1. Catholic Bishops’ Conference requests copies of reports by international law enforcement & secret service agencies including those from the US, UK, India, China, Australia & Pakistan on the Easter Sunday attack, from President Ranil Wickremasinghe: observes that the President had discussed these reports in a recent interview.
2. President Ranil Wickremasinghe directs Police to provide necessary security to the Israelis in SL: says the ongoing conflict in Israel & Palestine would likely lead to a prolonged period of high fuel prices, adversely affecting developing economies including Sri Lanka.
3. Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman says the Exim Bank of China has reached a “preliminary agreement” with SL, raising prospects of making progress on restructuring the defaulted debt.
4. Foreign Minister Ali Sabry says Chinese research vessel “Shi Yan 6” would be allowed to dock in SL on 25th November’23.
5. India’s External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar arrives in SL to attend the 23rd Council of Ministers meeting of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, which is being hosted by SL.
6. SL Transport Board to carry out emission tests on State owned vehicles with the help of the Vehicle Emission Testing programme in SL: Private Bus Owners’ Assn to withdraw from emission testing from January next year, claiming there is no procedure to conduct emission tests for SLTB buses and State vehicles.
7. “Lawyers’ Collective” alleges the rule of law & independence of the Judiciary are at a stake following the recent statements made by the Executive and Members of the Legislature.
8. President’s Chief of Staff Sagala Ratnayake has reportedly met US intelligence experts at a secret meeting.
9. Pakistan beats SL by 6 wickets in an ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match played in India: SL 344/9 (50 overs): Kusal Mendis 122, Sadeera Samarawickrama 108, Pathum Nissanka 51: PAK 345/4 (48.2 overs).
10. SL wins 5 medals at the Asian Games in China: Tarushi Karunaratne (Gold) in Women’s 800m: Nadisha Dilhani (Silver) in Women’s Javelin: Women’s Cricket (Silver): Men’s 400m relay (Bronze): Women’s 400m relay (Bronze): China wins Championship with a total of 383 medals (201 gold, 111 silver, & 71 bronze): 2nd was Japan with 188 medals (52 gold, 67 silver & 69 bronze): 3rd Korea: 4th India.

The Railways Control Room has reported that a signal failure between the Ganemulla and Pallewela railway stations is causing delays to all train services on the main line. Commuters are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and expect delays until the issue is resolved.

Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island during the afternoon or night.

Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm can be expected at some places in Uva, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Easten provinces.

A few showers may occur in coastal areas of the western and southern provinces during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Colombo (LNW): The Kalutara High Court today (10) pronounced the death penalty on three individuals convicted of a murder that was committed in 1992 in Keeranthidiya area.

These individuals were involved in a fatal attack on a person using clubs 31 years ago.

While the third, fourth, and fifth accused received the death sentence, the first accused was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment with an additional fine of Rs. 300,000. Should the fine go unpaid, he faces an extra two-year prison term.

The Welipenna Police initially arrested the suspects, and after preliminary evidence was heard at the Mathugama Magistrate Court, the Attorney General filed charges against them at the Kalutara High Court.

The Court learned during the proceedings that the second accused had died due to cancer.

Colombo (LNW): The Fundamental Rights (FR) petition lodged by Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara challenging the decision by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to suspend their party membership is set to be heard before the Supreme Court on October 12, 2023.

This was when the case was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court Bench today (10).

As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the attorneys for the respondents emphasised that the case should be resolved within two months of its filing.

The ministers had their party membership suspended in May 2022 after accepting ministerial roles while facing potential disciplinary action from the SJB.

Although they later resigned from their positions in July 2022, they were reappointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly after.

Colombo (LNW): Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro, during his meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, expressed Japan’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.

Masahiro praised Sri Lanka for its rapid economic stabilisation and the ongoing structural reforms aimed at fostering a conducive environment for foreign investments.

While in Sri Lanka for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting, he assured full support to Sri Lanka during its tenure as IORA Chairman.

Premier Gunawardena highlighted the strategic significance of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean and stressed close bilateral cooperation.

He also voiced concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its potential global ramifications. Additionally, he thanked Japan for its assistance in debt restructuring.

Colombo (LNW): Newly appointed Chairman of the Land Registration Commission (LRC), Attorney-at-Law Panduka Keerthinanda assumed duties today (10).

He currently serves as the Legal Advisor to Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando and as the Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Committee.

Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in North-central, Eastern and Central provinces and in Badulla, Kegalle, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts during the evening or night, warned the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in an advisory statement today (10).

There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers, the statement added, urging the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.

It added that people should seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees, avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms, avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms, avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc., and beware of fallen trees and power lines.