- Finance Ministry said to be weighing proposals to enforce a tax on 3 main export crops – tea, coconut and rubber in line with commitments made to the IMF: key reforms of SOEs also under consideration.
- More tax increases expected in Budget 2023: IRD to collect over Rs.1 trillion in tax next year: more expected from Customs, Excise and BOI: vehicle import ban to continue.
- Government’s tax revenue target for 2023 to be increased to Rs.3,500 bn from Rs.2,056 bn in 2022: an increase of over 70%: IMF prescription likely to lead to Wealth tax, Land & Property tax and Death Duty as well.
- TNA MP M A Sumanthiran accuses the highest judiciary of “swinging like a pendulum”: says Supreme Court Justices appear to be unable to read and understand their own determinations of a few years earlier.
- Cardinal Ranjith says that there’s no need to seek int’l assistance to probe Easter Sunday attacks: says what’s needed is to “depoliticize” the local investigation process.
- Norochcholai Coal Power Plant likely to run out of coal soon: future supplies for the Plant that generates 40% of demand, uncertain: sources indicate 4 coal shipments have been ordered, but only one has been paid for: the entire coal used from April to October was paid prior to 31st March 2022.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe pardons 8 former LTTE cadres who were convicted by Courts.
- Secretary, Ministry of Energy Mapa Pathirana says fuel procurement process may have to be changed if forex shortage persists: laments making oil purchases in the dollar-strapped environment is “problematic”.
- Ceramic and Glass Industry Council Member Aravinda Perera says Sri Lanka will reach self-sufficiency in the mainly import-based tile & bathware industry by next year: reason attributed is the Government’s import ban on those products.
- Sri Lanka beats Ireland by 9 wickets in the ICC World Cup T20 Group match: Ireland 128/8 (20 overs): Sri Lanka 133/1 (15 overs).
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 24/10
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