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China always stood by Sri Lanka and will continue to do so – Ambassador Qi Zhenhong

Published

2 years ago

2024/09/27

Thilina Walpola

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong

Text and pic by PRIYAN DE SILVA

Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong welcoming guests to the reception held at Shangri-La Hotel on Wednesday (25) to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, said China had always stood firmly with the Sri Lankan government and people in the face of threats and will continue to do so in the future no matter how the international situation changes.

The Chinese Ambassador said that the friendship between China and Sri Lanka spanned even before the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1957. “Over the past 67 years, China and Sri Lanka have been supporting each other based on principles of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits”

Congratulating Sri Lanka on the successful presidential election he added that the people of Sri Lanka have now entered a new era and are writing a

new chapter of their history.

Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said he believed that with the support and assistance from China and other friendly countries, and under the strong leadership of President Dissanayake, the diligent, intelligent, and heroic people of Sri Lanka will definitely

overcome all sorts of risks and challenges, fully recover from the current crisis, and revive the national economy to achieve prosperity.

Sri Lanka, as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean” will shine brighter. The China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership based on sincere mutual assistance and ever-lasting friendship will continue to gain great momentum at a higher level and Sri Lanka the ‘Pearl of the Indian Ocean’ will shine brighter, he added.

Sri Lanka’s new Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath was the Chief Guest at the celebrations. The event was attended by a distinguished gathering including former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Maithripala Sirisena, former Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Ambassadors, former members of Parliament and top brass of the armed forces.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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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

Published

1 day ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 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