Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. on 20 April 2025, valid for 21 April 2025.

Please be aware that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Southern and Eastern provinces and in Ratnapura, Monaragala 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 table below and it has been  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.

Patali says govt., seeking to revive Basil’s plan to open road through Wilpattu jungles

United Republican Front (URF) leader and former minister Patali Champika Ranawaka has accused the Election Commission (EC) of failing to act on specific complaints lodged against President Anura Kumara Dissanayake over serious violations of election laws.

The EC had not so far acted on the Opposition’s complaints, the former parliamentarian claimed during a protest held by URF candidates contesting for the Kaduwela Municipal Council on Saturday (19) outside the MC.

Ranawaka said that they had complained to EC about President Dissanayake’s declaration that his government would make available funds only to those local government authorities won by the NPP at the forthcoming polls. Ranawaka alleged that the EC had also been silent on their complaint  about President Dissanayake’s recent declaration that welfare benefit programme Aswesuma meant to help vulnerable and low-income groups would be provided to 400,000 more families this year.

President Dissanayake made the declaration during a rally held in Mannar on 17 April in support of JJB candidates contesting the LG polls. The first phase of LG polls is scheduled to be held on 06 May.

President Dissanayake said that 400,000 additional families would be included in the scheme in June this year.

Claiming that the President’s promise was an election bribe, former MP Ranawaka alleged that NPP candidates distributed leaflets repeating the President’s promise.

Referring to President Dissanayake’s declaration in Mannar that it would open a road from Puttamam to Mannar through the Wilpattu forest reserve, Ranawaka alleged that the President was trying to implement Basil Rajapaksa’s plan.

The former MP said they expected the electorate to show their displeasure at the NPP government in the 06 May LG polls.

Responding to a media query, the URF leader while appreciating the exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic over a 10-day period from 18 April, alleged that the government run media exploited the religious event to promote President Dissanayake,

thereby giving an advantage to the NPP in the forthcoming election. The former Minister said that the EC should intervene without further delay to strain the state media. He said so while recalling the JVP attack on the Dalada Maligawa in 1988 during its second abortive insurgency.

Commenting on the recent arrest of Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pilleyan over the disappearance of Eastern University Vice Chancellor Prof. S. Raveendranath in Dec 2006, the former minister emphasized the responsibility on the part of the CID to prove its case. However, the government should also investigate the assassination of Vice Chancellor of the Colombo University, Prof. Stanley Wijesundera and Vice Chancellor of the Moratuwa University Prof. Chandratne Patuwathavithane during the second insurgency, Ranawaka said, challenging the CID to inquire about those killings from JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The CID has been directed to conduct an investigation regarding a photograph of the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha, circulating on social media.Acting IGP Priyantha Weerasuriya ordered the probe, following concerns that the image may have been captured during the ongoing special exposition, Siri Dalada Wandanawa, at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy.

The Police Headquarters has said that strict regulations are in place during the exposition, prohibiting devotees from keeping mobile phones active or taking any photographs of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

Authorities are now working to verify the authenticity of the photograph, determine whether it was

indeed taken during the recent exposition, identify the individual responsible, and establish whether the image has been digitally altered.Police said that capturing images of the Sacred Tooth Relic without permission was a serious violation of the sanctity of the religious event and the temple protocol.

by Norman Palihawadane