- Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene says Govt’s cash flow management is extremely challenging at present with foreign and domestic financing channels exhausted: also says difficult to find additional resources for an election: laments even regular payment of public sector salaries on time, is challenging.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe appoints SLPP MP Pavithra Wanniarachchi as Cabinet Minister of Wildlife & Forest Resources Conservation and CWC leader Jeevan Thondaman as Cabinet Minister of Water Supply & Estate Infrastructure Development.
- Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S. Jaishankar says he had a “good meeting with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and other ministerial colleagues” in Colombo: also says India-Sri Lanka cooperation in infrastructure, connectivity, energy, industry and health was discussed: adds India is committed to the increase of investment flows to Sri Lanka to hasten economic recovery.
- Regulation of the Election Expenditure Bill passed in Parliament with a majority of 61 votes: 97 in favour and 36 against.
- Chairman, Election Commission says Police protection has been provided to the 2 members of the Election Commission who faced threats.
- Veteran film Producer and Director Dr. Sumithra Peries, wife of late Dr. Lester James Peries, passes away at age 88 years.
- Minister Manusha Nanayakkara says although the Samurdhi allowance will continue to be paid, measures are underway to remove all other benefits given to low-income families along with the Samurdhi allowance.
- Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute study reveals over 200 mn coconuts have been destroyed by toque macaque, monkeys and giant squirrels in 2022.
- SLPP MP Gevindu Cumaratunga says President Ranil Wickremesinghe should seek a fresh mandate if he intends to fully implement the 13th Amendment to the Constitution: asserts the President’s responsibility is to complete the remainder of Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s 5-year term.
- ‘Paying Wards System’ in state-run hospitals grabs spotlight at a time when the lauded free healthcare system is becoming a burden on the economy: medical practitioners accuse Govt of attempting to privatise the state health service under the guise of finding solutions to the country’s economic crisis.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 20/01
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