- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has directed the Ministry of Finance to implement measures to enhance the efficiency and resilience of Sri Lanka’s financial system. The President provided these instructions during a discussion with Finance Ministry officials at the Presidential Secretariat.
- The Excise Department secured a record revenue of over Rs.200 billion by November 30, the first time in its 120-year history that revenue exceeded this amount. Excise Department’s projected revenue for 2024 was Rs. 232 billion.
- Sri Lanka Customs said that as of 5.30 p.m. the private sector has imported 1,900 metric tonnes of rice from India since December 10, 2024. Meanwhile, the Essential Food Commodities Importers & Traders Association says that if the Customs Duty on imported rice is reduced by Rs. 15, it would be possible to sell rice at the maximum retail price.
- A donation of 55,000 metric tonnes of Muriate of Potash (MOP) fertilizer, also known as ‘Bandi Pohora,’ has been handed over to the Government of Sri Lanka under the World Food Programme (WFP). The event was attended by ministers, including the Minister of Agriculture, K.D. Lalkantha, the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, and other officials.
- The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange recorded a new all-time high, surpassing the 14,000 points mark for the first time in history. Accordingly, the index has increased by 150.72 points (1.09%) to close at 14,035.81, a new all-time high.
- The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has finally announced the four names nominated to fill its remaining National List MP seats in Parliament. Accordingly, the main opposition party has named Mano Ganesan, Nizam Kariapper, Sujeewa Senasinghe and Mohamed Ismail for the remaining four National List MP posts.
- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) yesterday pledged its support to the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to create a developed and prosperous nation. During a high-level meeting at the Presidential Secretariat UAE Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Khaled Nasser Al-Ameri, assured President Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the UAE’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
- The Supreme Court has ruled that the arrest and detention of the former Governor of Western Province Azath Salley, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) in 2021 was illegal. Accordingly, the Supreme Court also ordered the respondents to pay Rs. 75,000 as compensation to the plaintiff.
- Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), J.D. Rajakaruna, has refuted reports suggesting that a fuel shipment was turned away, threatening Sri Lanka’s fuel supply. Addressing a government media briefing Rajakaruna clarified that a United Petroleum shipment of 30,000 metric tonnes of fuel arrived in Sri Lanka on December 2 but left without offloading due to internal issues.
- An Indian national, who is the owner of the ‘Galle Marvels’ team in the Lanka T10 Super League, has been arrested by police over allegations of match-fixing. He has reportedly been arrested in Pallekele in Kandy for allegedly approaching a player to fix matches and is due to be produced before court tomorrow.
