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Dire weather forecast for Sri Lanka
Drought threatens until mid-April, urgent health and environmental measures required
Weather in Sri Lanka will be drier than usual until mid-April due to El Niño and The Indian Ocean Dipole, Director General of Meteorology, Athula Karunanayake said. According to Karunanayake the country’s Met Department predicted these developments in 2023 and had urged the government to take the necessary steps to manage water and other resources. He added that the Met Department will be fully modernized in 2024 with a loan from the World Bank, and that with this, predictive capabilities will increase dramatically.
February, March and April are months when schools hold sports meets and there are also marathons and bicycle races during New Year festivals, Consultant Paediatrician at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, Dr. Deepal Perera said.
Those who take part in these events must make sure that they are properly dehydrated, he mentioned.Dr. Perera said dehydration can be a life-threatening situation.
“The moment your urine takes on a darker hue, you must understand your body doesn’t have enough water. Water alone is not enough. You also lose sodium when you sweat. You can put a bit of salt or lime juice into your water.”
Children must be taught that they should drink more water.
Dr. Perera went on to say that this is also a time when people are prone to skin diseases. Therefore, people must try to spend some time in water, take showers frequently, etc.
“Those who are prone to skin diseases must try to spend 20 minutes in water during the morning and in the evening. People must wear loose clothing, too. Otherwise, you will see a lot of heat strokes,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s air quality sees a substantial degradation between November and January each year, Senior Scientist at the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO), Sarath Premasiri said. This is a development that began a few years ago.
“We are keeping an eye out to see if this reaches dangerous levels. We have to collect air quality data from across the country, and we have already established mechanisms to do so.”
Premasiri said that initially they collected data only in Colombo. From 2000 to 2012, air pollution in Colombo saw an increase. The data was used to put limitations on industries and other sources of pollution.
“The air quality in main towns has somewhat improved with these measures for a while. However, again, we are facing a problem. As you know, we get monsoon winds in two seasons. During North Western monsoons, we get a lot of polluted air. This is why we are seeing bad air quality in the above-mentioned months,” he said.
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi departed today (06) from Air Force Base Anuradhapura concluding his State visit to Sri Lanka. The Indian Premier embarked on a tour to Sri Lanka at the invitation from President Anura Kumara Disanayake.
This visit underscores the enduring relationship encapsulated by the theme “Friendship of Centuries, Commitment to a Prosperous Future,” further solidifying the bonds between India and Sri Lanka.
This marks Prime Minister Modi’s fourth visit to Sri Lanka, which has further enhanced the economic, cultural, and historical relations between the two nations, while also reinforcing their multifaceted partnership. This visit by the Indian Prime Minister reinforces Sri Lanka’s important role in India’s “Neighbourhood First Policy” and ‘MAHASAGAR’ vision concerning diplomatic relations.
This state visit is anticipated to yield significant results on various collaborative initiatives, fostering a path towards mutual growth and development. The citizens of Sri Lanka will soon be able to witness the fruitful outcomes of these partnerships, and Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s visit will mark a significant milestone in the government’s pursuit of sustainable development focused on the needs of the people.
Accompanying Indian Prime Minister Modi were Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and a delegation of senior officials from the Indian government.
[PMD]
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President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
The upgraded Maho–Omanthai railway line and the newly installed Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system were officially commissioned by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and President Anura Kumara Disanayake today (06)
The Prime Minister of India is currently visiting Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, reinforcing the longstanding bond encapsulated in the theme “Friendship of Centuries Commitment to a Prosperous Future” between the two nations.
Highlighting one of the key aspects of this visit, the two leaders participated in these inaugural ceremonies. The President and the Prime Minister of India jointly unveiled the commemorative plaque and commissioned the railway line and signalling system.
The upgraded Maho-Omanthai Railway Line project was carried out with funding through the Indian Credit Line, totalling an investment of US$ 91.27 million. The Maho–Anuradhapura railway signalling system, established as a result of President Disanayake’s recent visit to India, was funded by the Indian Government at a cost of USD 14.89 million.
[PMD]
Latest News
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, along with President Anura Kumara Disanayake paid homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura this morning (06) and received blessings.
Following his visit to the sacred site, Prime Minister Modi proceeded to the Udamaluwa, where he met with the Chief Incumbent of the Atamasthanadhipathi and Chief Sanghanayake of Nuwarakalaviya, Most Venerable Dr. Pallegama Hemarathana Nayaka Thera, for a cordial discussion.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister shared that relics of the Buddha were discovered in excavations conducted in his home state of Gujarat during the 1960s. He further stated that he would discuss with the President of Sri Lanka the possibility of exhibiting these sacred relics in Sri Lanka.
Responding to a request made by the Atamasthanadhipathi to develop Bodh Gaya as a spiritual city, Prime Minister Modi assured that he would take the necessary steps after discussions with President Disanayake and work towards making it a reality.
The Maha Sangha, led by the Atamasthanadhipathi, chanted Seth Pirith and invoked blessings on the Indian Prime Minister.
The Indian Prime Minister also left a commemorative note in the special guest book at the site. In addition, he formally declared open the newly constructed ‘Makara Thorana’ within the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi premises.
The occasion was also attended by Chief Incumbent of the Ruwanweli Maha Seya Temple Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilaka Thera and other Atamasthana Viharadhipathi Theras, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development, Wasantha Samarasinghe, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, North Central Province Governor Wasantha Jinadasa, Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and others.
[PMD]
Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi concludes State Visit to Sri Lanka
President Dissanayake and Indian PM Modi jointly commission upgraded Maho-Omanthai railway line & Maho-Anuradhapura railway signalling system
Prime Minister Modi and President Dissanayake pay homage to the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
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