- Today (April 21), Sri Lanka marks five years after the Easter Sunday genocide, but justice remains elusive for victims’ families: Investigations plagued by hurdles and political disputes: Concerns raised over security measures and accountability: Denial persists over allegations of political conspiracy, despite international scrutiny: Sri Lanka urged to redouble efforts for justice and reconciliation.
- Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe appointed Acting Chairman of Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP): Appointment made by faction led by Maithripala Sirisena due to court order barring Sirisena from functioning as chairman: Rajapakshe’s appointment follows Nimal Siripala de Silva’s role as Acting Chairman: Sirisena previously sparked controversy over Easter Sunday attacks remarks: Rajapakshe considering requests to run for president, including from SLFP’s Central Committee and religious leaders: Decision expected soon.
- Minister Prasanna Ranatunga claims people already selected Ranil Wickremesinghe for presidency due to his ‘ability’ to resolve the economic crisis: makes this sentiment after distributing rice to low-income families, denying any political motive behind the distribution: emphasises that regardless of political affiliations, people benefit from such programmes: asserts people won’t vote merely out of gratitude for distributed goods.
- Sri Lanka plans to import onions from India via Lanka Sathosa following India’s lift of export ban: India agrees to supply 10,000 metric tonnes: Logistics discussed at Trade Ministry, opting for state procurement: Initial consignment: 2,000 metric tonnes; monthly need: 20,000 metric tonnes.
- Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya hints at easing import restrictions on vehicles due to expected improvements in dollar reserves and the rupee: A committee is assigned to analyse and lift constraints systematically, focusing on essential vehicles: assures careful consideration of various factors, including vehicle types and impact on transportation infrastructure: also addresses concerns about debt restructuring, ensuring repayments align with economic capacity.
- Ceylon Teachers’ Union Secretary Joseph Stalin raises concerns about a severe shortage of 40,000 teachers nationwide: The Western Province faces the most significant deficit, with nearly 7,000 vacancies, followed by other provinces: criticises the government’s delay in teacher appointments, warning of adverse effects on schools: stresses the need for a systematic approach to address staffing shortages in the education sector.
- Sri Lanka faces economic uncertainty as talks with international bondholders stall, hindering progress on its IMF review: Economist Talal Rafi warns of default consequences on credit ratings and investment: The IMF bailout aims to stabilise Sri Lanka’s economy, with debt restructuring crucial for approval, but concerns mount over delays in negotiations and potential adverse terms: Despite efforts to engage stakeholders, analysts warn that challenges persist in building trust and transparency for a resolution.
- Upcountry plantation workers stage a strike demanding a daily wage increase to Rs. 1,700: display black flags and receive support from trade associations and unions, including the Ceylon Workers’ Congress and the Tamil Progressive Alliance: allege that despite company profits, their wages remain unchanged.
- Study by researchers from five institutions reveals genetic history of ‘Vedda,’ the indigenous population in Sri Lanka: Despite linguistic differences, Veddas share genetic link with Indian ethnic populations: sheds light on initial peopling of Sri Lanka and Vedda’s genetic ties with Asia: Findings challenge conventional isolation-by-distance model and highlight Vedda’s unique genetic makeup: Insights contribute to understanding genetic diversity in South Asia and Vedda’s cultural heritage.
- The Sri Lanka Baseball community expresses deep condolences for the loss of Ashraf Awad Murad, a key figure in Palestinian baseball: Sri Lanka Baseball representatives meet with the Palestinian Ambassador to convey their sympathies and solidarity: Murad’s tragic death, targeted by the Israeli Army, shocked the global baseball community: Palestinian Ambassador to Sri Lanka Dr. Suheir MH Darsheid presents a framed photograph of Murad to Chief Executive of Sri Lanka Baseball Theekshana Gammanpila, and President of the Baseball Select Committee Subash Gunasinghe.
