- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the government’s aim to create a highly competitive, export-oriented economy based on market economy, expressing full faith in the business community of the country. He pointed out that the current challenge facing the nation is not about maintaining the executive presidential system but rather about building a robust economic framework.
- High Commissioner Santosh Jha met with the founder of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Basil Rajapaksa on Friday (26).
- The Ministry of Education says that the cabinet memorandum submitted regarding the removal of salary disparities and allowances of the non-academic staff of state universities will be submitted to the ministerial sub-committee.
- The Committee of Public Finance (COPF), at its most recent meeting, has examined the effectiveness of recent tax increases on tobacco and liquor, aimed at discouraging consumption and boosting government revenue.
- MP Gamini Waleboda told in Parliament yesterday that a major financial scam is emerging, with funds being unlawfully transferred from current and savings accounts used for online transactions. He further said that the scam is being run by students from an institute specializing in online transaction training.
- The National Dangerous Drugs Control Board says that 230 rehabilitation centers have been established to treat drug addicts in the country.
- The Committee of Public Finance has approved three Orders under the Excise (Special Provisions) Act, as detailed in Gazette No. 2364/36, Gazette No. 2361/44, and Gazette No. 2364/35. These Orders, effective from January 1, 2024, amend business hours for liquor licensed establishments and revise excise duties on various tabocco & alcoholic products.
- Advisor to the Ministry of Education Prof. Gunapala Nanayakkara says a delay in preparing the syllabus for the new education reform proposal has resulted in an issue within the education system. He points out that new education reforms with 41 proposals are planned for implementation from next year to create an education system suitable for the modern world.
- Minister Fernando explored the opportunity to import big onion from Egypt, and Egyptian Ambassador Maged Mosleh has expressed willingness to assist with such imports.
- The Sri Lanka Respiratory Specialists Association says that between 10 and 15 percent of children and adolescents in Sri Lanka have symptoms of asthma. Its chairman Dr. Neranjan Dissanayake said that Sri Lanka is among the countries with the highest number of asthma patients.
