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Former President Sirisena in thrust to revive UPFA

Published

4 years ago

2021/09/19

The United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) met last week under SLFP leader Maithripala Sirisena to discuss plans to revitalize itself and upgrade its manifesto to suit the times.

Conducted via zoom, the meeting was attended by Mahajana Eksath Peramuna leader and Minister of Education Dinesh Gunawardena, Sri Lanka Mahajana Paksha leader MP Asanka Navaratne and other party leaders, party sources said.

“It is time that UPFA stood up again,” former President Sirisena said. “We must strengthen UPFA so that many like-minded parties and groups could join under a single banner.”

“Deputy Chairman of the SLPP Thilanga Sumathipala has moved a motion that we should prepare a new manifesto containing policies covering social, cultural and economic matters to rebuild the nation. We have that proposal as a base and it has been approved by all members of the SLFP Executive Committee. We would obtain proposals from other parties in the coming two weeks,” Sirisena said.

Lengthy discussions were held on the preparation of a plan of action for the UPFA. These centered on reviving the UPFA under the betel leaf symbol which Sirisena said had the trust of people.

MEP leader Dinesh Gunawardena spoke of the need to accommodate proposals of other political parties and to invite them all for future discussions to decide the future course of the UPFA.

A moment of silence was observed in memory of CWC leader Arumugam Thondaman, Mangala Samaraweera and Desha Vimukthi Janatha Party’s P.M. Podi Appuhamy.

SLFP Senior Deputy Chairman Professor Rohana Lakshman Piyadasa said the SLFP Central Committee had recently decided on reactivating the UPFA. The alliance will be formed with all progressive political elements including leftist, patriotic, and nationalist political parties as well as parties unrepresented in Parliament.

Thilanga Sumathipala said that the entire political paradigm has been changed by the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

“There’s a need to think beyond the policies that had been upheld and accepted as the best prior to the pandemic. Covid has outdated these. We must build a formidable political force on the basis of people-friendly political policies and should accommodate friendly parties to form a grand alliance. We must uphold policies that could build our nation. It is the UPFA that could accommodate all forces,” he said.

He added that the UPFA that came to being in 2004 by joining forces of all progressive and leftist parties under the leadership of the SLFP had a record of winning two presidential elections, two general elections and winning seven provincial councils in three elections. In the 2015 general election the UPFA won 95 parliamentary seats.

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and Galle and Matara districts

Published

2 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre at 12.30 noon 12 March 2026 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 12 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

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Nasa spacecraft weighing 1,300lb due to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere

Published

3 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

The two Van Allen Probes were launched in 2012 [BBC]

A Van Allen Probe spacecraft weighing more than 1,300lb (600kg) is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere almost 14 years after its launch, Nasa says.

The spacecraft is projected to re-enter around 19:45 EDT (23:45 GMT) on Tuesday the US Space Force predicted, according to Nasa, though there is a 24-hour margin of “uncertainty” in the timing.

The Van Allen Probe A, which launched in 2012, is expected mostly to burn up as it travels through the atmosphere, though some components may survive.

The space agency said there is a one in 4,200 chance of being harmed by a piece of the probe, which it characterised as “low” risk.

The spacecraft and its twin, Van Allen Probe B, were on a mission to gather unprecedented data on Earth’s two permanent radiation belts.

It was not immediately clear where in Earth’s atmosphere the satellite is projected to re-enter. The BBC has contacted Nasa for further detail.

Nasa and the US Space Force have said they will monitor the re-entry and update any predictions.

The mission, which was originally designed to last two years, went on for almost seven. It ended after the spacecrafts ran out of fuel and were no longer able to orient themselves toward the Sun.

The probes flew through rings of charged particles trapped by Earth’s magnetic field from 2012 to 2019, in order to study how particles were gained and lost, per Nasa.

Those rings, called the Van Allen belts, shield Earth from cosmic radiation, solar storms and streaming solar wind, which are harmful to humans and can damage technology.

The mission made significant discoveries, including the first data that show the existence of a transient third radiation belt, which can form during times of intense solar activity, Nasa said.

Van Allen Probe B is not expected to re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere before 2030.

[BBC]

News

PM Visits the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI)

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/12

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya visited the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) headquarters in Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines, on 11 March 2026, and held bilateral discussions with Yvonne Pinto, Director General of IRRI, focusing on strengthening cooperation in the field of rice research and sustainable agricultural development.

During the meeting, discussions centered on rice cultivation in Sri Lanka, including the key challenges faced by Sri Lankan paddy farmers. The Prime Minister highlighted issues affecting the sector such as productivity constraints, climate-related impacts, and the need to support farmers through improved agricultural practices and technological innovations.

Both sides also discussed the importance of introducing modern techniques and research-driven approaches to rice cultivation in order to enhance productivity and ensure long-term food security. In this regard, IRRI shared insights on ongoing global research initiatives aimed at improving rice varieties, strengthening climate resilience, and promoting sustainable farming practices.

The discussion further focused on the potential for expanded collaboration between Sri Lanka and IRRI, particularly in areas such as research partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building for Sri Lankan agricultural institutions and farmers. The Prime Minister emphasized Sri Lanka’s interest in strengthening cooperation with IRRI to support the development of the country’s rice sector and to improve the livelihoods of paddy farmers.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of science-based agricultural innovation and international collaboration in addressing food security challenges and enhancing sustainable rice production in Sri Lanka.