- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake met with officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration, Sri Lanka Customs, and Airport and Aviation Services on December 28 to discuss preventing narcotics entry, curbing corruption, and halting unauthorised departures: He proposed an integrated camera system, advanced scanners, and strict measures to restore public confidence in Sri Lanka Customs: The meeting included key ministers and officials.
- The Ilankai Thamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) has appointed former MP Mavai Senathirajah as the head of its Central Committee and C. V. K. Sivagnanam as the Acting Leader: These decisions were made during the ITAK Central Committee meeting in Vavuniya on December 28: However, the appointments will remain in effect only until the next Central Committee meeting, according to MP Gnanamuththu Srineshan.
- Sulochana Gamage, a former Western Provincial Council member, and a businessman were arrested by the Bribery Commission in Pitakotte for allegedly accepting a Rs. 9 million bribe: The bribe was intended to expedite compensation for land acquired by the Urban Development Authority: The Hulftsdorp Additional Magistrate ordered their remand in custody until January 6, 2025, following their arrest on bribery charges.
- Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa highlighted that Sri Lanka loses significant foreign exchange due to the import and prescription of unnecessary drugs: Addressing the growing issue of antibiogram resistance, which has caused around 2,300 deaths in Sri Lanka, the Minister emphasised the need for immediate action: The government plans to adopt scientific solutions and introduce laws to regulate drug imports and prescriptions to mitigate this health and economic issue.
- The Sri Lankan government has decided to revamp the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), transforming it into a fully-fledged investigative body under a senior DIG, similar to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID): Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala announced that a new Central Crime Investigation Bureau will oversee all criminal investigative units, aiming to streamline operations and clear a backlog of 29,000 CID complaints.
- Sri Lankan Ambassador for Science, Technology, and Innovation, Dr. Bandula Wijay, advocates for establishing a medical school in Sri Lanka operating under the U.S. curriculum, similar to prestigious institutions like Harvard and Stanford: He believes this will boost foreign revenue and position Sri Lanka as a hub for higher education: Dr. Wijay also called for a think tank of U.S. and Sri Lankan experts to guide the country’s development and proposed a fund to finance innovative start-ups: He emphasised the importance of creating curricula that foster problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills in Sri Lankan youth.
- The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has summoned Yoshitha Rajapaksa, the second son of ex-President Mahinda Rajapaksa, to provide a statement about the ownership of a government-owned land in Kataragama: This follows a statement given by Major Neville Wanniarachchi, the former personal security officer of Mahinda Rajapaksa, on December 27: Yoshitha is scheduled to appear before the CID on January 3 for the ongoing investigation.
- The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has set new maximum retail prices (MRP) for certain canned fish, effective immediately: Under this directive, manufacturers, packers, distributors, and traders are prohibited from selling canned fish above the specified prices: The new MRPs are: Rs. 380 for 425g Tuna, Rs. 180 for 155g Tuna, Rs. 420 for 425g Mackerel, and Rs. 560 for 425g Jack Mackerel.
- T. Nandana Thilaka, the newly-appointed Chairman of Lanka Salt Company, has urged the public to avoid panic-buying and hoarding salt amidst rumours of a shortage: He reassured that the current salt supply is sufficient, with 6,000 metric tonnes in stock to last until January, and plans to import 30,000 metric tonnes: Thilaka also addressed the decline in salt production, attributing it to neglect of the Jaffna salt pans, but announced development activities will begin in mid-January, with production expected by March 2025.
- The ICC announced the first shortlists for the 2024 ICC Awards, featuring nominees for the Emerging Men’s and Women’s Cricketer of the Year: The men’s shortlist includes Gus Atkinson (ENG), Saim Ayub (PAK), Shamar Joseph (WI), and Kamindu Mendis (SL): The women’s shortlist includes Annerie Dercksen (SA), Saskia Horley (SCO), Shreyanka Patil (IND), and Freya Sargent (IRE): Voting is open to fans, and winners will be announced in January 2025.
