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Bangladesh feeder operator HR Lines first to call at JCT after Colombo gets a handle on the pandemic
Bangladesh feeder vessel operator, HR Lines shipping service has commenced operations as the first container service at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo after the control of the Covid-19 pandemic.
With a greater focus to provide flexible feeder connections in Colombo, HR Lines, who introduced their feeder service, CCE – Chattogram Colombo Express in April 2021, has dedicated one of their Chattogram loops to call at JCT, the Sri Lanka Port Authority (SLPA) said.
MV HR SARERA Voyage 0042N has called at the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT) of the Port of Colombo (POC) on Mar 10th. Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Tareq Md Ariful Islam was present on the occasion.
MV HR SARERA is the inaugural caller at the JCT of SLPA after Covid -19 pandemic. To mark the inaugural call of the vessel, plaque exchanges were held at the JCT of SLPA. Clarion Shipping (Pvt.) Ltd., a subsidiary of Hayleys Advantis group is the local agent for the vessel.
HR Lines started the Colombo – Chattogram feeder service with two vessels, once a week sailing and eventually will upgrade it to twice weekly with the addition of two more vessels by October 2022.
Being one of the prominent feeder operators, within a year, HR Lines has secured a total market share of about 35% of this trade lane.
HR Line is a part of diversified group Karnaphuli Bangladesh and is determined to enhance their presence in Colombo with further developments.
Expressing his views on the occasion, Chairman of SLPA Dr. Prasantha Jayamanna said that during the discussions held with the Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, it was apparent that Bangladesh was immensely supportive of improving mutually beneficial relationships between the two countries and also for working together to bring in more practical and workable business solutions in policy decision levels towards enhancing volumes at the JCT and POC.
He also thanked the Hayleys Advantis Group for having trust in the JCT to have the new initiative and for its continuity.
Speaking on the occasion, Bangladesh High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Tareq Md Ariful Islam said that shipping connectivity was of the most important areas in developing bilateral relations between the two countries.
He also thanked the JCT and the Port of Colombo for the improved efficiency in operations and wished for a long lasting relationship that would open more business avenues in maritime operations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 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, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district 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 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.
News
Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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