Colombo (LNW): In strict adherence to the budgetary provisions sanctioned by Parliament for the fiscal year 2023, the Treasury has successfully released the requisite funds to settle all duly certified invoices submitted by government agencies until December 15, 2023, Finance Ministry announced.

This notable development marks a distinctive occurrence, with the year 2023 standing as an exceptional milestone, representing the only instance within the past quarter-century where all authorised disbursements have been resolved within the confines of the fiscal year.

The Treasury has facilitated the expeditious release of funds allocated for the retirement gratuities of officers who retired between December 2022 and December 19, 2023.

This comprehensive initiative encompasses the resolution of outstanding arrears related to retirement gratuities, spanning a period exceeding 18 months leading up to the aforementioned date.

Colombo (LNW): The Postal Department has announced its intent to review postal fees in the upcoming year, citing a response to escalating raw material costs.

A senior official within the department affirmed that preliminary discussions on this matter have been initiated.

It is important to note that, according to a senior official, the impending fee revision is unrelated to the forthcoming Value Added Tax (VAT) adjustment scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.

Colombo (LNW): A total of 1,554 individuals were apprehended for involvement in drug trafficking during Operation ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice), which concluded at 12:30 am today (30).

Police have initiated investigations on 82 of the detained suspects based on detention orders, while 62 individuals have been referred to drug rehabilitation centres.

Additionally, 128 individuals wanted by the Police Narcotics Bureau and Special Bureau were arrested.

The police have commenced illegal asset investigations against the apprehended suspects.

The drug raids conducted during the operation resulted in the seizure of various drugs, including heroin, crystal methamphetamine (“ICE”), and cannabis.

1. All Ceylon Filling Station Owners’ Assn President Shelton Fernando says the demand for fuel during the festive season has reduced by a staggering 50%, and therefore the filling station owners are facing difficulties: Central Bank however insists that the economy has “stabilized”.
   
2. Former SLFP General Secretary MP Dayasiri Jayasekara expresses willingness to contest the forthcoming Presidential Election if the majority of his Party consents: also says the vacuum left by leftist progressive nationalist political forces can’t be filled by “outdated politicians” from the 1950s.
   
3. President’s Office says Treasury released funds for all government-approved payments until December 15, 2023, aligning with the 2023 budget: insists it’s the first time in 25 years all payments were settled in one year: critics say several Ministers including Dr Bandula Gunawardene have however lamented that essential projects have been delayed due to funds not being released by the Treasury: others point out that the Treasury Secretary is on record that Rs.10bn allocated for the conduct of the LG elections couldn’t be released due to lack of funds.
   
4. Dept of Census & Statistics says Inflation as measured by the CCPI increased to 4.0% in Dec’23 from 3.4% in Nov’23: Food-Inflation increased to 0.3% in Dec’23 from (-3.6)% in Nov’23, while Non-Food Inflation decreased to 5.8% in Dec’23, from 6.8% in Nov’23.
   
5. Arrack prices to increase by an average of Rs.300 per 750ml bottle, following the imposition of VAT @ 18% from 1st Jan’24.
   
6. Opppsition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa denounces increase in VAT: cites official statistics that 60% of SL households have experienced income reductions while 90% have seen their expenses surge: analysts point out SJP’s own “economic guru” Harsha de Silva has however been the most ardent advocate of higher Govt Revenue which has led to higher taxes being imposed on the people.
   
7. CB Governor Dr Nandalal Weerasinghe responds to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa’s pledge to “renegotiate the IMF agreement in case they get back to power”: says any Govt could renegotiate the IMF programme, but it would be required to follow the path already chosen to get “international support”: insists that SL needs to go in that direction during the 10-year period of “debt restructuring”.
   
8. CB Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe emphasizes the “parate law” is important for the security and safety of bank deposits: says those who call for the abolishing of the “parate law” are those groups who are defaulting on loans.
   
9. Ministry of Public Security says 17,837 suspects were arrested in the last 12 days during the “Yukthiya” operation to crackdown on drugs & underworld: also says investigations launched into 850 suspects: further says the Illegal Assets & Property Investigation Unit has launched probes into 186 suspects: asserts that 10.51kg of Heroin, 6.74kg ICE, 288.5kg Cannabis were also seized.
   
10. Chathurika Priyanthi, representing the SL Navy in the 87kg weight-lifting category, lifts a remarkable 90kg in snatch, 113kg in clean & jerk, totaling an impressive 203kgs: this performance shatters 3 SL records.

Colombo (LNW): State Minister of Finance Ranjith Siyambalapitiya has noted a surge in import activities by businessmen ahead of the upcoming VAT revision, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2024.

He highlighted that the daily import volume of essential goods, which typically stood at around 700 containers, has recently increased to approximately 1,000 containers.

Additionally, the State Minister clarified that organic fertilisers have been granted an exemption from the Value Added Tax (VAT).

Colombo (LNW): The Distilleries Company of Sri Lanka (DCSL) has declared a forthcoming increase in the prices of its alcoholic beverages effective January 1, 2024, attributing the adjustment to the recent revision of the Value Added Tax (VAT).

The price adjustments will be as follows based on bottle size:

• 750ml bottles: A rise of Rs. 90
• 375ml bottles: An increase of Rs. 50
• 180ml bottles: A rise of Rs. 20

Colombo (LNW): The number of reported dengue infections in December this year surpassed 10,000, contributing to a total of 87,078 cases recorded in 2023.

The highest incidence occurred in the Colombo, Gampaha, and Kalutara districts, according to health authorities.

Of the overall cases, 39,543 were reported in the Western Province. Specifically, the Gampaha District documented 18,401 cases, followed by the Colombo District with 16,020 cases, and the Kalutara District with 5,122 cases.

Additional cases were identified in the Puttalam and Kandy districts.

Tragically, three individuals, including a university student and an 11-month-old infant, succumbed to dengue fever in recent days.

Furthermore, 62 Medical Officer of Health (MOH) areas have been classified as ‘high-risk’ zones, indicating elevated vulnerability to dengue infections in those regions.

Colombo (LNW): A woman, aged 54 and a resident of the Medawachchiya area, who had contracted the Covid-19 virus, died yesterday (29) while receiving treatment at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital.

The deceased, a mother of three, was initially admitted to the Medawachchiya Hospital for a respiratory condition and subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital for advanced medical care.

The cause of death was confirmed to be related to the Covid-19 infection during the course of her treatment.