Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya called for unity and civic engagement to transform Colombo into the most beautiful city in the country, stating that the National People’s Power (NPP) is committed to building a future free of discrimination and corruption.

Speaking at public gatherings in Dematagoda, Kotahena, Maradana, and Kompannaveediya on April 28, the Prime Minister emphasised that Colombo’s Municipal Council, with an annual revenue of Rs. 30 billion, has the resources to uplift the city’s infrastructure and living standards. However, she criticised the current administration for lacking empathy and failing to use public funds effectively, describing it as a “den of corruption.” Dr. Amarasuriya underscored the need to restore public trust and accountability within the council.

Reflecting on the political changes since 2024, she noted the historic decisions made by citizens during the Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which brought a new government committed to serving all communities. She recalled that elections scheduled for 2023 were postponed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, and it was only through legal intervention that the NPP was able to secure the people’s right to vote and push forward with Provincial Council Elections.

Dr. Amarasuriya expressed confidence in an NPP victory at the upcoming Municipal Council elections on May 6, stating that Vraie Cally Balthazaar is ready to take on the role of Mayor of Colombo. She praised Balthazaar’s accessibility, passion, and capability to develop the city, supported by a dedicated team. The Prime Minister highlighted the NPP’s clean record and commitment to safeguarding public funds, pointing to the leadership of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake as a model of responsible governance.

Education reform was another key topic of the Prime Minister’s speech. She outlined plans to revamp the education system, making it more inclusive and enjoyable for children. She stressed that education should extend beyond textbooks and exams to inspire curiosity and critical thinking. Under the Municipal Council’s purview, she said, preschools have already seen improvements, and these reforms are being mirrored nationally.

Dr. Amarasuriya praised the cultural diversity of Colombo, referencing places of worship for multiple faiths coexisting peacefully and the variety of cuisines available in local shops. She said that this multiculturalism is a valuable asset for tourism and must be preserved and promoted.

The Prime Minister also touched on economic policy, noting that the first budget of the new administration allocated funds for critical infrastructure, including preschools, roads, water and waste management, and drainage systems. These projects aim to directly improve residents’ daily lives. She reaffirmed that these funds were collected through national sacrifices and must be protected from corruption.

While acknowledging that only six months have passed since the new government assumed office, Dr. Amarasuriya highlighted progress in stabilising the economy. The focus now, she said, is to drive economic growth through support for small businesses, women’s empowerment, youth entrepreneurship, and improved community infrastructure.

She concluded by urging the public to elect a capable and honest team to the Municipal Council to continue the transformative journey and build a transparent, inclusive, and thriving Colombo.

The event was attended by Parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law Lakmali Hemachandra, Hemanta Wijekoon, Colombo Mayoral Candidate Vraie Cally Balthazaar, and other candidates.

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has raised serious concerns over what he described as sensationalist and misleading media reports on medicine shortages in Sri Lanka, suggesting that some narratives may be intended to justify overpriced emergency procurements rather than reflect genuine concern for patients.

Speaking at the Cabinet media briefing on April 29, the Minister acknowledged that supply chain disruptions exist but firmly denied accusations of systemic failure. He pointed to a recent insulin supply issue, explaining that the problem arose not from a procurement failure but due to a delay by the supplier in delivering the required quantity. This situation led to a temporary adjustment in dosage for some patients. However, he stressed that the matter was being swiftly addressed. On April 12, the country imported enough insulin to last three and a half months, and another shipment sufficient for two more months is expected within the next two weeks.

Dr. Jayatissa elaborated on the complexities of the procurement process, noting that from initiating a tender to receiving delivery, the process could take up to seven months. In the meantime, the Ministry is working to secure emergency medical supplies through bilateral agreements with seven countries. He clarified that direct imports from abroad only occur when local suppliers fail to fulfill their obligations and that diplomatic interventions are necessary under such circumstances to ensure continued public access to essential medicines.

The Minister also stated that efforts are ongoing to maintain a buffer stock of essential medicines sufficient for three to six months. He issued a clear warning to local suppliers against attempting to manipulate the pharmaceutical market for personal gain, saying that any supplier unable to deliver on time risks having their NMRA registration reviewed. He stressed that this is a national issue and called for accountability and responsibility from all parties involved.

Furthermore, Dr. Jayatissa addressed public perceptions around availability, clarifying that the presence or absence of a drug at the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) alone should not be taken as an indication of a nationwide shortage. He emphasized that supplies may still be available in regional warehouses or hospitals and urged a more holistic view when assessing the national stock levels.

The Minister called on media outlets to report responsibly and reminded all stakeholders that ensuring consistent access to medication is a shared duty that must remain above political or commercial interests.

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) has officially resumed government-operated bus services along Palaly Road to Kankesanthurai after a suspension of 35 years, marking a major step forward in restoring regional connectivity in the Northern Province.

Public transport access along the route was cut off in 1990 due to the creation of the Palaly High-Security Zone during the civil conflict. The full reopening of Palaly Road on April 10, under specific conditions, cleared the way for this long-anticipated revival of services.

On Tuesday (April 29), the SLTB launched two key bus services:

• From Jaffna to Tellippalai, via Manipay, Alankulai, and Alaveddy
• From Kankesanthurai to Jaffna, running along the newly reopened Palaly Road

These routes aim to improve daily commutes and support the broader development of the northern region, which includes Jaffna International Airport, Sri Lanka’s northernmost railway station, and a planned industrial zone.

