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The Gangodawila Magistrate’s Court granted bail to several protesters a short while ago.

Accordingly, several persons who were arrested over their involvement in the public protest that took place near President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s residence in Mirihana last evening were granted bail.

Six persons, however, due to be produced before an identification parade, were remanded till Monday (04).

Over 300 lawyers, including President’s Counsel’s Ikram Mohamed,Srinath Perera, Anura Meddegoda,Kalinga Indatissa, Saliya Pieris, Anuja Premaratne, Maithre Gunaratne, Thisath Wijegunawardane and Jagath Wickramanayake voluntarily represented the protesters.

A 13-hour power cut will be imposed tomorrow (31) due to the unavailability of fuel for thermal power plants.

Accordingly, localities within areas A to F will experience power-cuts lasting three hours from 3am to 6am, four hours from 12pm to 4pm and six hours from 6pm to 12am.

Those within areas G to L will have power outrages lasting three hours from 12am to 3am, four hours from 8am to 12pm and six hours from 4pm to 10pm.

Meanwhile, localities in areas P, Q, R and S will have power cuts of three hours from 3am to 6am, four hours from 12pm to 4pm and six hours from 6pm to 12am.

The power supply to areas T, U, V and W will be suspended for three hours from 12am to 3am, four hours from 8am to 12pm and six hours from 4pm to 10pm while areas M, N, O, X, Y and Z will experience power cuts lasting three hours and thirty minutes from 5.30am to 9am and two hours from 4pm to 6pm.

The price of a 50kg bag of cement has been increased by Rs. 500.

Accordingly, the revised price of a cement bag now stands at Rs. 2,350.

Sri Lanka’s Fuel Shortage has severely affected the public transport sector.

President of the All Ceylon Private Bus Owners Association, Gemunu Wijeratne said only 25% of the private bus services are in operation tas of Wednesday (30).

The Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) says six depots have not received stocks of fuel despite orders being placed adding that measures are underway to resolve the issue.

Deputy General Manager of the SLTB, A. H. Pandula Swarnahansa said bus time tables are being revised prioritizing operations during peak hours.

Representatives of the 'The Radical Centre', an apolitical movement launched by the late Minister Mangala Samaraweera says that protests are more successful if they are conducted in a peaceful manner devoid of any violence.

Protests should always be seen as a legitimate avenue towards policy change and influence, and one that must therefore professionalise to make politics more reflective of societies’ wants, needs and demands.

The group urged for restraint after a peaceful protest near the home of Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa turned violent on Thursday evening.

Appealing to all those wish to join the nationwide protest on April 3, The Radical Centre stressed that our primal responsibility is to prevent the protests escalating into violence.

As Sri Lanka today is facing an unprecedented political, economic and social crisis, the country is gazing into the abyss at the edge of a precipice.

This is truly an existentialist moment for all Sri Lankans; each individual must make meaningful choices and the choices they make will define Sri Lanka's future for generations to come.

The statement released on behalf of the Radical Centre by Jayani Abeysekera - Harendran Krishnasamy - Keshal Jayasinghe - C.S. Kodithuwakku - Firo Farook further states:

"To the Attention of all those joining the nationwide protest on April 03.

It is our primal responsibility to prevent the protests escalating into violence.

If we leave space for that, then it will be for the fullest benefit of the oppressive government. So please consider the following points as you take to the streets.

1. As you arrive at the protest, talk to those around you and get to know them.

2. Appoint several leaders to lead the group.

3. Never be impulsive or aggressive. If someone near you is tempted to act aggressively, prevent him / her from doing so.

4. Do not damage anyone's property. Those who commit such acts in such a protest are traitors of the entire protest movement itself.

5. 5. Do not cause conflicts. Show by example that you are a civilized citizen in front of a government which behaves rudely.

