- President Ranil Wickremesinghe reiterates a Climate Change University will be established in Sri Lanka next year: also says prestigious institutions like Harvard and MIT have expressed interest to collaborate with it.
- Several environmental organizations backed by the Socialist Youth Union stage protest outside the Ministry of Justice: demand the Govt to file charges against the X-Press Pearl ship tragedy at a Sri Lankan Court instead of Singapore: also ask that the Govt seeks compensation for the environmental damage.
- Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekera says instructions have been given to CPC & CPSTL to continue fuel deliveries on Saturday & Sunday this week to supply sufficient stocks to all fuel stations: long fuel queues continue.
- State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says import restrictions on 300 to 400 items will be relaxed from next week.
- SJB MP Harshana Rajakaruna says inflation had dropped as a consequence of reduced consumption: asserts the reduction of inflation is not a sign of economic stability: meanwhile, the severe contraction of the economy continues with 2022 growth being -7.8% and 2023 expected to be -4.2%: thousands of SMEs have already closed and over 500,000 persons added to the unemployed category.
- Research findings of blind graduate of Uni of Sri J’pura specialising in philosophy and psychology shows that Govt has stopped hiring graduates during the past 3 years and 75 blind graduates who graduated in the year before are severely affected by the prevailing economic crisis and unemployment.
- CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says the USD 200 mn loans obtained from Bangladesh Bank will have to be paid back in September 2023: USD 2,150 mn out of current CB external reserves consist of SWAPs with other Central Banks (China USD 1550mn, India USD 400mn & Bangladesh USD 200mn), secured by former Governors Cabraal and Lakshman.
- Tourism data shows the industry has rebound with earnings of USD 828mn in the first 5 months of 2023: reflects a 30% increase from the corresponding period of last year: earnings from Tourism was USD 4,500 mn in 2018.
- SLPP Rebel MP and FPC Leader Dullas Alahapperuma responds to President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent address to the nation: asks “who ruined the country”?
- SL lose to Afghanistan by 6 wickets in the 1st Cricket ODI at Hambantota: SL 268 (50) – Charith Asalanka 91, Dhananjaya de Silva 51, Pathum Nissanka 38, Fareed Ahmad 43/2): Afghanistan 269/4 (46.5) – Ibrahim Zadran 98, Kasun Rajitha 49/2.
Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 03/06
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