The Presidential Task Force on the Implementation of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Programme convened at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (26), under the patronage of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath.

Discussions focused on the challenges faced by the tourism sector in light of the ongoing global energy crisis, with particular attention on ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply and providing necessary support to sustain the industry.

The task force also reviewed matters related to tourist arrivals, maintenance of hotels and tourist attractions, and strategies to attract visitors from countries less affected by the conflict.

Progress of the Beira Lake cleaning project was assessed, while issues affecting the film tourism sector were also discussed with a view to identifying practical solutions.

The meeting was attended by senior government officials, tourism authorities, and key industry stakeholders, including representatives from leading private sector organizations.

A police sergeant attached to the Traffic Division of the Akkaraipattu Police Station has been arrested for allegedly soliciting and accepting a Rs. 4,000 bribe.

The arrest was made on Thursday (26) at the Akkaraipattu Hospital following a complaint lodged by a local businessman.

According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the officer had initially demanded Rs. 5,000 in relation to a road accident complaint filed via the 119 emergency hotline, involving the complainant’s motorbike.

It is alleged that the officer first accepted Rs. 1,000 and returned the complainant’s driving licence, before later requesting the remaining Rs. 4,000 to avoid recording a formal statement and to prevent legal action.

The suspect is scheduled to be produced before the Akkaraipattu Magistrate’s Court.

A Sri Lankan passenger has been arrested at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for attempting to smuggle 38 exotic animals into the country, in violation of the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance and the Animal Diseases Act.

The arrest was carried out in the early hours of today (26) by officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) יחד with Customs officials.

The suspect, a 56-year-old resident of Digana, Kandy, had arrived from Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight.

Authorities discovered a range of animals—including guinea pigs, squirrels, doves, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs—concealed in cages within his luggage.

Customs officials imposed a fine of Rs. 250,000, while the confiscated animals were handed over to Thai Airways to be returned to Bangkok.

Further investigations are ongoing.

The Nasdaq index fell nearly 2.4%, dragged down in part by a sharp decline in Meta shares after back-to-back jury rulings went against the company in closely watched U.S. court cases.

The drop leaves the tech-heavy index down 11% from its October peak, placing it officially in correction territory.

Broader markets also declined, with the S&P 500 falling 1.7% and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipping 1%.

Meanwhile, oil prices eased after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would delay potential strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure until April 6.

Brent crude, which had settled at around $108 per barrel amid concerns over supply disruptions, edged lower following the announcement, reflecting a temporary easing of market fears.

The Department for Registration of Persons has suspended all services, including its one-day service, from Friday (27) until further notice due to a system failure.

The disruption was caused by a sudden breakdown in the department’s computer system at around 1.30 p.m. on Thursday (26).

The department stated that services will resume only after the system is fully restored to normal operations.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Sabaragamuwa province and in Galle, Matara, Kalutara and Nuwara-Eliya districts during the evening or night.

Mainly dry weather will prevail over the other parts of the island.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, North-central and Uva provinces and in Kurunegala, Vavuniya, Galle and Matara districts during the early hours of the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Japan’s latest financial assistance to Sri Lanka signals more than routine development aid—it reflects a strategic investment in disaster resilience and emergency communication systems.

A grant of $181,837 (approximately Rs. 55.7 million) has been extended to the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) under Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) scheme. The funding is aimed at strengthening communication networks in cyclone-affected regions, where breakdowns in coordination have historically hampered emergency response.

At the core of the initiative is the deployment of Japanese-manufactured high-frequency (HF) radios, portable communication units, and repeaters. These technologies are designed to ensure uninterrupted, real-time communication among rescue teams, even in remote or infrastructure-damaged areas.

This intervention comes in the aftermath of Cyclone Ditwah, which exposed vulnerabilities in Sri Lanka’s disaster-response framework particularly the lack of reliable communication during critical rescue windows. By addressing this gap, the project attempts to reduce response times and improve coordination among state agencies.

Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata, who formalized the agreement with TRCSL Chairman Waruna Sri Dhanapala, framed the initiative as part of Japan’s long-term commitment to Sri Lanka’s recovery. However, beyond diplomatic messaging, the project underscores Japan’s broader role in exporting resilient infrastructure technologies to disaster-prone regions.

Officials from TRCSL acknowledge that the introduction of advanced communication tools could significantly enhance preparedness for future emergencies. Hitherto, questions remain about long-term maintenance, training, and integration with existing systems factors that often determine whether such interventions deliver sustained impact.

Japan’s cumulative contribution of $62 million since 1989 under the GGP program highlights a consistent pattern of grassroots-level engagement. This latest project, while modest in financial scale, could prove pivotal if it successfully strengthens the country’s emergency communication backbone.

Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector is facing renewed instability as fertiliser prices surge globally and supply chains come under strain due to the escalating Middle East conflict. Recent import disruptions—including the reported cancellation of a fertiliser order from a Middle Eastern supplier—have intensified concerns over both availability and affordability of critical inputs.

According to Buddhi Marambe, a senior professor at the University of Peradeniya, the crisis goes beyond short-term price increases and reflects a deeper structural vulnerability in Sri Lanka’s agricultural model. He warns that traditional costing systems are no longer adequate in an environment shaped by geopolitical shocks, volatile markets, and supply competition.

