- Wind power project to be initiated by India’s Adani Group misses initial deadline of end-Dec’23 for the anticipated launch: delays have reportedly arisen due to the inability of Sri Lanka & India to finalise crucial agreements on the project’s initial steps.
- Private Bus Owners’ Assn Chairman Gemunu Wijeratne demands an increase in bus fares in the face of the impending VAT rise; says VAT is applicable to spare parts, lubricants & fuel.
- Bangladesh gifts a stock of 24 essential drugs valued at USD 1 mn, covering 3 months SL’s requirements of such drugs: B’desh High Commissioner in SL Tareq Islam hands over the gift to Minister of Health Ramesh Pathirana.
- Bar Assn President Kaushalya Nawaratne raises concerns regarding the manner in which the “Yukthiya” (Justice) programme is carried out: says the manner in which the programme is currently operating would result in immediate seizures of property, and suspects being taken into custody: however, people support for the much-needed crackdown on narcotics & organized crime, reportedly increasing.
- Police SSP Nihal Thalduwa says the island-wide operation “Yukthiya” to crack down on narcotics distribution & organized crime, would be temporarily halted on Dec 24, 25 & 26, as Police officers have to be deployed to other specific duties on Christmas Day (25) and Poya Day (26).
- Former NPP MP Dr Nalinda Jayatissa claims a few officials of the Health Ministry could not have struck a deal of USD 2.5mn when importing substandard Immunoglobulin injections without any involvement of the subject Minister: reiterates former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella must be interrogated regarding the incident.
- Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella says he was the first Complainant regarding the import of substandard Immunoglobulin injections and that there was no need to record another statement from him: asserts his initial statement included all details.
- With a 3% increase in VAT for coal starting from 1st Jan’23, Electricity Board is due to pay an additional Rs.70mn per shipment of coal as VAT to the Govt, according to statistics of the Lanka Coal Company.
- War-torn Israel to urgently fill 30,000 vacancies in its construction industry, after deporting thousands of Palestinian workers following the war that commenced on 7th Oct’23: Israel Builders’ Assn representatives due in SL next week to screen applicants for plastering, ceramic tiling, building work & iron bending jobs.
- Lanka Hotels & Residencies Chairman Gamini Gunaratne announces that the much-anticipated Sheraton Colombo Hotel will be opened on 30th Dec’23: says LHR invested nearly USD 100mn in the 320-room Hotel located in Colombo 3, complete with a Presidential Suite & other luxury suites, along with 4 restaurants: also says LHR has a 30-year management contract with Marriott International, to manage the property.
