01. A MoU was signed between Sri Lanka and Singapore centring around the joint venture on carbon credits, during President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s official visit to Singapore: This landmark collaboration falls under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a pivotal framework for global environmental stewardship.
02. Sri Lanka and Singapore forms a consortium to embark on a power generation project in Sri Lanka, the largest private-sector renewable energy initiative ever sanctioned by the CEB: The project stands as the largest private-sector renewable energy initiative ever sanctioned by the CEB, with an expected total direct investment of US $152 million, and project completion by December 2025.
03. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles says violence will not be allowed and urges the public and the estate community to refrain from taking the laws into their hands and to refrain from acting in such manner: warns stringent action will be taken against anyone taking the laws into their hand and anyone aiding such behaviour by falling victim to incidents created by politicians and political parties: His comments come in the backdrop where a tense situation occurred at the Ratwatte Estate in the Elkaduwa Plantation in the Matale District.
04. The CB issues Financial Consumer Protection Regulations, No. 01 of 2023 in terms of Section 10 (c) of the Monetary Law Act, No.58 of 1949 and published the same in the Government Extraordinary Gazette No. 2344/17 on 09.08.2023: The regulations will apply to all Financial Service Providers regulated by the CB on a uniform basis and are expected to strengthen the current financial consumer protection frameworks of the CB, particularly Financial Consumer Protection directions issued under the Banking Act, the Finance Business Act and the Finance Leasing Act.
05. The Insurance Regulatory Commission says ‘no-objection’ letters will not be needed in an event of paying insurance claims on vehicles that are under hire purchase or lease agreements: informs insurance companies not to collect no-objection letters from financiers to settle insurance claims on such events.
06. China donates state-of-the-art emergency command and communication system vehicle fleet worth US $6.2 million to the government of Sri Lanka: Acting Defence Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon officially accepts 11 military automobiles from the Chinese Ministry of National Defence: These vehicles embedded with ultra-modern communication devices have been originally designed for military purposes.
07. Motor traders lament LCs issued by local banks are still not acceptable for foreign banks despite the government’s move on lifting the restrictions: Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says the Ministry will intervene to solve the issue of vehicle importers: adds SL is looking at the possibility of giving a government guarantee as LCs issued from SL to import commercial vehicles which are still not internationally recognised.
08. Health Ministry provides clarification on the recent health hazard occurred at the Galle Prison leading to the death of two inmates and five others being hospitalised, stating that the ‘unidentified illness’ was Meningococcal disease, an infection caused by Meningococcus bacteria: As of now 16 inmates are receiving treatment for the infection: Additional Prisons Commissioner General Chandana Ekanayake says prison affairs have been restricted for a period of 14 days.
09. JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake sends a letter of demand claiming Rs. 10 billion each as damages from SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi for allegedly making a defamatory statement regarding him during a public meeting: The two MPs accused the NPP of investing in the island country Malta.
10. Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union in a bid to elevate the sport of swimming within the nation has taken the initiative to extend invitation to the World Aquatic Federations and their athletes to participate in the upcoming National and Junior National Short Course (25m) Swimming Championships: The event scheduled to take place at the Hillwood College Swimming Pool in the Hill Capital from December 26 to 30.
