- Cabinet Spokesman and Govt’s Economic Guru Dr Bandula Gunawardena says the Treasury is short of funds: also says the economic crisis is worse than expected: admits tax income in the first 3 months of this year will be low: laments the Govt is unable to get loans as no one is giving and can’t print any more money: warns Govt has no choice but to take drastic steps until the situation improves.
- Canadian Govt imposes sanctions against former Presidents Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda Rajapaksa, Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake, Lt Commander Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi for alleged “gross and systematic violations of human rights”.
- Tamil Political Parties led by TNA give 7-day ultimatum to President Ranil Wickremesinghe to fulfil 3 demands: [a] full implementation of 13th Amendment to the Constitution: [b] release of all lands belonging to Tamils in the North and East occupied by Govt agencies: [c] release of all Tamil political prisoners.
- Foreign media reports that a Sri Lankan gemstone company that was key to sanctioned terrorist facilitator Ahmed Luqman Talib’s revenue generation in support of Al-Qaida has continued doing business after Talib was sanctioned and arrested.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe informs Cabinet that 5% of the estimated expenditure under the Budget 2023 proposals from all Ministries will be curtailed.
- Cabinet Spokesman Dr Bandula Gunawardane says the payment of the ‘Samurdhi’ allowance may be delayed by 1 or 2 weeks: State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe contradicts by saying there shouldn’t be undue fears regarding payment of Govt employee salaries or welfare benefits, including Samurdhi.
- Ministry of Public Administration directs all District Secretaries to temporarily suspend accepting deposits from candidates for the upcoming Local Govt elections: recalls letter shortly afterwards.
- UNP General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara says the UNP and SLPP have arrived at a general consensus to contest the Colombo Municipal Council, Kandy Municipal Council and Puttalam Urban Council under the “Elephant” symbol during the upcoming Local Govt Elections.
- Committee to investigate Sri Lanka Men’s Cricket Team’s participation in the ICC T20 World Cup and relevant incidents, hand over report to the Sports Minister: report said to contain observations on financial misappropriation, influence of social media, influence of religious factions and several other matters.
- India wins the 1st Cricket ODI against Sri Lanka by 67 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the 3 match series: India – 373/7 (50): Sri Lanka – 306/8 (50), Dasun Shanaka – 108*.
