Sri Lanka Original Narrative: 19/11

Date:

  1. SLPP Leader and former President Mahinda Rajapaksa marks his 77th birthday amongst family and friends with religious observances: large crowds throng his hometown in Tangalle, to greet him.
  2. UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara says the much-awaited IMF agreement may be delayed further till around mid-2023: if so, it will be over 15 months since Sri Lanka sought IMF help: previously CB Governor Dr Weerasinghe had stated IMF assistance would be forthcoming in a much shorter period.
  3. UNP Chairman and MP Wajira Abeywardene says Parliament hasn’t approved announcement of bankruptcy by a few officials: also says in most countries persons who did so without authority would have been jailed: calls for an immediate investigation into the matter: urges Parliament to take control of economy and not allow foreign forces to do so: asks Parliament to place cap on interest rates.
  4. Dissident SLPP MP Dr. Nalaka Godahewa says the Government has ignored youth in Budget 2023: also says 50% of population is under 35 years, while 25% is under 15: asserts the country can’t progress without focusing on youth needs & demands.
  5. Former Finance Minister and SLPP National Organizer Basil Rajapaksa due to return to Sri Lanka today: expected to reorganize the Party upon his arrival.
  6. Centre for Environmental Justice Chairman Ravindranath Dabare says Sri Lanka could file legal action in Singapore over the MV X-Press Pearl disaster: President Wickremesinghe has also instructed Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe to do so at the Int’l Court of Arbitration in Singapore.
  7. Police shoot & kill 2 alleged accomplices of notorious underworld gangster Uragaha Indika in a shoot-out at Minuwangoda: one Police officer also injured.
  8. Pivithiru Hela Urumaya Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila says issue of T-Bills to the Central Bank has increased by a staggering 55% under CB Governor Dr Weerasinghe compared to former Governor Cabraal: queries how “money printing” was considered inflationary at that time, but not now.
  9. CSE’s ASPI index closes 217 points lower at 7,818: lowest since 1st August: crashes for 5th straight session: brokers say it’s because of high taxes & fees, Government’s indecisive stance re. local debt restructuring, and incomplete information re. impending IMF deal.
  10. Top Cricketer Danushka Gunathilake who had been accused of sexual assault by a Australian woman introduced via a “dating website”, granted bail by a Magistrate Court in Sydney: Gunathilake due to reside in a wealthy Sri Lankan’s house during the period of his bail.

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

Popular

More like this
Related

US Tariff Cut Not Enough: Sri Lanka’s Seafood Exports Struggle to Stay Afloat

US Tariff Cut Not Enough: Sri Lanka’s Seafood Exports Struggle to Stay Afloat

Apparel Industry Warns of Cost Hike amid Renewed Threat of Hidden Port Charges

Apparel Industry Warns of Cost Hike amid Renewed Threat of Hidden Port Charges

Sri Lanka Rises in Global Investor Rankings as FDI Momentum Builds in 2025

Sri Lanka Rises in Global Investor Rankings as FDI Momentum Builds in 2025

SLPA Sets Up New Company for Colombo Port’s East Terminal amid Delays and Irregularities

SLPA Sets Up New Company for Colombo Port’s East Terminal amid Delays and Irregularities