News
Showers or thundershowers today in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central Provinces
By Ifham Nizam
Showers or thundershowers will occur today in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, and Central Provinces and in the Galle and Matara districts during the evenings, according to the Meteorolo-gical Department forecast.
It states that heavy showers of more than 50 mm are also possible at some places in the above mentioned areas. Elsewhere, there will be no rain.
The sun will rise over Sri Lanka as it moves visually to the north until the 14th of this month. A spokesman for the department said that the sun will rise directly over the Paladi Lagoon area.
The Met Department also warns that there is a need to pay close attention to the Heat Index in the country these days.
According to the announcement, high temperatures are expected in Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Puttalam, Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Moneragala districts. Extreme levels of dehydration and salivation can lead to muscle spasms, high body temperature, fatigue, and high activity in children, which can lead to poor body temperature and stroke.
Therefore, people working in open areas should drink enough water, rest as much as possible in shady places, and older or sick people living in areas with high temperatures should be more concerned about this. And also when children are travelling in vehicles or for any reason, Disaster Management Centre (DMC) Deputy Director Pradeep Kodipilli said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s Disaster Preparedness and Response Unit warns that it is best to avoid such activities, especially strenuous pursuits, and to wear light white or light coloured clothing if children are left alone.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
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