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Bathiudeen to appeal to Supreme Court against Court of Appeal decision against him over destruction of Kallaru
By Rathindra Kuruwita
MP Rishad Bathiudeen on Saturday told the PCoI investigating the Easter Sunday attacks that he would appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision of the Court of Appeal regarding the deforestation of the Kallaru forest reserve.
Justice Janak de Silva and Justice Nissanka Bandula Karunaratne who delivered the verdict on the destruction of the forest are also members of the PCoI.
Bathiudeen made this statement when a Commissioner asked him how many Sinhala people he had resettled when he was the Minister of Resettlement.
Bathiudeen said that more 200,000 Tamils had been resettled and he looked at taking steps to resettle businessmen including Sinhala bakery owners in the Eastern Province.
Bathiudeen said: “There were only 2% Sinhalese population in the Northern Province and there were 5% Muslims. During the war Sinhalese and Muslims were made to leave.”
After defeating the LTTE in 2009, the Mahinda Rajapaksa administration commenced resettlement under the supervision of the current National Organizer of SLPP Basil Rajapaksa, Bathiudeen said.
“As the Chairman of the Vanni District Committee, I gave my fullest support to it. 5,000 Sinhalese were resettled in Kalabogaswewa, Namalgama. Almost 75, 100 year old large trees were cut down to resettle these people,” he said.
MP Bathiudeen said that no one had filed a petition against the above matter and Vijaya village in Kallaru houses had also been built for Sinhala people.
“The trees in Kallaru have not been cut down to resettle Internally Displaced Persons (IDP). We will challenge the Wilpattu verdict in the Supreme Court.”
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the North-central, Eastern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kurunegala, Monaragala, Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 29 April 2026, valid for 30 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the North-central, Eastern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kurunegala, Monaragala, Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi 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
Sri Lanka Cricket has announced today (29) that the President of Sri Lanka Cricket and members of the Executive Committee have tendered their resignations.
The decision has been formaly communicated to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 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 and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa 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 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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Heat Index at Caution Level in the North-central, Eastern, and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Kurunegala, Monaragala, Vavuniya, Mullaittivu and Kilinochchi districts during the day time
Travishek, Klaasen outmuscle Mumbai Indians as Sunrisers Hyderabad chase 244 for fifth straight win
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President and Exco of Sri Lanka Cricket step down
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