- Chairperson of United National Businesses Alliance Tania Abeysundara says the Govt’s decision to contract the economy has adversely impacted the SMEs: asserts that all countries had achieved development by promoting SMEs, and that the Asian Tigers, and even China, had promoted SMEs.
- Several leading importers and traders in Sri Lanka‘s tile and sanitaryware business say their businesses are heading for rock bottom, following the repeated delay in lifting import restrictions for almost 4 years since mid-March 2019: also say these bans have triggered the near closure of most of the 300 entities, affecting over 100,000 direct and indirect employees.
- John Keells Holdings Chairperson Krishan Balendra commends efforts of Govt policy-makers for “successfully navigating the economic stabilisation measures over the last few quarters”: Sri Lanka’s GDP plunged by an unprecedented 7.6% in 2022, and is expected to plummet further to 4.2% in 2023.
- State Trading Corp Chairman Asiri Valisundara says steps have been taken to import 1 mn eggs each day: mentions that currently 20 mn eggs have been imported from India, and 10 mn released to the market.
- Foreign Employment Bureau arrests South Korean for defrauding Rs.25 mn through a foreign employment scam: suspect had allegedly obtained Rs.2.5 mn from people on the promise of employment in South Korea: Magistrate remands suspect until May 29.
- British High Commissioner Sarah Hulton requests Minister of Pulic Security Tiran Alles to cooperate in the efforts taken to prevent Sri Lankans from entering the UK as illegal immigrants: further discusses the Prevention of Terrorism Act.
- Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs (1998-2003) and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US and to the UN Office in Geneva Jayantha Dhanapala, 85, passes away.
- Stand-up comedian Natasha Edirisooriya, who had allegedly made “disrespectful remarks” on Buddhist philosophy and culture, arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) while attempting to leave the country: CID to continue inquiry.
- National Child Protection Authority says there have been 3,102 reported child abuse related incidents in the first 4 months of 2023: reveals that on average they receive over 600 complaints per month.
- Acting Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says a proposal to provide interest-free loans for private university education will be submitted to the Cabinet next week: as per the proposal, 5000 loans to be granted annually to students who have failed to gain the opportunity to enter Govt universities despite passing the A/Level examination: loan to be Rs.900,000.
