- Former CB Deputy Governor P Samarasiri says the LKR appreciation at the beginning of March was not supported by the CB’s foreign currency operations as reported: also says market conditions behind the change in the LKR value are highly deceptive: expresses astonishment at the CB comment that the collapse of the USD in Sri Lanka was prevented by the CB’s purchase of about USD 308 mn at the beginning of March.
- GMOA states that over 700 doctors including some medical consultants have left SL and migrated overseas last year: also state that, at present, there are about 20,000 serving doctors and around 2,800 consultants in Sri Lanka.
- National Water Supply and Drainage Board official says the NWSDB has cut off water supply for 87,000 consumers who have failed to pay their monthly bill after a tariff hike last year.
- Group of Petroleum trade unionists meet former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to discuss their issues and the CPC’s move to send several employees and trade union members on compulsory leave for disrupting the fuel distribution process: say they are hopeful that the former Head of State would intervene to resolve the matter.
- National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa says a gang of persons with links to a ruling party politician had carried out an attack on a garment factory at Halpe, Katana owned by an Omani company: demands that the politician concerned be arrested: Joint Apparel Association also demands action against those responsible for the attack.
- PUC says Sri Lanka’s electricity consumption has reduced by 20% after the tariff hike on 15th February: claims the lower demand is likely to threaten Sri Lanka’s economic revival despite the approval of a USD 3 bn loan from the IMF: data reveals that total National electricity consumption in Feb’23 was considerably lower than that in Feb’22, when there were power cuts.
- SEC Chairman Faizal Salieh calls on auditors to ensure improved accuracy of financial reports: says to enhance scope of audit to assess the robustness of the governance framework, policies & procedures in place to mitigate risk & non-compliance including insider dealing, market manipulation, price rigging, etc. by directors and staff.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe meets Indian Institute of Good Governance DG Bharat Lal: discusses ways to enhance the country’s civil service and improve government institution performance by implementing effective monitoring measures: requests assistance to establish a University of Governance and Public Policy in Sri Lanka.
- Reports emerge that Sri Lanka Cricket has requested white ball Cricket captain Dasun Shanaka to resign from the ODI captaincy: if so, either Dhananjaya de Silva or Kusal Mendis to be made Captain: Wanindu Hasaranga tipped for the Captaincy in the T20 format.
- Sri Lanka win the 1st T20 against New Zealand in a thrilling super over after scores were tied: SL 196/5, NZ 196/8: Super over: NZ- 8/2 and SL-11/0 in 3 balls.
