- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the imperative of promoting modern technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), to attain future social and economic objectives within the country. He announced the commencement of this programme slated to initiate next year, aiming to proliferate AI across all sectors within a span of five years. The President underscored the pivotal role assigned to the university system in this initiative.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticized those who shy away from economic discussions due to the absence of a proper economic plan and team. Premadasa called on the National People’s Power (NPP) to allocate two consecutive days for discussions and decisions on economic matters, highlighting the importance of involving leaders in these debates.
- The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has revised its fuel prices with effect from midnight yesterday (May 31). Accordingly, the price of Petrol Octane 92 will be reduced by Rs. 13 to Rs. 355 per litre while Auto Diesel is to be reduced by Rs. 16 to Rs. 317 per litre. Kerosene has been reduced by Rs. 13 to Rs. 202. Meanwhile, the prices of Petrol 95 Octane and Super diesel will remain unchanged.
- The overall rate of inflation as measured by the Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) on year-on-year (y-o-y) basis decreased to 0.9% in May 2024, the Department of Census & Statistics (DCS) says. Last month, the CCPI-based inflation was calculated at 1.5%, according to the latest figures published by the DCS.
- The Colombo High Court ordered the release of former Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) Ajith Nivard Cabraal and three other defendants in a case filed against them alleging financial losses caused to the government of Sri Lanka through investments in Greek treasury bonds in 2012. The attorneys who appeared on behalf of the former CBSL chief had raised objections that the relevant case filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) cannot be maintained.
- The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives Moosa Zameer is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka for an official visit from June 03 to 06, Maldivian media reported. The visit is being undertaken on the invitation of his Sri Lankan counterpart, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, it said.
- The Vehicle Importers’ Association has raised doubts regarding the government’s repeated claims of easing existing restrictions and allowing vehicle imports. President of the Sri Lanka Vehicle Importers’ Association Prasad Manage highlighted the uncertainty and potential impacts on the vehicle prices once imports are permitted.
- The Court of Appeal has adjourned further consideration of a petition filed by plantation companies seeking writ order invalidating the gazette notification issued by the Minister of Labor stipulating a minimum daily wage for plantation workers, until next Monday (June 03). The petition, filed by 21 plantation companies including Agarapatana Plantations Ltd., was taken for consideration before a two-member Appeals Court judge bench consisting of Justices Sobitha Rajakaruna and Dhammika Ganepola.
- Osman Pushparaj, a most wanted suspect believed to have close ties with and assisted four Sri Lankans arrested in India for suspected ISIS links, was arrested in Colombo in a joint operation by the CID and TID, according to the Police Spokesman.
- The South Asian Institute of Technology (SAITM) and the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) will be handed over to the Faculty of Medicine, University of Moratuwa in August. The decision was taken in order to make pre-arrangements for the University of Moratuwa before commencing academic studies in January 2025, according to the PMD.
