- Merchandise Exports for 2023 plunges by a staggering 9.5% compared to 2022: crashes from USD 13.1 bn in 2022 to just USD 11.9 bn in 2023: apparel & textile exports lead the decline with a reduction of a massive 18.0% (year-on-year).
- Convener of the Health Trade Unions’ Alliance Ravi Kumudesh warns they would stage a massive protest in hospitals and in the vicinity of the Health Ministry today: say there was no response from the authorities to their demand for economic justice.
- State Higher Education Minister Dr Suren Raghavan says some universities are planning to invite politicians & presidential candidates to universities: also says such “politicizing” of universities must stop: asserts universities are meant for academic activities.
- Human Rights Watch says the Govt’s proposed law to create another body to investigate wartime abuses replicates previous failed efforts, ignores the needs of victims, and falls far short of meeting SL’s international legal obligations: alleges the SL authorities continue to silence and repress families of victims and their communities, 15 years after the armed conflict ended.
- SLPP MP Lohan Ratwatte sworn in before President Ranil Wickremesinghe as the State Minister of Plantation Industries & Mahaweli Development.
- Seychelles Coast Guard rescues the SL fishing trawler with 6 crew members which had been hijacked by Somalian pirates in the Arabian Sea: takes 3 pirates into custody: escort the rescued trawler to the Victoria Harbour in Seychelles.
- New Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha has his maiden interaction with the representatives of the mainstream Tamil parties of the North: reportedly emphasizes “the need for the Tamil parties in the North to have a ‘unified position’ on their collective demand for a political solution”.
- Much published & iconic Krrish Tower or “The One Tower” in Colombo Fort seems headed for a major disaster: the idle construction site has now reached over 50 floors and the crane on the roof top is unused for over a year: onlookers worry the crane may crash, creating a major disaster to the busy traffic in Colombo Fort road and nearby buildings.
- SLPP dissident MP Nimal Lanza who is backing the candidature of UNP Leader Ranil Wickremasinghe for President, says the terror group which carried out Easter Sunday bomb attacks are associates of National People’s Power (NPP): also says ‘Ibrahim’, who was a key suspect in Easter Sunday attacks was in the NPP National list: asserts this terror group has funded NPP and that Catholics should remember this fact when casting their votes.
- National Consumer Front urges Trade Minister Nalin Fernando to promptly investigate the unexpected rise in vegetable prices in the market: laments the price of carrot is Rs.2,000 per kg, green chillies Rs.1,200, Kekiri Rs.300, and pumpkin Rs.300.