   6. Always be attentive to your neighbour. If there’s anything that makes you suspicious, let the leadership know.

   7. This is not a struggle organised by any party or group. You as well as those around you are participating in this as independent citizens. Therefore, if someone around you attempts to do something you may not agree with:

   a. Try to prevent them from doing so b. If they continue to do so, stay away from them as much as possible c. If you feel that the protest space is no longer safe for you, leave.

   Remember that this is a struggle for the right of life, of yours and mine. Not a bloody struggle to lose lives.

   8. Cooperate cordially with police and security personnel whenever possible. Remember they are just as oppressed as we are."

   The Radical Centre

   01.04.2022

10 hour power cuts will be imposed tomorrow in several parts of the country (30).

The Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) has requested to increase the power cut duration to 10 hours owing to the unavailability of fuel.

Accordingly, the power supply will be suspended to areas A, B, C, D, E and F from 2pm to 12am.

Areas G, H, I, J, K and L will have a power cut of 6 hours from 8am to 2pm and 4 hours from 6pm to 10pm.

Meanwhile, areas P, Q, R and S will have a power cut of 10 hours from 2pm to 12am , and the power supply to areas T, U, V and W will be interrupted for 6 hours from 8am to 2pm and 4 hours from 6pm to 10pm.

Areas M, N, O, X, Y and Z will have a power cut of 10 hours from 8am to 6pm.

The Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) has approved power cuts of 12 hours for tomorrow (April 01), as requested by the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB).

The CEB had requested for 12 hours power cuts due to the limited supply of fuel for thermal power plants, the PUCSL said.

Accordingly, the power cuts will be imposed as follows:

Areas ABCDEF - 2 hours from 4am to 6am, 4 hours from 8am to 12pm and 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm.

Areas GHIJKL - 2 hours from 6am to 8am, 4 hours from 12pm to 4pm and 6 hours from 6pm to 12am.

Areas PQRS - 2 hours from 4am to 6am, 4 hours from 8am to 12pm and 6 hours from 4pm to 10pm.

Areas TUVW - 2 hours from 6am to 8am, 4 hours from 12pm to 4pm and 6 hours from 6pm to 12am.

Areas MNOXYZ - 3 hours and 30 minutes from 5.30am to 9am and 2 hours from 4pm to 6pm.

Former president Maithripala Sirisena cannot use his official residence at Paget Road (Mahagama Sekara Mawatha) in Colombo temporarily following an order issued by the Supreme Court.

The court today (29) issued an injunction against his use of the place for a four-week period.

A three-member judges panel considered a fundamental rights petition filed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives and its executive director Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu.

The petition says the cabinet's allocation of this residence that is of great financial value for the personal use of a former president is irrational, arbitrary, and illegal.

The Court of Appeal has acquitted SLPP Parliamentarian Premalal Jayasekara alias "Choka Malli" and two others who were sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.

The three suspects were sentenced to death on 31 July 2020 on charges pertaining to the fatal shooting incident in Kahawatte during the Presidential Election in 2015.

After considering the appeals filed by the defendants, the Court of Appeal ordered the three defendants to be acquitted.

India’s external affairs minister Dr. S. Jaishankar met president Gotabaya Rajapaksa in Colombo today (28).

At the meeting, the president expressed his gratitude for the one billion US dollar line of credit granted by India to import food, medicines and other essentials.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar had talks with finance minister Basil Rajapaksa on Sri Lanka’s economic situation and Indian assistance in several spheres.

The Deputy Director General of Forest Conservation Thilak Premakantha has been appointed as the new Director General of the Department of National Zoological Gardens.

The Ministry of Wildlife and Forest Conservation stated that the appointment was made with the approval of the Cabinet.

The Ministry further stated that Shermila Rajapaksa, who was occupying the post, has been removed by the Cabinet with effect from the 28th of March.

The tax imposed on dates has abruptly been slashed, making the Rs. 200 tax per 01 kg of imported dates down to Rs. 01.

The decision has been made by the Finance Ministry as a relief to the Muslim Community in Sri Lanka in the upcoming Ramadan festive season.