Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to reduce taxes on fuel, just as the Indian government has done.

He said in a post on X that “Modi government has decided to reduce the Special Additional Excise Duty on petrol and completely remove it for diesel in order to cushion the hardship on the Indian consumer. High time for Anura Kumara Dissanayake to keep up to his election promise and follow suit.”

Meanwhile foreign media reported that India has slashed excise duties on petrol and diesel to protect consumers and rein in a potential spike in inflation, while imposing windfall taxes on aviation fuel and diesel exports, amid volatile global oil markets, as a result of the Iran war.

Global oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel after the near closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which serves as a conduit for 40% of India’s crude oil imports, since the US and Israel first struck Iran on February 28.

In a government order, released late on Thursday, India’s Finance Ministry reduced the special excise duty on petrol to three Indian rupees ($0.0318) per litre from 13 Indian rupees earlier. It also cut the duty on diesel to zero from INR 10 rupees per litre.

The government did not say how much the duty cuts would cost. The move comes ahead of elections next month in four Indian states and one federal territory, with Indian voters known to be extremely sensitive to higher prices.

“Government has taken a huge hit on its taxation revenues to ensure very high losses of oil companies, approximately 24 rupees a litre for petrol and 30 rupees a litre for diesel, at this time of sky high international prices, are reduced,” Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in a post on X.

The Met Dept. advises public to avoid outdoors between 11am and 4pm

Sri Lanka is set to experience continued hot weather conditions until May, the Department of Meteorology warned yesterday.

Additional Director General of Meteorology Ajith Wijemanna said the current heatwave is expected to ease only slightly once the southwest monsoon sets in toward the latter part of May.

Wijemanna explained that the country is currently in the first inter-monsoon period, characterised by low wind speeds and shifting wind directions, which contribute to rising temperatures. Reduced cloud cover and the sun’s direct position over the country are causing increased heating of land and sea, generating heat waves and warmer atmospheric conditions.

He cautioned that the hottest period of the day will be between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., urging the public to limit outdoor activities during these hours.

Authorities also advised drinking plenty of water, wearing light-colored clothing, and avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly for children and the elderly.The Meteorology Department further noted that rainfall may remain limited in the coming months, with drier conditions possible due to climate variability.

The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) yesterday said that it was stepping in to help Sri Lankans reconnect with loved ones affected by the recent escalation of hostilities in Iran and other parts of  West Asia.

An SLRCS statement said: In response to the recent escalation of hostilities in Iran and other countries, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) is providing support to people in Sri Lanka who are unable to contact their loved ones in affected regions, through its Restoring Family Links (RFL) programme.

The ongoing situation has significantly disrupted internet and communication services, particularly in Iran, leaving many families around the world anxious and uncertain about the safety and wellbeing of their relatives.

To address this urgent humanitarian need, SLRCS is facilitating the collection and transmission of “Anxious for News” messages through the global Red Cross and Red Crescent Family Links Network. These messages are shared with the respective Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in affected countries to help re-establish contact between separated family members, wherever possible.

Individuals who are concerned about relatives in Iran or other affected countries, or who have lost contact with their loved ones, are encouraged to reach out via the RFL Hotline: +94 70 378 8614.

They may also contact any of the 25 SLRCS branches across the country at their convenience. Contact details of all branches are available on the official Sri Lanka Red Cross Society website (www.redcross.lk).

Restoring Family Links remains a vital humanitarian service provided by SLRCS as part of a global network of 191 Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in coordination with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Reconnecting families lies at the heart of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement’s humanitarian mission. In times of crisis and conflict, restoring contact between loved ones is a critical form of support that brings reassurance and hope to those affected.

This service is free of charge and confidential, and is carried out in coordination with the Iranian Red Crescent Society (IRCS) and other Red Cross and Red Crescent partners worldwide.The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society calls on the public to make use of this service. We are here to support you in reconnecting with your loved ones.