The 59th National New Rice Festival was held at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura yesterday morning (April 9) under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, bringing together farmers, religious leaders and state officials for the country’s annual offering of newly harvested Maha season rice.

A 19-year-old youth was killed in an assault during a party at a hotel on Moragahahena Road in Homagama on the night of April 9, 2026, and police have launched a homicide investigation.

Modern electric wheelchairs were donated to war-disabled veterans today (April 09) at the Ranaviru Seva Authority office through a government-funded programme.

Colombo Fort Railway Station’s passenger facility improvement project was officially launched today (April 9), with a Rs. 2,162 million investment and a plan to complete it within 15 months.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Sri Lankan authorities on the combined fifth and sixth reviews of Sri Lanka’s Extended Fund Facility (EFF) programme, according to a statement issued today (April 9).

Police Special Task Force (STF) officers raided two cannabis cultivations inside Yala National Park yesterday (April 8), uncovering 160,000 plants grown across about three acres in the Thalaguruhela Rock area.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has launched a 48-hour islandwide token strike from 8:00 AM today (April 09), in protest against the appointment of post-internship medical officers.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today (April 08) that strengthening local industries is a key government priority and that more opportunities will be created for domestic businesses to meet future government procurement needs.

The Ministry of Transport says that operations at the renovated Colombo Central Bus Terminal began today (April 8).

Lanka IOC has increased the prices of XtraMile Diesel, Super Diesel and Xtra Green Diesel.

The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Defence met in Parliament this afternoon (April 7) under President and Defence Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, with key attention on releasing lands in the North and East, reopening closed roads and speeding up Cyclone Ditwah recovery work.

Former Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) Chairman Sarath Kongahage and former Director General Devapriya Abeysinghe have been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The chairman of the Nuwara Eliya Pradeshiya Sabha was arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) officers at around 9:10 a.m. today (April 7) over a corruption charge linked to granting an undue benefit to an applicant.

Sri Lanka’s Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has ordered former President Mahinda Rajapaksa to submit a full affidavit of his assets, expenses, and income sources by April 10, 2026, warning that no further extensions will be granted after a 10-year delay.

Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake arrived in Parliament today (April 7) and presented the government’s economic relief package.