- A Special Dengue Prevention and Control Programme launched in Colombo and its suburbs in response to the rapid spread of Dengue in the Western Province: About 60 teams deployed to control the situation: Over 30,000 Dengue cases reported in 2023; 50% of them reported from the Western Province.
- UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation initiates a US$ 1.5 million project via funding from China as part of the South-South Cooperation (SSC) programme, to improve the quality and value of Sri Lankan fruits in the global market by improving the production and commercialisation of fruit value-chains in Sri Lanka: Project said will be implemented in Kalutara, Gampaha, Moneragala, Anuradhapura and Kilinochchi.
- JVP former MP and trade union leader Wasantha Samarasinghe says the Ranil-led regime is following the same old principle of selling the country’s resources for debt repayment under the pretext of complicated words like ‘debt optimisation’ confusing the public and even the banking sector; urges the public to assemble against the government’s policy and protect public assets.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe pledges to modernise the country’s education sector to create a young generation “equipped with knowledge and nourished with abilities” within the next ten years; asserts a Cabinet committee has already been appointed in this regard; laments had the money spent on corporations during the past 10 years been invested on education, Sri Lanka would have “the best education in Asia.”
- Lawyers appearing for Social Media Activist Darshana Handungoda who is under censorship say Sri Lanka’s Attorney General’s Department for the first time in history has filed a lawsuit against freedom of information; laments the AG should play a role for the betterment of the people of the country; alleges the AG’s Office has misled the Judiciary.
- Tourism Minister Harin Fernando says Air China, a renowned Chinese carrier, is set to launch flights to Sri Lanka from July 2023; asserts the airline will initially operate three flights per week to the country; adds the move is poised to “bolster tourism and enhance connectivity between the two nations, opening up new avenues for travellers and fostering bilateral relations.”
- The Colombo Hight Court temporarily lifts the overseas travel ban imposed on Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and MP Patali Champika Ranawaka: Ban on Rambukwella lifted until November 30; ban on Ranawaka lifted until September 23.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing he 10th Environment Pioneer President’s Medal Awarding Ceremony 2020 – 2021 says Sri Lanka would establish the world’s first international environmental university to “bolster global efforts in tackling climate change.”
- Indian business magnet Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries inks a deal with SL cricketer Muttiah Muralitharan’s company Ceylon Beverage International for a mega-project: Reliance is entering agreements with an aim to capture the maximum share of the Indian soft drink market and is expected to emerge as strong competitors for major companies like Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
- Sri Lanka women win by 44 runs over Bangladesh women to win the series 2-1 in the third and final T20 game played at SSC grounds: Harshitha Samarawickrama and Nilakshi de Silva hit half centuries and were involved in an unbroken 102-run fourth wicket stand.
