- UK issues updated travel advisory: says Sri Lanka is in a severe economic crisis with acute shortages of medicine, gas, fuel and food which are affecting transport, businesses and emergency services: warns hospitals and medical services may be affected: meanwhile, CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe claims the situation is now near normal after the debt default.
- All Ceylon General Employees’ Union says it would resist the sale of the East Container Terminal, to Japan: claims it fought to free the terminal from Indian control: urges President not to offer ECT to Japan: warns of trade union action if warning is not needed.
- Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardane says Cabinet granted approval to upgrade Amparai and Mannar Urban Councils to Municipal Council status.
- Minister of Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says the Uma Oya project will add 120MW of Hydro power to the National Grid: also says officials have assured that construction will be completed by end-April and power connection to the national grid will be completed by June 2023.
- Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court further remands Convener of Inter University Students’ Federation Wasantha Mudalige till 17th January 2023 for alleged offences under Prevention of Terrorism Act: previously, he was detained under the PTA for 90 days via a Detention Order.
- Sri Lankan Accountant Vajira Jayasuriya receives Australia’s “Best Accountant” Annual Award: it’s the first time a Sri Lankan has won this award.
- Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says not a single dollar was used by the Monetary Board during his tenure of office as Governor to “defend” the Rupee: refutes such claims by State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya: asserts the identical policy re. the management of the Rupee is being followed by the present Monetary Board as well.
- SJB MP Harsha Silva calls on the Govt to reduce taxes on professionals to resolve the present brain-drain: says many in healthcare, IT, engineering & architecture sectors are seeking decreases in taxes: Silva has always been an ardent advocate for higher Govt revenue.
- Elections Commission Chairman S G Punchihewa says Nominations to elect 8,327 members for 24 Municipal Councils, 41 Urban Councils and 276 Pradeshiya Sabhas will be issued within 5 working days of the final week of December.
- Sri Lankan Senaka Weeraratna claims ownership of the widely used Decision Review System system in Cricket: requests ICC to accept his claim: says the DRS concept was conceived by him in 1997.
SRI LANKA ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SUMMARY: 14/12
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