Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of  Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 13 March 2026, valid for 14 March 2026.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at
some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar and Vavuniya districts.

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 . For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.

Minister Chrishantha Abeysena and MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam participated in the Open Government Partnership Regional Learning Exchange Roundtable held in Bangkok.

The special international conference was organised by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, the event brought together senior policymakers and representatives from Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Maldives and Thailand.

The Ministry said Sri Lanka had previously been inactive in the Open Government Partnership process and that the conference included extensive discussions on reactivating the country’s engagement and preparing a roadmap for the formulation of a National Action Plan.

A key objective of the meeting was to share experiences on the successes and challenges encountered by neighbouring countries in implementing open governance reforms.

Participants also discussed the need to secure political leadership support for such reforms and to ensure that they are effectively implemented for the benefit of the public rather than remaining confined to policy documents, the Ministry said in a statement.

Nearly 200 kilos of seized narcotics, linked to concluded court cases, were destroyed yesterday (13) at the incinerator at Lactowatte.

The destroyed stock comprised drugs connected to cases concluded before the Colombo High Court and the Balapitiya Magistrate’s Court.

In addition, case materials related to nearly 1,500 cases handled by the Government Analyst’s Department were also destroyed during the operation.

Earlier in the day, officers of the Police Narcotics Bureau removed a stock of drugs and narcotic pills from Court No. 05 at the Aluthkade Courts Complex under tight security.

According to the PNB, the haul included 40 kg and 539 g of heroin, 132 kg of ketamine, 55 g of cocaine and 3,482 narcotic pills.

The narcotics were transported to the incinerator under the protection of the Special Task Force, under the supervision of Deputy Inspector General of the Police Narcotics Bureau, Ashoka Dharmasena.

The narcotics, pills and related case materials were brought to the incinerator around 10 a.m. and destroyed by officers of the Government Analyst’s Department, officials of the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and police officers under the supervision of the Balapitiya Magistrate and the Puttalam Additional Magistrate.

by Norman Palihawadane