News
JVP-led Women for Rights flays govt. for insulting defenders of environment
by Saman Indrajith
The JVP-led Women for Rights has urged the government to stop finding fault with those who highlight the ongoing forest destruction and take action to protect the environment.
Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters on Friday, Secretary of the WFR Samanmalee Gunasinghe said that the government had instructed some ministers to insult those who exposed the destruction of the environment.
“We have seen on several occasions some leading ministers humiliating females, who raised their voice against the enviromental degradation. What the ministers should have actually done was to look into the issues of felling of trees and clearings of the Sinharaja rainforest instead of slandering those who came forward to raise their voice against the destruction of the environment. We call on all progressive people to condemn those ministers and their henchmen who use derogatory language against the females fighting for environmental rights.
Leaders in other countries take the lead in protecting the environment while ours are leading the destruction in various ways on some pretext or the other. Their critics are labelled Opposition activists.”
Chairperson of the WFR, Saroja Savithri Paulraj said: “The government ministers should not forget the fact that 52 percent of the total population of the country are women and 56 percent of those with voting rights are also women. We have seen some ministers verbally abusing and calling various names on Devani Jayatilaka and Bhagya Abeyratne for raising their voice for the safeguarding of environment. They were threatened and humiliated.
“We are ready to take to the streets together with other environmentalists to protect them. It is a shame that some ministers are abusing their power to silence the voices for environmental conservation.
“There was a time when the ministers tied some public servant to trees and we knew what happened to those governments. This government gets its ministers to threaten and intimidate the public servants and whistleblowers. The ministers should know that their actions would have consequences.”
WFR Executive committee member Prabhashini Wickramasinghe also addressed the press.
Police urge motorists who intend to use the Ella – Wellawaya Road to use alternative roads as there is a severe vehicle congestion due to inclement weather condition.
The oil anointing ceremony for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year was held on April 16 at the historic Rajamaha Viharaya in Kolonnawa, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Following the chanting of pirith, the oil anointing ritual was carried out at the auspicious time of 9:04 a.m., by the Chief Incumbent of the temple, Venerable Kolonnawa Dhammika Thero.
Speaking after the ceremony the Prime Minister said that:
“The Sinhala and Tamil New Year is one of the most important festivities in our country. It is a celebration with our families, reflecting our traditions and customs while strengthening the ties.
This festival leads the path for renewing unity, love, and bonds stronger. These values enrich a country. Development of a country is not limited by one-dimensional; a true development includes spirituality, relationships, and connections. The reason why we uphold these customs in such ceremonies is to remind ourselves of the significance and to pass on their value to future generations.
Therefore, today marks a significant day. Throughout this week, we came together and engaged in various activities. Followed by, the next event will mark the leaving for employment at the auspicious time and we should start working collectively to rebuild the country.
I wish everyone a New Year that is prosperous, peaceful, joyful, full of strengthened relationships, and most importantly, safe for all.”
The ceremony was graced by the presence of the Maha Sangha, and attended by the Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs Eranga Gunasekara, Divisional Secretary to Kolonnawa Priyanath Perera, Municipal Secretary Nelum Kumari Gamage, and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts today [16]
Warm Weather Advisory Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 16 April 2025
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Rathnapura and Monaragala districts.
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 table below 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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