- President Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulates Chinese President Xi Jinping on his confirmation for a 3rd term: praises China’s progress under his leadership: expresses appreciation for China’s support in Sri Lanka’s economic challenges, especially in the IMF process.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says the Govt has taken a decision in principle to expand the distribution of fuel: also says Hambantota has been identified as a primary energy hub: further says Chinese giant Sinopec has pledged to invest in a refinery in Hambantota.
- SJB MP S.M. Marikkar says Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana must prepare himself for a jail term for his actions under a future SJB Govt: asks Govt officials not to get deceived by President Ranil Wickremesinghe: insists public officials must have the interests of the people at heart.
- State Minister of Tourism Diana Gamage comes up with a proposal to allow selling of liquor to foreigners on Poya days.
- Entire Rubber stock remains unsold at last week’s Rubber auction: 26% of Tea stocks also unsold at the Tea auction: prices drastically crash and plantation companies opt to withdraw their offers.
- Govt declares the Postal Service as an Essential Service through a special gazette notification.
- Former JVP MP and NPP’s Economic Guru Sunil Handunnetti says the appreciation of the LKR against the USD is done artificially: also says the situation has been created with a political agenda: asserts it is done to manage the people’s uproar in the future and to hoodwink the people: CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe has said the Rupee’s rise is due to the CB following the correct policies
- Several Opposition Parties challenge the new Central Bank law before the Supreme Court: MP Wimal Weerawansa and Dr Gunapala Amerasekera among the petitioners: leading entrepreneur and active stalwart of the ruling SLPP Jehan Hameed also challenges the legality of the Bill.
- Govt raises only Rs.110.44 bn through its Treasury Bond sale: amount falls far short of its Rs.180 bn target: almost all bids for the 2-year T-Bonds rejected by the Central Bank with only a measly Rs.0.4 bn being accepted out of the target of Rs.70 bn.
- New Zealand win the 1st Cricket Test by 2 wickets: score the winning run in the last ball of the final day: Sri Lanka 355 & 302: New Zealand 373 & 285/8: consequently, SL will not qualify for the World Test Championships Final.
