- Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe says SL will appeal against the recent ban imposed by the International Cricket Council against Sri Lanka Cricket: also says the ban comes as a shock, given its sudden implementation.
- President of SL Cricket Shammi Silva warns that in the event the ICC does not lift the ongoing suspension against the country’s membership, the country stands to lose USD 50mn: also says it was after several discussions that the ICC allowed SL to host the U-19 Cricket World Cup, the ICC AGM in 2024, & the Women’s World Cup in 2027: asserts that in order for these tournaments & the AGM to take place, the ICC required an ‘assurance’ that the SL Govt would support these endeavours.
- Meteorological Department predicts the prevailing showery condition will intensify in the next few days: says heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern & Eastern Provinces and in the Kurunegala & Polonnaruwa districts: meanwhile, the Irrigation Dept says 39 reservoirs are overflowing due to heavy showers.
- Health Minister Dr Ramesh Pathirana says Dr Vijith Gunasekera served as the Director of the Medical Research Institute prior to his appointment as the CEO of the NMRA, and therefore he was re-appointed as the Director of the MRI, following his removal from the NMRA.
- Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says the Report submitted by the Chitrasiri-Committee appointed by the President re. a new Constitution for SL Cricket can’t be implemented due to a Court-issued stay order: also says his son was appointed to the new Cricket Interim Committee because the Sports Minister had obtained his lawyer-son’s advice over the past several years.
- Worker remittances increase to USD 517.4 mn in Oct’23, up 46% from USD 355.4mn in Oct’22: however, such remittances are down for the 4th month in a row: Gross foreign reserves grew marginally by USD 12mn to USD 3,562mn in Oct’23 from USD 3,540mn in Sep’23 after falling in the previous 3 months: “hot-money” investments in Govt T-Bills & Bonds continue to exit rapidly: LKR depreciates sharply from Rs.300 per USD in June’23 to Rs.334 per USD by Oct’23.
- China gifts 26 motorcycles & 100 desktop computers to SL Police: donation said to be aimed at enhancing the operational capabilities of the Police.
- Police Colombo Crimes Division in Wellampitiya arrest the main suspect behind the death threats & extortion attempt on former Public Utilities Commission chairman Janaka Ratnayake.
- State Minister of Youth & Sports Rohana Dissanayake says the Govt plans to open a new Sports University in 2024: adds that the total cost for this project would be a staggering USD 1bn (Rs.334,000,000,000).
- SL fails to qualify for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for 2025.
