- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will undertake a state visit to India from 15 to 17 December 2024 at the invitation of the President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, the foreign ministry confirmed today. This is the first overseas visit undertaken by the President after his assumption of office.
- The Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament Asoka Ranwala has resigned from his position, in the wake of the controversy surrounding his educational qualifications. The NPP Parliamentarian confirmed this decision issuing a special statement.
- Sri Lanka has successfully concluded its international bond restructuring, bringing closure to one of the most complex and challenging sovereign debt restructuring exercises in recent history, says Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardana.
- Sri Lanka gained extensive support from private creditors to restructure its international bonds, a key step for the country to exit an extended default. The Government of Sri Lanka has announced indicative results of its recent consent solicitation and invitation to exchange concerning the country’s existing bonds.
- The All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange gained 169.53 points (1.21%) to close at 14,205.34 points today, marking a new all-time high. Meanwhile, the S&P SL20 has increased by 57.99 points (1.39%) to close at 4,244.45 points.
- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed members to the Port City Economic Commission, the President’s Media Division (PMD) reported. The official letters of appointment were handed over to the members by the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
- Former Colombo Crimes Division (CCD) Director, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Nevil Silva, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), has been further remanded until December 20 by the Ratnapura Magistrate’s Court.
- The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said the number of Sri Lankan workers going abroad for work will likely exceed 311,000 in 2024, recording the highest departures ever for foreign employment in a calendar year. In 2024, the number of Sri Lankan migrant workers going abroad for work surpassed 300,000, reaching 300,162 as of December 13.
- The National Election Commission has issued a Gazette notification announcing the members appointed to the National List seats of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB).
- The owner of the Galle Marvels team in the Lanka T10 Super League, who was arrested over allegations of match-fixing, has been remanded. The Galle Marvels’ owner, Prem Thakkar who is an Indian national, was remanded until 16 December 2024, by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court
