- President Ranil Wickremesinghe issues a Gazette declaring all service, work or labour, of any description whatsoever, necessary or required to be done in connection with the maintenance, and the reception, care feeding, and treatment, of patients in hospitals, nursing homes, dispensaries, and other similar institutions, as Essential Services.
- The President’s Media Division confirms that the presidential election will be held within the mandated period and according to the current timeline: added that the general election will be held next year and financial provisions will be provided for in the 2025 budget.
- The government expects the Sri Lankan Rupee to strengthen against the US Dollar, dropping to as low as Rs. 280, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.
- The Government appoints a committee to review Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) between foreign and local institutes, to check compliance with national interest. State Minister for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon said that the move was in response to growing concerns over the adequacy of existing MoUs between foreign and local institutes.
- The proposal to introduce courses on artificial intelligence to the education system receives Cabinet approval. As a part of the strategic plan, a pilot project is designed to introduce artificial intelligence courses to general education.
- International Bhagavad Gita Festival 2024 or ‘International Gita Mahotsav’ will be held in Sri Lanka. The International Gita Mahotsav is conducted by the Kurukshetra Development Board (KDB) in Haryana State in India to pay tribute to the sacred ‘Bhagavad Gita’ along with the series of religious activities related to sacred Bhagavad Gita.
- The Cabinet gives its approval for the creation of a National Hospital and a Children’s Hospital in the Biyagama region of Gampaha. The government cites the significant population growth and industrialization of the Gampaha District, making it a crucial hub for service delivery.
- The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) assured the Supreme Court that it is prepared to pay interest for the year 2023 on security deposits collected from consumers for new service connections. The statement was made during the hearing of a fundamental rights petition filed by the Electricity and Renewable Energy Consumers’ Association before a three-member bench.
- Sri Lanka has been honored as a UN World Restoration Flagship for its significant contributions to rebuilding and restoring mangrove ecosystems. This recognition, awarded at the United Nations Environmental Assembly on February 27, 2024, applauds the nation’s impactful and sustainable efforts to preserve ecosystems crucial for countless lives and livelihoods.
- Sri Lanka plans to test new combinations in the final match on Wednesday at the ODI series against Afghanistan. Notable changes may include resting key spinners Wanindu Hasaranga and Maheesh Theekshana, providing opportunities for Dunith Wellalage and Akila Dhananjaya. While the batting lineup is likely to remain unchanged, Avishka Fernando is expected to rejoin the squad after a brief absence for the birth of his child.
