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BASL alerts Prez, govt. to gravity of prevailing crisis, calls for remedial action

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4 years ago

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The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday called on the President, the government as well as all other political parties, and actors to realise the gravity of the present situation and the grave consequences which might threaten the social and economic stability in Sri Lanka.

The BASL, in a statement issued to the media, called upon them to immediately take every step necessary to restore national and international confidence in the Government of Sri Lanka.

“The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is gravely concerned as to the manner in which the present economic crisis, and the resultant shortages, especially of fuel, are being handled by the Government of Sri Lanka (GoSL), adversely affecting the lives of the people, the administration of the country, and running of businesses and, ultimately, the stability of the community. It has also led to a deterioration of Law and Order in the country.

“The sequence of announcements with regard to the supply of fuel by the authorities is set out below:

“17th of June 2022 – It was announced that Letters of Credit had been opened for US$ 42.6 million for a shipment of 300,000 barrels of Octane 92 Petrol;

“19 of June 2022 – It was announced that Letters of Credit for US$ 90 million were opened for shipments of petrol and diesel to be delivered respectively on 23rd and 24th June;

“23rd of June 2022 – It was announced that delivery of the fuel cargo of 40,000 MT of Petrol had been delayed by one day;

“24th of June 2022 – It was announced that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) had been informed by the supplier that the petrol cargo confirmed to arrive the previous day was further delayed and a new date of arrival will be confirmed later that day;

“25th of June 2022 – The Minister of Power and Energy announced that the suppliers had communicated the inability to fulfil the deliveries on time for ‘banking and logistical’ reasons. He requested that the public not to line up for fuel next week (just a few days after making a similar request, during which fuel was delivered to petrol stations) and stated that the CPC is not able to confirm the arrival dates of shipments. He further announced that the refinery operations will be closed until the next shipment of crude oil arrives.

“Subsequently, the Minister of Power and Energy held a Press Conference on 26th June 2022 and the information revealed at this Press Conference make it abundantly clear that the public have been kept in the dark while the authorities gave them false hopes; that the date of the next shipment of fuel to the country is unknown; and that no explanation has been given as to why the reserves which were available were not managed in a better manner, given the fact that the arrival of the next shipment of fuel was uncertain.

“The sequence of announcements by the authorities demonstrate the confusion that exists in respect of the fuel supply in Sri Lanka and the mistrust the public have with regard to official statements. The BASL is alarmed at the failure of the Government to provide timely, accurate and reliable information to the people of the situation in respect of the fuel supply which affects every aspect of their daily lives, already complicated by the economic crisis.

“Day in and day out thousands of people are compelled to queue up at fuel stations, across the country for petrol, diesel, and kerosene oil. They have had to stay in queues for more than 24 hours for fuel, resulting in a massive waste of time and productivity. The fuel queues have resulted in unrest, and violence, and led to mistrust among different sections of the community. There have been chaotic scenes at fuel stations and clashes between the people and the law enforcement authorities. The number of people who have died whilst staying in queues continues to rise. There are reports of a thriving black market in the sale of fuel at excessive prices with very little effort by law enforcement authorities to crack down such activity. Long lines of empty gas cylinders can be seen on roadsides in anticipation of a shipment of gas which is said to arrive in the first week of July.

“Fuel shortages are threatening every aspect of the economy, including food production and distribution; adversely impacting Sri Lanka’s exports which are vital at this time; and even having a negative impact on the administration of justice.

“Furthermore, the Government has failed to put in place a proper mechanism to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of fuel to the people.

“The BASL calls upon the Government to immediately provide timely and adequate information to the public as to its plans in respect of ensuring the continuous supply of fuel in the short term; to present to the public a road map on its plans to extricate the country from the fuel crisis; and to immediately devise, after proper consultation with relevant stake holders, an effective plan to ensure the fair and equitable distribution of fuel to the people, taking into account the need to ensure that public transportation and essential services are not hindered.

“The BASL calls upon the President, the Government, as well as all other political parties, and actors, to understand the sheer gravity of the present situation, and the grave consequences which may threaten the social and economic stability in Sri Lanka. The BASL calls upon them to immediately take every step necessary to restore national and international confidence in the Government of Sri Lanka.

“At this stage, for the greater good of the country it is necessary that the President, and all other relevant political actors, bear responsibility for the hardships being caused to the people.”


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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

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2 hours ago

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2026/04/19

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 18 April 2026, valid for 19 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, 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.

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‘Agents of the devil’ seeking to block Easter probe, Cardinal warns

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2 hours ago

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2026/04/19

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Warning that “agents of the devil who wish to hide the truth behind a wall of political posturing” were attempting to obstruct investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks, the Catholic Church has called for intensified public support and prayer to ensure justice for victims.

