- The President’s Defence Division rescues a woman who attempted suicide by throwing herself into the sea: The Defence Division team rescues the woman near the flag pole of Galleface Green.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says even though it has been 05 years since the Easter Sunday attack, the government has failed to implement or consult the recommendations made by the Malalgoda Committee report, the Presidential Commission report and the Parliamentary Special Committee report on this heinous attack: alleges that parts of the report on this genocide have been concealed even from members of Parliament and various people are making controversial comments due to the naming of masterminds who were picked without sufficient evidence.
- Sri Lanka’s Tamil political parties aim to nominate a minority candidate for the upcoming presidential election in the last quarter of 2024, seeking a credible solution for Tamil minority issues: TNA Leader R. Sampanthan raises the importance of supporting a candidate committed to resolving these issues: While the TNA proposes a Tamil candidate, Sampanthan acknowledges challenges in garnering widespread support and emphasises the need for a credible political solution, including addressing the merger of north and east provinces.
- Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says Sri Lanka has progressed well in its debt restructuring programme, with the second review by the IMF approved at the staff level: adds however that obtaining the third instalment has become challenging: asserts under President Wickremesinghe’s leadership, an extended arrangement with the IMF was approved to support economic policies and reforms, aiming to restore stability and sustainability while protecting the vulnerable: adds plans for relief benefits distribution and addressing public concerns about reduced prices are underway.
- Laugfs Gas slashes the prices of its domestic LP gas cylinders, with a reduction of Rs. 625 for a 12.5kg cylinder in the Colombo district: The price adjustment follows positive economic factors such as the strengthening Sri Lankan rupee, lower interest rates, and ample foreign exchange availability.
- Five export associations in Sri Lanka collectively address challenges posed by the recent strengthening of the Sri Lankan rupee against the US dollar: cite concerns such as reduced export competitiveness, increased operational costs, and pressure on worker wages: criticise the mandatory conversion of export earnings into local currency and urged the Central Bank to reconsider its policy to support export growth and economic development.
- Sri Lanka awaits clarification on hazardous materials aboard the Singapore cargo ship Dali, which collided with a Baltimore bridge: Among known cargo are 57 containers with dangerous goods: The US National Transportation Safety Board is assessing the ship’s manifest: SL anticipates its arrival post New Year: The SLPA chairman outlined port protocols, indicating transshipment likelihood: Meanwhile, concerns persist regarding hazardous waste entry, subject to Basel Convention regulations.
- In the fiscal year 2022/23, government revealed foregone revenue of Rs. 978 billion due to tax concessions, representing 56% of total tax revenue collected that year: This disclosure, reported by PublicFinance.lk, aims to enhance financial transparency and align with international standards: Additionally, the government pledged to regularly disclose firms benefitting from tax exemptions through the Board of Investment and the Strategic Development Projects Act.
- Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya orders the transfer of all officers from the Excise Department’s Narcotics Prevention Unit after four excise officers were arrested for transporting a large quantity of cannabis: The arrestees have been suspended pending further investigation, and a thorough probe into the incident has been launched: The arrests were made by the Police Narcotics Bureau, and 45 kilograms of cannabis were seized along with an Excise Department van used in the operation.
- Sri Lanka dominated Bangladesh in the second Test match at Chattogram, with Asitha Fernando shining with 4 wickets for 34 runs, limiting Bangladesh to 178 all out in their first innings: Despite SL’s initial struggle in their second innings, they managed to secure a lead of 455 runs by the end of the third day: Debutant Hasan Mahmud impressed for Bangladesh with 4 wickets for 51 runs: Today, on the fourth day, Bangladesh faces pressure with a significant deficit.
