- Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Takafumi Kadono and a delegation met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, reaffirming ADB’s commitment to Sri Lanka’s economic recovery: discuss projects in tourism, particularly the Northern Region, energy, small-scale entrepreneurship, and the financial sector: emphasise its focus on developing tourism infrastructure and sectors critical for sustainable growth and long-term recovery.
- SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa issues a statement criticising the recent arrest of YouTuber Kalpa Gunaratne at the Colombo International Bookfair on 3 October: questions the police’s actions and calls for an impartial investigation: emphasises citizens have the right to engage in citizen journalism, which should not be suppressed by authorities.
- UNP Deputy Leader Ruwan Wijewardene refutes allegations against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, denying claims about foreign chefs, food, and security changes: condemns the social media smear campaign and affirms that Wickremesinghe’s security remains intact: clarifies Wickremesinghe and his wife did not misuse the President’s House and urges critics to focus on governing responsibly, rather than spreading false information.
- The World Bank and Sri Lanka sign the Second Resilience, Stability, and Economic Turnaround (RESET) Development Policy Operation (DPO) for $200 million, supporting reforms to boost economic governance, growth, and protect vulnerable groups: This builds on a previous $500 million operation: Key measures include improving public debt management, tax reforms, enhancing services, export competitiveness, and revitalising social protection systems.
- The Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations against Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), Kanishka Wijeratne, agrees to resign following the Supreme Court’s decision to allow three Fundamental Rights applications challenging his appointment to proceed.
- Elephant deaths in Sri Lanka decrease this year, with 277 fatalities reported up to October, compared to 488 last year: The Department of Wildlife Conservation attributes many deaths to illegal electric fences erected by farmers: Removing illegal fences and improving standards for legal ones reduced electrocutions to 35, down from 70 last year: A journal was developed to reduce fatalities further.
- The All Island Poultry Farmers’ Association urges for the stabilisation of poultry feed prices, as excess egg supply and reduced demand, partly due to declining tourist arrivals, have caused market prices to drop below production costs: Association President Ajith Gunasekera warns without price stabilisation, poultry farmers may stop supplying eggs.
- Sri Lanka’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT) reports over 9,000 cybercrime incidents between August and September, with 80% involving social media: Engineer Charuka Damunupola highlights increasing cyber threats, including 1,400 online fraud cases, 85 involving child cyber-bullying, and 40 cases of online sexual abuse: The data underscores the urgent need for stronger protective measures and public awareness to combat rising cybercrime.
- Tragedy befalls an 18-year-old student from an international school as she tragically fell to her death from the 29th floor observation deck of the Lotus Tower in Colombo: Police confirm that the student, in civilian clothes, jumped from the tower: Support services, including the National Mental Health Helpline and Sumithrayo, are available for those in crisis.
- The ICC announces the nominees for September’s Player of the Month awards: For the men, Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya and Kamindu Mendis, along with Australia’s Travis Head, are shortlisted: England’s Tammy Beaumont, Ireland’s Aimee Maguire, and UAE’s Esha Oza are the women’s nominees: The awards celebrate top performances in international cricket, with winners decided by the ICC Voting Academy and fans.
