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Sri Lanka Original Narrative Summary: 08/11

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  1. The Sri Lanka Immigration and Emigration Officers’ Association has issued a statement calling for an investigation into senior officials responsible for the current passport crisis. The association’s statement highlights the department’s failure to disclose the true status of Passport issuance to the responsible minister, impacting both national administration and the government’s agenda.
  2. Two newly appointed Ambassadors to Sri Lanka presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt Adel Ibrahim and Ambassador of Japan ISOMATA Akio presented their credentials to the President.
  3. Senior Advisor to the President on Economic and Financial Affairs Prof. Anil Jayantha stated that the government will focus on reducing the VAT levied on school material including textbooks and essential foods and medicine. The professor said this while participating in the meeting of Gampaha district farmers organised by Sri Lanka Agricultural Development Council, chairman Sashika De Silva
  4. The Executive Director of the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) Rohana Hettiarachchi says that despite 8,888 candidates vying for positions in this year’s General Election, fewer than 1,000 are actively campaigning, reflecting a notable decline in political engagement. Hettiarachchi attributed this trend to a shifting public perception regarding the benefits of political involvement and a growing disillusionment with traditional party structures.
  5. Sri Lanka has been voted the Most Desirable Island in the World at the Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024 in London. At the prestigious Wanderlust Reader Travel Awards 2024 held in London, Sri Lanka emerged as the “Most Desirable Island in the World,” marking a significant milestone in its tourism recovery journey.
  6. Doctor Shafi Sihabdeen of the Kurunegala Teaching Hospital today filed a complaint with the Ministry of Public Security over his arrest and detention in 2019. Speaking to the media today, Dr. Sihabdeen said that he faced the ordeal due to false allegations made against him for political propaganda and that he has filed a complaint to prevent the recurrence of such incidents in the future.
  7. Sri Lanka’s Official Reserve Assets has increased to US$ 6.46 billion in October 2024 from the US$ 5.99 billion recorded in September this year. According to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), this was a significant increase of 7.9%.
  8. The Secretary to the Ministry of Trade M.M. Naimuddin handed over the report prepared by the Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) on rice and paddy stocks in the country to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This assessment of the rice stocks available within the country was carried out following the President’s directive to gauge the rice supply amidst a market shortage of several varieties, including Nadu, White and Red Raw rice.
  9. The public who have fallen victim to online financial scams through social media, such as WhatsApp, has been requested to inform the Police Computer Crime Investigation Division. Complaints can be filed by sending emails to the Police Computer Crime Investigation Division via [email protected].
  10. The Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of Sri Lanka has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Secretariat for Non-Governmental Organizations to exchange information on investigations and prosecutions of Money Laundering (ML), Terrorist Financing (TF) and related crimes and of any persons connected.
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