- President Ranil Wickremesinghe emphasized that the renewal of knowledge stands as a pivotal task within the realm of education, underscoring the trajectory towards a knowledge-based society for the nation’s advancement over the next 75 years. Acknowledging the burgeoning role of modern technology and knowledge as the new pillars of education, he warned that irrespective of economic prowess, failure to synchronize with global transformations would impede progress.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said that he will convene an international aid conference to develop the North and East when the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) comes into power. He said addressing an event at Mullaitivu where he distributed equipment needed for a digital classroom to Thanneeroottu Muslim School.
- Actress Damitha Abeyratne and her husband, who was arrested by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over an alleged financial fraud, has been remanded on the orders of the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court. Accordingly, the couple will be behind bars on remand until April 17.
- Vegetable prices in Dambulla Economic Centre have dropped to its lowest after about 10 years. Traders of the Dambulla Economic Centre said that the price has come down due to the increase in the amount of vegetables received at the centre daily.
- Rajith Keerthy Tennakoon, President Director General of Community Affairs says that after between President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s assumption of office and February 2024, the Sri Lankan government has settled a total of USD 1909.7 million in foreign debt and interest payments. According to the Department of External Resources, payments totalling USD 760.1 million have been made to the Asian Development Bank and USD 7.0 million to the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
- Speaking to the media, Siyambalapitiya expressed that the Cabinet of Ministers approved the import of 250 buses and 750 vans intended for the tourism industry. The approval was given after taking into account the unsatisfactory and insufficient conditions of the vehicles currently used in the tourism industry, despite the fact that vehicles engaged in the industry for tourist transportation should not be used for more than 6 years.
- The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) has lodged a complaint with the Maradana Police, alleging that several ‘important’ files have gone missing from the party headquarters. The complaint was filed by the party’s Acting General Secretary Dushmantha Mithrapala.
- The prices of mobile phones in Sri Lanka have dropped by 18% – 20%, says the Sri Lanka Mobile Phone Importers’ and Sellers’ Association.
- The first prohibition order under Sri Lanka’s “Online Safety Act”, which was recently passed to regulate social media, has been issued by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. According to media reports, Colombo Magistrate Prasanna Alwis issued the order after taking up for consideration a complaint that had been filed by the former Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL), Janaka Ratnayake.
- Minister of Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development, Jeevan Thondaman has been recognised as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum. The World Economic Forum announced Minister Thondaman’s selection, highlighting his role in improving access to clean water and advocating for social justice.
