Minister of Trade Bandula Gunawardena says a relief pack consisting of 12 essential commodities will be given for Rs.1,000 through Lanka Sathosa outlets, from today.

Four individuals have been arrested for spreading extremist propaganda and the ideologies of Zahran Hashim through social media, says Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Leader MP Rishad Bathiudeen has appealed to the Government to consider the release of former Western Province Governor Azath Salley who has been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Foreign Minister A.K. Abdul Momen has justified Bangladesh’s vote against a UN Human Rights Council resolution seeking the collection and preservation of evidence of war crimes committed by Sri Lanka’s Armed Forces and the LTTE.

The Sri Lankan rupee depreciated to the lowest value against the US dollar in history today.

The first consignment of 600,000 doses of China’s Sinopharm vaccines arrived in Sri Lanka today (March 31).

Indian authorities have intercepted a Sri Lankan fishing vessel carrying 300kg of heroin and weapons off the southern coast of the country, Indian media reported.

Minister Udaya Gammanpila has dismissed the speculations that the government has taken a policy decision to license Indian fishermen to engage in fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters.

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday called on the Government to suspend bulk imports of coconut oil and to carry out random tests of existing stocks in the market to reassure the public of food safety.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said at the SLFP Kandy convention yesterday (30) that he would support the incumbent government under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa while making every effort to strengthen his party so that it would form a future government.

Public Security Minister Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara expressing his views regarding the recent incident where a police officer had attacked a driver, said police officers have no right to assault the public.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Monday that China stands ready to work with Sri Lanka to boost bilateral cooperation and provide robust impetus for the latter’s post-pandemic economic recovery and sustainable development.

Police has seized two bowser trucks from Dankotuwa with 27,500 litres of coconut oil.

SJB Parliamentarian Harin Fernando accused Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently, of stoking extremism to win Parliamentary Election, the same way elections were won in Sri Lanka.

The Archdiocese of Colombo yesterday faulted the Government for what it termed as repeated delays in bringing to justice those connected to the Easter Sunday attacks, and voiced concern on whether they were caused by “external interferences.”

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa assures his Chinese counterpart of strengthening mutual cooperation in all sectors and bilateral ties.