- President Ranil Wickremesinghe inaugurates a new flyover linking Kompannavidiya with Justice Akbar Mawatha and Uttarankanda Mawatha, enhancing urban connectivity and easing traffic congestion in the area.
- Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa says there are many economic and social problems in the country, and for various reasons, Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers are divided ethnically into religions and castes: adds the best way to unite the divided Sri Lanka is through a free, independent and advanced education system: asserts through education, knowledge and intelligence, the various divisions within society can be removed, making Sri Lanka a strong country where everyone can live as one.
- The SLFP calls for a politburo meeting chaired by ex-President Chandrika Kumaratunga to address the party’s internal crisis: This comes after an interim injunction barred ex-President Maithripala Sirisena from acting as SLFP chairman: Amidst this, a complaint about missing files prompted a police investigation at the party headquarters: The meeting will be held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, with some key members notably absent.
- The Cabinet will discuss declaring April 15 as a public holiday due to the timing of events related to the Sinhala and Tamil New Year on April 14: Various requests have been made for this, and the matter will be addressed during today’s Cabinet meeting.
- Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says government employees will receive the remaining Rs. 5,000 of their increased allowance along with their monthly salary today: This completes the Rs. 10,000 allowance increase, with nearly Rs. 6 billion already distributed for the New Year season: Salaries for April, usually paid on the 25th, will be issued on April 10 due to the New Year: asserts Rs. 107 billion will be disbursed today, along with Rs. 13 billion allocated for the month, and pensioners have already received nearly Rs. 28 billion: Other welfare allowances for April to be provided promptly.
- Tourism Minister Harin Fernando announces that Sri Lanka welcomed 635,784 tourists in the 1Q24, generating US$1,025 million in revenue: expresses optimism about the sector’s growth and emphasises its importance for the country’s economy, pledging continued government support for its development.
- An SLAF Corporal, linked to the SLAF Rugby team, was fatally shot by police and STF in Angamuwa, Padukka: He was suspected in a shooting incident in Moragahahena, where two died: Allegedly ignoring orders to stop at a checkpoint, he fired at officers, prompting return fire: He died at Padukka Hospital: The SLAF Commander initiated a probe into the incident.
- Sources inform that the military administration in Myanmar faces challenges in rescuing 48 Sri Lankans held captive by cybercrime operatives in the Myawaddy area, controlled by ethnic armed groups: Eight victims have been rescued, but obstacles hinder the repatriation process via Thailand due to road transportation challenges: The Myanmar military requests more time to plan a strategic rescue, while diplomatic efforts by Sri Lanka, including appeals from President Ranil Wickremesinghe to Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, continue: Additionally, some Sri Lankans engaged in illicit activities in the region are hesitant to return home, although the exact number is unknown.
- 120 plantation workers, including children, were hospitalised after experiencing food poisoning symptoms from meals served at a Kovil in Nallatanniya: They suffered vomiting, stomach ache, and diarrhoea: 25 are reportedly still under treatment at the Maskeliya Divisional Hospital, while others were discharged: Food samples have been taken for analysis by Public Health Inspectors.
- Former Nalanda College and national cricket team captain Mahela Jayawardena pledges a donation for the construction of a four-story gymnasium and indoor stadium at his alma mater: This facility, estimated to cost Rs. 600 million, will cater to ten sports and fulfil a longstanding need for the college: participates in a unique event where former captains of Nalanda and Ananda colleges exchanged instructions with each other’s teams ahead of their annual cricket match, fostering camaraderie between the schools.
