- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will visit China in January for talks, following the completion of a foreign debt restructuring: China, which held over half of Sri Lanka’s bilateral debt during the 2022 economic crisis, plays a crucial role in the island’s recovery: Dissanayake’s first overseas visit as president was to India, a key regional rival to China: Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Sri Lanka’s credit rating, though challenges with high government debt remain.
- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an inquiry into the erroneous listing of Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara’s title on the parliamentary website: A CID team visited Parliament on December 20 to record statements from officials and obtain relevant documents: Nanayakkara had filed a complaint about being listed as “Dr.” on the website, calling it defamatory: Parliament acknowledged the mistake, attributing it to incorrect data.
- Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe clarified that during his tenure (2022-2024), private requests for medical aid from public representatives were processed through standard administrative procedures under the Presidential Fund: Except for one case, no individual received over Rs. 1 million in aid: Notable disbursements included heart surgeries for former officials and Rs. 5 million for actress Malini Fonseka’s treatment in India: Over Rs. 100 million was allocated for various medical treatments during this period.
- NPP MP Nilanthi Kottahachchi stated that people have the democratic right to challenge truths and expose falsehoods, and to critique or praise the government’s actions: Speaking in Kalutara, she emphasised that individuals are entitled to see both positive and negative aspects of government actions: Kottahachchi also defended the NPP’s honesty during the election campaign, rejecting claims of misleading voters.
- Fitch Ratings has upgraded Sri Lanka’s Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘CCC+’ from ‘RD’ (Restricted Default), citing the completion of international sovereign bond restructuring and improved macroeconomic outlook: The Local-Currency IDR was also upgraded to ‘CCC+’ from ‘CCC-‘, reflecting reduced default risk on local debt: The restructuring covers 96% of external commercial debt, converting it into a mix of macro-linked and governance-linked bonds.
- Sri Lanka has repaid defaulted local bondholders with floating-rate rupee bonds, part of the restructuring of International Sovereign Bonds (ISBs), completed on December 20: The country issued 8 tranches of bonds worth Rs. 155.7 billion, with no principal reduction for local bondholders, primarily banks: These bonds will carry a coupon rate 50 basis points above the Central Bank’s Standing Lending Facility rate.
- Gold prices in Sri Lanka have risen, with the price of a pound of 22-carat gold increasing to Rs. 193,200 from Rs. 190,500 in two days: Additionally, the price of 24-carat gold has gone up by Rs. 2,000, reaching Rs. 210,000 per pound, according to the latest market data from the Colombo Gold Centre on December 21.
- A surprise inspection by the Jinthupitiya MOH office and Public Health Inspectors on December 21 revealed serious hygiene violations in restaurants on Bodhiraja Mawatha, Pettah: Issues such as rat droppings in kitchens and food preparation areas, and cats roaming in these spaces, were found: Restaurant owners were criticised, with some blaming the rat surge: Strict warnings and legal actions were issued, with instructions to improve sanitation.
- The Trade Association of the Peliyagoda Central Fish Market Complex has reported a significant rise in fish prices due to adverse weather conditions: According to Chairman Jayasiri Wickramarachchi, the price of mackerel has surged to Rs. 2,200 per kilogramme, while seer fish is now selling for 2,500 rupees per kilogramme.
- Glamorgan County Cricket Club has signed Sri Lankan fast bowler Asitha Fernando for the first seven matches of the 2025 Vitality County Championship, pending a No-Objection Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket: Fernando, a key bowler in all formats for Sri Lanka, has impressed internationally, including a five-wicket haul at Lord’s in 2024: He expressed excitement about joining Glamorgan, while Director of Cricket Mark Wallace welcomed him as the club’s first Sri Lankan player.
