News
Chief Whip asks Opposition to learn from other countries and cooperate with govt. in Easter Sunday probe
Chief Government Whip and Highways Minister Johnston Fernando yesterday said that the Opposition Leader and his group in the SJB should learn from the examples of their counterparts in other democracies and support the investigations into the Easter Sunday carnage instead of acting like a headless chicken.
Addressing the media after attending a meeting to review the measures in place against Covid-19 in the Kurunegala District at Wilgoda SLPP office, the Minister said that Opposition parties in other countries had placed the national interests above their petty party agendas and politics.
“This could be seen in all other democracies. But take a look at our Opposition; it only looks for opportunities to raise wild allegations as regards the ongoing investigations into the Easter Sunday terror attacks. They are now protesting against the arrest of Rishad Bathiudeen.”
Fernando asked people to recall how the same political leaders had scoffed at the military operations during the time of the war, thinking that the LTTE was invincible. It is the very same people now demanding the release of Bathiudeen. The Opposition Leader and his men should be ashamed of their behaviour. The Easter Sunday carnage happened due to their blunders, and now they are trying to derail the ongoing investigations. Recently, religious and civil organisations got exposed for trying to drag Catholic people into their protests. Don’t they have an iota of concern for the national security of this country?”
He had called on numerous occasions, both in and outside Parliament, on the Opposition to support the government at least in the Easter Sunday carnage investigations, Minister Fernando said. “We extended our hand in good faith, but there seems to be no way we can knock some sense into the Opposition.
“We have let the law take its own course. There could be more arrests. That is up to the law enforcing agencies and investigators to decide whom to be arrested. Those guilty and responsible for the heinous crime will have to be punished. The government does not operate on the laws of Ranjan Ramanayake or Sajith Premadasa. Investigations were never this fast. What happened to the commission reports on the killings of Lalith Athulathmudali and Gen. Denzil Kobbekaduwa?” the Minister queried.
Fernando said that the yahapalana government had sacrificed the lives of people to maintain their electoral base. “It seems that our Opposition leader is ready to sacrifice even the lives of all the people in this country to get at the power to rule it.”
Voting commenced at 7.00am to elect members to 339 local councils in the island.
Voting is being held at 13,579 polling centers and will end at 4.00 p.m.
Vietnamese President Luong Cuong warmly welcomed President Anura Kumara Disanayake during an official ceremony held in Hanoi on Monday (05) morning
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was accorded a ceremonial welcome with full military honours upon his arrival at the Presidential Palace of Vietnam. He also took part in the inspection of the Tri-Forces Guard of Honour and the playing of the national anthems of Vietnam and Sri Lanka. The two leaders then introduced members of their respective delegations before proceeding for bilateral discussions during which both nation assessed their progress, explored avenues for future collaboration and signed Memoranda of Understanding.
Vietnam and Sri Lanka have upheld robust and enduring ties since they established diplomatic relations in 1970. and this visit aims to strengthen political trust and foster effective collaboration across multiple sectors between the two nations.
Sri Lanka and Vietnam engage in annual bilateral trade, primarily in exports, totalling around US$200 million. Both nations aspire to elevate this trade to US$1 billion in the near future.
President Dissanayake’s visit highlights Sri Lanka’s deep commitment to its longstanding friendship with Vietnam and demonstrates a mutual resolve to enhance collaboration in traditional sectors while exploring new opportunities in digital transformation, the digital economy, energy transition, artificial intelligence and connectivity.
[PMD]
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 05 May 2025, valid for 06 May 2025
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 Eastern, Northern, North-western, and North-central provinces and 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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