- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, speaking at an election rally in Trincomalee, emphasised the government’s commitment to establishing equal law for all Sinhala, Tamil, and Muslim citizens: called on Trincomalee residents to help form a government that promotes peace and unity, whilst expressing confidence in the National People’s Power’s ability to gain the trust of all communities across the country.
- SJB’s Gampaha District Team Leader, former MP Harshana Rajakaruna says a group of educated and intelligent youths will contest under his party for the Gampaha District at the 2024 Parliamentary Election: urges the public to not vote without knowing who will be contesting the polls from the electorate they live in: stresses appointing an MP per will following the securing of votes for a mere political symbol is antidemocratic and such a system, therefore, should be changed.
- Ex-President Ranil Wickremesinghe urges the immediate implementation of the legal Cabinet decision he made as Finance Minister to raise public servant salaries: emphasises that if not enacted, the government should clarify where the allocated funds have gone: also criticises delays, stressing the necessity of the salary hike to ease the public’s financial burdens and uphold the Cabinet’s legal decision.
- The new government’s budget will be presented in February or March 2025, featuring measures to support various demographics and boost economic growth: Key components include salary increases for public servants, allowances for school supplies, and higher pensions for the elderly, although these allowances are not meant to be permanent.
- The Ministry of Public Administration informs 14 former ministers to vacate their official residences by the 30th of this month: They have also been instructed to settle outstanding utility bills, including water and electricity, before returning the properties: The ministry will only accept the residences after confirming that all payments have been completed.
- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) records a statement from the Director of Transport at the President’s Office regarding the disappearance of 29 vehicles, including motorcycles: This investigation follows a complaint by the Presidential Secretary: The Director’s statement lasted several hours, and he has been asked to provide further details within two weeks.
- The Maldivian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Masood Imad, met with Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.) at the Defence Headquarters in Sri Jayewardenepura: discuss enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation: Mementoes were exchanged, with officials including Air Vice Marshal Padman De Costa and Colonel Hassan Amir also in attendance.
- Former MP Johnston Fernando was arrested by the CID over an illegally assembled luxury vehicle allegedly belonging to him, found at a Colombo hotel: remanded until October 30 by the Colombo Fort Magistrate: Meanwhile, a High Court arrest warrant was issued against him for failing to appear in court regarding a separate case involving the misuse of Sathosa employees.
- Ten Iranian nationals were sentenced to life imprisonment by the Negombo High Court after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle 146 kg of heroin into Sri Lanka by sea from Pakistan: They were part of a group of 17 individuals arrested during the operation: The sentencing was delivered by High Court Judge Pamila Ratnayake.
- Sri Lanka secure a 5-wicket victory over the West Indies in the second ODI at Pallekele International Stadium, clinching the three-match series 2-0: Captain Charith Asalanka led with an unbeaten half-century, supported by Nishan Madushka and Sadeera Samarawickrama, who both scored 38: West Indies, bowled out for 189, struggled despite Sherfane Rutherford’s 80 runs, while Gudakesh Motie’s 50 not out helped salvage the innings.
