Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today said the government's policy program regarding the security of the war heroes is very strong. The President reiterated that the government defends the security of all war heroes from the Army Commander to the last soldier and the government would not allow any foreign forces to lay hands on war heroes who laid down their lives to defend the country. The President made these remarks participating in a function held to vest a water purification system at the Ritigahawewa Viharaya in Horowpathana today.

Recalling a statement made by a retired army officer, who has said that the most disgusted thing he saw was the government chasing the disabled war heroes and attacking them, President Sirisena said the same group that brought people who were not war heroes to the protest and created the background for the unruly situation is now accusing the government. The President stressed that the government is continuously working for the protection and the welfare of the war heroes, despite what the conspirators say and the conspiracies being launched. This is the 250th water purification system set up under the national program for preventing kidney disease to provide drinking water to the people in the kidney-disease prone areas and 249 systems have already been constructed at a cost of 383 million rupees.

The President, using remote communication technologies, also vested with public 10 water purification systems set up in the Anuradhapura District. Several programs were launched at the event today including granting housing assistance to low income families affected by kidney diseases, scholarships for GCS O/L and A/L students who lost a parent to the kidney disease, providing 600 indoor water filters, awarding certificates to the beneficiaries for provision of water purification systems. President also presented a Rs. 45 million check from the Kidney Disease Prevention Task Force to the Ministry of Urban Planning and Water Supply to provide new water connection for 5000 families in the Polonnaruwa district.

Appreciating the contribution of the Sri Lanka Navy to prevention of kidney disease, the President also presented a plaque to captain MCE Dissanayake. Addressing the gathering, the President further stated that the Government is paying much attention to strengthen the prevention of kidney diseases and the economic development of the people in the area. Meanwhile, a letter was presented to the President requesting to provide drinking water to the students at the Ruwanweli Madhya Maha Vidyalaya at Horowpathana and also to alleviate the shortage of desks and chairs.

The President, stressing that failing to provide the drinking water and the furniture to the students while the government has provided all the necessary facilities to do so is dereliction of duty on the part of the relevant government officials, promised the students that he would personally see to it that the students will get what they needed. Addressing the gathering, he said that the request for a girls' hostel at the Bathiudeen Mahamud Maha Vidyalaya in Horowpathana will be fulfilled promptly.

The Maha Sangha led by Chief Incumbent of Horowpathana Sri Saddharma Viharaya Ven. Watulawe Dhammajothi Nayaka Thera, Ministers Duminda Dissanayake, P. Harrison, Governor, North Central Province P.B. Dissanayake, former Minister Tissa Karaliyadda, Project Director of the Presidential Task Force for the Prevention of Kidney Problems, Asela Iddawela, Chief of Defense Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah and the officers of the Security Forces were also present at the event.

The 19-year-old Sri Lankan national charged in the mass killing of a newcomer family in Ottawa has no plan to seek bail, his lawyer says.

With the Presidential Election scheduled to be held in the first week of October, political parties have begun vigorous campaigns in electorates as well as closed door discussions with parliamentarians in a bid to secure a basic 50 percent vote base which will win them the presidency.

Notwithstanding the internal friction within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) resulting in changes in party's leadership positions, the Election Commission clarified its role in accepting nominations for SLFP candidates in the event that internal conflicts persist beyond the declaration of elections.

Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today for an investigation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Apr 19) compared to Thursday. According to Seylan Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are unchanged at Rs. 295 and Rs. 305.50, respectively.

It is reported that the Presidential Security Division has taken over the security of the visiting Iranian President – Ebrahim Raisi, who will arrive at Sri Lanka on April 24 for the inauguration of the Uma Oya project.

Sri Lanka remains on high alert as Canadian leaders may make genocide allegations next month when the country marks the war victory, according to a diplomatic source.

The respondent parties in the first application filed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

The Court of Appeal has issued notice on former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra, requiring her to appear before court on May 8 in connection with a contempt of court application.

The Catholic Church has received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today. Cardinal Ranjith said the church had received it three weeks ago. “A team of lawyers are studying the report and we will come up with a statement on it once the study is completed,” he told a briefing.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested two suspects, including a retired Major of the Sri Lanka Army for fraudulently obtaining money from individuals promising employment in the Russian army.

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). This order will be effective till May 9. The Colombo District Court made this order following a lawsuit filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Sri Lanka is considering providing free visas to over 50 countries, it was reported. According to Tourism Ministry sources, a proposal in this regard is to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers next week.

According to the family members, the funeral service for former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma is scheduled to take place this Friday (10).

Admissions for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations will be issued by next week, the Examinations Department said. Accordingly, admissions will be issued to school applicants through the respective principals and to private applicants by post. The examination is scheduled to be held on May 6.

Preparations are underway to bid farewell to late Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder and President Emeritus of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, with full state honours.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (Apr 17), compared to Tuesday, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 294.20 to Rs. 295.28, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 303.54 to Rs. 305.19. The Rupee has also depreciated against several foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

The United States (US) Government recently held preliminary talks with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Colombo regarding the planned transfer of a fourth US Coast Guard cutter to the SLN, as part of the ongoing security partnership between both the countries.

Amidst reports that some ex-military men from Sri Lanka have joined the Russian military operations against Ukraine, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Prof. Janita Liyanage said she asked for details about them from the Russian military if any. She said this in response to a query about media reports to that effect. “I sought such details from the Russian military if there is anyone there,” she said.

Sri Lanka cannot be pushed and bumped into a global conflict and therefore it should be diligent in its dealings with various nations, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said today.