- Ceylon Institute of Builders President Rohan Karunaratne says over 500,000 construction workers laid off and 70% of the industry is on hold: also says turnover is down 65%: laments private developers are reluctant to start projects now: asserts Rs.209bn is due to the contractors from Govt, but only Rs.25 bn is to be released by the year-end.
- Govt revenue for the first 9 months this year rises, compared to last year’s levels as a result of the hike in the indirect taxes including VAT: however, data shows the Govt’s interest cost increase has been much higher than the revenue generated by such tax increase: entire tax increase fully negated, as a result.
- Ceylon Petroleum Corporation says current reduction in daily fuel consumption by half is due to fuel rationing and end of hoarding of fuel: data shows Sri Lanka spent an average of USD 467mn per month on fuel between January and March 2022, but less than USD 250mn per month, thereafter.
- CID interrogates murdered Janashakthi Director Dinesh Schaffter’s mother-in-law: also question his wife for the 4th time: investigations into the murder continue.
- Thilini Priyamali, who was in remand prison for alleged financial fraud, released from prison after receiving bail: says the media has already made her the culprit, done her a huge injustice and crucified her.
- Number of dual citizenship applications in 2021 to the Immigration Department was 5,401: from Australia – 1,621: from UK – 885: from US – 795: from Canada – 371:. applications also submitted from Sri Lankans living in Italy, Switzerland, Sweden, New Zealand, France and Denmark.
- Two members involved in the “Aragalaya”, Dhanish Ali and Anuruddha Bandara interrogated by the CID for about 6 hours in connection with the arson attack on President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s private residence at 5th Lane, Kollupitiya.
- Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says all religious places of worship will be provided with a 5KW solar power unit, free of charge, under an Indian credit facility within 3 months.
- Former President of the Peradeniya Students Union Anuradha Widanage and current President Chamod Sathsara suspended from the University over the assault on former Vice Chancellor Professor Athula Senaratna.
- Tourism Minister Harin Fernando says number of tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka from 1st to 31st December has increased to 73,314: total arrivals so far this year increased to 701,331.
SRI LANKA ORIGINAL NARRATIVE SUMMARY: 28/12
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