- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says state officials are acting like Ukrainians & Russians who are fighting, instead of solving problems of the general public: also says about 50% of the people’s problems presented to him can be solved by officials.
- CB Governor Weerasinghe says Sri Lanka is waiting for financing assurances from bilateral creditors to tap into IMF loan: also says he has “shared all the information possible with bilateral creditors and now they will have to look at it and come back to him”: economists point out the proposed USD 2.9 bn IMF facility over 48 months is not even sufficient to meet 2 months of imports.
- Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says his Ministry will take action against tourists engaged in businesses without permission.
- Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene limits annual bonus payment to employees of commercial corporations, statutory boards and SOEs for 2022 to Rs.25,000: no bonus at loss-making entities: Siriwardene however approves increase of annual travelling allowance of Central Bank Senior Directors by a massive Rs.303,600 to Rs.1,154,100.
- Court orders immediate arrest of Peradeniya University Students’ Union President Anuruddha Withanage over the attack on former Vice Chancellor of the Peradeniya University and his son: also orders the extension of the remand of 12 students who were remanded previously.
- CEB says one of the 3 coal power plants at Norochcholai, presently generating 300 MW will be shut down from today to “manage the coal stocks” and routine maintenance: reduction in output to be covered by other sources: no change in the daily 2 hr & 20 minute power cuts.
- Sathosa to reduce prices of 7 commodities: White Sugar- Rs.220 (reduced by Rs.4): Imported Potatoes- Rs.285 (Rs.5): Big Onions- Rs.185 (Rs.5): Red Lentils- Rs.374 (Rs.11): Local Canned Fish- Rs.475 (Rs.15): Chillies- Rs.1,780 (Rs.15): Sprats (Thai)- Rs.1,100 (Rs.50).
- Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) Leader MP Udaya Gammanpila says the Govt is hesitating to hold elections on time because it is alarmed by the people’s reactions over increased taxes, possible long-hour power outages and delay in obtaining IMF assistance.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe instructs officials to commence construction of a cable car project between Pattipola and Boralanda to view World’s End.
- Public attention drawn towards Christmas tree erected with vegetable plants at the roundabout in front of the Presidential Secretariat: banners at the location encourage public to grow vegetables in their home gardens.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 23/12
Date:
