1. President Ranil Wickremesinghe affirms the government’s commitment to boosting agriculture at the “Dilmah Cinnamon” launch: praised Dilmah’s entry into cinnamon production, emphasising its historical significance: The event, attended by notable figures, marks a milestone in Sri Lanka’s cinnamon industry.
   
2. ACMC Leader MP Rishard Bathiudeen meets with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jah to express gratitude for India’s support during economic challenges: highlights Indian aid for conflict-affected housing and sought assistance for fishermen affected by coastal erosion: Discussions also covered plans for the Thalaimannar-Rameshwaram ferry service and regional development in Northern and Eastern Sri Lanka.
   
3. Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena says many MPs have requested his help to import duty-free vehicles: asserts he plans to forward their request to President Ranil Wickremesinghe, noting MPs haven’t been allowed to import vehicles for a decade: further highlights that many MPs use vehicles over 12 years old.
   
4. Police Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa warns against unauthorised use of drone cameras at May Day rallies, citing safety and privacy concerns: adds six thousand officers will be deployed in Colombo, with an additional four thousand in other regions, and military support may be sought if needed.
   
5. A new gazette notification outlines three methods for income tax payments: cash deposits, pay orders or bank drafts, and the Online Tax Payment Platform (OTPP): Cheque payments are no longer accepted for income tax payments, as per the April 4 gazette: This applies to taxes under the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017, excluding other taxes like VAT, Stamp Duty, etc.
   
6. The Central Bank highlights a gap between financial knowledge and behaviour among Sri Lankans, urging policymakers to address this issue: adds despite satisfactory financial knowledge levels, there’s room for improvement in financial behaviour, influenced by attitudes, biases, and socio-economic factors: laments poor financial behaviour can worsen economic vulnerability and inequality: advocates for gender-sensitive approaches and introduces a Financial Literacy Roadmap, involving 48 actions over five years.
   
7. Secretary of the Sri Lanka Automobile Association Devapriya Hettiarachchi says due to concerns about beggars at traffic lights in Colombo, Sri Lanka will not host the SMMT International Automotive Summit 2025: The decision came after a bid was submitted, but delegates at a meeting in Rwanda were deterred by the presence of beggars, citing traffic disruptions and unpleasant experiences: adds plans were made to address the issue, urging the public not to provide assistance to beggars at traffic lights in Colombo.
   
8. PAFFREL stresses the need for political parties in Sri Lanka to release their election manifestos well in advance of any electoral contest to promote a responsible and informed political culture: laments currently, manifestos are often unveiled only a month before elections, limiting public engagement and scrutiny: stresses the importance of timely and transparent dissemination of manifestos, suggesting they be issued at least six months before elections.
   
9. Four individuals were arrested in Kollupitiya for posing as officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and extorting Rs. 10 million: The arrests came after a complaint from a Dehiwala resident: The suspects are set to appear before the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court today.
   
10. Over 500 overseas players, including stars like Tamim Iqbal and Tim Southee, sign up for the 5th edition of the Lanka Premier League 2024: Players from 24 countries, including all ICC full members, are eager to join one of the five teams: The tournament, set for July 1st to 21st, promises an exciting auction to select players.

April 30, Colombo (LNW): Peoples’ Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) has underscored the importance of political parties releasing their election manifestos well in advance of any electoral contest, whether it be a Presidential or Parliamentary poll.

This proactive approach would be is crucial for nurturing a more responsible and informed political culture within the country, PAFFREL emphasised.

Expressing concern over the prevailing practice in which political parties in Sri Lanka often unveil their policy statements merely a month or so before an election, PAFFREL’s Executive Director, Rohana Hettiarachchi, emphasised that there is a need for a more transparent and timely dissemination of these manifestos.

The current approach deprives the public of the opportunity to engage in substantive discussions on the proposed policies and initiatives, he noted.

Addressing a programme in Colombo aimed at promoting a responsible political culture by urging political parties to issue timely and accountable policy statements, PAFFREL convened representatives from political parties, civil society organisations, government officials, and media personnel.

During the gathering, various challenges hindering the prompt and credible publication of election manifestos were identified and discussed.

Election manifestos should ideally be released at least six months before the scheduled election date, the PAFFREL Chief underscored, lamenting, however, that the current practice often sees manifestos being publicised only after the nomination process has concluded, depriving voters of adequate time for scrutiny and deliberation.

The event saw the presence of MPs such as Dallas Alahapperuma, Prof. Charitha Herath, Prof. Tissa Vitharana, and several other key stakeholders.

April 30, Colombo (LNW): The Bribery Commission reported the apprehension of four individuals in Kollupitiya for impersonating officers from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and extorting a sum of Rs. 10 million in cash.

The arrests occurred around 3:30 p.m. yesterday (29) in the Kollupitiya locality following a complaint lodged by a Dehiwala resident.

The suspects are to be produced before the Colombo Chief Magistrates Court today (30).

