WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02 APRIL 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 02 April 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

Atmospheric conditions will be favorable for afternoon thundershowers in most parts of the island over the next few days from today (02 April)

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in the Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces during the early hours of the morning.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva, North-western and North-central provinces after 2.00 p.m. Fairly heavy showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kurunegala district. Showers may occur in the  Southern province and in Ampara, Batticaloa and Monaragala districts in the morning too.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

… talks with Moscow cover fresh coal supplies

Eksath Janaraja Peramuna leader Patali Champika Ranawaka yesterday (01) said that Sri Lanka would not be able to secure oil from Russia before the reimposition of US sanctions on Russian oil. The former Minister said so at a joint Opposition media briefing in Colombo. He said it wouldn’t be possible to import Russian crude before the 12 April deadline.

Deputy Russian Energy Minister Roman Marshavin was here last week to discuss how the Russian Federation could help Sri Lanka meet its energy needs.

Sources familiar with the challenges faced by Sri Lanka, due to the disruption of crude/gas/refined products supply lines, said that the country’s only refinery needed crude to ensure the operation of the facility.

According to the Energy Ministry, during discussions with the delegation, led by Deputy Minister Marshavin, Sri Lanka was offered refined petrol, diesel and aviation fuel, in addition to crude oil. The discussions also covered the procurement of coal from Russia, according to the Ministry.

In 2025, the NPP government reached an agreement with an Indian supplier to bring in coal from South Africa. However, low-quality South African coal has caused a severe crisis due to the country’s only coal-fired power plant at Norochcholai failing to generate at the required levels, parliamentary sources said, referring to a report submitted by the CEB to the Parliament.

Meanwhile, informed sources said that there had been some discussions between Sri Lanka and India regarding the proposed move by the NPP government to procure oil directly from India.

Ranawaka said that of the six promised crude ships, four wouldn’t be coming, regardless of assurances given by the government. He alleged the government was trying to deceive the public that power cuts were inevitable due to continuing drought but the truth is the low-quality coal that caused the crisis. The recently announced electricity tariff hike, too, was due to the coal fraud, he alleged. (SF)

Japan will provide USD 362,476 (approx. Rs. 112 million), under “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), to provide eight large low-floor buses for public transportation here.

Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata and Transport, Highways and Urban Development Secretary Senior Professor K. Kapila C. K. Perera signed the agreement in this regard recently.

The project developed following discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Ms. Akiko Ikuina, the then Parliamentary Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan during her visit to Sri Lanka in February 2025, where a request was made by the President for the provision of large low-floor buses from Japan.

Emphasising the significance of the project, Ambassador Isomata remarked: “The large low-floor buses to be provided, which are completely refurbished used vehicles, comply with Euro 4 emission standards, ensuring that they are profoundly environmentally friendly. This project directly supports the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative—one of the current administration’s most vital policies—by advancing the “greening” of the transport sector. By introducing these high-standard vehicles, we aim to address critical urban challenges: alleviating traffic congestion, enhancing economic efficiency, thus contributing to the reduction of economic losses incurred by traffic congestion. The large low-floor buses, by being accessible to the elderly people and persons with disabilities, also aligns with the concept of “human security, “which the Government of Japan adopts as one of the major pillars of its diplomacy with the aim of protecting and empowering the vulnerable people to live in dignity. I believe these buses help improve the overall Quality of Life (QOL) of the Sri Lankans by facilitating the smooth mobility of the workforce.”

Commenting on the receiving of this grant assistance, Senior Professor K. Kapila C. K. Perera, Secretary of Transport, Highways and Urban Development , stated:

“This valuable donation represents a significant step towards modernining and enhancing the efficiency of the public transport service, which plays an essential role in the day-to-day life of the people of Sri Lanka, and we believe it will provide direct and long-term benefits in improving their living standards. We express our sincere gratitude to the Government and people of Japan for their contribution towards the long-term programme to make the national vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” a reality for the people of Sri Lanka, and we firmly believe that this will further strengthen the enduring and long-term relations between the two countries, fostering a collaborative effort to build a mutually beneficial future.”

Since 1989, Japan has been providing a total of USD 62 million in assistance for Sri Lanka through the GGP (Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects) scheme.