- IMF states Sri Lanka will record the lowest growth rate among 30 Asian ‘Emerging Markets and Developing Economies’ in 2022: forecasts contraction by 8.7% in 2022: contraction of 3% in 2023: no forecast from 2024 to 2026: forecasts growth of 3.1% in 2027.
- IMF Chief Kristalina Georgieva says the IMF wants equal treatment to all creditors: says the Agency is also pressing for an effective debt resolution mechanism: seeks ways to expand donor coordination to middle-income countries like Sri Lanka.
- “Paris Club” reaches out to China and India to coordinate Sri Lanka’s debt talks: but, say they have still not received a reply from either country.
- UNP Chairman & MP Vajira Abeywardene says elections will be held only after national policy framework to stabilize the nation is formulated: rules out an election soon: also says it is essential to reduce number of local government members to 4000 from 8000, and abolish the preferential voting system.
- President’s Chief-of-Staff Sagala Ratnayake says discussions with regards the insurance claim for MV X-Press Pearl disaster amounting to millions of dollars have been successful.
- Specialist doctor complains to CID that Thilini Priyamali, who has allegedly misappropriated large sums of money, had “taken” Rs.750 mn from him: another multi millionaire woman also complains that Priyamali “took” Rs.45 mn from her.
- Central Bank T-Bond borrowings interest rates rise further to astronomical heights: 3-year Bonds @ 31.93% : 7 year Bonds @ 30.85% : analysts say this week’s auction alone cost the government an additional Rs.22.5 bn, when compared with rates prevailing at end-March 22.
- Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder meets CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe in Washington: says Bangladesh is hoping Sri Lanka will repay USD 200 mn owed to Bangladesh by March 2023.
- Department for Registration of Persons increases fees for issuing National Identity Cards: first time NIC Rs. 200: duplicate copies Rs.1,000.
- State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya warns legal action against people who come from abroad wearing gold jewellery exceeding limits: says country loses about USD 30 mn monthly due to smuggling of gold.
