- President Ranil Wickremesinghe says this year’s Ramadan festival is being celebrated by the devotees of Islam in “a revived environment in the country”; adds this has brought contentment to the nation in its entirety; expresses confidence that this year’s Ramadan will serve to unify all Sri Lankans irrespective of race and religion, in working towards the common goal of developing a robust and equitable society, which upholds the values of freedom and human dignity.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe highlights the need for a strong, export-oriented economy; urges private sector to become engines of growth in SL’s economy; calls for the private sector to submit proposals in this regard; stresses the need for modernising and updating traditional sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, logistics, and tourism.
- Agriculture Ministry Secretary Gunadasa Samarasinghe assures China’s request “to import 100,000 toque macaque monkeys from Sri Lanka”, despite protests from many environmentalists against the deal; asserts a “privately-owned animal breeding Chinese company, connected to zoological gardens, had made the request”: The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka maintains a diplomatic denial on such business.
- Archbishop of Colombo HE Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith says he has “no faith in the country’s leadership in securing justice for Easter Attacks victims”: adds “although on the surface it looks like Islamic extremists carried out these attacks, the Parliament Select Committee report clearly states that a political conspiracy was behind it.”
- US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung joins Sri Lankans to remember those killed in the 2019 April 21 Easter attacks; says she “remembers the hundreds of innocent people, including five Americans, who were murdered four years ago in a horrific act of terror on Easter Sunday”; adds the US honours the victims, their families and all affected communities and stands in solidarity with those awaiting justice.
- The government is set to further ease import restrictions imposed as a remedy to crippling shortage of foreign exchange: Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says measures will be taken to “relax the import restrictions imposed on many other goods”; admits the main cause for the loss of revenue was the import restrictions imposed by the government.
- The Examination Department says the preliminary marking of the G.C.E. Advanced Level Tamil medium answer scripts has commenced: Commissioner General of Exams Amith Jayasundara says the paper marking activities have commenced in relation to subjects of Hinduism, Christianity, Hindu Civilization, Bharatha Dancing, Oriental Music, Carnatic Music, Western Music, Art, Drama and Theatre and Hindi.
- A dismissal ceremony conducted for 189 sub-inspectors who had completed their training at the Katukurunda Police Training College, under the patronage of Public Security Minister Tiran Alles: Of the 189 sub-inspectors, 167 dismissed from service, while 22 dispersed.
- The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre Colombo stationed at the SL Navy HQ promptly coordinates the rescue of a group of Sri Lankans reported to be in distress on-board a Vietnamese-flagged fishing vessel in Vietnam waters: The group was temporarily settled in Vietnam upon rescuing: Among the distressed were 151 Sri Lankans deported from Vietnam in 2022, and 23 more Sri Lankans deported in April, 2023.
- Sports Minister Roshan Ranasinghe expected to hold Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR) election in August; promises that the election will be held after successful discussion with the Asian Rugby Union President Qais Al Dalal; assures the Asian Rugby chief is happy about the ministry’s proposals for SLR development.
