ruling party a parliamentary majority.
- Political parties that supported ex President Ranil Wickremesinghe in the recent Presidential Election plan to contest the upcoming General Election under the New Democratic Front (NDF) with the ‘Gas Cylinder’ symbol: If the Election Commission denies this, they may contest under the ‘Elephant’ or another common symbol: Former MPs gathered to finalise their decision at Wickremesinghe’s Election Operations office.
- Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, congratulating him on his recent election victory: reaffirms China’s commitment to enhancing bilateral relations and supporting Sri Lanka’s development projects: highlights China Development Bank and EXIM Bank’s involvement in debt restructuring, underscoring China’s dedication to Sri Lanka’s economic stability and growth.
- Senior Professor Raj Somadeva reveals excavations at Colombo Port uncover eight human skeletons, with two already excavated and under police protection: The skeletal remains were first discovered on 13th July, leading to two excavation phases: The third phase is set for 17th October, as investigations continue to uncover the origins and context of these remains.
- To celebrate World Children’s Day 2024, Sri Lanka Insurance Life (SLIC) provides a free Rs. 1 million life insurance cover to parents of every child born on 1st October 2024 across all hospitals in Sri Lanka: This initiative, now in its third year, aims to promote life insurance and offer financial security to families, ensuring protection and stability for the nation’s children.
- The Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) advises Sri Lankans planning to travel to Israel to suspend their plans due to escalating regional conflict: Approximately 12,000 Sri Lankans work in Israel, mostly in construction and caregiving, with no reports of casualties: urges Sri Lankans to stay in contact with embassies for assistance, especially those seeking repatriation.
- Buddhist Affairs Co-ordinator Chairman Ven. Dr. Sasthrapathi Galagama Dammaransi Nayaka Thera says the recent Presidential election showed a shift away from voting based on religion, race, or clan: emphasises that people rejected racism, religious division, and corruption: highlights the worsening social and economic issues and called for efforts to promote religious harmony and unity across the nation.
- A delegation from the University of Jaffna’s Medical Faculty, led by Prof. R. Surenthirakumaran, visits Singapore to discuss advancing healthcare in Northern Sri Lanka, particularly focusing on maternal, child healthcare, and day surgery services: Collaborating with SingHealth, the delegation aims to enhance healthcare infrastructure through international partnerships: The visit is part of ongoing efforts by the Jaffna Regional Collaborating Centre to transform healthcare outcomes in the region.
- Sri Lankan cricketer Praveen Jayawickrama has been banned by the ICC for one year, with six months suspended, after admitting to breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code: He obstructed an investigation by the Anti-Corruption Unit and deleted relevant evidence: The charges stem from his failure to report a fixing approach during international matches and the 2021 Lanka Premier League.
