Sri Lanka is experiencing a severe economic crisis, exacerbated by political corruption and mismanagement. The crisis has united Sri Lankans across ethnic and religious divides, as they collectively face hardships such as food shortages, power cuts, and a lack of essential supplies. Community kitchens, like those run by the Voice Foundation, have become hubs for solidarity. The crisis led to the resignation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with Ranil Wickremesinghe taking over as the new president. However, Wickremesinghe's ties to the former regime have led to skepticism and continued protests. The country is facing a long road to recovery, with experts suggesting it may take until 2030 to achieve economic stability. The World Food Programme has reported widespread food insecurity, and the IMF's support is seen as crucial. Despite the challenges, there is a sense of hope as communities come together, moving past ethnic divisions that have long been exploited by politicians.

Sri Lanka is experiencing a severe human-elephant conflict, with an average of one elephant death per day in the first three months of the year, many due to human intervention. The Department of Wildlife Conservation recorded 151 elephant deaths, with at least 67 attributed to human causes such as shootings and electrocutions from electric fences. The conflict also resulted in a record number of human fatalities last year. Conservationists and experts criticize the government's ineffective strategies, such as elephant drives and electric fences, and call for urgent solutions, including proper land allocation, increased staff for the Department of Wildlife Conservation, and implementation of a national action plan to mitigate the conflict. The government's failure to allocate sufficient budget and political interference are also highlighted as obstacles to resolving the issue.

In Sri Lanka, a fraudulent cryptocurrency investment scheme named 'Sports Chain' has conned numerous individuals, including professionals and those from lower middle-income backgrounds, out of millions of rupees. The scheme, which operated like a Ponzi scheme, promised high returns and attracted investors who were struggling amid the country's severe economic crisis. Despite hosting promotional events and using a mobile app to manage transactions, the scheme collapsed as new investor numbers dwindled and payouts ceased. Victims, some of whom invested life savings and are now facing financial ruin, have filed complaints with the Sri Lankan authorities. The central bank has stated that it has not authorized any cryptocurrency operations, and running such schemes is illegal under Sri Lankan law. The article includes personal accounts from several defrauded investors and details the lack of response from the alleged scammers.

Sri Lanka is facing a severe economic crisis, with a significant foreign exchange shortage impacting imports of essential goods and leading to widespread protests. President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe have agreed to resign after protesters stormed the presidential palace. The country has a foreign debt of $51 billion and less than $50 million in usable foreign exchange reserves, with inflation projected to reach 70 percent. The International Monetary Fund is in bailout negotiations with Sri Lanka, which has defaulted on much of its foreign debt. The article describes the protesters' actions inside the presidential palace and the public's anger towards the government's economic mismanagement and corruption. The speaker of the parliament, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, is set to be the acting president before elections are held, a decision that has not been well received by some protesters.

Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, who also serves as finance minister, has directed a reduction in the duty on bottled toddy from Rs 50 to Rs 25 per litre and extended the operating hours of toddy taverns by two hours. The new tavern hours are from 10 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm. Additionally, the limit of toddy that can be sold to an individual has been increased from 1.5 to three litres, with a pass required for transporting more than three litres.

Ticket costs for entertainment shows and international sports tournaments in Sri Lanka's Western Province are set to increase from 2021 due to a tax hike. The entertainment tax on tickets for international sports tournaments will rise from 10% to 13%, and for carnivals, circuses, and shows with local and foreign artists from 10% to 12%. These rates will be in effect until 2022. Cinema, stage dramas, sports meets, and dinner dances will maintain their current tax rate of 10% and 8% respectively. Events such as fundraisers for critically ill artists and final concerts for veteran artists over 75 years old will be exempt from the tax. Local authorities have the power to set tax rates for events in their areas.

A former deputy police chief, Dushan Priyalal, testified that high-profile individuals acted to conceal prior information about the 2019 April 21st attacks in Sri Lanka. He informed the directors of five security units under his purview about an impending attack on April 10. However, some VIPs were informed, and after the attacks, they asked their security personnel to not disclose that they had been warned. The former DIG received a letter from the police chief, which originated from the then chief of National Intelligence Sisira Mendis, indicating that