- Bangladesh’s Central Bank prohibits banks in the country from carrying out transactions with Sri Lanka through the Asian Clearing Union system: ACU allows participating countries to settle payments for import & export intra-regional transactions: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Iran, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are members of ACU.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe extends the Justice A H M D Nawaz Commission established to ascertain whether earlier Commissions of Inquiry and Committees that looked into human rights violations have revealed any serious violations of international humanitarian laws.
- Owing to the defunct state of the Sapugaskanda Oil Refinery, Kelanitissa Power Station lowers output: Kerawalapitiya Yugadanavi Plant suspends operations due to lack of sufficient diesel and naphtha: national grid loses approximately 165 MW.
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank pledges support for countries facing serious debt problems: earmarks USD100 mn for “crisis hit” Sri Lanka.
- SLPP Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa says the SLPP will rise again: asserts it will also formulate the programme to rebuild the country by overcoming the prevailing crisis: also says the SLPP has received a “good response” from the people during its “Ekwa Negitimu” (Let’s Rise Together) rallies.
- General Secretary of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Sagara Kariyawasam emphasizes that dual citizens should be allowed to serve in Parliament: cites example of newly appointed British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a Hindu of Indian origin.
- Two Australian Navy ships, “Adelaide” and “Anzac” depart from Sri Lanka after a successful Passage Exercise conducted with Sri Lanka Navy ships “Sayurala” and “Sindurala”.
- MP Wimal Weerawansa’s Counsel challenges the maintainability of the corruption case filed against him by the Bribery Commission.
- State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says taxes need to be handled carefully in the challenging economic climate: adds that it is the responsibility of the entire country to “keep the poor alive”.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe places Telecommunications Regulatory Commission under the purview of the Ministry of Technology: previously, it was under the Ministry of Defence.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 28/10
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