Energy Crisis Deepens as Doctors' Strike Escalates; US-Iran Tensions Rattle Global Markets

Political tensions are high as the President reportedly decides to remove Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody over a massive coal fraud scandal, with a no-confidence motion looming

. This comes as the GMOA extends its island-wide strike, with the Health Minister issuing an ultimatum to 453 post-intern doctors to accept appointments by Saturday or face termination

. On the international front, US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran back to the 'Stone Age' as global oil prices rise again

, and Iran's IRGC warned it would target major US tech firms if more of its leaders are killed

. In another US development, President Trump removed Attorney General Pam Bondi

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Locally, controversy continues over Udaya Gammanpila's book launch, with an SJB MP claiming Sajith Premadasa's presence was due to AI-generated images, a claim refuted by ITN News

. Gammanpila also commented on the case of former State Minister Pillayan, noting no Easter attack charges were filed despite a 359-day detention

. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka and Russia held bilateral consultations in Colombo to enhance cooperation in tourism, trade, and defense

. The Tamil Progressive Alliance met with the President to discuss upcountry community issues

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Other key events include PM Harini Amarasuriya stressing senior citizen rights at a new elder care centre opening

, the decision to host the 2026 State Vesak Festival in Matara

, and the President chairing a discussion on water management for the Yala season

. The nation mourns former Minister Mahinda Wijesekara, who passed away at 83

. Six Sri Lankan fishermen were released from Bangladeshi custody after eight months

. New appointments include Major General Manada Yahampath as the Army's 68th Chief of Staff

and Prasad Hemantha Kumara as Acting Commissioner General of Prisons

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Sri Lanka's economy faces mounting pressure as an approximate 10% electricity tariff increase took effect on April 1st, impacting households and businesses

. This coincides with new energy conservation guidelines, including mandatory A/C shutdowns by 3 PM in state institutions and turning off ad light boards after 8 PM

. The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated by 1.6% against the US dollar this year, largely due to the Middle East conflict, though remittances surged by 32% in the first two months of 2026

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Internationally, the conflict has led to attacks on Kuwaiti and Qatari tankers and an Amazon facility in Bahrain, escalating regional instability

. Global analysts warn of an intensifying oil shock, with a J.P. Morgan report highlighting risks of reserve depletion, particularly for Asian countries

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Amidst these challenges, the government is pursuing reforms. A Cabinet committee is exploring Work From Home options for public officials

, and the President has directed officials to ensure an uninterrupted fertilizer supply for farmers

. An IMF delegation met with parliamentary leaders, praising economic progress

, and a new five-year partnership with the World Bank was launched to target 7% economic growth

. On a positive note, tourist arrivals surpassed 730,000 in Q1 2026, with India as the top source market

. Elsewhere, India has begun its massive digital census

, and a man was arrested in Kochchikade for illegally possessing 150 liters of diesel

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Law enforcement has seen significant success with the detention of six fishermen linked to a drug seizure worth over 600 crore rupees; they will be held until April 7th

. At BIA, Customs officials arrested a man from Ragama for attempting to smuggle 25.5 kg of 'Kush' cannabis valued at Rs. 255 million, concealed in motorcycle silencers

. Following the arrest of four individuals linked to crime figure Karandeniya Sudda, police discovered a cache of 109 live rounds in Meetiyagoda

. In the courts, the Nuwara Eliya High Court sentenced four individuals to death in three separate murder cases dating back to 1990, 1998, and 2009

. Meanwhile, fast bowler Nuwan Thushara's case against Sri Lanka Cricket for an IPL NOC will be heard next on April 9

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The Department of Meteorology has extended its warm weather advisory for 21 districts until April 3, while also forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall exceeding 75mm in several provinces until April 6

. In response to water shortages, the National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWSDB) has announced specific water cuts for the Colombo district. The NWSDB, which supplies 50% of its daily 2.5 million cubic meter output to the Western Province, is reducing production from the Kalatuwawa plant to conserve water for the next 30 to 40 days

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The Ministry of Education has opened admissions for intermediate grades (Grade 2 to 11, excluding Grades 5 and 6) in national schools for the 2026 academic year. Interested applicants must submit their forms by April 27, 2026, as detailed in Circular 09/2026

. In a significant policy update, the Ministry has also issued a new directive explicitly banning corporal punishment in all schools. This directive reinforces a Supreme Court judgment and promotes alternative guidance methods, warning that offenders will face consequences

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To ensure public safety during the upcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, Sri Lanka Police have launched a special island-wide security program. Over 10,000 officers from all 608 police stations have been deployed for duties including traffic checks and general security

. In Galle, investigations are underway after a fire broke out in two decommissioned train compartments near the railway station. The Government Analyst has visited the site, and though the cause is unknown, no injuries were reported

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A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Indonesia's Molucca Sea, resulting in one fatality and one injury. While there was no tsunami threat to Sri Lanka, a local tsunami warning was issued and later lifted after 2 hours. Tsunami waves up to 0.75 meters were observed in five locations, and 11 aftershocks were recorded following the main tremor

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NASA's Artemis II mission successfully launched on Wednesday, marking the first time in over 50 years that humans have traveled beyond low-Earth orbit. The 32-storey rocket lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, witnessed by tens of thousands. This historic mission is a crucial step in NASA's long-term plan to return astronauts to the moon and eventually send them to Mars

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Cricketer Nuwan Thushara has taken his case against Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to the Colombo District Court. His petition, which seeks a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to participate in the IPL and other leagues, will be heard on April 9th. The NOC was reportedly withheld because Thushara failed a physical fitness test prescribed by SLC

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Sri Lanka has launched its first-ever national guidelines for oxygen usage in government hospitals, a move aimed at standardizing patient care and improving technical knowledge among health professionals. The guidelines were prepared by the Ministry of Health with support from UNICEF. A training program for 100 health staff has also commenced to disseminate this knowledge nationwide

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