- Sri Lankan, 26 years, dies in human stampede in Seoul, South Korea, while at a Halloween celebration: total dead reported at 151 and injured at 80.
- SJB MP and Chairman, COPF Dr. Harsha de Silva expresses concern that IMF proposals are not shared with his Committee under the “pretext of sensitive information”: Silva has been one of the strongest advocates for an IMF programme: it’s now 7 -1/2 months since Sri Lanka sought IMF assistance: but no funds received while tough burdens have been placed on people.
- All Island Poultry Farmers’ Assn Chairman Ajith Gunasekera says the industry is
facing a shortage of raw materials for animal feed and difficulties in importing: poultry products likely to be in shortage from early next year. - State Engineering Corporation estimates the building repairs at the President’s House damaged during the “Aragalaya” protests at Rs.364.8 million: damage to the furniture, historic paintings, fitness centre equipment, and vehicles, not included.
- Team of entomologists affiliated to the Medical Research Institute detects two more new mosquito species: Culex cincetellus and Culex near infula.
- Nephew of Wild Life Minister Mahinda Amaraweera arrested and produced before Tissamaharama Magistrate over incident of “driving off-track” in Yala Park in violation of Wildlife laws: suspect arrested for “being a party to violating the wildlife park laws”, although not driving a vehicle: released on two surety bails of Rs 500,000 each.
- Bangladesh’s Central Bank, Bangladesh Bank, directs all banks in that country to only resort to “cash” deals and provide no credit to Sri Lankan banks: analysts say that move is another consequence of the hurried and unauthorized “debt default” announced on 12th April 2022.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe proposes Committee to look into ways of integrating Tamils of upcountry origin into society enabling them to enjoy the same status and privileges enjoyed by all others.
- TNA MP M A Sumanthiran says their leadership were told the European Union would assess the country’s human rights & political situation, and take into account the Govt’s promise to abolish the PTA, when Sri Lanka requests a further extension of GSP+.
- Parliament’s House Committee decides to increase MPs’ medical insurance by 500%, from Rs.200,000 to Rs.1 million: Speaker likely to forward proposal to Cabinet seeking approval.
