- The President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr. Tanaka Akihiko calls on President Ranil Wickremesinghe on W. During the meeting, Dr. Akihiko expressed gratitude for President Wickremesinghe’s commitment to the economic reform program, acknowledging its challenging nature.
- Former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga denies recent media speculation about her involvement in the upcoming presidential election, stating that she has not endorsed any candidate. Additionally, she dismissed rumors of accepting a leadership role within the Podu Jana Eksath Peramuna council.
- Ports, Shipping, and Aviation Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva announces the signing of a direct air service agreement between Israel and Sri Lanka. Speaking at a press briefing themed “Collective Path to a Stable Country”, Minister highlighted the agreement’s focus on preventing delays in Sri Lankan workers’ migration abroad.
- Application process for the second phase of the ‘Aswesuma’ welfare benefits scheme programme commences, aiming the selection of an additional 400,000 beneficiaries.
- Education Minister Susil Premajayantha affirms that all necessary steps have been taken to commence the new school term of 2025 in January as customary, with plans in place to conduct the Advanced Level (A/L) examination earlier than 2025.
- People’s Leasing and Finance PLC announced a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 2,141 million for the first nine months of fiscal year 2023/24, with the third quarter contributing Rs. 1,039 million, marking a 30.8% increase compared to the corresponding period in the previous fiscal year.
- The Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) is set to launch a new tourism brand, the “Buddhist Trail,” to showcase the country’s rich cultural and religious heritage. The initiative aims to position Sri Lanka as a global pilgrimage destination, emphasizing its deep-rooted Buddhist heritage.
- Ceylon Petroleum Storage Terminals (CPSTL) has inked an agreement with the US-based petroleum products distributor ‘Shell-RM Parks’. The deal, signed at the CPSTL Head Office, focuses on the storage and distribution of fuel in Sri Lanka.
- Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella, former Health Secretary Janaka Chandragupta and five others have been ordered to be further remanded until February 29, over the import of substandard human Immunoglobulin vials.
- Tickets for the first match of the T20I series between Sri Lanka and Afghanistan have been sold out, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced. Advises the general public not to arrive at ticket counters seeking match tickets for the first T20I to be played on Saturday.
