Batticaloa Kurukkalmadam excavation ends without discovery of human remains

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Excavations at a suspected grave site in Kurukkalmadam, Batticaloa, concluded without the discovery of human remains or artefacts, the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) said in a statement issued on April 3, 2026.

The excavation, conducted under the supervision of Kaluwanchikudy Magistrate D. Pradeepan, began on March 30 and continued for three days. Authorities said a specific location identified within the site was excavated, but no evidence was found, and the pit was subsequently closed.

Officials said sandy soil conditions and the presence of water made excavation technically challenging. However, the site was examined using archaeological excavation techniques.

The technical team included Judicial Medical Officers with expertise in forensic anthropology appointed by the Chief Judicial Medical Officer of Colombo, along with officials from the Department of Archaeology, Scene of Crime Officers, and the Sri Lanka Police.

Officials from the Office on Missing Persons observed the excavation, while lawyers representing complainants were also present. More than 50 family members of missing persons attended the first day of excavations, with additional families visiting the site over the following days.

The excavations were carried out following a court order issued on August 25, 2025, by former Magistrate J.B.A. Ranjithkumar, under provisions of the Office on Missing Persons Act No. 14 of 2016, which allows the OMP to seek court authorization for excavations at suspected grave sites.

The Kurukkalmadam site was initially identified based on a complaint received in 2014. In 2015, ground-penetrating radar examinations were conducted at locations identified by a witness, which formed the basis for the recent excavation.

The Office on Missing Persons said investigations will continue to identify other potential locations within the site.

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Sajith Premadasa attended Gammanpila’s book launch amid AI controversy, Mujibur confirms

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The Leader of Opposition, Sajith Premadasa attended the launch of book “Searching for the Mastermind of the Easter Sunday Attacks”, authored by Udaya Gammanpila, the leader of the of the Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU), confirmed Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Mujibur Rahman confirmed today (04).

The confirmation comes after some Samagi Jana Balawegaya members claimed that Premadasa did not actually attend the event and that his presence was artificially created using AI technology.

Addressing the media, MP Rahman said:

“You would have to ask him directly,” he said when asked whether the Opposition Leader left the book launch early.

“Yes, he did attend,” he added, affirming that the General Secretary had confirmed Premadasa’s presence at the event.

The book launch, held recently in Colombo, saw the participation of former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa, Maithripala Sirisena, and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, as well as former defense chiefs, political analysts, and other distinguished guests.

Cabinet paper on Malaiyaha Community soon

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has informed that a Cabinet paper is to be submitted in the near future on relief measures and infrastructure facilities for the Malaiyaha people, the Civil Society Collective for Malaiyaha Reconstruction claimed.

A special meeting between the Prime Minister and representatives of island-wide civil society organisations (CSOs) working with people affected by Cyclone Ditwah was held on 28 March at Temple Trees. During the meeting, several matters, including ongoing reconstruction efforts and alternative measures for those affected by Ditwah, were discussed in detail. The Collective presented the key issues affecting the Malaiyaha people, which included housing and land rights, transitional shelters and basic facilities in camps, livelihoods, infrastructure, as well as alleged irregularities and discrimination in the provision of relief.

The Collective also highlighted the lack of implementation of the Tamil language in administrative processes, reiterated their rejection of multi-storey housing schemes, and stressed that affected Malaiyaha families must be provided with housing and land valued at no less than Rs. five million. Representatives of the CSOs further emphasised that multi-storey housing is unsuitable for the Malaiyaha region due to its unique geographical and social context.

These demands were presented to the Prime Minister, the Commissioner General of Essential Services, Prabath Chandrakeerthi, and the Secretaries of the relevant Ministries. Chandrakeerthi further stated that, in line with provisions extended to other affected populations, those impacted by Ditwah in plantation areas would also be provided with housing and land valued at no less than Rs. five million.

A group of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) members, including its Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian Mano Ganesan, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (2) at the Presidential Secretariat. Extensive discussions were held on the issues faced by the Malaiyaha community, particularly in relation to education, housing, and land, as well as on the urgent measures required to address these longstanding concerns. The President paid special attention to these matters during the meeting.

Attention was also drawn to the recruitment of qualified Tamil-medium teachers to address the prevailing teacher shortage in estate sector schools, and this issue too was discussed at length. Opposition Parliamentarians P. Digambaram and V. Radhakrishnan, along with several other party members, were also present at the meeting.

At the request of the TPA, the President has nominated a coordinating officer at the Presidential Secretariat level to address issues affecting the Malaiyaha community. Commissioner General of Essential Services Prabath Chandrakeerthi has been appointed to this position by the President. The President has also approved a Rs. five million relief allocation for Malaiyaha community members who lost their homes during Cyclone Ditwah.

Foreigners sell US$44.1mn worth Sri Lanka rupee bonds in two weeks

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Foreign investors sold US$44.1 million worth of Sri Lanka government securities in the two weeks ended March 31, Central Bank data showed, amid renewed depreciation pressure on the local currency.

Foreigners sold a net 13,658 million rupees (US$44.1 million at 1$=310 rupees) in the two weeks. Foreigners have sold rupee bonds for a 10th week in the last 29.

