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Vetaran lankan artistes domiciled in UK felicitated in London ceremony

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UK based Lankan aristes

A ceremony to felicitate veteran Sri Lankan artistes now domiciled in the United Kingdom was held last Sunday in London. The event, Avarjana, took place at the White Hill Centre in Chesham and was organised single-handedly by Mudith de Silva, with support from Jayantha Sarath Kumara.

The artistes honoured at the ceremony were Punya Heendeniya, Gamini Abeysinghe, Wimal Alahakoon, Lilani Perera, Anoma Wattaladeniya, Sriyani Fonseka and Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Punya Heendeniya, a student of the renowned Panibaratha, played the lead role in his ballet Ditti Mangalika. She made her film debut as Katherina in Deiyange Rate. She went on to perform in several acclaimed films, including Sri 296, Suneetha, Kurulu Bedda, Sikuru Tharuwa, Gamperaliya, Para Sathu Mal, Ran Salu, Ranwan Karal and Kaliyugaya.

Actor Gamini Abeysinghe made his debut in Daskam and later appeared in nine films, among them Sudu Pareviyo, Sangeetha, Sinawai Inawai and Hadwathaka Wasanthya. After moving to England in 1975, he produced several stage plays, including Kelani Palama and Bodinkarayo, and also directed and acted in a number of television dramas. He is married to dancer Kamalangani Perusinghe.

Kamalangani Perusinghe, also a student of Panibaratha, became a respected dance teacher and was the first to establish a Sri Lankan dance academy in London. She trained numerous dancers and had the rare honour of performing with her students at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebrations.

Wimal Alahakoon, a chartered engineer by profession, entered the arts through Sudath Rohana’s teledrama Ira Batu Tharuwa. He later won a Sumathi Award for his performance in Rodney Vidanapathirana’s Hemanthaye Wasanthayak. Alahakoon produced and acted in several films and teledramas, including Ayomi, Keera Kotuwe Gedara, Maw Senehasa and Ira Sewaya.

Anoma Wattaladeniya was selected for the lead role in Lester James Peries’ Akkara Paha while still a schoolgirl. She also appeared in Reyatha Dawalath and Geetha, and later worked as a newscaster and producer at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation before relocating to the UK.

Lilani Perera, a nurse by profession, first gained fame as a radio artiste, most notably for her portrayal of Gomari in the popular radio drama Muwanpalessa. She also performed in Monarathenna, Vajira, Handiyegedara, Guwan Viduli Rangamadala and Adara Katha, among others. After moving to England in the 1980s, she acted in Rata Giya Ettho, the first teledrama filmed in the UK, and later produced and performed in several other productions, including Ira Bata Tharuwa, Monalisa, Hemanthaye Wasanthayak, Paradeesaya, Thisara Thotupala, London Bridge and Yathra.

Sriyani Fonseka, sister of Sri Lankan cinema icon Malini Fonseka, acted in more than 20 films before moving to England. Her notable appearances include roles in Anusha, Jodu Walalu, Punchi Baba, Nedeyo, Sudu Parewiyo and Wasanthaye Davasak.

The evening also featured performances by the Hela Kala Dance and Theatre Group led by Maduka Ferdinad, with vocal contributions from Prashan Deepthikumara, Jagath Jayasinghe, Wachintha Jayasooriya, Madhi Karunarathne and Dhanusha Samanmalee. The event was compered by Sajith Wathsala

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London ✍️



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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time.

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 the 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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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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