- President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a New Year message said that social relations and solidarity emerge as fundamental pillars essential for steering the nation forward along the path of progress and prosperity.
- The National Peoples Power (NPP) has issued two proposals to the Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) for a debate amid ongoing political tensions. The first proposal suggests a debate between NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa to discuss solutions for the country’s current crisis. Alternatively, if the SJB declines the initial offer, the NPP’s Economic Council is willing to engage in a debate with a comparable group from the SJB. These proposals were articulated by NPP member Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, highlighting the NPP’s readiness to publicly address national issues through dialogue.
- Ambassador of South Korea, Miyon Lee has called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Colombo to discuss the follow-up actions on the decisions taken during the Sri Lankan Premier’s visit last week.
- The Government of Japan has provided a grant of USD 8.4 million through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to strengthen PoE facilities in Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The grant component for Sri Lanka aims to strengthen capacities at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and the Colombo Port.
- The eight Sri Lankans, who were rescued from the cybercrime camps in Myawaddy area of Myanmar, have safely arrived at the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Thailand.
- The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) says it has taken necessary measures to ensure an uninterrupted supply of fuel from Ceypetco filling stations during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
- Opposition Leader MP Sajith Premadasa says his Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) party has been created without the inclusion of those involved in the Central Bank Bond Scam. MP Premadasa said that the SJB had gotten rid of those involved in the bond scam.
- The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) annual flagship economic publication, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) April 2024, yesterday forecasted Sri Lanka’s economy to record moderate growth of 1.9 percent in 2024 and 2.5 percent in 2025, following two consecutive years of contractions.
- The Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Response Team (SLCERT) has confirmed that the cyber attack on the official website of the Education Ministry originated from an internet connection within the country.
- Sri Lanka all-rounder Kamindu Mendis and former captain Angelo Mathews have progressed in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after contributing to their team’s 192-run victory in Chattogram that helped complete a 2-0 win in the ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh.
