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Ambassador Aryasinha calls on OSLs in the US to support economic promotion and strengthen advocacy in SL

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Ambassador Ravinatha Aryasinha called on Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in the US to support economic promotion and strengthen advocacy of Sri Lanka.

He said, while engaging with the US Government and State bodies to advance Sri Lanka’s political, economic, defense and socio-cultural cooperation, the Mission will reach out to all OSLs and seek to upgrade its service to the Community – both directly and in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Consulate in Los Angeles, the Sri Lanka Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and the Honorary Consuls spread through the country.

Ambassador Aryasinha made this call as he began work on December 14 as Sri Lanka’s Appointed Ambassador to the USA, following multi-religious observances at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Washington D.C.

He earlier assumed duties while in quarantine on December 1, 2020.

A representative each from the Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Islamic religions attended a simple ceremony organized by the staff of the Embassy to mark the occasion, while the Chief Priests from several Sri Lankan Buddhist Temples in Los Angeles, Washington DC, New York and Arlington joined the gathering via zoom.

The proceedings began with the lighting of the traditional oil lamp by the religious dignitaries, flanked by the Ambassador.

Conducting Buddhist Religious observances, the Most Venarable Katugastota Uparatana Thero, Chief Priest of Maryland Buddhist Vihara and Chief Sanganayake of North America, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings of the Noble Triple on the Ambassador and staff. The Most Venerable Dr. Aggamaha Panditha Walpola Piyananda Nayake Thero of the Los Angeles Buddhist Vihara addressing the gathering, while recalling the outreach made to the Sri Lanka community during his previous posting in Washington D.C., also appreciated the pivotal diplomatic role played by Ambassador Aryasinha over the years in defence of the motherland.

Swami Ragupathi Kurukkal observed Hindu religious observances and blessed the Ambassador with a recital of Hindu prayers. The Kurukkal also noted the exemplary services of Ambassador Aryasinha for the unity and betterment of Sri Lanka’s communal harmony. 

Rev. Father Dilantha Arachchilage of the Baptist Church in Potomac conducted Christian prayers and offered his blessings to the Ambassador and staff. The Rev Father emphasized the importance of involving the youth in order to harness their potential for community related events and activities. 

Seyed Rizwan Mowlana, representing the Islam faith, recited verses from the Quran and invoked blessings on the Ambassador and staff. In his remarks, he emphasized the importance of celebrating Sri Lanka’s important religious and cultural events in Washington DC, which he said would go a long way for the revival of unity in diversity.



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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala

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The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued landslide  early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matale and Monaragala effective untill 2100hrs on 12th May 2026.

Accordingly,

Level II landslide early warnings have been issued to the divisional secretaries division and surrounding areas of  Passara in the Badulla district.

Level I landslide early warnings  have been issued to the divisional secretaries divisions and surrounding areas of Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Pasbage Korale,  Akurana,  Gangawata Korale,  Panvila,  Yatinuwara,  Ganga Ihala Korale,  Doluwa and  Udapalatha in the Kandy district, Mawanella,  Bulathkohupitiya,  Yatiyanthota,  Aranayaka,  Kegalle and  Rambukkana in the Kegalle district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Rattota, Naula and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district and Badalkumbura and Wellawaya in the Monaragala district.

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Showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 11 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 11 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

 

The low-level atmospheric disturbance in the vicinity of Sri Lanka is likely to develop into a low-pressure area around the next 36 hours. Therefore, the prevailing showery conditions over the island are expected to continue during the next few days.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in most parts of the island and Cloudy skies are expected, under the influence of the aforementioned system. Heavy showers about 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, Southern, North-western, Northern and North-central provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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Treasury theft: Speaker’s conduct brought to IPU’s attention: SJB  

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Dayasiri

SJB MP Dayasiri Jayasekera has sought the intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) to pressure the JVP-NPP government to respect the rights of the Opposition.

MP Jayasekera told The Island that they wouldn’t allow the NPP to suppress the truth regarding the theft of Treasury funds amounting to USD 2.5 million. He accused Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickremaratne of depriving the Opposition of its legitimate rights, at the behest of the government.

Jayasekera said that the Speaker’s conduct regarding the action taken against Deputy Secretary General of Parliament Chaminda Kularatne, too, had been brought to the notice of IPU and other international associations.

The text of MP Jayasekera’s letter to the Secretary general of IPU: “I respectfully submit this petition seeking the attention and intervention of the Inter-Parliamentary Union concerning a matter affecting parliamentary accountability, the rights of elected representatives, and the proper functioning of constitutional oversight within the Parliament of Sri Lanka.

On 06 May 2026, I Dayasiri Jayasekara MP submitted a formal request to the Hon. Speaker of Parliament seeking permission, under the Parliament (Powers and Privileges) Act No. 21 of 1953 and Standing Order 29(1), to raise a question of privilege regarding alleged constitutional and parliamentary violations by Mr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the Treasury of Sri Lanka.

The proposed privilege motion raised matters including:

1. Alleged violations of Articles 148, 149, and 150 of the Constitution of Sri Lanka concerning parliamentary control over public finance;

2. Alleged failure to report to Parliament concerning a controversial and unlawful transfer of approximately USD 2.5 million from the Treasury;

3. Alleged non-compliance with parliamentary committee procedures under the Standing Orders of Parliament;

4. Questions relating to constitutional eligibility under Article 91(1)(d)(xiii) of the Constitution concerning dual citizenship and qualification to sit and vote in Parliament;

5. A request that the matter be referred to the Parliamentary Ethics and Privileges Committee established under Standing Order 118.

 Despite the seriousness of the constitutional and parliamentary issues raised, the Hon. Speaker declined permission for the privilege issue to be raised in Parliament.

It is respectfully submitted that this refusal has the effect of:

•  Preventing an elected Member of Parliament from exercising his parliamentary oversight function;

• Restricting parliamentary scrutiny over matters involving public finance and constitutional accountability;

•  Undermining the privileges of Members of Parliament to raise matters of urgent public importance;

•  Limiting institutional transparency concerning allegations involving senior state officials.

The right of parliamentarians to raise questions of privilege and matters relating to constitutional governance is an essential component of parliamentary democracy and legislative independence. The refusal to permit even the presentation or preliminary consideration of such a matter raises serious concerns regarding parliamentary accountability mechanisms in Sri Lanka.

Accordingly, I respectfully request that the Inter-Parliamentary Union:

1.Take cognizance of this matter as one affecting the rights and functions of Members of Parliament;

2.Seek clarification from the relevant parliamentary authorities in Sri Lanka regarding the grounds upon which the privilege motion was disallowed;

3.Consider whether the refusal is compatible with internationally recognised principles of parliamentary democracy, accountability, and freedom of parliamentary speech;

4. Encourage the Parliament of Sri Lanka to ensure fair and transparent procedures governing parliamentary privilege motions and constitutional oversight.

I further request that this communication be placed before the appropriate committee or mechanism within the IPU dealing with the rights and duties of parliamentarians.”

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