- Defence Ministry says the news circulating on social media that telephone conversations are recorded and whatsapp, facebook Twitter messages are monitored is false.
- Former CB Governor Ajith Nivard Cabraal says the economy is now being controlled from Washington: asserts it won’t be easy to meet the IMF conditions: Colombo Magistrate’s Court rejects private complaint filed against him by former Provincial Governor Kerthi Tennekoon.
- Outbound travel visa applications from Sri Lankans due to reach pre-pandemic levels this year after reaching 68% of per-pandemic levels in 2022: travel driven by pent-up demand, opening of international borders, and eased COVID protocols.
- Human Rights Commission raises concerns that the proposed Anti-Terrorism Bill poses threats to the fundamental rights of the public: says it makes it difficult to distinguish an actual act of terrorism from a legitimate protest.
- Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe says the Anti-Terrorism Bill, that has led to much controversy, is expected to be passed in May.
- Kalubowila (Colombo South) Teaching Hospital decides not to accept any more unidentified bodies that are brought to the hospital: notice issued to the police stations of the area to remove the bodies from the hospital morgue that have been brought to the hospital for various reasons.
- Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara says 40 fuel stations that have continuously not adhered to QR quotas will be suspended: orders all fuel stations to maintain a minimum 50% of stock tank capacity: GPS tracking systems to be fixed to all CPC owned fuel tankers by 15th April.
- President Ranil Wickremesinghe approves the recommendation of the Constitutional Council & appoints retired Senior SLAS Officer Sanath Jayantha Ediriweera as the Chairman of the Public Service Commission: also appoints 6 other members.
- Workers’ remittances in March 2023 records USD 568.3 mn: cumulative figure for January – March 2023 reaches USD 1,413.2 mn.
- Govt bans the import of several single use items including drinking straws, stirrers, plates, cups, spoons, forks, knives with effect from 1st June 2023.
