- Fitch downgrades Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Local-currency debt rating by two notches to “CC” from “CCC”: cites probable local-currency debt default in the face of high interest costs and tight domestic financing conditions: foreign currency debt rating is already at ‘RD’ or in default territory.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says Sri Lanka can be made a “regional hub” for education.
- State Minister of Finance Shehan Semasinghe says the deadline for filing income tax returns has been extended by another week from 30th November: no penalty to be charged during that period.
- Minister of Tourism Harin Fernando says Sri Lanka aims to attract 1.5mn tourists in 2023: expects several airlines to fly into the island: also says the real objective is to achieve around 3 mn tourists in 2024.
- PUC Chairman Janaka Ratnayake says crisis brewing re. procurement of coal for the Norochcholai Coal Power-Plant: says 38 coal shipments are needed before 30th April 2023: warns of extended power cuts if procurement is not done in time: risk exists that state-run Lanka Coal Company may not have sufficient rupee or forex funds to pay for those purchases.
- Sri Jayewardenepura University Professor Meththika Vithanage contradicts Foreign Minister Ali Sabry’s claim that the burial of Covid-19 victims could have been allowed, but not done due to opinions expressed by experts: queries as to why the Govt listened to expert opinions only in this case and not in others.
- PUC Chairman Janaka Ratnayake says the Electricity Board has not requested an electricity tariff revision and there is also no requirement for a tariff revision at this time.
- Members of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus promote activism to end violence against women and girls: call upon government and all other stakeholders to unite to fight against such violence.
- State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon says the tri-forces will not be downsized, but right-sized.
- CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe asks banks not to compete with each other for deposits: laments some banks are offering 30% for deposits, while 3-month T-Bills at CBSL auctions are today at over 33%.
