- Sources reveal that President Ranil Wickremesinghe has clarified that the presidential election will be held before the general election, instructing the cabinet to prepare accordingly based on the country’s constitution.
- Former MP Hirunika Premachandra files a FR petition with the Supreme Court, seeking to block Deshabandu Tennakoon from becoming IGP due to his alleged involvement in assault cases: The petition names several respondents, including the Attorney General and members of the Constitutional Council, citing concerns about public interest and violations of constitutional provisions.
- NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake says a future NPP government should include ministers from the North: emphasises discussions with moderate Tamil leaders for this inclusion, aiming to address Tamil issues like language and land: pledges constitutional amendments to secure political rights for Tamils, promising to resolve language concerns and ensure the right to engage with the state in Tamil.
- Today marks the start of the two-day parliamentary debate on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena: The debate will run from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and is expected to conclude by 4:30 p.m. tomorrow, March 20, with a vote to follow: The motion, submitted on March 5, alleges that the Speaker disregarded Supreme Court recommendations on the Online Safety Bill and unconstitutionally confirmed the appointment of IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon.
- The Finance Ministry launches a loan programme to aid private mill owners in paddy procurement during the Maha season, disbursing Rs. 1,500 million with a total projected loan amount of Rs. 9,000 million: No funds were allocated to the Paddy Marketing Board due to outstanding dues of Rs. 28,600 million owed to the Treasury.
- The tourism industry celebrates a milestone as tourist arrivals exceeded 500,000 in the 1Q24’, with March alone welcoming over 100,000 visitors: This rapid recovery, reaching levels not seen since the pandemic’s onset, signifies strong momentum: Despite March’s weekly data suggesting a slight dip compared to February, the sector’s overall growth remains impressive: Major source markets include Russia, India, Germany, the UK, France, and China: The tourism sector’s revenue in the first two months of 2024 reached US $687.5 million, a substantial increase from the same period in 2023, contributing significantly to the country’s economic stability.
- The Inland Revenue Department plans to boost tax compliance among high-income earners by targeting a group of 100 taxpayers with significant reported incomes: Using various data sources like real estate holdings and bank records, the IRD aims to ensure fairness and confidence in tax administration: A dedicated unit, the High Wealth Individuals Unit (HWIU), to oversee this effort.
- Transport and Highways Minister Bandula Gunawardana aims to accelerate the completion of the third phase of the Central Expressway, spanning from Pothuhera to Galagedara, within two years: The initial phase from Pothuhera to Rambukkana is targeted for completion by 2025, with the entire project expected to conclude by July 2026: This expressway will improve connectivity from Mirigama to Rambukkana, with construction activities ongoing for four interchanges along the route.
- The Sri Lankan Rupee appreciates against the US Dollar to the point where the buying price reaches below the Rs. 300 threshold at leading commercial banks: Peoples Bank’s buying price Rs. 298.36; selling price Rs. 308.47: Commercial Bank’s buying price Rs. 298.67; selling price Rs. 308: Sampath Bank’s buying price Rs. 299.50; selling price Rs. 308.50.
- The Sri Lanka Cricket Selection Committee finalises a 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh: Dhananjaya De Silva will lead the team, with Kusal Mendis as vice-captain: The series will kick off on March 22 in Sylhet.
