- Despite President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s government’s regulations setting the price of Nadu rice at Rs. 220 per kilo, recent reports indicate an average market price of Rs. 235: During a meeting with President Dissanayake, rice millers agreed to sell Nadu rice at Rs. 218, yet prices have risen due to stock shortages: The Consumer Affairs Authority plans to enforce penalties for vendors exceeding price controls, which may include fines and imprisonment.
- SLPP National List member Namal Rajapaksa urges President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe to clarify their positions on promised public sector salary increments: highlights the unfulfilled pledges made during their election campaigns: warns that misleading government employees could result in frustration and turmoil, stressing the need for action on this issue.
- Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya confirms former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will be called to testify on the 2015 Central Bank bond scam: criticises Wickremesinghe’s constitutional knowledge, asserting he disregards public sovereignty by postponing elections and influencing the judiciary: assures legal action against all who misappropriated public funds.
- Former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte was arrested in Kandy by Mirihana Police over an unregistered luxury car found at his wife’s residence in Mirihana, Nugegoda: He has been remanded until November 07: Ratwatte claimed the vehicle was brought there by his late private secretary, who was recently found dead with gunshot injuries in Katugastota, Kandy.
- Sri Lanka Customs and Russia’s Federal Customs Service ink a mutual agreement in Moscow to combat illegal trading and enhance legal trade facilitation: The agreement, titled the “Mutual Assistance Agreement on Customs Matters,” was signed by Sri Lanka Customs Director General P.B. Sarath Nonis and Russian Customs Head Valery Pikalyov to strengthen future cooperation.
- The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation announces a fuel price revision effective from midnight on October 31: Petrol 95 Octane and Super Diesel prices have each been reduced by Rs. 6, now costing Rs. 371 and Rs. 313 per litre, respectively: Prices for Petrol 92 Octane, Auto Diesel, and Kerosene remain unchanged at Rs. 311, Rs. 283, and Rs. 183 per litre.
- The Election Commission receives 1,104 complaints regarding the upcoming parliamentary election from September 26 to October 30, including 93 new cases: Of these, 316 were reported to the National Centre for Election Complaint Management and 820 to District Centres: All complaints involve law violations, with 11 incidents classified as violent.
- The Health Ministry will conduct a special measles vaccination programme from November 4 – 9, targeting individuals who missed vaccination or received only one dose: Senior Epidemiologist Dr. Hasitha Tissera says it will cover 12 districts, addressing a potential measles resurgence since 2023 despite the country’s previous eradication success: Infants, particularly under 9 months, are at higher risk.
- Ceylon Teachers’ Union General Secretary Joseph Stalin urges the Examinations Department to reassure students and parents of a secure 2024 GCE Advanced Level exam process: highlights the need for strict precautions after last year’s agriculture paper leak, which forced students to retake the exam: criticises the lack of accountability for those responsible for the 2023 incident.
- Sri Lankan batsman Pathum Nissanka reached career-best ICC rankings, now 7th in ODIs and 8th in T20s after strong performances against West Indies: Kamindu Mendis, Charith Asalanka, and Kusal Mendis also climbed the ICC rankings: Key bowlers Maheesh Theekshana and Wanindu Hasaranga achieved high T20 rankings: Women’s captain Chamari Athapaththu rose to 3rd in ODI and 9th in T20 rankings, reflecting Sri Lanka’s cricketing progress.
