1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe joins the annual “Kithsiri Mela” New Year festival held at the Deans Road: This festival was organised for the 28th time by United National Party (UNP) Colombo Central Organiser Mr. Kithsiri Rajapakse, along with Maradana – Suduwella Sports Club.
   
2. The SLFP, led by Nimal Siripala de Silva, meets with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha to distance themselves from remarks attributed to former Chairman Maithripala Sirisena regarding Indian involvement in the Easter Sunday attacks: Sirisena’s recent controversial statements have complicated the party’s internal dynamics, with divisions emerging: The SLFP faction opposing Sirisena clarifies their stance to the Indian envoy, emphasising the importance of cordial relations with India amidst ongoing legal disputes within the party.
   
3. NPP Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake warns of potential collusion among rival political factions to thwart the NPP from gaining power in the upcoming presidential election: points out unresolved issues surrounding the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks and suggests that figures like former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, may unite against the NPP: adds despite shared policy goals, personal conflicts between Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa could pose challenges for this coalition: proposes potential election dates and urged supporters to actively engage in advocating for NPP perspectives: also raises questions about the Easter Sunday attacks and called for clarity on related matters to address ongoing instability in Sri Lanka.
   
4. Multiple political parties are gearing up to celebrate International Labour Day on May 1st this year: The UNP will rally at Maligawatta, the SJB at Chatham Street and Talawakelle, the SLPP at Campbell Park, and the SLFP at Gampaha Municipal Council Grounds: The NPP will hold nationwide rallies under the theme “Rata Hadana Visandumata Jana Balaya Eka Pelata” (The Power of the People Aligns to Build the Country): In Colombo, the march starts at 2 pm from BRC Ground, with the rally at 3 pm at CWW Kannangara Mawatha. Jaffna, Matara, and Anuradhapura will also host rallies.
   
5. The Central Bank is optimistic about the nation’s stability, citing the potential for economic recovery supported by IMF reforms: Inflation is expected to stay around 5%, and various sectors are projected to rebound, including tourism and remittances: Fiscal consolidation and reforms are deemed crucial for sustained progress amid challenges like climate change and geopolitical tensions.
   
6. Sri Lanka’s apparel industry hit a milestone, surpassing $1 billion in revenue in Q1’24: March exports, totalling $418 million, were driven by growth in European and UK markets: While exports to the US slightly declined, those to the EU and UK grew: Overall, Q1 exports saw a slight dip of 0.69% compared to the previous year, totalling $1.174 billion: Despite challenges, the industry aims for a $4.5 billion revenue target in 2024.
   
7. The Indian Coast Guard seizes a Pakistani boat off the Porbandar coast, Gujarat, intercepting 86 kilograms of suspected heroin valued at INR 602 crore: The narcotics were destined for Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu: Fourteen crew members were arrested in a joint operation with the Anti-Terrorist Squad and the Narcotics Control Bureau.
   
8. The Ceylon Teachers Service Union plans to take trade union action to address salary disparities in the education sector: intends to conduct a token strike involving deans and teachers from various educational institutions to draw attention to the issue: Union Secretary Dhammika Mirihana highlights the lack of allowances for these educators, leading to unfair treatment.
   
9. Sri Lanka makes a partial payment of $35 million out of a $250 million debt owed to Iran for oil purchases from 2012: Initially delayed due to sanctions on Iran, Sri Lanka opts for a barter deal, exchanging tea for oil: As of February, $35 million has been settled, with another $10 million expected soon: Delays in the tea-for-oil arrangement arose from economic challenges in Sri Lanka.
   
10. Sri Lankan para athletes excel at the World Para Athletic Grand Prix in Morocco, with Janani Dhananjana and Samitha Dulan securing gold medals and Anil Jayalath and Pradeep Somasiri winning silver medals: The event, crucial for Paralympics qualification, showcases Sri Lanka’s talent, with Dhananjana, Dulan, and others aiming for spots in the Paris Paralympics: With strong performances and personal bests, the Sri Lankan team is on track to secure multiple qualifications, boosting hopes for future competitions like the Para World Championship.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) intercepted a Pakistani boat off the Porbandar coast in Gujarat, seizing 86 kilograms of suspected heroin valued at INR 602 crore destined for Sri Lanka via Tamil Nadu, a report by The Indian Express revealed.

Fourteen crew members were arrested in the operation conducted jointly with the Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) and the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) on Sunday (28).

The seizure follows intelligence received by ATS Superintendent of Police KK Patel, indicating the transit of narcotics by Haji Aslam alias Babu Balock, a Pakistani drug operative, according to report.

The vessel named ‘Alraza’ was reportedly dispatched from Karachi to deliver heroin and methamphetamine near the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) off Porbandar.

Upon identification of the suspicious vessel 180 nautical miles off Porbandar, the ICG and Gujarat ATS attempted to board it for inspection.

However, the crew resisted, prompting the use of force to stop their escape.

One crew member sustained a bullet injury during the operation.

