President Kumara Dissanayake reportedly told the political party representatives yesterday that the U.S. tariffs slapped on Sri Lanka is a national calamity in economic terms similar to the tsunami disaster and the Covid-19 pandemic, and it should be dealt with through a national approach. He said it was unexpected and unprepared for.

He called for a meeting with the representatives of the opposition parties and sought their views to deal with the fallout of the tariffs imposed by U.S.President Donald Trump. Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa, its MPs Dr. Harsha de Silva and Gayantha Karunathilleka were among the attendees.

Besides, National Democratic Front MP Ravi Karunanayake, and the MPs representing Tamil and Muslim parties in the opposition attended it. Mr. Karunanayake told Daily Mirror that the President cited it as a national calamity similar to the pandemic and the tsunami disaster.

Mr.Karunanayake said he proposed to ensure zero tariffs for imports from the U.S. in dealing with the issue through bilateral channels. Mr. Karunanayake also proposed to develop Sri Lanka as a launching pad for U.S.investments to manufacture for the Indian market using tariff concessions under the Free Trade Agreement.

Meanwhile, the government, in the wake of President Trump announcing a pause on tariffs on 75 countries, sought clarification on whether Sri Lanka is included in the list. It was done through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington DC.

The U.S. remained Sri Lanka's single largest export destination, mostly for its apparel products. Sri Lanka's total exports to the U.S. amounts to US$ 3 billion.

Besides, Sri Lanka will face fresh challenges in securing market access to the European Union (EU) region under the GSP+ facility in another two years' time.

The EU will introduce a revised criterion for the beneficiary countries effective from 2027. In addition to compliance with 27 international conventions, Sri Lanka is required to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act to qualify under fresh regulations coming up.

Due to lower electricity usage during the holiday season, some changes were made on how power is generated in the country, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) said.

The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology has issued a "Warm Weather Advisory – Extreme Caution Level" for over 20 districts across the country.

Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara says that the official polling cards for the upcoming local government elections are scheduled to be delivered to the Department of Post today (April 16). He stated that April 20 has been designated as a special day for the distribution of official polling cards to households.

While highlighting that the US Reciprocal taxes had created a fresh economic crisis as Sri Lanka will have to find ways and means to settle its debts by 2028, former President Ranil Wickremesinghe said the government should come out with a plan to face the situation.

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) requests rooftop solar power system owners to temporarily disconnect their systems from today but only if they receive an official SMS notification from the board and also only till 3p.m on the specified day.

The National Election Commission has announced a delay in postal voting for 18 Local Government bodies, including the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC).

A total of 412 patients have been admitted to the Colombo National Hospital during the two-day New Year holiday period from April 13 and 14, due to accidents.

The Election Commission (EC) has requested secretaries and authorised representatives of political parties, as well as leaders of independent groups, to submit copies of any petitions and court judgments to the relevant District Election Offices.

Four suspects have been arrested at the Katunayake Airport for attempting to smuggle in stocks of Kush cannabis and Hashish to Sri Lanka.