- President Ranil Wickremasinghe says the IMF doesn’t have a mechanism to help bankrupt countries: also says some of the proposals put forward will not ensure stability: warns there’s a point beyond which the people can be burdened, and that SL is now going beyond that point: analysts point out that, unfortunately, those who hurriedly declared bankruptcy had apparently not considered that basic reality.
- IMF Senior Mission Chief Peter Breuer says more tax reforms are needed to increase the taxes: also says the population could be affected as the utility prices are high due to high inflation and it could be “very burdensome”: asserts it is important to strengthen tax administration, remove tax exemptions, and eliminate tax evasion.
- Opposition leader Sajith Premadasa says the IMF itself has said the Govt has failed to achieve the revenue targets: also says the Govt took the challenge pretending that they are economic experts and funds will overflow after Ranil Wicremesinghe becomes President, but has failed to achieve the targets: promises an era of economic development which will be fulfilled by the son of Ranasinghe Premadasa.
- Lanka Electricity Company announces that the Social Security Levy will be added to all bills with effect from 8 September’23.
- Secretary of the GMOA Dr Haritha Aluthge warns that Doctors would limit the medical resources made available to peripheral hospitals after the next 2 weeks if the Health Ministry fails to provide them with a feasible solution to address the brain-drain amongst the medical fraternity.
- International Trade Office Chief Negotiator K J Weerasinghe says SL will commence negotiations with Malaysia & South Korea for FTAs following the completion of the trade agreement with Thailand, with the vision of joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
- SLFP Chairman & former President Maithripala Sirisena says all who do not have his principles are his enemies: laments he has become the common enemy of former SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara and former Army Commander MP Sarath Fonseka because they do not have his principles.
- Govt of Liberia invites SL Ambassador in Kenya, Kana Kananathan, to monitor and oversee the upcoming Presidential and Parliamentary elections to be held in Liberia on October 10, 2023: this marks the 5th African nation to seek Kananathan as an election observer.
- Mullaitivu District Judge T Saravanarajah tenders his resignation from his posts due to threats on his life and stress: sends resignation letter to the Secretary of the Judicial Services Commission on Sept 23.
- Judge Sarah Huggett of Sydney’s Downing Centre District Court finds top SL cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, 32, “not guilty” of the sexual assault of a woman introduced via a Tinder date: following the acquittal, Sri Lanka Cricket to consider lifting the ban imposed on Gunarhilaka.
