- President Ranil Wickremesinghe announces Sri Lanka is pioneering the new debt sustainability analysis framework for middle-income countries to manage its $37 billion foreign debt: Agreements with official creditors, including India, Japan, France, and China Exim Bank, include extended grace periods and low-interest rates, reducing Sri Lanka’s remaining debt service to $5 billion.
- A gathering of SJB MPs unanimously decides against endorsing the formation of a national government under the current President, Ranil Wickremesinghe: The proposal, introduced by MP Buddhika Pathirana on the 2nd of this month, received unanimous approval from the SJB Parliamentary group.
- The remains of former Tamil National Alliance Leader R. Sampanthan will be brought to Parliament on July 3: His body will lie in state in the Assembly Hall from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm for members and staff to pay their respects: Consequently, Parliamentary sittings are cancelled: A special statement from the President will replace today’s scheduled debt restructuring debate.
- Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera announces the World Food Programme (WFP), guided by UNCTAD, will supply 55,000 metric tonnes of MOP fertiliser to Sri Lankan farmers for free: This fertiliser, crucial for paddy cultivation, will be used over the next two cropping seasons: The government reduced the price from Rs. 14,000 to Rs. 9,000 per tonne and secured Cabinet approval for distribution costs of Rs. 3.5 billion.
- Urban Development and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga announces the Government settled Rs. 200 billion debt owed to construction contractors: This debt, stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic and economic crisis, delayed payments to contractors due to technical issues: Around 20% of Sri Lanka’s workforce is in construction, contributing 8-9% to the Gross National Product: Committees proposed 50 measures to revive the sector, with 14 areas prioritised for immediate improvement.
- The Colombo District Court issues an interim injunction against the SLFP’s expulsion of MP Dayasiri Jayasekara as party member and General Secretary: Jayasekara contested his removal, prompting the court action after SLFP’s chair, Maithripala Sirisena, notified him of a disciplinary inquiry: Jayasekara was ousted on September 5, 2023, but Sirisena clarified it was a temporary suspension pending further proceedings, offering Jayasekara other roles in the party.
- LITRO Chief Muditha Peiris announces a reduction in domestic LP gas cylinder prices from midnight today (02): The new prices are: Rs. 3,690 for the 12.5 kg cylinder (reduced by Rs. 100), Rs. 1,482 for the 5 kg cylinder (reduced by Rs. 40), and Rs. 694 for the 2.3 kg cylinder (reduced by Rs. 18).
- Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena says the Supreme Court ruled today that specific clauses in the Economic Transformation Bill are unconstitutional, requiring a parliamentary supermajority or referendum approval to pass: explains amendments could allow these clauses to pass with a simple majority, based on the court’s decision.
- The Sri Lanka Police announces the immediate transfer of fifteen senior officers, including six Deputy Inspectors General (DIGs), due to operational requirements: This move, approved by the National Police Commission, affects DIGs G.I.D.R. Wijesinghe, G.A.N.L. Wijesena, I.B.T. Sugathapala, L.A.U. Sarath Kumara, A.L.U.N Liyanage, and A.S.P.C. Wedamulla: Additionally, the transfers involve six SSPs and three SPs, including the Director of the Police Special Bureau.
- Dasun Shanaka (46) and Angelo Mathews (37) powered Kandy Falcons to a six-wicket victory over Dambulla Sixes with 16 balls remaining in the Lanka Premier League opener: Chasing 180, Dinesh Chandimal scored 65 off 40 balls. Shanaka, who took 3/20 earlier, and Mathews added 72 runs for the fifth wicket. Dambulla’s Mark Chapman (91) and Chamindu Wickramasinghe (62) had set 179/4.
