- President Ranil Wickremesinghe invites King Charles III to visit Sri Lanka during the presentation of credentials by High Commissioner Rohitha Bogollagama at Buckingham Palace: The invitation included warm felicitations and highlighted Sri Lanka’s role in the Commonwealth: A special gift of James Taylor Premium Ceylon Tea was presented: The ceremony was attended by Sir Philip Barton from the FCDO: Later, a pirith chanting ceremony and a Vin D’Honneur were held at the Sri Lanka House in the UK, with High Commissioner Bogollagama expressing gratitude for UK’s support and emphasising the importance of bilateral relations: Bogollagama, a former Member of Parliament, is the first Sri Lankan envoy to present credentials to King Charles III.
- MP Thilak Rajapakshe from SLPP joins SJB: Rajapakshe is physician with military background and Viyathmaga member: Also, former SLFP Medawachchiya Constituency Organiser Tissa Karalliyadde switches to SJB, a seasoned politician and former Cabinet Minister, now co-organiser of SJB’s Medawachchiya Constituency.
- The Colombo District Court extends the interim order preventing Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe from serving as SLFP Chairman: The decision was made during today’s session, with a follow-up scheduled for July 13 to allow time for objections: The injunction stays in force until the hearing date.
- Defence State Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennnakoon says the toll of casualties due to adverse weather has reached 12: Additionally, five individuals are reported missing: Moreover, 23,707 people from 2,313 families have sought shelter in relief centres nationwide.
- The Education Ministry declares the closure of schools in several districts across the Western, Southern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces for Tuesday (04) due to the current adverse weather conditions: Affected districts include Ratnapura and Kegalle in the Sabaragamuwa Province, Galle and Matara in the Southern Province, and Kalutara in the Western Province: Additionally, all schools within the Homagama Education Zone in the Colombo District will also be closed: However, the Ministry confirms schools outside of these districts will operate as usual on Tuesday.
- Sri Lanka Police establishes emergency hotlines to aid those affected by adverse weather: Hotlines include 0112421820 for emergencies, and additional lines: 0112439212, 0112013036, & 0112013039: The Disaster Management Centre (DMC) also offers support through their hotline at 117.
- In April, Colombo Port saw slower transshipment growth due to Red Sea disruptions: Transshipment volumes rose by 8.1%, lowest since November, reaching 525,936 TEUs: Overall container throughput grew by 10.2%, hitting 626,926 TEUs driven by rising imports: Import container volumes surged by 22.7%, while export volumes rose by 6.6%: Restowing volumes spiked by 60.9% to 19,957 TEUs: Colombo International Container Terminal handled 268,513 TEUs, up 7.8%: Jaya Container Terminal and East Container Terminal managed 184,286 TEUs, a 3% growth: South Asia Gateway Terminal processed 174,130 TEUs, up 23.5%: April saw 312 vessel calls at Colombo Port compared to 345 last year.
- Finance State Minister Shehan Semasinghe says the IMF’s Executive Board meeting on June 12 will review Sri Lanka’s Article IV Consultation and second EFF review: adds the session will evaluate economic policies and reforms: Sri Lanka seeks support for a successful review to unlock the third tranche, aiming to enhance economic stability and growth: Julie Kozack, IMF Communications Director, mentioned a staff-level agreement on economic policies, indicating progress towards completing the review: Approval by IMF Management could grant Sri Lanka access to approximately US$337 million in financing.
- A new loan relief package worth Rs 5 bn will assist Sri Lanka’s MSMEs affected by the pandemic and economic downturn: Managed by the finance and industries ministries, the scheme will offer Rs 5 mn to 1000 MSMEs at a concessional interest rate of 7%, regardless of CRIB blacklist status: Loans can be repaid over five years, with a grace period of six months, and require personal guarantees for amounts up to Rs 200,000: Larger loans necessitate property collateral: Implemented through ten banks, the scheme also offers loans up to Rs 15 mn for investment, with a ten-year repayment period: An additional Rs 3 bn scheme, supported by the ADB, will complement the 2024 budgetary support: Measures to upgrade the Sri Lanka Savings Bank and enhance digital literacy aim to strengthen MSMEs, which contribute significantly to the country’s economy.
- Breeda Jayasuriya, mother of Sri Lankan Cricket star Sanath Jayasuriya, has passed away aged 80 in Matara: Sanath, in the USA as a consultant coach, will return home upon hearing the news: Sri Lanka Cricket affirmed his return to support the family: The funeral is set for Wednesday in Matara: Breeda was celebrated for her steadfast support of her son’s cricket journey.
