Top stories of the day

President presented new economic relief package 

In Parliament, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake presented the proposed new economic relief package for groups affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis, including a fertiliser subsidy for farmers and a temporary revision to the Aswesuma allowance. 

Cabinet approved fuel subsidy for fishing vessels

The Fisheries Ministry announced approval has been granted by cabinet Ministers to provide a fuel subsidy for fishing vessels, including Rs. 50 per litre of fuel for small fishing boats and Rs. 150,000 per trip for multi-day fishing vessels. It will take effect April 20.

Special bus service for Sinhala and Tamil New Year

A special bus service has been planned by the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) to facilitate public transportation for people travelling to their hometowns for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year. It will commence on April 9, with approximately 250 additional buses deployed daily on long-distance routes.

Individuals arrested with medicines worth about Rs.10 million at BIA

Customs officials arrested four individuals, including a woman while attempting to smuggle a consignment of medicines worth about Rs. 10 million into Sri Lanka at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA).

Public warning issued regarding online scams and financial fraud attempts on social media

A public warning has been issued by the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (Sri Lanka CERT) regarding a significant increase in online scams and financial fraud attempts circulating across social media platforms during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festive season.

Former chairman of SLRC and former Director General arrested by CIABOC

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has arrested former Chairman of the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC), Sarath Kongahage and the former Director General, Devapriya Abeysinghe for recruiting six employees outside the approved SLRC cadre and assigned to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella’s personal staff, while being paid by the SLRC.