- President Ranil Wickremesinghe has assured that he has not deviated from the principles of the democratic socialist system of Sri Lanka, in his efforts to revive the economy. The President explained that although Sri Lanka gradually started liberalizing its economy since 1977, it did not bring along the necessary legislation.
- National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake has left for the United Kingdom (UK) for a meeting with the Sri Lankan community residing in the country.
- Minister of Tourism, Lands, Sports and Youth Affairs Harin Fernando said that an election will be held on October 5, this year. “An election will be held on the fifth of October,” the Minister said. Minister Fernando said that President Ranil Wickremsinghe will emerge victorious in the forthcoming election.
- Sri Lanka’s year-on-year GDP growth rate for the first quarter of 2024 has been estimated as 5.3% of positive growth rate, according to the Department of Census and Statistics. The Department of Census and Statistics (DCS) Sri Lanka, has released the estimated Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current price and at constant (2015) price in Production approach and the other macroeconomic indicators for the first quarter (January 1st to March 31st) of 2024.
- Former Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella and 07 others have been further remanded until June 28 by the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court over the import of substandard human Immunoglobulin vials.
- Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organizer MP Namal Rajapaksa has warned the people in the North to be cautious of politicians who change their policies to secure votes. MP Rajapaksa cautioned the people in the North, including the main political party in the North, the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), to be mindful of policy changes ahead of the anticipated elections.
- Sri Lanka’s economy is expected to expand by 2.2 percent in 2024, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report issued on Friday (14). The report indicates that this is a 0.5-percentage-point upward revision from January—supported by modest recoveries in remittances and tourism.
- The Attorney General’s Department today informed the Supreme Court that it will not appear on behalf of former Health Minister Kehiliya Rambukwella and arrested NMRA officials over the case of purchasing medicines from two allegedly unregistered companies.
- The Forest Conservation Department said drone operations will commenced to detect forest destruction. Forest Conservation General Nishantha Edirisinghe said operations will commence in seven districts under the first phase. Accordingly drone operations will commence in the Ratnapura, Hambantota, Ampara, Mullaitivu, Monaragala, Batticaloa, and Mannar districts.
- Minister of Sports Harin Fernando expressed concerns about Sri Lanka’s consistent losses in the ICC T20 World Cup, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions. He mentioned that Sri Lanka Cricket was already in disarray when he took over. Responding humorously to a question about future steps, he remarked that he might have to play cricket himself if the team keeps losing.
