After weeks of defiance Sri Lanka’s President Gotabaya Rajapaksa said he’s open to changes in the nation’s constitution to appease protesters calling for his ouster, likely setting the stage for curbing the executive’s sweeping powers as the nation’s deepening economic crisis has boiled over into political turmoil.

Wearing Face masks will not be mandatory in public places in Sri Lanka with effect from today (April 18), Minister of Health Channa Jayasumana said.

21 new State Ministers took oaths in the presence of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (April 18).

Sri Lanka’s embattled leader dropped two of his brothers and a nephew from his cabinet Monday, following public anger over the ruling family’s mismanagement of a crippling economic crisis and calls for his resignation.

A request was made by the former Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Tennakoon from the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court to impose overseas travel bans on Former Minister of Finance Basil Rajapaksa and Former Secretary of the Finance Ministry S.R. Attygalle.

The Sri Lankan rupee has depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today (April 18).

A total of 17 new cabinet ministers were sworn in before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo a short while ago.

Former Prime Minister and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe said that holding an election or amending the Constitution will not solve the current crisis in the country.

Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) has decided to increase prices of Diesel by Rs 75 per Litre and Petrol by Rs 35 per Litre with effect from midnight today (April 17).

Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne said that there are no plans to abuse military power by unleashing it on peaceful protesters.

A delegation including Finance Minister Ali Sabry, Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe and Finance Ministry Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene left the country this morning to participate in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The Government has sought a loan of US$ 700 million from the World Bank to revive the agricultural sector by providing imported agrochemicals and seeds after setbacks suffered in the Maha season.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna Parliamentarian Nipuna Ranawaka was chased by a group of people hooting and asking him to leave immediately.

Sri Lanka’s World Cup-winning cricket captain Arjuna Ranatunga and fellow ex-skipper Sanath Jayasuriya have joined street protests demanding the president step down over the country’s economic crisis.

A plan by Sri Lanka’s state-owned national airline to lease nearly two dozen aircraft has sparked public criticism and opposition condemnation as the country struggles with its worst financial crisis in decades.