- His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Saheb, spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohras, meets with President Ranil Wickremesinghe at the President’s residence: discusses strengthening Sri Lanka’s economy and highlights the upcoming Bohra Conference: A book documenting Bohra community programmes presented to the President.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa expressed concerns about the lack of IT education for Grades 1 to 5 in Sri Lanka despite the government’s promises of a ‘digital revolution’: pledges making IT a mandatory subject in English medium for all grades, Grade 1 to Grade 13, to address this gap if the SJB comes into power.
- NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says President Ranil Wickremesinghe has outsourced his propaganda efforts for the upcoming Presidential polls to three advertising agencies with the aim of attacking the NPP: alleges RW’s strategy includes instilling fear by referencing past incidents, including those of 88/89’ and the May 09 Attack, questioning the NPP’s ability to garner a majority vote: asserts politics is not solely based on numbers but is a social science: adds both the Opposition and Government are attempting to discredit the NPP, but the NPP will not engage in responding to these allegations.
- Education Minister Susil Premajayantha says the number of GCE Ordinary Level exam subjects will be slashed to seven, with three focusing on industry and environmental knowledge to prevent student failure: Professional training in preferred subjects will also be provided to 50,000 A/L students at 300 centres nationwide.
- An Extraordinary Gazette has been issued, designating electricity supply, and petroleum distribution as essential services: The declaration ensures uninterrupted provision of these vital services for the welfare of the populace.
- Questions arise over the Central Bank’s handling of interest rates for the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF), with disparities seen between rates paid to staff (19.5%) and regular contributors (9%): Critics raise concerns about fairness and transparency, urging closer examination of EPF management practices for equitable treatment of all contributors.
- Hamilton Reserve Bank opposes Sri Lanka’s request for a five-month stay of proceedings in the case against sovereign debt restructuring: SL cites ongoing negotiations and aims to finalise agreements with creditors by the completion of the IMF’s review: HRB seeks full payment on over $250 million of Sri Lanka’s dollar bond: SL argues that delaying the judgment would assist in the negotiation process, while HRB claims minimal prejudice from the delay.
- Education officials are taking action in response to concerns over leaked term papers: Secretary to the Western Province Ministry of Education Sirisoma Lokuwithana is meeting with the State Printing Corporation today to address the issue: Secretary to the Sabaragamuwa Provincial Education Department Chamara Bamunu Arachchi confirms a probe into the Grade 10 English Second Paper leak, with a rescheduled exam planned for next Wednesday.
- The Expolanka Group, with over 45 years of history, becomes a leading logistics company operating in 39 countries: Despite recent challenges impacting its financial performance, including geopolitical tensions, the company plans to focus on its core business and international expansion: To address capital requirements for this expansion, the company’s board approves a proposal to delist its shares from the Colombo Stock Exchange, subject to necessary approvals.
- The 94th Battle of the Maroons between Ananda and Nalanda Colleges ends in a draw with Ananda securing a first-innings lead: Ananda declared at 286/9 in response to Nalanda’s 277/8: Notable performances included Kithma Withanaparhirana’s 76 and Dinada Athalage’s 71: Sadew Samarasinghe and Manupa Manmitha impressed for Nalanda: Sajitha Vithanage of Nalanda was named player of the match, with awards also presented for best fielder, bowler, batsman, and man of the match.