Global fertiliser prices have risen sharply, reportedly jumping from around $450 per tonne to over $800 within a short period. This dramatic increase, driven largely by supply disruptions linked to the Gulf crisis, is already feeding into domestic production costs. However, price is only part of the problem. Availability itself is becoming uncertain, as wealthier nations secure supplies ahead of smaller import-dependent economies like Sri Lanka.

The recent cancellation of a fertiliser shipment has further exposed these vulnerabilities. With the country relying heavily on imports for agricultural inputs, even a single disruption can have cascading effects on cultivation cycles. Farmers now face uncertainty not only about costs but also about whether essential inputs will arrive in time for planting seasons.

Energy costs are adding another layer of pressure. Agriculture in Sri Lanka has become increasingly dependent on fuel for mechanisation, irrigation, and transport. Rising fuel prices, combined with supply uncertainties, are driving up costs across the entire value chain from land preparation to harvesting, storage, and distribution.

Professor Marambe highlights that these pressures extend beyond farms to consumers. Higher input and energy costs are translating into increased food prices, raising concerns about food security and inflation. While the government has attempted to stabilise fertiliser distribution at subsidised rates, such measures are unlikely to offset global market dynamics.

The crisis has also exposed the limitations of short-term policy responses. While efforts are underway to secure fertiliser through government-to-government agreements, particularly with major suppliers like China, these arrangements do not eliminate cost pressures or guarantee uninterrupted supply.

At a structural level, Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector faces a difficult balancing act. It must maintain production levels to ensure food security while managing rising costs and limited resources. Prioritisation is becoming essential, with key crops such as rice, maize, and tea requiring targeted allocation of fertiliser and other inputs.

Ultimately, the current issue highlights the need for a fundamental shift in how agricultural costs and risks are managed. Without a more resilient and forward-looking framework, Sri Lanka’s agriculture sector will remain highly exposed to external shocks, with significant implications for both farmers and consumers.

Sri Lanka’s decision to increase fuel prices three times within a single month has raised widespread concern, amid growing questions over supply shortages and inconsistent policy explanations.

The situation has been further complicated by rising global oil prices linked to tensions in the Gulf region.

Conflicting statements by officials have added to the uncertainty. Cabinet Spokesman Nalinda Jayatissa said the standard fuel pricing formula could not be applied under extreme global price fluctuations, while the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) maintained that prices were still calculated based on the formula.

This contradiction has raised concerns over transparency, as the pricing mechanism—introduced with International Monetary Fund guidance—was intended to reflect actual import costs while minimizing political influence.

Uncertainty over fuel supply has also drawn attention. Despite multiple price increases, reports indicate that expected fuel shipments have not yet arrived. While authorities say existing stocks are sufficient in the short term, concerns remain over supply sustainability in the coming weeks.

Economically, fuel price hikes are typically justified when import costs rise. However, the timing of the increases has prompted questions, particularly if prices are being adjusted ahead of actual higher-cost shipments.

The government has argued that the pricing formula is not designed to handle extreme market shocks. However, the absence of a clearly communicated alternative has contributed to public confusion.

Frequent fuel price increases have broader implications, affecting transport, electricity generation, and the overall cost of living, potentially adding to inflationary pressures on households and businesses.

Analysts note that beyond pricing, the key issue remains the need for a clear, transparent, and consistent policy framework, especially during periods of economic uncertainty.

As concerns grow over a looming fuel shortage triggered by escalating tensions in the Gulf region, the government’s decision to appoint a high-level committee on the “energy economy” has drawn both attention and skepticism. While officials present the move as a proactive strategy, critics argue it may be a delayed response to an already unfolding crisis.

Sri Lanka remains heavily dependent on imported fuel, making it highly vulnerable to global supply disruptions. With shipping routes under strain and international prices fluctuating, the country faces the risk of delayed or reduced fuel supplies in the coming weeks. Despite these warning signs, authorities have struggled to secure and deliver even previously ordered shipments through the state petroleum corporation, raising serious concerns about operational readiness.

Against this backdrop, the newly appointed committee tasked with guiding the country through the emerging energy crisis has been positioned as a central decision-making body. However, questions are being raised about whether forming yet another committee can deliver immediate, tangible results in a situation that demands urgent execution rather than prolonged deliberation.

Public frustration is mounting. Many citizens recall past instances where committees were formed during crises but failed to produce timely or effective solutions. Critics argue that the current situation requires decisive action: securing supply lines, negotiating emergency imports, and ensuring efficient distribution. Instead, the government appears to be prioritizing structural discussions over immediate crisis management.

The composition of the committee has also come under scrutiny. Observers question whether its leadership and members possess the operational authority and independence required to act swiftly. Concerns have been raised about potential conflicts of interest and whether vested interests could influence policy recommendations at a time when transparency is critical.

Meanwhile, the economic impact of a potential fuel shortage looms large. Transport, power generation, and essential services are all at risk, which could trigger a broader economic slowdown. Small businesses and daily wage earners are particularly vulnerable, as fuel shortages often lead to cascading price increases and reduced economic activity.

While the government insists that the committee will deliver a coordinated and sustainable approach, the urgency of the crisis leaves little room for delays. The coming weeks will be a critical test not just of policy direction, but of the state’s ability to act swiftly and decisively in the face of mounting pressure.

Ultimately, the key question remains: can a committee-driven approach address an immediate crisis, or will it become another layer of bureaucracy in a moment that demands action above all else?