- President Ranil Wickremesinghe extends Easter wishes, reflecting on Christ’s resurrection as a symbol of hope amid economic challenges: emphasises unity, urging Sri Lankans to prioritise security and development while guarding against division: reaffirms the government’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring national security.
- Leader of Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP) and ex-media giant Dilith Jayaweera says Sri Lanka is not the property of the Rajapaksa family: urges the Rajapaksa family not to play with the lives of the innocent people of Sri Lanka: strongly criticises Basil Rajapaksa, who according to him is ‘an American’, stressing that he should not be allowed to determine the course in which the country’s future elections are set.
- The proposal to remove Mahinda Amaraweera, Lasantha Alagiyawanna, and Duminda Dissanayake from their SLFP positions was unanimously approved at a conference chaired by former President Maithripala Sirisena: K.P. Gunawardena, Hector Bethmage, and Sarath Ekanayake have been appointed as their successors.
- Premier Dinesh Gunawardena pushes for stronger economic ties with China during his visit to Shanghai: Both countries advance this agenda by signing an MOU between China’s Quality Certification Centre and Sri Lanka’s Bureau of Standards, aiming to align trade standards.
- IGP Tennakoon orders increased security at Sri Lankan churches for Easter Sunday, deploying over 9,500 officers and military personnel to protect 1,873 churches.
- CB data reveals that Sri Lanka experienced an inflation rate of 0.9% in March, with the non-food sector seeing a slightly lower inflation of 0.5%: Moreover, tourism earnings notably increased from US$162 million in February 2023 to US$346 million in February 2024: Additionally, the country’s official reserves witnessed significant growth, reaching US$4.5 billion in February of this year from US$2.2 billion in February 2023.
- The Health Ministry is investigating the death of a 50-year-old patient at Ragama Teaching Hospital shortly after receiving a vaccine: The patient, admitted for an ear condition, was pronounced dead after getting the ‘co-amoxiclav’ vaccine: Hospital authorities are conducting an internal probe to determine the cause of death, considering the possibility of an allergic reaction to the vaccine.
- Deputy Director of Colombo National Hospital Dr. Rukshan Bellana discloses that the primary water tank and other storage facilities at the hospital have not been cleaned in two decades: The hospital manages 161 tanks, including the main tower, with no documented cleaning schedules: Despite routine bacterial assessments, concerns persist about water purity, risking patient and staff health, and equipment integrity: stresses the urgent need for corrective action, highlighting negligence by health inspectors and sanitation staff.
- The UNESCO Executive Board unanimously approves a decision to commemorate the International Day of Vesak at UNESCO, following the initiative championed by Sri Lanka’s former Foreign Minister, Lakshman Kadirgamar: Led by Sri Lanka’s Permanent Delegation, the decision mandates annual Vesak commemorations at UNESCO Headquarters, emphasising Vesak’s universal significance and its alignment with UNESCO’s goals.
- Sri Lanka Cricket unveils the new Ratnapura District Cricket Ground in Monaravila: The facility boasts seven turf wickets and will host various cricket matches, including international women’s games, benefiting local schools and clubs: The inauguration was attended by cricket officials and players, including Sri Lanka T20I Captain Wanindu Hasaranga and National Player Pathum Nissanka.
