Samanthi Priyangika Dias, a Supervising Public Health Midwife in Sri Lanka, is dedicated to serving underprivileged communities, addressing teen pregnancies, and malnutrition. Despite the challenges, including personal expenses and lack of government support, Dias's efforts have led to a decrease in teen pregnancies in Egodauyana. The Sri Lanka Health Ministry is planning to set up midwifery schools to strengthen the workforce, reflecting a positive policy shift amidst the economic crisis.

Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's former president who fled the country amid protests over the economic crisis, has returned after seven weeks. He arrived in Colombo from Bangkok via Singapore and was welcomed by his party members. Rajapaksa, who resigned while in Singapore, will live in an official residence with increased security. Sri Lanka faces its worst economic crisis, with shortages of essentials and a significant foreign debt. The new president, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has reached a preliminary agreement with the IMF for a bailout package. The Rajapaksa family's political dominance has been challenged, and there is fear among citizens regarding further protests due to the government's crackdown.

In Sri Lanka, election observers from the Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) reported at least 139 electoral violations, including assaults and intimidation, on the presidential polling day. A convoy of Muslim voters was attacked, but there were no casualties. The election is primarily contested between Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who promises strong leadership, and Sajith Premadasa of the ruling UNP, who advocates pro-poor policies. The campaign has been marked by ethnic tensions, with fears of a return to political violence if Rajapaksa wins, as he was implicated in violence and repression during his previous tenure as defence minister. Author Viraj Lasantha Wijerathna, a critic of the Rajapaksa regime, was assaulted but remains determined to vote. His book criticizes the Rajapaksas' alleged corruption and mismanagement.

The article discusses the significance of the Shrine of St. Anthony in Colombo, Sri Lanka, which is a site revered by people of various faiths for its perceived miraculous powers. The shrine is a destination for thousands seeking help with various issues, including health, financial, and personal problems. The focus is on Sagaya Devi Edison, a survivor of the Easter Sunday attack at the church, who believes that the shrine protected her and her daughter during the bombing because they were seated at the front while the bomber detonated the explosives at the rear of the church.

In Sri Lanka, mass burials have begun for the victims of the recent suicide attacks that occurred on Easter Sunday. The attacks, carried out by Islamist extremists according to the government, targeted three churches during Easter Mass and three hotels, resulting in over 350 deaths, including many children. The city of Negombo experienced the deadliest of these attacks. Amidst heavy security, including armored personnel carriers, families gathered to bury their loved ones, with the burial of an 11-year-old boy being one poignant example of the tragedy that has unfolded.