The latest outflow in the last two reduced foreign investments in rupee bonds to 2,251 million rupees in the first 14 weeks of this year, data showed.

Globally, investors are cautious about economic growth due to the impact of the latest Middle East war.

The island nation enjoyed a total inflow of around 71.5 billion rupees (around US$234.4 million) into rupee bonds in 2025.

Sri Lanka suffered an outflow of 10.1 billion rupees ($32 million) in the two weeks following Donald Trump’s tariff declaration in the first week of April last year and the rupee has fallen since then.

Analysts have said Sri Lanka’s deflationary policies have helped inflows amid curtailed imports.

Sri Lanka’s central bank has kept its key policy rates steady since May last year after reducing them by 825 basis points over 24 months and foreign investors have been buying rupee bonds despite depreciation in the local currency.

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Gulf carriers show no interest in Sri Lanka’s Chinese-built ghost airport: Minister

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ECONOMYNEXT – Top Gulf airlines have not responded to Sri Lanka’s call to use the island nation’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), Deputy Civil Aviation Minister said.

Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said the state-run Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has informed Gulf airlines to use the airport.

“We have informed them to use the airport, but so far, no one has expressed any willingness to do so,” Deputy Minister Kodithuwakku told EconomyNext.

“We have informed all airlines to use this airport as needed, taking into account the difficulties they are currently facing. However, there has been no feedback or interest from their side.”

“This is because there is no capacity here to shift their [entire] operation. These are large airlines, aren’t they? So it is impossible for them to easily shift to Mattala. Mattala is, after all, an airport with a passenger capacity of about 1 million.”

He said the CAA has informed all airlines that Sri Lanka is ready to provide landing and parking free of charge if they require refuelling and transit.

“Yet, there has been no response to the invitations we sent; they have only expressed appreciation, and that is all.

He also rubbished media reports over Gulf representative team coming for discussions.

The Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport (MRIA), famously dubbed “the world’s emptiest international airport,” continues to be a significant financial burden on Sri Lanka, accumulating over Rs. 39 billion in net losses over the last six years.

Built at a cost of US$209 million primarily through high-interest Chinese loans, the facility was designed to handle one million passengers annually but has recorded only a fraction of that, with expenditure often outstripping revenue by nearly 15 times.

The airport incurs a massive operational loss annually, driven by massive overheads and an annual interest cost of Rs. 2.05 billion on foreign debt.

Its failure to become a profitable hub is attributed to its remote location in Hambantota, far from the commercial center of Colombo, and a lack of consistent scheduled flights.

The financial bleeding persists despite several attempts to revitalize the airport through public-private partnerships (PPP).

Sri Lanka cancelled a 30-year management deal with an India-Russia joint venture (Shaurya Aeronautics and Airports of Regions) due to legal concerns and U.S. sanctions on the Indian partner.

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Sri Lanka finalize arrangements to import fuel from Russia

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Arrangements have been finalized to import fuel from Russia, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation has confirmed.

CPC Managing Director Dr. Mayura Neththikumarage stated that delays in the arrival of fuel shipments are mainly due to congestion at the country’s two fuel unloading terminals.

He noted that discussions with Russian suppliers are ongoing, adding that the majority of crude and refined fuel shipments scheduled for April and May have already been secured. However, logistical and technical arrangements regarding arrivals are still being finalized.

Despite these challenges, he emphasized that fuel procurement has been assured.

Commenting on current fuel stocks, Dr. Neththikumarage said a vessel carrying approximately 32,000 metric tons of diesel and 5,000 metric tons of jet fuel is expected to arrive shortly. Two additional diesel shipments are scheduled to reach the island on the 6 and 7 April.

He further stated that all expected shipments for early April are on track, while deliveries anticipated in the previous month have also been successfully received.

Accordingly, authorities expect fuel supplies to remain adequate through the end of May, following the festive season. However, the general public has been urged to use fuel sparingly due to persistently high global prices.

U.S. Embassy expands social media checks for nonimmigrant visa applicants

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The U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka has issued an update regarding its visa services, announcing an expansion of social media presence review requirements for nonimmigrant visa applicants.

Effective March 30, a wider range of visa classifications will be subject to this vetting process, requiring affected applicants to change all social media profiles to public.

The affected visa classifications are all A‑3, C‑3 (if a domestic worker), G‑5, H‑3 and their H‑4 dependents, K‑1, K‑2, K‑3, Q, R‑1, R‑2, S, T, and U.

The embassy states that “to facilitate this vetting,” all applicants in these newly included categories are instructed to take immediate action.

They are required to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to either “public” or “open.”

This change must be completed prior to their scheduled visa interview appointments.

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Speaker attends Boao Forum in China; Beijing expected to introduce visa-free entry for Sri Lankans

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Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne has called for greater multilateralism and collective action to address global challenges, speaking at the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026 in China’s Hainan Province.

Addressing the plenary session on March 26 under the theme ‘Shaping a Shared Future: New Dynamics, New Opportunities, New Cooperation’, the Speaker highlighted the growing importance of South-South cooperation and inclusive dialogue in tackling geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, climate change and the rapid rise of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.

