Treasury's USD 2.5M Loss Sparks Conspiracy Claims; Sri Lanka Cricket Board Resigns

The Sports Minister appointed a nine-member interim committee chaired by Eran Wickramaratne to manage Sri Lanka Cricket following the resignation of its president and executive committee

. Consequently, the SJB has formally requested Wickramaratne to resign from his party membership

. In other political developments, indictments against former President Ranil Wickremesinghe in a public funds probe are expected on July 8

, while Jaffna MP Ramanathan Archuna was granted bail in a firearm threat case

.

Ongoing investigations continue to make headlines. Former intelligence chief Suresh Salley was produced before the Colombo JMO in connection with the Easter Attacks probe

. The deepening coal crisis probe is now incorporating the Auditor General's findings, amid allegations that 14 of 16 coal ships were substandard

. A fire at a medical supplies warehouse destroyed evidence related to the Keheliya Rambukwella drug case, prompting a CID investigation into suspected sabotage

. Following protests over the Treasury fund loss, Finance Secretary Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma filed a police complaint and has reportedly been assigned STF security

.

On the international front, US President Trump has instructed aides to prepare for an extended naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz to pressure Iran

, while King Charles III's US state visit is reportedly improving American public perception of the monarch

. Sri Lanka is preparing for several high-level visits, including a two-day visit by Maldivian President Muizzu from May 3

, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko on the same day

, and Vietnamese President To Lam, who will address Parliament on May 8

.

The loss of USD 2.5 million from the Treasury has escalated into a major controversy, with the official narrative of a cyber attack being widely challenged in favor of a planned internal fraud

. The Committee on Public Finance (COPF) has summoned top officials, but Treasury Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma postponed his appearance, citing an impending special statement by President Dissanayake on the matter

. In a separate incident, the CID has launched an investigation into a missing US$600,000 payment from Sri Lanka Post to the US Postal Service

.

Amidst these financial scandals, a new proposal for an approximately 20% electricity tariff hike has been submitted to the PUCSL, with a promised Rs. 15 billion government subsidy to be provided to consumers from May 10th

. The Sri Lankan Rupee continued its slide, with the US Dollar selling rate exceeding Rs. 322

. Meanwhile, Prima increased its wheat flour price by Rs. 4 per kilogram, citing rising production and fuel costs

.

In development news, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged over USD 100 million to support Sri Lanka's export development plan

. Discussions were also held at the Presidential Secretariat to advance the Colombo Suburban Electric Train Project, targeting a launch early next year

.

The major airport drug bust investigation has seen a significant development with the detention of a senior monk. Authorities are now seeking Interpol's assistance to apprehend two other prominent monks and a Muslim national believed to be hiding in Bangkok. Forensic tests revealed that 19 of the 22 young monks arrested had used cannabis

.

Nationwide police operations continue, with 115 drunk drivers arrested on April 27th. A woman was also apprehended in Matara with 765 drug pills

. Separately, an alleged shooter for the organized criminal 'Homagama Gagana' was arrested in Pitipana with an Austrian-made firearm

.

The international 'Ehipassiko' peace walk concluded with a state ceremony. Following the event, walk leader Venerable Pannakara Thero visited the Gangaramaya Temple, where he received commemorative gifts from religious leaders and former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa

. It was clarified that the Vietnamese national Thero resides in America, and the delegation, including service dog Aloka, departed on April 29th

.

Deshabandu Sirisumana Godage, the founder of Godage Publications, passed away at the age of 90. A key figure in Sri Lankan literature, he was conferred the Deshabandu title in 2003, and his final rites are scheduled for May 2nd

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The Department of Meteorology forecasts widespread showers for April 30, with fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 50mm expected in parts of the Sabaragamuwa, Central, and North-Central provinces, and the Trincomalee district

. A 'Caution Level' heat index advisory remains in effect for several provinces and districts for the same day

. Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed progress on establishing a new authority to protect and restore the Central Highlands, a region severely affected by landslides from Cyclone Dithwah

.

In Indonesia, a collision between two long-distance passenger trains near Jakarta, attributed to a signal error, has claimed 14 lives and injured 84 people

. In Sri Lanka, a bus carrying 35 passengers plunged into a precipice on the Hatton-Dikoya road, resulting in one fatality and injuring 33 people, including schoolchildren and the bus crew

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At the 6th Asian Beach Games in Sanya, China, Sri Lanka's kabaddi teams achieved significant success. The women's team secured a silver medal, while the men's team earned a bronze. The victorious contingents returned to a warm welcome at Katunayake Airport on April 29th

.