Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his state visit and emplaned for India. He left for Rameswaram in South India on board a helicopter from Anuradhapura, whereas the rest of the delegation took wings from the Bandaranaike International Airport.

Former MP Udaya Gammanpila says former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias ‘Pillayan’ has been detained in connection with an alleged abduction case in the East, and not related to the 2019 Easter Attacks as claimed by the government.

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.

Four more deaths have been reported in three road accidents, according to the Police. Two persons, aged 37 and 43 years old, have died in a multi-vehicle collision reported near the Kurunegala North bus depot today. A cab travelling from Dambulla to Kurunegala had collided with a three-wheeler, after which the three-wheeler had collided with a motorcycle.

While issuing a warm weather advisory today, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Meteorology Department said that the temperature felt by the human body is expected to rise to caution levels.

Police opened fire at a car that was fleeing after being hijacked in Kotahena last night. They said a man had parked his car with the engine running on Wasala Road, Kotahena, and briefly stepped into a restaurant to buy food, leaving his pregnant wife and mother inside the vehicle.

Six suspects were arrested with 77 kilograms and 484 grams of heroin and 42 kilograms and 334 grams of Methamphetamine (Ice) during a special operation on the high seas by the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has obtained a 90-day detention order for the further interrogation of former State Minister Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, also known as 'Pilleyan', police said. Chandrakanthan was arrested by the CID on Tuesday (08) in Batticaloa in connection with an ongoing investigation.

It has been recently revealed that delays in document processing delays at the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) and at the Price Regulation Committee of the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) have also contributed to the prevailing drug shortage.

Reports indicate that nearly 20 ministers and deputy ministers have formally informed the Secretary General of Parliament that they no longer require the fuel allowance they are eligible for as Members of Parliament.

Sri Lanka Navy seized a stock of suspected narcotics during a special operation conducted off the coast of Sri Lanka. According to the Navy, the vessel, along with the stock of suspected narcotics were taken into naval custody.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has criticised the Bribery Commission for summoning him during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays, citing his unavailability. He questioned the unusually swift action within 18 hours following his 10 April comment on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake’s arrest.Wickremesinghe called the Commission’s rapid response “unprecedented” and has requested a new date.

Despite the sharp drop in global crude oil prices, petroleum prices in the country will remain unchanged until the end of the month. Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage told The Sunday Morning that the drop in the global market may be reflected in the refined oil prices in Sri Lanka by the end of the month.

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.

The Court of Appeal today revoked its earlier interim order issued preventing the relevant Returning Officers from conducting Local Government elections for 18 institutions, including the Colombo Municipal Council.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been summoned to appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption on April 17, in connection with an ongoing investigation involving Member of Parliament Chamara Sampath Dassanayake.

The government's move to reopen the Palaly Road in Jaffna with heavy restrictions is truly concerning, MP Namal Rajapaksa said. He said that while the road was initially closed due to security threats, it now appears the government has reopened it without proper security clearance—hence the imposition of heavy restrictions.

A total of 73 election law violations were reported during the 24-hour period ending at 4:30 p.m. yesterday (10), the Election Commission announced. The Commission also said that two additional complaints were received during this period. According to the Commission, the total number of election-related complaints received since March 20 stands at 1,121. Of these, 996 complaints have been resolved so far.

The Court of Appeal today ordered the acceptance of 35 more nominations for the Local Government Elections, which were previously rejected. Accordingly, the relevant Returning Officers have been ordered to accept the nominations.

The Matara Magistrate’s Court today granted bail to suspended Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon. Bail was granted with two sureties of Rs. 1 million each. Tennakoon had been remanded in connection with a shooting incident that occurred on December 31, 2023, in front of the W15 Hotel in the Pelena area of Weligama, Matara.

Rejecting recent media reports, the Government Information Department announced that no holiday has been declared for April 15. In an official statement, the department clarified that no notice has been issued declaring April 15 as a special holiday.

The Sri Lankan rupee has declined against the US dollar today (10), with the spot exchange rate surpassing the Rs. 300 mark for the first time since September 27, 2024.