- Alleged Organised Crime Gang Leader Kanjipani Imran released on bail by Colombo Additional Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela upon his bail conditions of 2 sureties of Rs.50 mn, being met: Sri Lankan underworld figures Kimbulaele Guna, Ladiya, Vella Suranga arrested in Tamil Nadu, India over their alleged involvement in drugs and arms smuggling.
- Forbes & Walker Tea Brokers say Tea crop in the first 11 months of 2022 has dipped to 231.9 mn kgs: also say it’s the lowest recorded since 1995 where it recorded 225.7 mn kgs.
- As per Joint Apparel Association Forum provisional data, Apparel export industry suffered its 2nd consecutive month of decline YoY in November, although early success in 2022 has ensured that the year is heading to be a record year: November exports dropped 9% while October exports dropped 14%.
- Cabinet grants approval to proposal by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles to promote 8,312 male & 1,105 female police officers between the ranks of PCs & IPs to their next ranks.
- Latest Treasury Bond auction raises only Rs.124 bn out of Rs.160 bn: as a result, Central Bank “prints” Rs.64 bn to meet debt repayments: bulk of domestic debts now being settled via “money printing” as no other funding sources are available.
- Cabinet approves draft Bill to bolster Central Bank autonomy: such approval said to be a vital precondition to unlock pending IMF’s USD 2.9 bn bailout: latest version of Bill not yet available, but said to be designed to end the Central Bank’s participation in Govt Treasury auctions.
- UNP’s Navin Dissanayake says Treasury should state whether it is possible to allocate Rs.10 bn needed for local govt elections: also says the UNP should be “fairly” represented in an alliance with the SLPP.
- Inter University Students Federation to meet with all political parties and groups of the Opposition to canvass support against Govt’s continued detention of IUSF Convenor Wasantha Mudalige under PTA.
- Govt seeks expert opinions on the disposal of USD 40 mn worth expired COVID-19 vaccines: previous plans to donate the excess vaccines to Myanmar fails: validity of the 6 mn vaccines due to expire on 31st December.
- SLPP’s “Independent” MP Dr Nalaka Godahewa says coal shipments are being delayed because of Govt’s attempts to issue a contract for procurement notwithstanding the Cabinet approval to buy coal at the lowest available rate: analysts say any delays in coal procurement will lead to lengthy power-cuts
