- Census and Statistics Dept says GDP for 3rd quarter of 2022 contracted by 11.8%; 2nd quarter contraction was 8.4%: Agriculture -8.7%, Industry -21.2%, Services -2.6%: the industry sector decline was higher than even during the COVID lockdown period, and the highest ever in history.
- CEB Engineers’ Union Chairman Nihal Weeraratne warns of extended power cuts of around 7 hours a day from March without coal to keep the Norochcholai Power Station’s operating: coal unable to be secured due to Forex shortage even after external debts of USD 3.9 bn due from April to December 2022 has not been settled since the default announcement on 12th April 2022.
- State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe expresses thanks to bi-lateral creditors for “participating” at the 3rd meeting of officials on debt treatment process: appreciate “progressive and constructive engagements”: talks now on-going for over 9 months without any finality.
- Deputy Chief of the Chinese Embassy, Hu Wei visits Eastern Province: assures China’s continued assistance to people of all communities to overcome current challenges: follows up distribution of China’s recent donations of 10.6 mn litres diesel, 9,000 MT of rice and 100 sets of solar street-lights.
- COPE Chairman MP Professor Ranjith Bandara says the SLPP will contest future elections together with 15 other parties and the UNP through a broad coalition.
- French Ambassador Jean-Francois Pactet says Euro 400 mn worth French funded projects covering water supply, sewerage & sanitation and waste management, etc. have been put on hold as a result of Sri Lanka’s debt default in April 2022: also says France is Sri Lanka’s 4th largest bilateral “aid donor”: however analysts point out France is not a “donor”, but a “lender”.
- Dinesh Schaffter (52), a Director of a top corporate Group, found tied inside a car with critical injuries at the General Cemetery, Borella: admitted to Colombo National Hospital: passes away while being treated.
- Private plaint filed by NGO activist Keerthi Tennekoon against former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal postponed till 17th January by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela: Complainant’s Counsel fail to file written objections to the preliminary objections raised by Cabraal’s Counsel and ask for further time: Cabraal’s overseas travel ban not extended.
- All-Ceylon General Port Employee Union General Secretary Niroshan Gorakanage says 34 Port Unions will resort to strike action if the Govt tries to sell the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Port: warns 90,000 workers in Sri Lankan ports will come together to protect this national asset.
- Dunith Wellalage of St. Joseph’s College, Colombo and Vishmi Gunaratne of Ratnavali Balika MV, Gampaha crowned “The 44th Observer SLT-Mobitel School-boy and School-girl Cricketer of the Year 2022” respectively: receive their awards from former Sri Lanka captain and iconic Cricketer Aravinda de Silva.