He outlined Sri Lanka’s ongoing reform agenda under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, pointing to efforts to restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen governance and build a more digital and investment-friendly economy.

He invited regional partners to work with Sri Lanka in renewable energy, tourism, digital services, logistics and advanced manufacturing.

On the sidelines of the conference, Speaker Wickramaratne held a bilateral meeting with Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress of China, Zhao Leji.

The Speaker noted it was his first official visit to China in his capacity as Speaker and expressed confidence it would further strengthen ties between the two countries.

He highlighted Sri Lanka and China’s long history of trade and cultural exchange along the Maritime Silk Route, spanning more than 2,000 years, and expressed appreciation for China’s recent support following Cyclone Ditwah.

He also highlighted a significant rise in Chinese tourist arrivals, with China now among Sri Lanka’s top five source markets, boosted in part by visa-free arrangements for Chinese nationals.

Chairman Zhao indicated that China is expected to introduce reciprocal visa-free access for Sri Lankan nationals.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Parliament’s Secretary General Kushani Rohanadeera and Director of Legislative Services and Acting Director of Communications Jayalath Perera.

The Boao Forum for Asia, now marking its 25th anniversary, is a non-governmental international organisation established in 2001 to promote dialogue between governments, businesses and academia across the region.

OIC faces suspension after allowing birthday party for murder suspect in CCD custody

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A birthday celebration arranged inside the Colombo Crime Division (CCD) for a suspect held in connection with the murder of Ganemulla Sanjeewa has triggered a police misconduct investigation, with the Officer-in-Charge facing possible suspension.

Ishara Sewwandi, who is in CCD custody over allegations linked to the killing, turned 29 on Sunday.

A tip-off from a private informant, later confirmed by an intelligence officer, alerted Head of Colombo Range DIG Nishantha Soysa that a birthday event had been organised within the detention facility.

The DIG immediately instructed the OIC by telephone to halt the celebration and dispatched Senior Superintendent of Police Mahesh Kumarasinghe to the scene, before arriving himself to oversee the situation.

Investigations revealed that Sewwandi’s brother had brought in a cake, while her aunt and cousin had visited the premises for the occasion.

Arrangements had also been made to bring Sewwandi out of her cell to cut the cake.

A senior police officer said the OIC had given permission for the event, reportedly warning those involved not to take photographs to prevent them from circulating online.

Statements have since been recorded from around 15 individuals, including Sewwandi’s relatives and officers on duty at the time.

Investigators also found that the OIC had been in prior contact with Sewwandi’s brother, raising suspicions that the event had been facilitated and planned with police involvement.

DIG Soysa has instructed the Special Investigation Unit in writing to conduct an urgent inquiry into the OIC’s conduct.

Sri Lanka tourist arrivals down 18.1% in March hit by ME disruption

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ECONOMYNEXT – Tourist arrivals into Sri Lanka has fallen 18.1 percent in the first 25 days of March 2026, the official data showed, as escalation in the Middle East took the toll in the island nation’s peak tourist reason,

Total arrivals in the first 25 days dropped to 151,693 from 185,164 in the same time last year, posting an 18.1 percent drop, official data showed,

Sri Lanka has set ambitious target of 3 million arrivals for 2026, after missing the goal last year.

Foreign travelers, especially from the West, are often deterred by regional instability, even if the conflict is thousands of miles away from Colombo.

Analysts and economists say escalating Middle East tension could become a significant threat to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, which is the primary engine of its post-crisis economic recovery.

The Gulf region, specifically hubs like Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi, serves as the critical transit point for over 60% of Sri Lanka’s high-spending tourists from Europe and North America.

With the closure of Iranian and Iraqi airspace and the suspension of flights by major carriers like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Etihad due to safety concerns, the bridge connecting the West to the island is effectively broken.

For a tourist in London or Berlin, a flight that once took 11 hours with a seamless connection now faces indefinite delays or complex rerouting, leading to a wave of cancellations during what was expected to be a record-breaking winter season.

Beyond the logistics of transit, the tension directly impacts the high-spending segment.

Travelers from the Middle East itself, particularly from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, represent a lucrative market for Sri Lanka’s luxury villas and wellness retreats.

During times of regional conflict, these travellers tend to stay home or travel to ultra-safe short-haul destinations.

Furthermore, the global perception of regional instability often spills over; even though Sri Lanka is thousands of miles from the combat zone, Western travellers frequently perceive the entire Indian Ocean and Middle Eastern belt as a single risk zone.

This guilt by association can lead to a sharp decline in arrivals, regardless of the actual safety levels on the ground in Colombo or Galle.

The economic consequences of a tourism slump are immediate and severe.

Tourism is a fast-cash industry that brings in vital foreign exchange daily.

A drop in arrivals means lower occupancy for hotels, reduced income for thousands of tour drivers, and a decline in the Non-Food inflation relief the country was beginning to see.

If the tourism sector, the country’s third-largest foreign exchange earner, stalls due to Middle East hostilities, the government will find it increasingly difficult to maintain the Rupee’s stability and fund essential imports, potentially sliding the country back into a cycle of scarcity and high prices.