- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake held a discussion with small and medium-scale rice mill owners at the Presidential Secretariat: The meeting focused on ensuring a continuous and affordable rice supply, improving storage facilities, and addressing concerns about declining Nadu rice availability: The President also proposed a QR code system to streamline fertiliser subsidies and boost domestic agricultural production.
- Gayantha Karunatilake, the Samagi Jana Balayawegaya (SJB) MP for Galle District, has been appointed as the Chief Opposition Whip in Parliament: This announcement was made by MP Harshana Rajakaruna, highlighting Karunatilake’s new role in leading the opposition’s parliamentary activities and ensuring party discipline within the legislative body.
- The government plans to auction or repurpose 344 luxury vehicles previously used by former ministers and presidents: In line with its election manifesto, it will discontinue state-owned bungalows for ministers and eliminate duty-free vehicle permits for MPs: Instead, MPs will receive cost-effective vehicles: The government will also end pension benefits for MPs and seek Cabinet approval to auction the identified vehicles.
- The Election Commission has instructed candidates from the 2024 General Election, along with party secretaries and independent group leaders, to submit their expense reports by December 6, 2024: Reports must be submitted to the respective District Returning Officer or the commission for National List candidates: Special units will be set up to assist with submissions, and failure to comply will result in legal action.
- The Attorney General’s Department informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers recommended not re-conducting the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, citing the mental stress on students and the impact on the examination calendar: This decision follows three Fundamental Rights petitions seeking to cancel the exam: The Supreme Court will hear the matter on December 11, 2024.
- The deadline for submitting applications for the 2024 (2025) G.C.E. Ordinary Level examination has been extended to December 10, 2024, due to recent adverse weather conditions: Applications must be submitted online via the Department of Examinations’ official websites: School applicants should apply through their principals, while private candidates can apply directly: For inquiries, the department provided contact details.
- The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued a Level 1 (Yellow) landslide warning for several areas in six districts, including Badulla, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale, and Nuwara-Eliya, due to ongoing heavy rainfall: The warning is effective until 4:00 p.m. on December 3 and covers multiple Divisional Secretariat Divisions in these districts.
- The report of the committee tasked with reviewing the allowances, perks, and privileges of Members of Parliament, Ministers, and former Presidents has been submitted to President Anura Kumara Dissanayke: The report, led by former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, was handed over at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (02).
- The Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court granted bail to Kelum Harshana, arrested for allegedly promoting LTTE ‘Mahaviru’ celebrations: The court ruled that the charges did not prove promotion of terrorism: On November 30, the CID arrested three individuals for causing public disturbance by sharing images and videos related to LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on social media, misrepresenting past celebrations.
- Dilruwan Perera has stepped down from the National Selection Committee (NSC) to take up the role of Spin Bowling Coach for Sri Lanka’s Under-19 team: Perera, a former successful Sri Lankan spinner, resigned after serving on the NSC since December 2023: He is currently in the UAE with the U-19 team, acting as Head Coach for the Asia Cup series.
