- SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa says the recent Cabinet reshuffle is a mere change of posts & not an effective solution for the country’s problems: asserts it’s the state’s responsibility to ensure that a mechanism is in place for discussions to be held with all political parties involved in the decision-making process when running a coalition Govt such as the incumbent administration.
- State Finance Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says 7 vehicles that were suspected to have been imported using electronic vehicle import licenses given to migrant workers, were taken into custody by the Customs: investigations commence to find the other vehicles suspected to have been sold in a similar manner.
- Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera says Cabinet has granted approval to develop 200 MW of Floating Solar on the Samanalawewa reservoir: expressions of Interest to be called for 2 projects of 100 MW each from international and local developers to invest in these floating solar power plants.
- Foreign Ministry says the Chinese research vessel “Shi Yan 6” is scheduled to arrive at the Colombo Port today for “replenishments”.
- State Minister of Women and Child Affairs Geetha Kumarasinghe says 168 girls under the age of 16 were reportedly sexually abused, in September’23.
- State owned Milco company’s Chairman Renuka Perera held hostage at the company’s head office: 13 employees arrested by the Police in this regard.
- Govt removes one-time high level LTTE operative Emil Kanthan from the list of “proscribed” persons & organisations: gazette to this effect published by Defence Secretary (retd) General Kamal Gunaratne.
- Cabinet gives approval to amend the Shop and Office Act to empower women to work during night-time hours: aim of amendment to provide more opportunities for women, particularly women working in information technology.
- SJB “economic guru” MP Harsha Silva says domestic & international debt restructuring mechanisms must be comparable: pledges to fight to ensure the EPF will receive any benefits offered to international creditors if the economy grows above IMF predictions: prior to April’22 however, Silva was at the fore-front calling for restructure of SL’s sovereign debt, free-floating of LKR, raising of taxes, and a tight IMF programme.
- Samitha Dulan wins the Silver medal in the Men’s Jevelin throw (F64), Janani Dhananjana wins Silver in the Women’s Long Jump event (T47), Kumudu Priyangika wins Bronze in the Women’s Long Jump event (T47), & Palitha Bandara wins Bronze in Men’s Shot Put (F63) at the Asian Para Games 2023.
