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Rahul, Shreyas return for India as Sri Lanka bat
Charith Asalanka won the toss in his first match as Sri Lanka’s ODI captain and opted to bat first against India in the first ODI at the Khettarama.
Having been ravaged by injury and illness – no less than five of Sri Lanka’s fast bowlers are unavailable – the hosts handed an international debut to seamer Mohammed Shiraz. In his most recent List A game, the 29-year-old had bagged career best figures of 6 for 21.
As for India, they welcomed back both Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, and picked Shivam Dube ahead of Riyan Parag. KL Rahul, the incumbent ODI wicketkeeper, retained his place in the XI, which means Rishabh Pant will have to wait for his ODI comeback following his life-threatening car crash in December 2022. Shreyas Iyer also retained his middle-order spot in ODIs and will be playing his first international game after losing his central contract.
Washington Sundar, who was the Player of the Series in the T20I series in Zimbabwe and then helped India to a Super-Over victory in Pallekele, was selected as the spin-bowling allrounder along with Axar Patel. Left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav will lead India’s three-man spin attack on a dry Colombo pitch.
Sri Lanka also picked three spinners, with Akila Dananjaya getting the nod ahead of Maheesh Theekshana. Wanindu Hasaranga and Dunith Wellalage will round out their spin attack.
Rohit expects the pitch to get “slower and slower” as the game progresses, but didn’t mind batting second.
Sri Lanka: Pathum Nissanka, Avishka Fernando, Kusal Mendis (wk), Sadeera Samarawickrama, Charith Asalanka (capt), Janith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dunith Wellalage, Akila Dananjaya, Asitha Fernando, Mohamed Shiraz
India: Rohit Sharma (capt), Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul (wk), Shivam Dube, Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj
[Cricinfo]
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The Sun is directly overhead Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon today (08)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (08th) are Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon.
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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 07 April 2026, valid for 08 April 2026
Please be aware that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala district.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Cabinet approves relief meaures to persons affected due to the War situation in the Middle East
Approval has been granted at the Cabinet Meeting held on 30-03-2026 to provide relief by granting up to rupees 20/- per litre of 92 Octane Petrol, and up to rupees 100/- per litre of Auto Diesel utilized for public transport to minimize the impact on the day today life of the people and the entire economy as a result of escalation of fuel prices due to the war situation in the Middle East region.
Apart from that, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to grant the following relief for low – income generators, electricity consumers, farmers, fisheries community, and small tea planters who have been exposed to the direct impact of the energy price hike:
(i) Provision of an additional special allowance for April 2026 to low-income generating categories registered under the ‘Aswesuma’ Programme, irrespective of family size: • Providing rupees 7,500/- to a family in the extremely poor category
Providing rupees 5,000/- to a family in the poor category
Providing rupees 2,500/- to a family in the transitional category
(ii) Instead of transferring the additional cost borne for engaging thermal power plants for generating electricity due to the fuel price hike and prevailing dry weather circumstances to the electricity consumers, the additional cost is to be borne by the Government for a period of 03 months so that a relief can be provided to the electricity consumers utilizing below 90 units.
(iii) Increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 25,000/- per hectare given at present up to rupees 30,000/- per hectare for the Yala season and increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 15,000/- per hectare given for additional crops that are cultivated in the paddy fields up to rupees 18,000/- per hectare for the Yala season.
(iv) Provide a 50 kg sack of Urea required for the Yala season at a fixed price of Rupees 10,200/- for farmers through Agrarian Services Centres.
(v) Provide a subsidiary of Rupees 50/- per liter for up to 25 liters per day per single-day fishing vessel, for a maximum of 25 days per month, for a period of three (3) months.
(vi) Provide a one-time payment of Rupees 150,000/- per multi-day fishing vessel engaged in fishing activities during the next three (3) months.
(vii) Provide an additional one-time fertilizer allowance of Rs. 5,000 per 50 kg bag of fertilizer to small tea cultivators, in addition to the existing Rs. 4,000 fertilizer subsidy provided by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
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