- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized the crucial role of the Sri Lankan tea industry in transitioning the country towards an export economy. He underscored the need for a comprehensive promotion strategy, developed in collaboration with both public and private sectors. The President noted that “Ceylon Tea” is a world-renowned brand and should be further promoted through a new strategic program.
- The National People’s Power (NPP) has launched an Election Monitoring Centre, following the official announcement of the Presidential Election to be held on September 21. The NPP has named an eight member operational committee comprising former ministry secretaries and retired senior Police officers.
- The Sri Lanka State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit (SOERU) has issued a statement clarifying what it said were inaccurate reports on the divestitures of Hotel Developers Lanka Ltd (HDL) and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC (SLT). Contrary to reports, the land involved in the divestiture of HDL, the owning company of the Colombo Hilton, amounts to 4.61 acres, with an additional 1.875 acres to be leased, not 7 acres as claimed, SOERU said. Dismissing the claim of a USD 124 million valuation, the statement said that the Government Chief Valuer’s previous assessment was in Sri Lankan Rupees and was lower than its current valuation.
- Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP M.A. Sumanthiran says that the Ilankai Thamil Arasu Katchchi (ITAK) will not nominate a candidate for the upcoming Presidential Election. However, the party will hold discussions with the main candidates, he said.
- Sri Lanka’s tourism sector has experienced a notable surge, with 127,925 tourists arriving in the past three weeks, according to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority. The majority of these visitors were from India, accounting for 30,442 arrivals. A high volume of tourists also arrived in the island from Britain, China, Germany, and the Netherlands.
- As the upcoming presidential election has been announced by the Election Commission, State Minister of Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon has instructed the security chiefs to take all necessary measures to ensure the security of the presidential candidates, citizens and the entire country during this election period.
- Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane will lead Sri Lanka’s delegation to the Seventh Round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on 30 July 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The Seventh Round of Bilateral Political Consultations will be co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and the Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi.
- The National Police Commission has rejected the Inspector General of Police’s request for the immediate transfer of 210 police officers. The decision was made because the relevant recommendations were not made in accordance with transfer policies.
- The Sri Lanka Navy successfully conducted mobile dental services for children of Batticaloa area. The dental services, organized by the Directorate of Naval Dental Services of Sri Lanka Navy, were held for the benefit of children of Kirimichchaiodai Tamil School, Mathurankernikulam Tamil School and Kokuvil Tamil School in Batticaloa. Around 156 children participated in these programmes, which significantly enhanced their knowledge of good oral hygiene practices as well.
- All-rounder Ramesh Mendis has been called up for the Sri Lanka T20 squad for the series against India. This decision comes as fast bowler Binura Fernando is suffering from a fever, putting his participation in the upcoming matches in doubt, according to sources.
