- Tensions rise over surging salaries at the Central Bank, sparking political speculation: Sources disclose that UNP leaders express public discontent to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, hinting it could influence the upcoming presidential polls: Wickremesinghe deflects responsibility, citing the Central Bank’s autonomy and suggests parliamentary intervention: Speculation mounts about the salary spike’s political impact.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and wife Jalani Premadasa announce parenthood to a baby girl: says as a father his ultimate hope is that his daughter grows up, receives a good education, and becomes a virtuous, civilised, educated and intelligent citizen of the country, just as any other parent.
- NPP/JVP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says Sri Lanka had always stuck in the process of moving forward due to its vanity towards centuries-old accomplishments, when other nations moved forward: laments politicians who came to power from time to time harboured this vanity instead of building the nation by measuring the country’s development in ancient establishments, thus losing major transformations.
- The government is considering establishing a prison or rehabilitation centre on Mantheevu Island in Batticaloa, currently housing only two leprosy patients: Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksha visited the island to explore this possibility due to prison overcrowding concerns: The 100-acre island was previously used as a quarantine facility during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The Health Ministry is investigating suspected fatalities at Kurunegala Teaching Hospital’s dialysis unit: At least five deaths have occurred since January: A five-member committee, led by Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Samitha Ginige, will investigate the matter: The incident may be linked to unidentified pathogens introduced into the unit: The Ministry is conducting a comprehensive inquiry, and as a precaution, the unit has been closed, with patients redirected to nearby facilities.
- The Asian Development Bank plans to offer Sri Lanka up to $500 million in assistance for 2024, contingent on policy reform progress: This includes a $100 million power sector loan pending approval of an electricity reform bill, another $100 million for Small and Medium Enterprises pending establishment of a credit guarantee agency, and a $200 million credit line for the financial sector: Additionally, $100 million is under consideration for the water sector.
- Several SriLankan Airlines flights at Bandaranaike International Airport faced delays due to ground staff temporarily ceasing duties around 4:30 AM: Operations resumed after about two and a half hours following discussions: The protest stemmed from airport workers’ concerns about perceived inefficiencies within the flag carrier.
- Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has committed to establishing a SLBFE office in Kegalle District following a joint appeal from the Kegalle Migrant Workers Committee and the district’s political authority: The decision addresses concerns about the absence of an SLBFE office in the district, despite it having the highest number of migrant workers in the Sabaragamuwa Province.
- Coast guard personnel from India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka join for a four-day trilateral exercise called ‘DOSTI-16’ in the Indian Ocean Region, aimed at enhancing maritime security and interoperability: The exercise involves ships and helicopters from the participating countries, with activities including joint sea exercises and discussions on mutual cooperation: Bangladesh participates as an observer.
- Sports Minister Harin Fernando, along with Director General of Sports Professor (Rear Admiral) Shemal Fernando Ph.D., and the National Sports Council led by Dr. Maiya Gunasekara, select 58 athletes to join the National High Performance Pool for the Paris Olympic Games and Paralympics 2024: The pool includes 33 athletes from 11 Olympic sports and 25 para-athletes across eight Paralympic sports.
