- The deadline for the Presidential Scholarship Programme 2024/25 extended to April 01: The initiative, guided by President Ranil Wickremesinghe and President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, supports students facing economic challenges in pursuing education: Zonal education directors have shared details with schools and encouraged parents to submit applications: The programme aims to assist 100,000 students with a budget of Rs. 3600 million.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says politicians who follow the traditional promise-based politics cannot be relied upon, and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is the only party that detached itself from such politics and proved that work can be done in its capacity as the Opposition: asserts the SJB dismissed traditional politics and implemented the tremendously successful ‘Sakwala’ initiative as a preface to what it can achieve as a government.
- NPP MP Dr. Harini Amarasuriya addresses the London women’s convention, asserting that a small elite group in Sri Lanka has long controlled the country’s affairs and will resist change: urges the Sri Lankan community to recognise their collective strength and work together to end this era of control, emphasising the need for unified action to bring about change.
- CID arrests two Deputy Controllers of Immigration & Emigration for allegedly providing passports to underworld figures with false information: One suspect, a current Deputy Controller, to appear before Vavuniya Magistrate’s Court; the other, a former Deputy Controller, faces proceedings at Kaduwela Magistrate’s Court. Investigations found that fake passports were issued using fabricated details: One suspect arrested while undergoing treatment at Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital; another suspect, now a Deputy Director at the Pensions Department, is accused of fraudulent activity.
- A recent survey by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) reveals a decline in public trust in Sri Lanka’s parliamentary institutions and political parties: Trust in parliament stands at 22%, and political parties at 19%: The Army and Courts are the most trusted institutions, while the police receive comparatively lower trust.
- Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, who is under scrutiny with facing a no-confidence motion, plans to disclose details about the ‘Aragalaya’ incident and what he described as ‘pressure from politicians’ to violate the constitution by assuming the presidency: ready to make a special statement in Parliament after the vote, as he cannot participate in the debate under standing orders.
- Lanka Private Bus Owners’ Association Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne says private buses will be available for election campaigns without stickers or posters: adds candidates or parties renting the buses must maintain them: Concerns raised about damages from past campaigns; appeal made for repairs by Central Bank Governor.
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin criticises Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not pressuring Sri Lanka to restore traditional fishing rights for Indian fishermen in the Palk Straits while protecting Gautam Adani’s business interests: Stalin’s remarks came after Modi suggested that DMK’s “sins” were causing fishermen’s suffering: questions Modi’s actions in the last decade and demanded answers on retrieving Katchatheevu island: further criticises the lack of action against Sri Lanka’s seizure of Indian boats and called out Modi’s silence on the matter.
- Mourners gather at Ottawa’s Infinity Convention Centre to bid farewell to the Sri Lankan family tragically slain in a mass killing: The somber service, attended by over a hundred people, paid respects to the six victims, including four children.
- The Colombo Chief Magistrate Court orders two team managers of the Legend Cricket League to stay in the country for one month following match-fixing allegations: The court’s decision comes in response to complaints from former cricketers participating in the tournament, with travel restrictions imposed on the accused managers Yoni Patel and P. Akash.
