Energy Minister Resigns Over Coal Crisis as Sri Lanka Marks Easter Attacks Anniversary

The nation's political landscape is dominated by the fallout from the substandard coal import scandal, leading to the resignation of Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody to facilitate a special Presidential Commission investigation. The Joint Opposition insists the entire Cabinet shares accountability for the collective decision

. As Sri Lanka prepares to mark the seventh anniversary of the Easter Sunday attacks, Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith has called for a special day of prayer, while clergy are petitioning for the removal of Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. (retd) Aruna Jayasekera from his post pending investigations

. In foreign affairs, Indian Vice President C. P. Radhakrishnan concluded the first day of his visit, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties in energy, trade, and tourism

. The high-stakes US-Iran peace talks continue in Pakistan, with President Trump issuing a "last chance" warning to Iran and accusing them of violating the ceasefire

. Other developments include the arrest of former MP Chandana Kathriarachchi over a weapons cache, North Korea's latest missile launches, and former US VP Kamala Harris accusing Netanyahu of pulling Trump into the Iran conflict

. The Indonesian Navy ship KRI Bima Suci concluded its goodwill visit, and a pilot bus service for persons with disabilities is set to launch

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Authorities have made significant breakthroughs in combating organized crime, with the arrest of Sobanahandi Sanath de Silva alias Karandeniye Raju, brother of notorious figure 'Karandeniya Sudda', in India. He is linked to 48 murders in the Southern Province

. The IGP announced that 32 criminals have been repatriated in the past year, with 13 more expected soon

. Island-wide police operations continue to yield results, with 495 individuals arrested on April 18th alone, while the 'Rata Ma Ekata' anti-drug initiative saw 757 arrests on the same day

. At BIA, a Malaysian national was arrested with illegal cigarettes, bringing the total in recent busts to thirty-seven

. Other major incidents include a fatal arson attack in Maharagama where the death toll rose to three, a third shooting incident in Midigama, and the arrest of two Mullaitivu hospital officials for bribery

. Police also arrested a man for allegedly drugging and robbing women on a bus

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As New Year festivities conclude, transport authorities confirmed the auspicious time for returning to work is April 20th, following a period that saw record revenue collection

. The Department for Registration of Persons will resume all public services, including one-day ID issuance, on April 20th after restoring its computer system

. President Dissanayake participated in state oil anointing ceremonies and received blessings from the Maha Sangha for a prosperous nation

. Preparations are underway for the international 'Walk for Peace' pilgrimage, which will commence on April 22 after receiving blessings at the Sri Maha Bodhi

. However, the holiday season was marred by a tragic rise in fatalities, with 24 drowning deaths and 44 road accident deaths reported between April 10th and 16th

. The official list of auspicious times was updated, including dates for planting trees and returning to work

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The investigation into Sri Lanka's coal procurement scandal intensifies as the CID seizes all related files and begins forensic analysis of computer data

. A National Audit Office report has detailed billions in losses, citing how substandard coal damaged the Norochcholai power plant and prevented it from reaching full capacity

. In a related development, a former Provincial Council Member alleged the CPC incurred a Rs. 250 million loss on a single diesel shipment by paying $10 above market price per barrel

. Meanwhile, expressways generated a record Rs. 441 million in revenue during the New Year period

. The National Transport Commission is cracking down on overcharging buses and urges passengers to use the 1955 hotline to report violations

. Internationally, tensions remain high as Iranian-linked gunboats reportedly attacked two Indian-flagged merchant vessels in a critical oil transport lane near Oman

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A tragic wave of water-related accidents has claimed 28 lives across the country in the last eight days. The latest incidents include two men, aged 19 and 30, who drowned while bathing in the Nallachchiya Reservoir

. In a separate incident, a 23-year-old Russian national died after her electric scooter was struck by an express train at the Kabalana railway crossing, despite active light signals

. In Mannar, a one-and-a-half-year-old toddler was fatally struck by a three-wheeler, and the driver has been arrested

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The Department of Meteorology forecasts continued evening thundershowers, with an updated warning for fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm in some areas on April 20th. Affected regions include the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North Central, and Southern provinces, with the public urged to take precautions against strong winds and lightning

. Concurrently, a heat advisory remains in effect for April 20th, with the Heat Index expected to reach a 'Caution level' in parts of the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern, and Southern provinces

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The island-wide food safety drive conducted by Public Health Inspectors during the festive season has resulted in 1,963 raids and the filing of 1,109 lawsuits against vendors for various violations, according to the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors' Association

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Following the New Year holidays, the Ministry of Education has confirmed that government and government-approved private Sinhala and Tamil schools will commence their second school term on April 20th. On the same day, Muslim schools will begin the fourth phase of their first school term

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