- Dr. Wasantha Bandara of the National Patriotic Movement says CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe created Sri Lanka’s Economic Crisis by assisting the borrowing of over USD 12 bn in International Sovereign Bonds from 2015 to 2019 and encouraging the passing of the new Exchange Management Act which led to the retention of USD 53 bn abroad by exporters, while being the Deputy Governor: also asserts Weerasinghe illegally announced the bankruptcy of Sri Lanka without approval, to sabotage the planned inflow of loan funds from China.
- US Senator Chris Van Hollen says China, as the largest creditor of Sri Lanka, should not cut a better deal for itself but be on par with the rest of the creditors in debt restructuring as per the terms set out by the US-dominated IMF: in the meantime, informed inside sources say the China Development Bank has insisted that the Chinese loans to Sri Lanka be considered as being similar to the loans granted by multi-lateral financial institutions as the bulk of the Chinese loans were granted to SL on concessionary terms even after Sri Lanka faced economic distress.
- The Federation of National Organisations addresses a letter signed by its respected Convenor Dr Gunadasa Amarasekera to Foreign Minister M U M Ali
Sabry PC, requesting Sabry to take up with US Ambassador Julie Chung, her
continuous interventions in Sri Lanka’s domestic affairs. - Fuel prices up from today: Petrol 92 up by Rs.13 per litre to Rs.361: Petrol 95 by Rs.42 to Rs.417: Auto Diesel by Rs.35 to Rs.341: Super Diesel by Rs.1 to Rs.359: Kerosene by Rs.5 to Rs.231: new wave of price increases likely to be triggered and adversely affect the beleaguered population already struggling with job losses, high prices, increased taxes & unpayable loans.
- Small and Medium-scale Rice Mill Owners’ Assn President B K Ranjith says mill owners are facing challenges in procuring enough paddy: warn of an impending shortage of paddy and the risk of a subsequent surge in rice prices in the coming months: attribute the crisis to the unexpected accumulation of paddy by third-party consumers including farmers due to the sensationalist media coverage of the ongoing dry weather conditions.
- Professor Charitha Hearth of the rebel SLPP group asks whether Adani Green Energy Ltd represents the Govt of India, as Sri Lanka has declared its intention to
consider the proposed construction of two wind and solar power parks in Mannar
(286 Megawatt) and Pooneryn (234 megawatt) by Adani in terms of Government to Government basis as required by the Electricity Act of 2009. - Census Dept says the Colombo Consumer Price Index dropped to 4% in August’23: analysts point out that this index value has been computed on the very high base inflation index value of 64.3% in August’22, and hence, reflects a higher cost of living increase of over 68% since August 2021.
- Court of Appeal postpones the hearing on the Writ Petition filed by Pastor Jerome Fernando seeking an order preventing the Police from arresting him in connection with the controversial Sunday sermon, to 21 Sept.
- Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella instructs Ministry officials to urgently take measures to recruit 3,000 more nurses to the nursing service.
- SL beat Bangladesh in its opening match in the Asia Cricket Cup 2023, by 5 wickets: Bangladesh 164 (Shanto 89, Pathirana 4-32, Theekshana 2-19): SL 165 for 5 (Asalanka 62*, Samarawickrama 54, Shakib 2-29).
