- Analysts forecast severe economic contraction in the 4Q 2022 and full year contraction of -9.3% YoY in 2022: down from forecast of -8.7% YoY previously: growth revised down for 2023 as well.
- Cardinal Ranjith says Sri Lanka should not go around the world with a begging bowl in 2023: calls for the establishment of a new structure to build the nation: critics say Cardinal is now involved heavily in political matters while the Catholic Church in Sri Lanka is losing its devotees to emerging Christian sects.
- Year-on-Year inflation based on CCPI decreases to 57.2% in December from 61.0% in November; Food Inflation decreases to 64.4% in December from 73.7% in November: analysts show this result is due to the higher base effect since November 2021.
- Local businesses urge the Central Bank to extend the moratorium beyond 31st December 2022: say SME borrowings have reached Rs.1,000 bn, which the sector is struggling to pay back, due to the prevailing high-interest rates: warn the banking sector would fall if the extension is not granted.
- Public Utilities Commission Chairman Janaka Ratnayake says he is awaiting for a call from President Ranil Wickremasinghe to discuss the allegations against him that he has been leading society astray with his claims that he would not allow an increase in electricity tariffs.
- UN Resident Coordinator’s Office announces the UN Humanitarian Appeal for Sri Lanka has received a response of USD 101.5 mn: says it hopes to provide humanitarian assistance to 3.4 mn vulnerable people with such funds.
- Rupee marks over 7-1/2 months of being “fixed” by the Central Bank within a pre-determined range: analysts previously critical that the Rupee was “fixed” under CB Governor Cabraal now beginning to accept the “fixed” exchange rate policy which current CB Governor Weerasinghe has also been following since 12th May 2022.
- Former MP Professor Ashu Marasinghe claims Rs.1.5 bn as damages from former MP Hirunika Premachandra and his former woman-friend Adarsha Karandana for insulting him by publicising an allegedly edited video carrying damaging and misleading content.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe condoles the demise of Indian PM Narendra Modi’s mother, Hiraben Modi, 99: PM Modi tweets that “a glorious century rests at the feet of God”.
- Home Affairs State Minister Ashok Priyantha says services provided by govt institutions will not be hindered even though 30,000 public officials retire from service on 31st December 2022.
