- Supreme Court grants “leave to proceed” in the FR petition challenging former President Maithripala Sirisena’s presidential pardon to Royal Park murder convict Jude Jayamaha.
- Cabinet cancels coal tender awarded on 25th August: selected supplier has not furnished the performance bond, citing concerns over on-going litigation and payment risk due to debt default: Lanka Coal decides to activate last year’s tender to make procurements.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe allows previously-banned weed-killer Glyphosate to be used for all crops in the next Maha season in a bid to boost agricultural production.
- Minister Dr Bandula Gunawardana says Sri Lanka Railways will sell scrap steel rails to earn foreign exchange amid a currency crisis.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe issues gazette declaring High Security Zones around Parliament, Supreme Court, High Court, Magistrate’s Court, Attorney General’s Dept, Presidential Secretariat, President’s House, Defence HQs and official residencies, PM’s Office, and Temple Trees.
- Central Bank officials inform investors that IMF approval of USD 2.9 bn loan is likely by year-end: however, inner sources say Ministry of Finance and CB actually believe the earliest date of disbursement, if all goes well, would be 2nd Quarter of 2023.
- Chinese Embassy says medicine worth RMB12.5mn (Rs.650mn) donated by China to Sri Lanka is on the way: also offers food and other humanitarian assistance valued at USD 400,000: requests PM Dinesh Gunawardena to provide a list of the country’s immediate requirements.
- Japanese Ambassador says Japan will support debt restructuring “negotiation process” so that Sri Lanka can reach the final agreement with IMF: also says it intends to play “constructive role” with other creditor countries including China and India.
- State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage proposes the growing of cannabis (ganja) and promoting it as an ayurvedic medicine: elaborates many new avenues to promote tourism.
- Peradeniya University starts project to provide students with opportunities to work part-time: programme to provide for students from all 9 faculties to engage in work within the university itself.
