Colombo High Court Judge Aditya Patabendi today sentenced former North Central Province Chief Minister S.M. Ranjith and his private secretary Shanthi Chandrasena — the spouse of former Minister S.M. Chandrasena — to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment after being found guilty of corruption charges.

In addition to their prison sentences, both convicts were ordered to pay a fine of Rs. 200,000 each.

The two accused were convicted on charges filed by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), specifically for committing acts of 'corruption.'

The case was initiated based on allegations that between September 27, 2012, and December 31, 2014, S.M. Ranjith, while serving as Chief Minister of the North Central Province, facilitated his private secretary, the second accused, in unlawfully obtaining a fuel allowance of Rs. 2.68 million.

Despite already receiving a salary-based fuel allowance, the second accused allegedly obtained an additional fuel allowance for her official vehicle through undue influence. The Bribery Commission prosecuted the case based on these charges.

S.M. Ranjith Samarakoon is a brother of former Minister of Lands S.M. Chandrasena.

The Court of Appeal announced that its order on the writ petitions challenging the rejection of nominations for the upcoming local government elections will be delivered tomorrow. Court of Appeal bench, comprised Justice (Acting President) M.T. Mohammed Laffar and Justice K.P. Fernando.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed a high-level committee to to conduct an in-depth study on potential issues that may arise due to the new reciprocal tariff system introduced by US President Donald Trump and to submit recommendations to the government.

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa criticised the new 44% tariff imposed by the United States on Sri Lankan exports, calling it a "wake-up call" for the country’s economic policy.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) today informed the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court that they have launched an investigation into allegations that Member of Parliament Namal Rajapaksa had fraudulently obtained his Attorney-at-Law qualification.

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon has been ordered to be further remanded until April 10 by the Matara Magistrate’s Court.

The government has appointed a special committee to assess the implications of the United Kingdom’s recent sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals and recommend further action.

The Food Policy and Security Committee has recommended the importation of rice in the near future to ensure an uninterrupted supply for consumers.

The Court of Appeal today directed the relevant returning officers to further suspend election activities until tomorrow (03) in local government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

Cabinet approval has been granted to establish a regional office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Vavuniya, Northern Province, where several districts of Sri Lanka are located.

Leader of Sarvajana Balaya and Member of Parliament Dilith Jayaweera accused the government of using loopholes in the law to deceive the public.