- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announces legal action will be taken against rice millers failing to sell rice at controlled prices: With no government-held paddy stocks due to previous policies, he outlined plans to buy paddy in the next Maha season, refurbish storage, and collaborate with small-scale millers to supply rice to consumers via cooperative stores.
- SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa calls on President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to deliver on his promises, particularly regarding funds allegedly held in Uganda, which were said to be sufficient to address Sri Lanka’s debt issues: criticises the President for failing to reduce essential commodity prices, cut electricity bills, and lower oil prices, despite holding executive power: also accuses Dissanayake of backtracking on his stance against the oil pricing formula, claiming it now benefits the wealthy rather than ordinary citizens.
- CPSTL Chairman D.J.A.S De S. Rajakaruna highlights despite the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) achieving profitability, it struggles to operate independently due to political interference and the presence of foreign petroleum companies like Lanka IOC, Sinopec, RM Parks, and United Petroleum: Agreements require all firms to follow a 2022 pricing formula, complicating CEYPETCO’s capacity to manage profits amid competitive pressures.
- The Election Commission has reported a rise in complaints related to the 2024 Parliamentary Poll, with a total of 1,535 complaints, including 127 received within the last 24 hours: Most complaints involve election law violations, totalling 1,485 cases: The commission noted that 1,248 of these complaints have already been resolved.
- The Examinations Department announces applications for the 2024 (2025) GCE Ordinary Level Examination will be accepted online from today (05) to November 30: School applicants must apply through principals, while private applicants may apply directly: The deadline is midnight on November 30, with no extensions: Inquiries can be made via provided contact numbers or email.
- A Michelin delegation and newly appointed EDB Chairman Mangala Wijesinghe discuss enhancing Sri Lanka’s rubber manufacturing sector: Michelin urged proactive policies to boost rubber production and establish a dedicated rubber zone, aiming to expand market access and support value-added products: The EDB pledged support, highlighting Michelin’s role as Sri Lanka’s largest French investor and a key export contributor since 2019.
- For the first time, 25 Sri Lankan employment agencies participated in the Saudi Human Resources and Manpower Expo from 27-30 October in Riyadh: The Sri Lankan Embassy, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, facilitated this: Ambassador Ameer Ajwad inaugurated the Sri Lanka pavilion and highlighted Saudi labour market opportunities, encouraging agencies to capitalise on Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and new Skill Verification Program partnerships.
- The Nugegoda Magistrate’s Court has remanded the wife of former State Minister Lohan Ratwatte until November 07 after an unregistered luxury jeep was found at her Mirihana residence: Ratwatte, meanwhile, remains hospitalised at Colombo National Hospital following what the prison authorities described as a “sudden illness”, having been transferred from the prison hospital, where he has been receiving treatment under court orders.
- The Colombo High Court grants bail to 24 individuals remanded for a 2012 assault at Borella New Magazine Prison: During the trial, 43 defendants pleaded guilty, and were ordered to pay Rs. 300,000 to injured party Nihal Gunawardena and Rs. 122,000 each in damages, totalling over Rs. 5.2 million: Payments are due by December 13, 2024.
- Sri Lanka plans to retain the same T20 squad from the recent West Indies series for their upcoming two-match series against New Zealand, beginning on November 09 in Dambulla: The squad, led by Charith Asalanka, aims to maintain its winning momentum and boost T20 and ODI rankings: Test specialists will prepare early for the South Africa series, prioritising World Test Championship rankings.
