- Port Trade Union activists say a ship carrying 99,000 MT of crude oil has been outside the Colombo Port for 44 days without unloading as the payment of USD 70 mn is outstanding: delay charges so far, rise to a staggering Rs.2,500 mn.
- Ratings agency S&P downgrades Sri Lanka’s bonds to ‘D’ from ‘CC’: affirms ‘SD’ long-term and ‘SD’ short-term Forex sovereign rating: canard that a prior-announced “soft” default will lead to the preservation of the financial “status quo”, invalidated.
- Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says there was absolutely no necessity for the hurried, inexplicable and suspicious “debt default” of 12th April 2022: asserts default was announced without required formal approvals: also says adequate “bridging finance” was forthcoming from China, India and “Green bonds”.
- John Keells Holdings Chairman Krishan Balendra says JKH will seek “gaming operators” for its flagship project “Cinnamon Life”: says opportunity arose after the government formalized process of issuing licences and monitoring casino operations.
- State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says proposed taxes is only to ensure there is no economic crisis in the future: assures the current economic crisis will end soon.
- Reports emerge the Govt has put on hold, the proposed investment in LNG operations by US’s New Fortress Energy, although the Supreme Court has dismissed the petitions against it: State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says the project is being reviewed in conformity with the policy of the new government.
- Education Minister Susil Premajayanth says the present dress code for school teachers will not be changed under any circumstances.
- Cardinal Ranjith says the 21st Amendment contains a clause that if a Sri Lankan citizen lodges a complaint against the Govt or a Govt body at the UN or any UN-affiliated organisation, their civic rights could be removed for up to 20 years.
- Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry says deaths from dengue have risen to 60 by end October: mainly children: infections 62,184 (last year 35,924): outbreak feared in next 2 months.
- Sri Lanka crashes out of the ongoing T20 Cricket World Cup 2022 after Australia registers 4-run win over Afghanistan in their final Super 12 match.
