News
COPE summons Labour Secy.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry Secretary, R.P.A. Wimalaweera, who is also the Chief Accounting Officer of the Ministry, has been asked to appear before the Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) today (18) to explain the failure on his part to address concerns raised by the parliamentary watchdog, late last year.
At a special meeting, chaired by COPE, on January 05th, the all-party grouping decided to summon Wimlaweera in the wake of Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara’s strong criticism of Auditor General W.P.C. Wickramaratne, and the watchdog, as well.
COPE Chairman Prof. Ranjith Bandara confirmed Wimaraweera’s scheduled appearance. Responding to The Island queries, the academic said that the issue at hand would be soon taken up with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Premier Dinesh Gunawardena, a well. “The draft of the letter is ready,” the SLPP National List MP said.
Minister Nanayakkara challenged the COPE and the AG, at the National Productivity Award ceremony, held on Dec. 15, 2022, at Temple Trees, under the auspices of Premier Dinesh Gunawardena. Actually, the Premier as the leader of the government parliamentary group, should have pulled up the Minister, COPE member MP Mujibur Rahuman said.
Perhaps, Minister Nanayakkara’s angry response reflected the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government’s attitude towards, not only COPE, but the Committee on Public Accounts and Committee on Public Finance, the former UNP MP said.
Declaring that ministers couldn’t challenge COPE, under any circumstances, Auditor General Wickramaratne has told the January 05 meeting that the controversial speech by Nanayakkara was made in the Premier’s presence.
MP Rahuman stressed the urgent need to clarify the status of watchdog committees, in the wake of Minister Nanayakkara’s declaration that the COPE didn’t have the authority to issue such directives.
The Auditor General, however, has reminded COPE that in terms of the Standing Orders it could even make recommendations to Parliament. The intrepid official has stressed that Secretary to Labour and Foreign Employment Ministry R.P.A. Wimalaweera was yet to address their concerns.
Minister Nanayakkara is on record as having alleged, at the Temple Trees meeting, that the AG and COPE undermined measures taken by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) to expedite sending workers to South Korea. The Minister questioned COPE and AG for finding fault with special payments made to employees to speed up the process.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon today (15)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (15th) are Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon.
Latest News
Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 14 April 2026, valid for 15 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, 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.
Latest News
“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!” – President
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, issuing a New Year message, extend his heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.
During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.
We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.
Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.
In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.
As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.
As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.
I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!
-
News3 days agoCEB orders temporary shutdown of large rooftop solar systems
-
News6 days agoAG: Coal procurement full of irregularities
-
Business5 days agoIsraeli attack on Lebanon triggers local stock market volatility
-
Features3 days agoFrom Royal College Platoon to National Cadet Corps: 145 years of discipline, leadership, and modern challenges
-
Business6 days agoHayleys Mobility introduces Premium OMODA C9 PHEV
-
Business5 days agoHNB Assurance marks 25 years with strategic transformation to ‘HNB Life’
-
Sports6 days agoDS to face St. Anthony’s in ‘Bridges of Brotherhood’ cricket encounter
-
Latest News2 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
