- LKR suffers a massive depreciation of 11.3% in 5 months – 03.06.23 to 03.11.23: loses value from Rs.300.33 to Rs.334.14 per USD: analysts expect the LKR to depreciate to around Rs.400 per USD by March’24, with the relaxation of import controls: LKR expected to depreciate even faster if the current trend of existing “hot-money” investments in Govt securities leaving the country, escalates.
- Litro Gas Chairman Muditha Pieris announces that the price of a LP Gas 12.5kg cylinder has been increased by Rs.95 to Rs. 3,565: 5kg by Rs.38 to Rs.1,431 & 2.3kg by Rs.18 to Rs.668: the price of a 12.5kg cylinder was Rs.2,675 on 31st March’22, and was increased to Rs.4,860 by 31st July’22.
- State Minister for Higher Education Suren Raghavan says the Govt will provide the entire amount invested directly as a “scholarship” to a student graduating from a Govt university from 2025 onwards: also says any student will be able to choose his/her desired University.
- Director of Census & Statistics Dept says there is no possibility of a further increase in prices because the prices of goods & services in Sri Lanka have already increased to the maximum: also says the prices of goods & services available today have increased so much that consumers do not have the resources to buy them: further says malnutrition among the people is increasing.
- All Island Canteen & Restaurant Owners’ Association decide to increase the prices of several food items & beverages: “plain tea” to be increased by Rs.5 and “milk tea” by Rs.10: price of a packet of food, fried rice and kottu to be increased by Rs.20.
- Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Ratnayake says the Election Commission has asked the Treasury for Rs.30 bn for elections in 2024: also says the Constitutional Council has appointed only 4 out of 5 members to the EC so far.
- Media spokesman for the Govt Medical Officers Assn Dr Chamil Wijesinghe says about 20 rural hospitals in the country have closed down already: warns that in another month or so, another 50 rural hospitals will close: laments many doctors & professionals have been leaving the country in droves, as they can’t maintain a standard of living they are used to with the current high taxation.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa alleges that the state-owned Sevanagala sugar factory is to be handed over to a close ally of the Govt: asserts the recent Cabinet reshuffle is linked to the privatization of the Sevanagala factory.
- President of Asia Rugby informs Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe that the ban imposed on SL by World Rugby has been lifted.
- Police take steps to tighten security in the vicinity of Sri Lanka Cricket premises following Sri Lanka’s nightmare 302-run defeat to India in the ICC Men’s World Cup 2023: many fans voice frustration and express criticism about the management of cricket in SL.
