- State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says there would be no new taxes in the 2024 budget: also says the focus will be on expanding the tax base & ensuring tax compliance: explains that President Wickremesinghe has recognised people can’t be further burdened by new taxes: the President has however asserted in September’23 that the Budget 2024 will contain a proposal to tax primary bond dealers.
- SLPP MP & former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage says an increase in the salaries of public employees is likely through the 2024 budget: also says it will be possible to reach an agreement with the IMF next month: asserts that at present, there are no power cuts, gas & fuel is available, price of food has reduced, & a people-friendly environment created.
- Treasury laments that most state agencies have failed to publish procurement notices on a digital portal when the cost exceeds Rs 200 mn, in keeping with the IMF guidelines, despite instructions to do so: says this measure was taken to ensure transparency & accountability under the e-Govt Procurement (e-GP) digital platform.
- CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe urges China “to share the terms of its recent USD 4.2 bn bilateral debt deal with SL’s Ministry of Finance, with other creditors”, although the Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene is already on record that the deal struck with China is a “landmark deal”: asserts that sharing the information would ensure transparency & assure other bilateral creditors that they’re getting a comparable deal.
- Stock Market sources say the delay in obtaining the 2nd tranche of the IMF programme & high interest rates in Govt securities are the reasons for the collapse of the market over the past month.
- Airport and Aviation Services Chairman G A Chandrasiri says the AASL will be seeking the approval of the Cabinet to commence piling work for the BIA Terminal II project without waiting until funds are released by Japan Int’l Cooperation Agency: also says the AASL had commenced construction of certain selected works of the BIA Terminal II project about 5 months ago.
- CA Sri Lanka Council Member Tishan Subasinghe elected to the Council of the Confederation of Asian and Pacific Accountants: Subasinghe was elected out of 17 contestants who vied for the 9 board positions of the Regional Accounting Organisation representing 30 accounting bodies in Asia & Pacific.
- Santhan alias Suthenthiraraja, one of the 7 life convicts granted premature release in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, asks the SL President to help him return to SL & live with his aged mother, who he has not met during his 32 years in prison.
- Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera instructs the Police in Jaffna to arrest a group of individuals who are allegedly extorting money from farmers in the Jaffna District: the farmers have pointed out that the Police have not taken any action on these incidents so far.
- Sri Lanka beats Uzbekistan by 3 sets to nil (25-14, 25-18, 25-23) to win the Central Asian Volleyball Association Men’s Volleyball Challenge Cup.