All 14 accused, residents of Lasbela in Pakistan’s Balochistan, including the boat’s master Nazir Hussain Azam Khan, who were on the ship en route to Sri Lanka, are being brought to Porbandar for further investigation.

Khan, aged 62, received medical attention for his injury and is currently stable.

This operation follows another successful interception earlier in the week, where the NCB and ATS seized mephedrone and chemical drugs worth INR 300 crore from laboratories in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Multiple political parties have commenced preparations to celebrate the International Labour Day (May Day) on the 1st of May this year.

The United National Party (UNP) will hold its rally at Maligawatta, featuring the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe, announced Party General Secretary Palitha Range Bandara.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya’s (SJB) May Day rallies will take place at Chatham Street, Pettah, and Talawakelle, according to MP Tissa Attanayake.

MP Sanjeewa Edirimanne disclosed that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s (SLPP) rally will be held at Campbell Park, Borella.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) rally is scheduled at the Municipal Council Grounds in Gampaha, with a senior member noting the expected attendance of all party members.

Under the theme “Rata Hadana Visandumata Jana Balaya Eka Pelata” (The Power of the People Aligns to Build the Country), the National People’s Power (NPP) will organise May Day rallies nationwide.

In Colombo, the May Day March will commence at 2 pm from the BRC Ground, followed by the rally at 3 pm at the CWW Kannangara Mawatha.

Jaffna’s May Day Rally is set for 10 am at the Nanda Selva Theatre, while in Matara, the march will start at 2 pm from Rahula Junction, followed by a rally at Matara Beach Park at 3.30 pm.

Lastly, the Anuradhapura May Day Rally will be held at the Anuradhapura Public Stadium at 3.30 pm.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): Opposing political factions may collaborate to obstruct the National Peoples Power (NPP) ascent to power, Party Leader MP Anura Kumara Dissanayake said, addressing a recent event in Stockholm, Sweden.

Dissanayaka highlighted ongoing instability in Sri Lanka, particularly citing unresolved questions surrounding the Easter Sunday carnage, which took away more than 270 lives in 2019.

He indicated that various rival factions, including figures like former Presidents Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa, and current President Ranil Wickremesinghe, are contemplating uniting to counter the NPP’s influence in the upcoming presidential election.

However, he noted potential hurdles stemming from personal conflicts between Wickremesinghe and Sajith Premadasa, the current Leader of the Opposition, despite shared policy objectives in this coalition.

Dissanayaka suggested that their aim is to impede the NPP’s progress and prevent its ascension to power.

Regarding the timing of the Presidential Election, the NPP Leader hinted at potential dates, suggesting either September 28 or October 5, 2024.

Dissanayaka called on supporters to engage actively, encouraging them to visit Sri Lanka during this period, advocate for NPP perspectives on social media, and discuss the importance of national development with their relatives.

Furthermore, Dissanayaka raised questions about the Easter Sunday attacks, particularly concerning possible collaboration between the perpetrators and those responsible for preventing such incidents.

He highlighted specific incidents, such as the case of Jameel, who failed to detonate a bomb at the Taj Hotel and later attempted to do so in Dehiwala, only to be intercepted by intelligence officials.

Dissanayaka also questioned the role of individuals like ‘Podi Zahran‘ and the circumstances surrounding the alleged death or disappearance of Sarah Jasmine, emphasising the need for clarity on these matters to address ongoing instability in the country.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): In a bid to proactively address potential tensions with India, the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) faction, led by Nimal Siripala de Silva as acting chairman, recently met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha.

The purpose of the meeting was to officially distance themselves from remarks attributed to their former Chairman, Maithripala Sirisena, regarding alleged Indian involvement in the Easter Sunday attacks, Daily Mirror reported citing a reliable source.

Media reports previously circulated claims of Sirisena implicating India in the attacks during his statement to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Sirisena’s recent controversial statements, suggesting knowledge of the masterminds behind the Easter Sunday carnage, have added complexity to the party’s internal dynamics.

However, Public Security Minister Tiran Alles clarified in Parliament last week that the former President did not specifically name any Sri Lankan or Sri Lankan organisation in his CID statement.

Presently, the SLFP is grappling with internal divisions, with Sirisena restrained from acting as party chairman due to a legal injunction.

Representatives of the faction opposed to Sirisena, including MPs Lasantha Alagiyawanna, Duminda Dissanayake, Suren Raghavan, and Faizer Mustapha, met with the Indian envoy to assert their disavowal of the ex-President’s purported claims and stress the importance of maintaining cordial relations with India.

The SLFP is currently embroiled in a legal dispute with a faction led by Minister Siripala de Silva and former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, who seek to wrest control of the party by sidelining Sirisena.

April 29, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Teachers Service Union has announced its intention to initiate trade union action to address existing salary disparities within the education sector.

Deans and teachers from National Education Academies, Government Teacher Colleges, and Teaching Centres will participate in a token strike to highlight these disparities, according to Union Secretary Dhammika Mirihana.

Mirihana emphasised that besides their salaries, no allowances are provided to them, resulting in unfair treatment.