The move, guided by Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayake and SLTB Chairman Jeewaka Prasanna Purasinghe, is expected to boost economic activity, social integration, and mobility across the region.

Private bus services are also anticipated to begin soon, further enhancing accessibility.

The relaunch was met with widespread local enthusiasm, with many residents viewing it as a symbol of peace, progress, and regional revival after decades of isolation.

The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Toronto, in collaboration with the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Convention, hosted a warm reception to welcome the Sri Lankan Trade Delegation led by the Export Development Board (EDB). The delegation is in Toronto to participate in SIAL 2025, a leading North American trade fair focusing on organic foods and beverages, held from April 29 to May 1, 2025.

The event provided an opportunity for the visiting delegates to engage with members of the Canada-Sri Lanka Business Convention, prominent media companies, and legal experts, focusing on product promotion and obtaining necessary legal guidance for setting up business operations in Canada.

As part of the reception, the President of the Sri Lanka Chartered Accountants’ Association in Canada delivered a presentation outlining market opportunities for Sri Lankan exporters in the Canadian organic food and beverage sector. His talk covered the Canadian business environment, market access requirements, and key challenges. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, allowing delegates to gather specific insights for market entry.

The event was also attended by the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Ottawa and the Minister Counselor of the High Commission.

To further assist the delegation’s market understanding, the Consulate General arranged market study visits to major Canadian retailers, including Metro, Loblaws, Fairview Mall, and ethnic marketplaces. These visits were designed to provide first-hand exposure to both mainstream and ethnic consumer trends in Canada.

The initiative is part of a broader effort by the EDB and Sri Lankan missions abroad to expand the country’s export footprint and connect local producers with international buyers and stakeholders.

Amazon has officially entered the satellite internet arena with the launch of its Kuiper Atlas 1 mission, sending 27 Kuiper satellites into orbit aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket. The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 7:00 PM local time (2300 GMT) on Monday, following a previous delay caused by inclement weather.

The mission marks a significant milestone for Project Kuiper, Amazon’s $10 billion initiative to build a constellation of 3,200 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO)—a region up to 1,200 miles (1,900 km) above Earth. The goal is to begin providing low-cost, high-speed internet service globally, potentially later this year.

Caleb Weiss of ULA described the launch as the beginning of “a new era in internet connectivity,” as Amazon joins a crowded and competitive market dominated by SpaceX’s Starlink, which currently operates more than 6,750 satellites and serves over five million users worldwide.

Amazon, playing catch-up to Starlink’s head start since 2019, has already booked more than 80 launches through various providers including ULA, Arianespace, Blue Origin, and SpaceX itself. While Kuiper’s pricing remains undisclosed, Amazon has promised to align with its low-cost brand ethos.

Despite the technological promise, experts have raised concerns about space congestion, increased risk of satellite collisions, and interference with astronomical observations, as thousands of satellites continue to populate low Earth orbit. The growing dominance of private tech giants in space also raises complex political and geopolitical questions — especially as figures like Elon Musk influence global conflicts, such as his mixed signals about Starlink’s use in Ukraine’s defense against Russia.

As Kuiper scales up, it will compete not only with Starlink, but also with OneWeb (Europe) and Guowang (China), in what is quickly becoming a high-stakes race for global internet dominance from orbit.

A new species of snake, Dendrelaphis thasuni, has been discovered in the biologically rich Maragala mountain range near Monaragala, adding to Sri Lanka’s growing list of endemic reptiles. This new species, which belongs to the genus Dendrelaphis in the colubridae family, brings the total number of Dendrelaphis species in Sri Lanka to eight—six of which are endemic.

Named in honor of Dr. Thasun Amarasinghe, a prominent herpetologist known for his two decades of work in reptile and amphibian research, the species is locally referred to as Thasunge Haldanda. Despite being diurnal by classification, this snake has uniquely adapted to a nocturnal lifestyle. Its camouflage matches the surrounding foliage, and it is noted for its speed and agility.

The discovery was made by a collaborative team of Sri Lankan and international researchers, including Anusha Attanagoda, Dr. Anselm de Silva, Dr. Gernot Vogel (Germany), Sitar Udayanga, Champika Bandara, Majintha Madawala, Dr. L. Lee Grismer (USA), and Suranjan Karunaratne.

The Maragala mountain range, a recognized biodiversity hotspot, is home to 67 identified reptile species—30 of which are endemic—as well as 18 amphibian species, five of which are also endemic. Eighteen species from this region are listed as threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Researchers believe many more undiscovered species likely exist in the area, highlighting its ecological significance and the urgent need for continued conservation efforts.

The MSC MARIELLA, one of the world’s largest container vessels, made a landmark port call at Colombo Port, marking a significant milestone in Sri Lanka’s maritime history.

The massive vessel berthed at the Colombo East Container Terminal, highlighting the port’s enhanced capacity to handle ultra-large container ships and reinforcing its strategic role in global shipping routes.

Built in 2023, the MSC MARIELLA (IMO 9934747, MMSI 636022920) sails under the Liberian flag. It measures 399.90 metres in length and 61.30 metres in width, with a formidable carrying capacity of 240,739 tonnes.

The arrival of the MSC MARIELLA is a testament to Colombo Port’s growing reputation as a vital regional shipping hub and a key player in the international maritime industry.