- Diplomatic sources reportedly claim China’s current offer to Sri Lanka of a 2-year debt moratorium is not sufficient for the IMF to approve a funding programme of USD 2.9 bn over 4 years: in early 2022, China had agreed to provide a USD 2.5 bn facility which was inexplicably spurned by the Sri Lanka Govt and Central Bank when the bankruptcy was hurriedly announced on 12th April 2022.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says the economic growth rate in 2022 was -11% and that it could be -3.5 or -4.0% this year: prior to the announcement of the bankruptcy, growth was estimated at +4.5% for 2022, and +5.0% for 2023: President also says economic growth will be positive from 2024.
- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says around 1.6 million income tax, VAT & national development tax files existed in 2019: laments the number of files reduced to around 400,000 by Dec’21 due to the tax concessions granted in 2020: says the decrease in government revenue due to this is the primary cause of the country’s economic crisis.
- State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the IMF is the best and only alternative now: also says IMF has not imposed conditions and have merely provided guidance with the intention to strengthen the economy.
- Former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expected to visit Sri Lanka in early February on the President’s invitation: expected to sign several agreements on sustainable development and climate change: also expected to discuss the establishment of the proposed climate change university in Sri Lanka.
- Public Security Minister Tiran Alles says the Govt will introduce an electronic passport from this year: also says 54 branches of the immigration and emigration department will be established around the country.
- Public Security Minister Tiran Alles issues stern warning to drug racketeers to stop operations immediately: says steps would be taken to stop such criminals and destroy their operations.
- Founder and Chairperson Vice President Global Twins Multiple Birth Forum, Upuli Gamage says Sri Lanka is expecting thousands of twins and non-twin visitors including at least 30 contestants for a “Twins Miss and Mr World 2023” contest: expects the celebration to grab the attention of many countries.
- Another Member of the Election Commission M M Mohammed receives death threats: Commission Member S B Divaratna who received death threats earlier, receives death threats once again: Commission member K P P Pathirana had also received death threats previously.
- Attorney General’s Dept advises the Sports Ministry to request the Govt Auditor to conduct a comprehensive audit on Sri Lanka Cricket’s World Cup expenditure, before pressing for legal action.
