- SJB MP Dr Harsha Silva laments China and India have not agreed to restructure Sri Lanka’s debt, and the “Paris Club” has also not reached an agreement: says no sight of IMF package: warns Govt has no program with creditors: expresses concern interest rates are at 36%: Silva has been a key advocate for an IMF programme, debt default, debt restructuring, higher taxes, tight monetary policy and cost-reflective utility prices.
- India’s Hindustan Times reports former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has applied for restoration of his US citizenship: also reports the US government yet to consider request: no comment yet from former President.
- Railway Station Masters’ Union President Sumedha Somaratne warns over 60 train journeys may have to be cancelled due vacancies created by retirement of nearly 500 individuals from the railway staff since 31st Dec’22: DGM Railways Gamini Senaviratne confirms “a significant number of trains may be cancelled”.
- IMF MD Kristalina Georgieva says the “IMF is working very hard to press for urgent debt resolution for countries like Sri Lanka, engaging with traditional and non-traditional creditors including China & India before it grows into a bad surprise on the world economy”.
- Former British Prime Minister David Cameron, who is on a personal visit to Sri Lanka meets President Ranil Wickremasinghe for a discussion.
- Trade Minister Nalin Fernando submits proposal to Cabinet to import eggs: Cabinet directs the Minister to take steps to do so.
- CPC reduces price of Auto Diesel by Rs.15 (new price Rs.405) and price of Kerosene by Rs.10 (new price Rs. 355) per litre: prices of Petrol & other fuel remain unchanged: Lanka IOC to follow CPC price reduction.
- Top Govt Official says at least 30,000 state workers who retired in 2022 will not be replaced in keeping with IMF deal: Army has already decided to “vacate posts” of over 16,000 military personnel.
- Public Administration Ministry Secretary Neel Hapuhinna says tough action would be taken against public officials who use mobile phones during office hours: laments some officers surf social media just after they start work for the day without caring about public services: also says the issue of a circular on using mobile phones during office hours would be considered.
- Retired Colonel W M R Wijesundera files Writ Petition against the Chairman of the Election Commission and others questioning the benefit to the country or the public by holding a Local Government election at this moment: also says a sum of Rs.10 bn will have to be spent in order to hold the election.
