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 committee comprises Vijitha Herath – Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Attorney-at-Law Harshana Nanayakkara – Minister of Justice and National Integrity and Aruna Jayasekara – Deputy Minister of Defence.

The Cabinet of Ministers has empowered the committee to conduct a thorough study of the matter and consult experts in relevant fields.

Sri Lanka has been slapped with 44 percent reciprocal tariff by the US, which would impact the local export sector, particularly apparel. According to President Donald Trump's new tariff, the island nation has been imposed a 10 percent baseline tax and a 44 percent reciprocal tax, making it 54 percent effective.

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 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.

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.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said Provincial Council council election will not be held this year as three elections were held within six months with the upcoming Local Government elections.

Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara said there is no legal barrier in bringing a motion to remove suspended IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon from the office of IGP as claimed by former Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe.

The Court of Appeal today directed the relevant Returning Officers to suspend the election activities until tomorrow (02), in relation to Local Government institutions where political parties and independent groups have filed petitions challenging the rejection of nomination papers.

The Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) has been made compulsory for obtaining all services from the Department of Motor Traffic (DMT). In an official notice, DMT Commissioner General Nishantha Anurudda Weerasinghe announced that the requirement to provide a TIN will be enforced from April 15.

Former State Minister Sathasivam Viyalendran, who was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has been further remanded until April 8.

The Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court today ordered that former Uva Provincial Councillor and former Minister Chamara Sampath Dasanayake be further remanded till April 8 over the alleged withdrawal of six fixed deposits maintained by the Uva Provincial Council in a State bank at Badulla in 2016.

Referring to the recent sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom on top Sri Lankan military officials, Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, who played a significant role in the country’s civil war, stated that the sanction against former Army Commander Shavendra Silva was unreasonable.

Sri Lanka has experienced a significant surge in HIV/AIDS cases in 2024 recording over 800 cases. According to the National STD/AIDS Control Programme, Sri Lanka has logged 824 cases reflecting a 18 per cent increase compared to the year 2023, which saw 694 cases.

A direct flight service between Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu and Jaffna in Sri Lanka commenced today after 47 years. Due to the war situation, flight services at the Palaly International Airport, Jaffna were suspended, but in 2019, the airport resumed its services. Passenger flights between Chennai and Jaffna started after the reopening of the airport.