- President Ranil Wickremesinghe convenes a meeting with party leaders to discuss IMF proposals: Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardena provides update, aiming to conclude negotiations by June: TNA MP Sumanthiran raises concerns about missing IMF reports for parliamentary discussions: The President assures transparency and offers to share reports with Parliament: The Central Bank Governor stressed adherence to IMF recommendations: The President Wickremesinghe invites opposition members to engage directly with the IMF: Sumanthiran expresses readiness for constructive dialogue.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says the policies of this country so far were organised with the knowledge of the ministers, organisers and elites: adds these policies from top-to-bottom were made in air-conditioned palaces of the capital for the people of the villages: asserts the SJB organises its policies at the ground, rural level, from bottom-to-top, being fed by the opinions of the general public.
- NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya leaves for England to attend the ‘Gehenu Api Eka Mitata’ summit organised by the party in London: The summit is set to be held on March 16.
- The government is pushing for amendments to the Parliamentary Elections Act ahead of the national elections: Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe proposes a mixed electoral system, combining First Past the Post (FPTP) and proportional representation (PR): The plan allocates 160 seats via FPTP and 65 seats via PR: While some parties support the proposal, others oppose it, citing past electoral irregularities with PR: The timing of the initiative raises speculation as elections approach.
- The Ministry of Agriculture suspends a recent gazette permitting the import and re-export of spices like pepper: Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera raises concerns about its impact on local farmers and the quality of Sri Lankan spices: Following Cabinet discussions, the notification was suspended to safeguard local spice cultivation and maintain quality standards.
- Sri Lanka’s health authorities dispute The Lancet study’s portrayal of child malnutrition and underweight girls, citing inaccuracies: The study alleges a high prevalence of underweight girls in Sri Lanka, ranking it second globally after India: However, health officials contest these findings, asserting inconsistencies with the country’s actual situation: cite recent data showing a decrease in severe acute malnutrition cases: This dispute follows the rejection of a previous UNICEF report on child malnutrition in Sri Lanka.
- The Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA) emphasises that suspending parate execution would not protect mortgaged assets of defaulters, as banks would pursue legal action instead: Parate execution is a last resort for debt recovery, used when borrowers fail to cooperate: The SLBA warned of increased borrowing costs and project disruptions if parate action is suspended, urging policymakers to consider national economic interests over lobbying efforts.
- Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says 92% of the sanitary towels required in Sri Lanka are domestically manufactured, with no tax imposed: The remaining 8% are imported by a single company as finished products, subject to a 22.5% tax aimed at protecting local producers.
- Healthcare workers plan protests today outside certain hospitals due to delayed salary increments and administrative obstacles: The demonstrations, led by Ravi Kumudesh of the Health Service Trade Unions, aim to address these issues and will begin at noon.
- The Police Sports Club won the prestigious Clifford Cup by defeating Havelock SC 19-12 in the final at Colombo’s Racecourse grounds: Coached by Nilfer Ibrahim, the team displayed remarkable strength throughout the tournament: Sergeant Akash Madushanka named the Best Player: Minister Harin Fernando attended the final and awarded the team one million rupees: The team will also tour Australia, and all members will receive cash prizes and promotions promised by the IGP: This victory marks the Police Sports Club’s return to past glory after 33 years, with support from officials like Senior DIG Ranmal Kodithuwakku and SSP Nizam Jamaldeen.
