- UNDP Assistant Secretary General Kanni Wignaraja meets with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss governance, constitutional reforms, and Sri Lanka’s electoral system: focuses on women’s economic participation, challenges in rural financial literacy, and improving agricultural productivity: pledges support for anti-corruption efforts, reforms, and women’s empowerment, and the President highlights plans to strengthen farmers’ associations and the microfinance sector.
- Former MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who is contesting the upcoming Parliamentary Election from Kurunegala District under the Samagi Jana Sandhanaya says Sri Lanka so far witnessed a Parliament under the jurisdiction of the President, and in this Election, therefore, a strong Parliament not subjugated to the Head of State must be created: emphasises that a Parliament not under a President’s shadow is a timely accurate requirement for the nation.
- Sri Lanka together with 39 other nations vehemently condemns the recent attacks against UN peacekeepers in Lebanon by Israeli forces: Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath expresses deep regret over the attacks on two Sri Lankan peacekeepers in Lebanon: emphasises Sri Lanka’s concern about the Middle East crisis, calling for a Gaza ceasefire and a two-state solution: also highlights progress in Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring and economic recovery efforts, supported by the IMF and World Bank.
- Fathima Nada, a 14-year-old from Kattankudy, cycles to Colombo and hands a memorandum to Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya: Her appeal calls for urgent action to address the rising drug crisis affecting children and youth, as well as to prevent child abuse: The meeting took place at the Prime Minister’s Office.
- The Western Province Education Director announces all schools in the Colombo Education Zone will continue to remain closed today (15) due to adverse weather: Schools in the Gampaha, Kelaniya, Kolonnawa, and Kaduwela zones will also stay closed, following the decision made on Sunday (13): These zones were closed yesterday as well due to the ongoing inclement weather.
- The Colombo Magistrate Court hands down a six-month prison sentence to Director of W.M. Mendis Distilleries Arjun Aloysius along with two other executives for their failure to settle Rs. 3.5 billion in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT): The Inland Revenue Department filed the case against the company for defaulting on tax payments owed to the government from 2016 to 2019: An appeal filed by Aloysius and Anthony Randev Dinendra John demanding the nullification of the prison sentence was rejected.
- The Attorney General’s Department informs the Supreme Court that the Sri Lankan government will review the Mannar Wind Power Project involving India’s Adani Group: The review follows concerns raised by petitioners about environmental and community impacts: The Attorney General pledges to maintain the project’s status quo until a final decision is made after the general election: The Supreme Court orders any observations from the government’s end be informed before January 31, 2025.
- China seeks to deepen anti-fraud law enforcement cooperation with Sri Lanka following the arrest of several foreign online fraud suspects, including Chinese nationals: The Chinese Embassy supports Sri Lankan authorities in combating telecom and online fraud, which has impacted China’s image and relations: China is committed to joint efforts with Sri Lanka to curb fraud activities targeting citizens of both nations.
- SriLankan Airlines is investigating an incident on flight UL 607 from Sydney to Colombo on 21 September 2024, where the captain allegedly locked the female first officer out of the cockpit during a disagreement over a toilet break which led passengers anxious: The captain has been grounded pending the investigation: The airline is fully cooperating with authorities and emphasised its commitment to safety and regulatory compliance.
- Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis and England’s Tammy Beaumont have been named the ICC Players of the Month for September 2024: Mendis, awarded for his stellar Test performances, scored 451 runs in four matches, whilst Beaumont excelled in England’s short-format success: This marks Mendis’ second win, following his March 2024 accolade, and Beaumont’s second since February 2021.