In a message issued ahead of the seventh anniversary of the April 21, 2019 bombings, Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said there were ongoing efforts by various forces to derail credible inquiries into the coordinated attacks that claimed 278 lives and left nearly 500 injured.

The statement noted that many of those killed had been attending Easter Sunday Mass when suicide bombers struck churches, including St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, and Zion Church, Batticaloa, causing widespread devastation and long-term suffering among survivors.

Seven years on, the Caridnal said, critical questions remain unanswered, including who masterminded the attacks, their motives, and why places of worship were targeted on Christianity’s most sacred day.

Full text of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith’s message: On 21st April 2026, the Church in Sri Lanka will be commemorating the 7th Anniversary of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts, which killed 278 of our fellow human beings and brethren in the faith in the most brutal fashion. Most of these people had come to our Churches for Easter Sunday Masses and prayer services. Many families were rendered destitute. Nearly 500 people were injured and some of them carry life long disabilities, suffering from the after effects of these blasts. St. Anthony’s Church Kochchikade and St. Sebastian’s Church Katuwapitiya of the Catholic community and the Zion Church in Batticaloa were, quasi totally destroyed. The economy of the country suffered immensely with untold problems affecting many families, ever since then. However much we try to console the families of these victims, it is something that we humans are unable to achieve as only the Lord can truly console them.

Besides, we still do not know who murdered these people and caused so much of suffering to many others, and why and for what purpose they chose our Churches on a day that was most sacred to us to organize these attacks. After repeated pleas by the Catholic Church, now at last, the incumbent government and the security establishment, seem to be holding a credible inquiry into this episode of mass murder in order to find out who was really behind it.

And there are many forces actively seeking to obstruct these inquiries and divert the direction of the inquiry in an aimless fashion in order to hide the truth behind these attacks. They are nothing but the agents of the devil who wish to hide the truth behind a wall of political posturing. We need to storm Heaven and ask the Lord to strengthen the hands of the investigators to find out what really happened and who was behind this mass murder as well as why it was done to innocent people who had nothing to do with politics.

Hence, I call upon all of you to kindly storm Heaven with your prayers calling upon the Lord to help us find out what really happened that most tragic day. And so, I am declaring Sunday, the 19th of April 2026, as a special day of prayer for this purpose. I shall be most grateful to every one of you, beloved brethren, if you could recite special prayers in all the parishes of the Archdiocese at Sunday Mass on that day and offer prayers at home too for the success of these investigations. The special prayer for truth and justice for the victims of the bomb attacks, already approved by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, could also be recited. I call upon all our Catholic devotees to join us in this effort.

Let us stand together firmly behind the efforts to find out the truth. Let us not be deceived by attempts of different people to hide the truth or divert attention in all kinds of directions in order to confuse the public.

May the Blessed Mother, our Lady of Lanka, intercede for us in this most important matter.

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Nation to mark Easter Sunday attacks with countrywide observances, march for justice

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2 hours ago

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2026/04/19

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A series of solemn religious observances and commemorative events will be held on Tuesday, April 21, to mark the seventh anniversary of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, with ceremonies planned across the island and a public march for justice in Negombo.

The programme will begin with a coordinated observance in churches nationwide. At 8:45 a.m., funeral bells will toll, followed by a two-minute silence in memory of the victims. At 8:47 a.m., bells will toll again as the faithful light candles or oil lamps, with the morning observance concluding in a special prayer service at 8:50 a.m.

Major ceremonies are to be held at key locations affected by the 2019 attacks.

At St. Anthony’s Shrine, Kochchikade, the commemoration will be led by Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and Bishop Anton Ranjith. Proceedings will commence at 8:15 a.m. with the arrival of ambassadors and dignitaries. Following the national moment of silence and prayer at 8:45 a.m., invitees will participate in a candle-lighting ceremony at 8:47 a.m. The programme from 9:10 a.m. will include interfaith reflections and addresses by the Apostolic Nuncio, a representative of the United Nations, and Cardinal Ranjith.

At St. Sebastian’s Church, Katuwapitiya, religious observances will be conducted under the guidance of Bishop Maxwell Silva and Bishop J. D. Anthony. Holy Mass is scheduled for 7:30 a.m., followed by the tolling of bells, a two-minute silence, and the lighting of candles at the memorial monument at 8:45 a.m.

The day’s commemorations will culminate in a Prayer March for Justice in Negombo. The march is set to begin at 4:00 p.m. from the Maris Stella grounds, with clergy and lay participants proceeding to St. Sebastian’s Church, where bishops and priests will conduct a Benediction service.The events are expected to draw large numbers of clergy, devotees, diplomats and members of the public, as the nation continues to remember the victims and call for truth and accountability.

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