1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe unveiled plans to introduce two significant bills aimed at advancing gender equality and women empowerment, with both slated for presentation to Parliament in May. Addressing the National Celebration of International Women’s Day at the Water’s Edge, Battaramulla, the President outlined the key provisions of these legislative initiatives.
2. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has convened a meeting on Monday (March 11) with the leaders of accepted opposition parties in parliament and the visiting high-level delegation of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). During the meeting, the opposition party leaders will be offered the chance to discuss the IMF’s proposals with the delegates.
3. Questions have been raised on former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s newly released book. ‘The Conspiracy’ which claims internationally sponsored regime change was the cause for him to be ousted from the Sri Lankan Presidency in 2022. The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka questioned the former President’s suggestion that foreign ambassadors’ visits to Sri Lanka military objects should be restricted.
4. Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has issued a notice outlining the requirements for Sri Lankan non-residents concerning the Tax Identification Number (TIN). Sri Lankan residents above 18 years of age are chargeable with income tax and are required to obtain registration with the Commissioner General of the IRD.
5. Ophthalmologists warn that exposure to sunlight can be hazardous to the human eye, in the backdrop of extreme heat being experienced in the country.
6. The Board of Directors including the Chairman of the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) have resigned. Trade Minister Nalin Fernando mentioned that the 15-member Board of Directors including Shantha Niriella have resigned in this manner. Reportedly, they have taken this step in compliance with a notification made by the minister.
7. Gold prices hit record highs for a fourth consecutive session.
Spot gold rose 0.4% to $2,168.28 per ounce as of 1057 GMT, while U.S. gold futures added 0.5% to $2,175.50. Gold reached a new all-time high of $2,170.99 earlier in the session and has gained more than 4.1% so far this week.
8. The Health Trade Union Alliance has reached a decision to give the Ministry of Finance one week to resolve the allowance issue. Co-Convener Chanaka Dharmawickrama said if no solution is provided in a week, they will resolve to strike action once again from the 19th of March.
9. Former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa highlights three major issues that need attention from Sri Lanka’s future leader. Those are to the concerns of the Sinhalese and Sinhala Buddhists feeling neglected by foreign and local entities, the economic decline and substantial national debt, the critical failures in law and order, national security, and intelligence during his tenure.
10. Lahiru Kumara has been reportedly added to the Sri Lanka ODI squad after Asitha Fernando was ruled out after an injury. Pathum Nissanka who missed the T20I series due to an injury has been also named in the ODI squad.
