- UNP Chairman and MP Wajira Abeywardena says Articles 147, 148, 149, 150 & 151 of the Constitution have been violated by announcing the country as being “bankrupt”: also says the sole UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe opposed the declaration: bankruptcy was announced without prior approval of the AG, MB, Cabinet, or Parliament, when Sabry was the Finance Minister.
- Foreign Minister Sabry says the previous Cabinet was “not aware” of the “dire” state of the economy: however, data shows then Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa submitted a comprehensive Cabinet memo re. the “Economy and Way Forward” on 3rd Jan 2022 and briefed the Cabinet re. the economic challenges & risks, and received the unanimous approval of the Cabinet for the home-grown “way forward plan”.
- Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says term and spot tenders by CPC fail to attract bids: also says CPC has evaluated 301 unsolicited proposals to supply fuel since 1st January, but awarded orders to 60 only, of which a mere 11 have materialised.
- Sri Lanka – 108 all out (19 overs) lose to Namibia 163/7 (20 overs) in the First Round Group A – ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Opener, in Australia.
- Senior defence ministry official says over 35,000 private gun holders must renew their firearm licences before 31st December.
- Authorities step up search for navy boat with 6 sailors that went missing a month ago: boat was on a regular patrol in the Indian Ocean off the Southern coast.
- Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says crude oil shipment of 99,000 MT from Russia awaits prior payment to discharge: also says payments not being made for 2 previous shipments of crude oil, resulted in the refinery being shut-down: laments another ship with 35,000MT of diesel is offshore, awaiting payment.
- Ceylon Chamber of Commerce Vice Chairman Duminda Hulangamuwa says Government will have to opt for a “haircut” on domestic debt if taxes are not raised as per the requirements of the IMF.
- Survey reveals that nearly 9834 undergrads gave up studies at state universities during the past 15 years due to brutal ragging by seniors: 9903 female undergrads had also been subject to sexual harassment by seniors.
- Disaster Management Centre says 3 people have died while 55,435 people from 13,902 families have been affected by several days of heavy rains, strong winds and severe lightning.