April 30, Colombo (LNW): In the wake of the prevalence of beggars at traffic lights in Colombo city, the annual SMMT International Automotive Summit 2025 will not be hosted, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Automobile Association Devapriya Hettiarachchi disclosed.

Speaking to media, Hettiarachchi noted that Sri Lanka had previously hosted the Asia Pacific Region II meeting affiliated with the SMMT International Automotive Summit conference in Colombo in 2015, with 150 delegates in attendance.

Subsequently, a bid was submitted in Rwanda to host the SMMT International Automotive Summit conference in 2025.

“During the meeting in Rwanda, delegates observed beggars soliciting at traffic lights within Colombo city limits, resulting in unpleasant experiences and significant traffic disruptions as they traversed various locations in Colombo,” Hettiarachchi remarked.

Securing the bid would have brought numerous delegates from various countries to Sri Lanka, thereby generating substantial foreign income for the nation.

However, feedback received during the annual General meeting in Rwanda indicated that hosting the conference in Sri Lanka was untenable due to the beggar menace at traffic lights in Colombo.

Concerns were also raised that providing aid to beggars within the city limits would adversely impact the country’s reputation.

Consequently, attendees urged Sri Lanka to address this issue in Colombo if it intends to host the prestigious automotive industry gathering in 2025.

In response, plans were formulated in April 2023, and a strategic committee was established to address the situation.

Ultimately, measures were implemented to mitigate the issue, with the public urged not to provide assistance to beggars at traffic lights within Colombo city limits.

April 30, Colombo (LNW): A recent gazette notification has outlined specific methods for income tax payments, limiting them to three options: cash deposits, pay orders or bank drafts, and the use of the Online Tax Payment Platform (OTPP).

Notably, the inclusion of cheque payments as a valid method for income tax payments has been omitted from the updated guidelines provided in the gazette notification.

It is noteworthy that that these payment methods, as detailed in the April 4 gazette, pertain specifically to taxes regulated under the Inland Revenue Act No. 24 of 2017.

This encompasses Corporate Income Tax, Personal Income Tax, Withholding Tax, Advance Personal Income Tax, and Capital Gain Tax.

However, it is essential to recognise that other taxes, such as Value Added Tax, Social Security Contribution Levy, Stamp Duty, among others, are not affected by these changes and can continue to be settled using cheque payments.

April 30, Colombo (LNW): The deployment of drone cameras during this year’s May Day (May 01) rallies without prior permission is strictly prohibited, emphasised Police Spokesman Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Nihal Thalduwa,

Thalduwa issued this statement regarding the usage of drone cameras at May Day rally sites, as multiple political parties plan to hold separate May Day rallies across the country.

This directive aims to ensure the safety and security of May Day events and participants while also preventing any potential disruptions or unauthorised surveillance activities.

The use of drone cameras without proper authorisation could pose risks to public safety and infringe upon individual privacy rights.

By enforcing this regulation, law enforcement authorities seek to maintain order and uphold the integrity of May Day rallies, which serve as platforms for peaceful assembly and expression of various socio-political views.

Meanwhile, Thalduwa further announced that six thousand police officers will be ‘strategically’ deployed during the holding of May Day rallies in the Colombo city.

An additional contingent of four thousand officers will be placed in other regions for security measures, he added.

The Police Spokesman further emphasised the possibility of deployment of military support, if required.

April 30, Colombo (LNW): MP Rishad Bathiudeen, leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC), convened a constructive discussion with the Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jah, in Colombo last Thursday.

During the meeting, MP Bathiudeen expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Indian High Commissioner for the invaluable support extended to Sri Lanka during its recent economic challenges.

He particularly commended India’s significant contribution of 50,000 houses for individuals affected by the conflict in the Northern and Eastern regions.

Additionally, MP Bathiudeen emphasised the pressing need to address the plight of fishermen impacted by coastal erosion in Eastern provinces, specifically in areas like Oluvil, Nindhavur, Karaithivu, Maaligaikaadu, Pandiyiruppu, Maruthamunai, and Kalmunai.

He sought the Indian High Commissioner’s assistance during his forthcoming visit to the Eastern Province to secure funding from the Indian Government to support affected fishermen and safeguard their livelihoods.

The ACMC Leader underscored the significance of creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for the war-affected population in the North, stressing the importance of collaborative efforts with India towards this objective.

The discussion also encompassed plans to rejuvenate the ferry service connecting Thalaimannar and Rameshwaram, aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and fostering mutual cooperation between Sri Lanka and India.

Several other critical issues related to the development of Northern and Eastern regions were deliberated upon, with a focus on leveraging Indian assistance for regional progress.

Bathiudeen reaffirmed his dedication to advancing the enduring and mutually beneficial relationship between Sri Lanka and India, aiming to promote greater cooperation for the prosperity and welfare of both nations.

Former State Minister and Chairman of ACMC, M.S.S. Ameer Ali, also participated in the meeting, engaging in discussions on various developments concerning the Batticaloa District.