- Air France and Royal Dutch Airlines to resume 4 flights to Sri Lanka from 4th November: previously, Russia’s Aeroflot also resumed flights to Sri Lanka after halting flights due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Central Bank “prints” another Rs.29 bn last week to bring the total T-Bills issued during Gov. Weerasinghe’s 196-day tenor so far to a staggering Rs.683 bn, at an average of Rs.3.5 bn per day: in comparison, during Gov. Cabraal’s tenure, the average was Rs.2.2 bn per day: increase – 59%.
- Chancellor of Ruhuna University Ven Akuratiye Nanda Thera says President Wickremesinghe has set an example to the world by the 22nd Amendment which relinquishes dictatorial powers of the Executive Presidency and empowers Parliament.
- Tissamaharama Rice Producers Association Chairman W H Gamini says the rice mills have decided to stop buying paddy because of the additional 2.5% social security tax: warn that, as a result, around 75% of small and medium scale rice mills will close.
- Fitch Ratings warns forex reserves are currently insufficient to cover even 1 month of imports: says shortage will not ease in the next 12-18 months: Forex reserves were USD 1,917 at end March 22, but has dropped to USD 1,777 at end September, even after defaulting on debt, rationing fuel and stopping “on-account” payments.
- Presidential Debt Advisor Dr Shantha Devarajan says the government must not treat tax policies as a “complicated” matter: says people should be consulted about taxes: previously, he recommended Sri Lanka’s debt default and said it will be a “soft” default if announced earlier.
- Professor of Geology at the Peradeniya University Atula Senaratne says the 5-km long bund of the “Yoda Wewa” in Mannar has a number of cracks, some of which were as wide as 3 inches.
- Expert in Maritime Law Dr. Malika Gunasekera says Sri Lankan authorities should claim further pollution damages from the MV X-Press Pearl disaster: also says DG of Merchant Shipping should obtain a bank guarantee for the full claim before the wreck is released to the salvage company.
- College of Oncologists say 4,447 breast cancer cases were identified in 2019: approximately 12 cases and 2 deaths per day, on average.
- Colombo Stock Market investors skeptical over prospects, last week: ASPI declines 408 points (4.49%): daily turnover drops to an average of Rs.1,620 mn from Rs.2,564 mn the previous week.
