- SL celebrates its 76th anniversary of its Independence after 453 years of foreign rule: in 1948, when SL gained independence, SL had only 1 university, 98% of roads were clay, 90% of people were below the poverty line, only 1% had electricity, less than 1% had water on tap, and only a handful of people had telephones: literacy was 35% and average life expectancy was 45 years.
- Most Ven Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayaka Thera of the Malwatte Chapter welcomes the Online Safety Act: says the new law meets the requirements of the changing society: recollects that he too underwent an experience where social media published distorted news & views
regarding him. - Former President Chandrika Kumaratunge urges the Govt to withdraw the Online Safety Act and the Anti-Terrorism Bill: claims those are dangerous acts which could be used by the Govt at any time to violate people’s fundamental rights: calls upon youth and people to act democratically against these laws.
- Thailand’s PM Srettha Thavisin arrives in SL for a 2-day official visit: witnesses the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between Thailand & SL: the FTA is said to be aimed at enhancing market opportunities covering various aspects including Trade in Goods, Investment, Customs Procedure, & Intellectual Property Rights.
- An IMF team is due to undertake a 2-week study to determine modalities for introducing a Property tax: also expected to engage with stakeholders.
- Indian Navy submarine “INS Karanj” arrives at the Colombo Port ahead of SL’s 76th Independence Day celebrations: the submarine is 67.5 metres long with a crew of 53: Navy says the docking symbolises strengthened maritime relations between India & SL.
- Investigators say that Ajith Indrasiri, one of the alleged gunmen in the shooting at Beliatta last week that left 5 persons dead, had fled to Dubai the day after the killings: assert that Indrasiri’s wife was also involved in the planning of the killings: arrest the gunman’s wife.
- Former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella produced before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court over the issue of the import of substandard human Immunoglobulin injections and remanded till 15th February: thereafter admitted to the Prisons Hospital on medical recommendation.
- Analysts say the successful bidder for SLTelecom will gain more than 500 lands (lots) extending to hundreds of acres around the island and worth billions: India’s Jio Platforms and China’s Gotune International Investment Holdings are the pre-qualified bidders for 50.23% of shares owned by the Govt.
- SL gain upper hand at the end of the 2nd day’s play in the Cricket Test match between SL & Afghanistan: SL 410/6 at close of play: Angela Mathews 141, Dinesh Chandimal 107, Dimuth Karunaratne 77: AFG was all out for 198 on the previous day.
