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

According to the President’s Media Division, a notable increase in rice prices has been observed in the market, along with reports of shortages in certain rice varieties, despite the current harvest season.

Given this situation, discussions were held regarding the need for the Cabinet to prioritize the maintenance of sufficient stock levels through rice imports.

The Committee, chaired by Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha and Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Vasantha Samarasinghe, convened for the fifth time at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (01). The meeting aimed to formulate policy decisions to ensure food security.

During the discussions, it was revealed that due to excessive rainfall this year, crop damage occurred on two occasions, leading to a significant reduction in the expected harvest.

Furthermore, during the meeting it was stated that the improper use of rice for animal feed is another major reason contributing to the rice shortage. As a result, the Committee also focused on the importation of broken rice for animal feed and the use of alternative feeds to mitigate the impact on livestock production.

Accordingly, the Food Policy and Security Committee approved the formation of a Committee, led by the Director General of Agriculture, to oversee the importation of the required quantity of broken rice through proper mechanisms.

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 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.

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.

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.