US-Iran Ceasefire Declared; Energy Minister Faces Ouster Vote Amid Deepening Coal Scandal

The political landscape is dominated by the deepening coal scandal, with the no-confidence motion against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody scheduled for a vote tomorrow (April 10) following a marathon 6.5-hour COPE meeting on the issue

. In a significant development, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala has declared the 2019 Easter attacks a 2017 conspiracy, linking it to a deliberately misled investigation into the 2018 Vavnathivu police murders

. Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa reiterated calls for justice, stating that seven years on, the masterminds remain unidentified

. Parliament has extended the State of Emergency by a majority of 110 votes

, following a three-day session that also debated the Public Security Ordinance

. Meanwhile, the GMOA has launched its fifth 48-hour token strike in two weeks, severely disrupting hospital services

. A Ministerial Committee continues to address land release issues in the North and East

, and former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has returned to Sri Lanka after successful surgery in Singapore

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Internationally, a two-week US-Iran ceasefire has been declared after five weeks of conflict, though President Trump immediately announced intentions for a "very productive Regime Change" and nuclear disarmament in Iran

. Iran has presented 10 conditions for the ceasefire and issued an ultimatum to the US regarding Israel's actions in Lebanon

. Critical peace talks, facilitated by Pakistan, have commenced in a locked-down Islamabad

. Despite this, the conflict in Lebanon continues, with Israeli strikes killing 303 people as PM Netanyahu declares "no ceasefire" there

. At the UN, Russia and China have blocked a resolution on Hormuz Strait security and submitted their own draft

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The alleged internal fraud at NDB Bank has escalated, with the misappropriated amount now reported as Rs. 13.2 billion and a fourth suspect arrested

. Amidst rising fuel costs, the National System Operator (NSO) has requested an additional 15% electricity tariff increase, while trade unions accuse the Energy Minister of paying "ransom money" to Norochcholai engineers

. An IMF delegation, while praising Sri Lanka's economic progress, stressed that tariff hikes must be balanced with protection for the vulnerable

. The 59th National New Rice Festival was held with President Dissanayake assuring farmers that urea prices will be maintained

. The government also announced an additional Rs. 5,000 subsidy for tea fertilizer

. Meanwhile, the cost of a traditional New Year 'kevili' table has risen by 7% compared to last year

. The Colombo Fort Railway Station has begun a Rs. 2.1 billion modernization project

, and the CAA has intensified raids, focusing on trains, netting nearly Rs. 50 million in fines island-wide

. A Maharagama consultancy was busted for a foreign job scam exceeding Rs. 10 million

. President Dissanayake pledged to strengthen local industries

, and the 'Rebuilding Sri Lanka' fund received millions in corporate donations

. Internationally, new details emerged of Iranian attacks on a Kuwaiti military base and a UAE oil terminal

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Amidst the ongoing dry spell, the NWSDB has extended 12-hour water cuts to April 10th for Homagama and Pelanwatta areas

. The Meteorology Department forecasts thundershowers after 2:00 PM for several provinces on April 10th, with dry weather expected elsewhere

. For the New Year holidays, the Kudawa entrance to the Sinharaja Forest Reserve will be closed for six days, from April 10th to 15th

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The 152 foreign nationals, including 137 Chinese citizens, arrested in Chilaw on April 2nd for online financial fraud have been granted bail on two personal bails of LKR 1 million each

. In a major anti-drug operation, new details confirm that the 9.946 kg of heroin seized in Ganemulla on April 8th is valued at over LKR 220 million

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To facilitate New Year travel, integrated transport services are underway, including a special bus service between Colombo and Kandy from April 10th to mitigate railway disruptions

. In a commendable act of integrity, Sri Lanka Army Lance Corporal K.K.P.K. Rathnayake returned a lost wallet containing Rs. 80,000 to a Myanmar monk studying at Colombo University

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The Ministry of Education has issued a formal circular directing all school principals to minimize event expenses to avoid burdening parents, noting previous instructions were disregarded

. The 'Surakimu Lanka' School Energy Conservation Programme officially commenced on April 9th, with a main ceremony at Kottawa Dharmapala Vidyalaya, aiming to promote energy security in schools and Pirivenas

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New reports indicate that Israel launched an extensive series of attacks on Lebanon, which have killed 254 people and injured 1,160, despite an agreed ceasefire being in place

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The crew of NASA's Artemis II mission held their first press conference from space, sharing their emotions as they prepare for a historic lunar orbit and a subsequent "fireball" re-entry into Earth's atmosphere

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In the ongoing legal dispute, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has formally informed the Colombo District Court of its intention to file objections against cricketer Nuwan Thushara's petition, which seeks an order for an IPL No Objection Certificate

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Sri Lanka's health sector is set to be bolstered with 154 new professionals, including 69 radiographers and 10 audiology technicians. The appointment ceremony is scheduled for April 10th at the National Hospital, Colombo, presided over by Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa

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An SLTB bus collided with a loader machine near the Hambantota International Port, injuring three people. Investigations suggest the loader entered the port in the wrong direction, contributing to the accident; both drivers have been arrested

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