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Post-war national reconciliation: Austin questions govt. strategy, lambasts doublespeak
One-time Defence Secretary and former Secretary to President Maithripala Sirisena Austin Fernando says having repeatedly undermined previous efforts meant to reach consensus with civil society and Tamil Diaspora, the incumbent dispensation seems to be following the yahapalana strategy.
Fernando said that the current strategy should be examined against the backdrop of the Pohottuwa administration’s much touted pullout from the Geneva process several months after the last presidential election in Nov 2019.
Referring to front-page report titled ‘Prof. Peiris denies Geneva sessions influenced their Jaffna visit’, Fernando, who had also served as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in New Delhi has sent the following response: “On the basis of the report on visit to Jaffna undertaken by ministers, Prof. Peiris and Ali Sabry, PC, it appears the ministers are doing ‘needs assessments.’ According to some sections of the media, the President had not met the TNA and other Tamil parties or the Diaspora, (unless stealthily in Yugadanavi syle!!!) having promised such consultation at the UNGA and to UNSG. If the President meets them at least now he will hear the needs from one Tamil group. Therefore, the question is ‘why this ‘mighty indecent hurry’ of ministers, when the President has no hurry?’ No wonder people interpret at their will!
The OMP and RO were legalised by the Yahapalanaya. The credit goes to President Sirisena, PM Wickremesinghe, and late Minister Mangala Samaraweera. I cannot understand why the Yahapaalanaya does not react to statements by these Ministers. Piggybacking on them now by incumbent ministers looks as eyewash. I am disturbed as a team member who worked to establish these mechanisms. Now kudos are to Ministers Pieris and Sabry! Another Pieris- Saliya -Chirman of OMP- went to the people in the north and did what Prof. Pieris does now. Additionally, in 2020 Minister Dinesh Gunawardena withdrew from the UNHRC Resolution 30/1 on a Cabinet decision, and Ministers Pieris and Sabry of the same Cabinet now hang on to by-products of 30/1 – the OMP and RO, to which they cannot have allegiance after the quoted withdrawal. If they wish, they can tag all these as flowing from Mahinda Rajapaksha era 11/1 UNHRC Resolution of 26th May 2009!
We know that the Yahapalanaya wished to have a TRC. I was on a committee that worked on it. A Cabinet Memo for a TRC was submitted by PM Ranil Wickremesinghe on 18th October 2018, and the Constitutional Coup happened. Hence it was probably not considered by ‘the 52- Day, SC decided illegal government.’ and thrown away to the dustbin. For two years they slept over it, and suddenly after the deepest slumber now indicate the appropriateness of it! Are they joking or really do not know what happened in the past? One need not employ rocket science to restart the process. Ask Lalith Weeratunga and Gamini Senarath, I know for certain they have the capacity to prepare the papers for the next Cabinet. It will add more marks in Geneva too! The problem is the government needs the will only.
Non-recurrence was a separate “Pillar of reconciliation” to be achieved through constitutional means which was followed by a Parliamentary Select Committee. An Interim Report is available. There were six sub-committees. Bandula Gunawardane, Susil Premajayantha, and D Siddhaarthan did work on Finance, Public Administration, and centre-periphery relations respectively. What happened to those reports done by present Pohottuwa members, plus one TNA member? Politicians have bungled the relationships, and now they seem to be trying to repair- in technical terms ‘integrate’! That too is on a wrong footing, without continuity.
Mere eyewash! Let these people be serious about reconciliation. It matters to the total population, whole country, at a very difficult time. On top of the economic crisis, let us not be dragged into sanctions or other international crises.”
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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
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.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
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)]
News
Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks
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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