News
Bangladesh considering to send potatoes to Lanka
South Asia needs to boost cooperation to end poverty – PM Hasina
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday urged the South Asian countries to work together in the fight against poverty, describing it as the main enemy in the region.
“We, the countries in this region, should cooperate with each other. Many problems can be solved bilaterally,” she said.
The Prime Minister made this remark when Secretary General of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Esala Ruwan Weerakoon paid a courtesy call on her at Ganabhaban.
He was accompanied by his wife.
“The main enemy in South Asian countries is poverty. So, all will have to work for poverty alleviation,” Hasina was quoted as saying by her Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim.
She said when Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had visited Kolkata after the Liberation War, he in his speech floated the idea of regional cooperation there.
The Saarc secretary general stressed the need for strengthening the Saarc food bank.
He highly praised Bangladesh for its contribution to the Saarc Agriculture Centre.
Weerakoon, a Sri Lankan national, said the pandemic is also responsible for the ongoing economic crisis in his country and appreciated the support Bangladesh has extended towards the island nation.
Sri Lanka now needs fertiliser as the rice production dropped by 50% there, he added.
In this context, the Premier said Bangladesh, despite being a country with a huge population, may provide potatoes to Sri Lanka during this crisis.
She said Bangladesh has taken steps to grow more foods amid the global food problem following the Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia war.
Bangladeshi researchers are making efforts to develop different saline and drought-tolerant varieties of rice, said Sheikh Hasina.
Earlier, the Saarc official visited Bangabandhu Memorial Museum and commended the great leader’s legacy.
Ambassador-at-large Mohammad Ziauddin and PMO Senior Secretary Md Tofazzel Hossain Miah were present.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon today (15)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (15th) are Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon.
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 14 April 2026, valid for 15 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern
provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 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
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!” – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, issuing a New Year message, extend his heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.
During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.
We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.
Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.
In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.
As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
-
News3 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
News6 days agoAG: Coal procurement full of irregularities
-
Business5 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Features3 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business6 days agoHayleys Mobility introduces Premium OMODA C9 PHEV
-
Business5 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Sports6 days agoDS to face St. Anthony’s in ‘Bridges of Brotherhood’ cricket encounter
-
Latest News2 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
