- Litro Gas Chairman Muditha Pieris says the world market price of LP gas has increased by over USD 85 per MT, and that a domestic LP gas price “revision” will be announced today: since 1st August, water and fuel charges have also been increased substantially: Central Bank firmly claims inflation has decreased significantly.
- Former Public Security Minister and SLPP MP Rear Admiral (Retd) Dr. Sarath Weerasekera calls for the close monitoring of certain organisations in the light of the Government’s decision to lift the bans on 5 Islamic organisations which were initially imposed following the Easter Sunday terror attacks of 2019: asserts the decision to lift the bans, was “wrong” and that it may bring about various negative consequences.
- State Finance Minister Shehan Semasinghe says SL intends to “conclude” the debt restructuring process in line with the 1st review of the IMF, which is due in September 2023: previously, several Govt MPs and Ministers had assured that the debt re-structuring would be completed by September 2022.
- Nutritionist Roshan Dela Bandara says research conducted by Newcastle University in Australia has found that microplastics are mixing with food, drinking water and air: also says research results have revealed that a person consumes 5 grams of microplastics a week, which is the size of a credit card.
- FUTA Chairman Professor Barana Jayawardena laments that there is a severe brain drain within the country’s universities: points out that in the last 6 months, around 600 university lecturers have left their respective universities.
- Police say the remains of top SL businessman Onesh Subasinghe, 45, who was murdered in a serviced apartment in Jakarta, were brought to Sri Lanka and handed over to his family members: on 2nd February, Subasinghe who was on vacation in Jakarta with his Brazilian wife Rosa, her assistant (also a Brazilian woman), and their 4-year-old daughter, was found dead under mysterious circumstances.
- Secretary General of Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera says Govt funds were not used for the “study tour” of the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus to New Zealand: asserts the study tour was organized with the support of “development partners”: points out that the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus plays a “major role” in addressing the socio-economic and political issues of women in the country.
- Colombo Stock Market records significant gains with the ASPI up by 130 points to 11,577: Turnover at Rs.6.6 bn: LKR continues its topsy-turvy journey.
- Chief Incumbent of Mihintale Rajamaha Vihara Walawahengunawewe Dhammarathana Thera says the electricity supply to Mihintale sacred city has been disconnected due to “non-payment of arrears”: also says the CEB has taken this step at a time when a massive development project is in progress at the Minintale sacred city.
- Afghanistan to host Pakistan for a series of 3 Cricket ODIs across 5 days in SL, with 2 games to be played in Hambantota on Aug 22 and 24, and the third taking place in Colombo on Aug 26.
