News
Govt. has let businessmen who bankrolled its election campaign recover funds – JVP
By Saman Indrajith
The JVP yesterday called upon the government to get its act together on the health front and save people’s lives as COVID-19 was ripping through the country.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva addressing the media at the party headquarters in Pelawatte said: “The government takes the credit for anything successful and passes the blame for what goes wrong to the people. It has to stop trying to boost the images of its leaders and marshall all forces to enable the country to face the pandemic successfully. Instead of raising public awareness and making a serious effort to fight the virus, the Health Minister is resorting to superstitious practices, unable to bring the situation under control.”
The JVP General Secretary said that amidst the crisis, the government’s cronies were making the most of the national health emergency. The institution that has been given permission to bring back Lankans stranded abroad belongs to a government crony. They fleece those who opt for repatriation. Those who are coming down are sent to private quarantine centres run by the friends of the leaders of the government. The contracts for making emergency purchases of medicines and equipment are given to the cronies of the government. The government has allowed the businessmen who bankrolled its election campaign to recover the funds.
“The government has to stop trotting out lame excuses for its failure to deliver. It has a two-thirds majority in Parliament and enormous powers have been vested in the President through the 20th Amendment. What else is it asking for?
“According to experts this crisis may go on for a couple of years. For seven months there were only 13 deaths but within the last month there were 21 deaths. The crisis has developed to the level that there are four to five deaths a day. Soon, this number is likely to double unless action is taken to curb the spread of the pandemic. The government has to enlist the support of all stakeholders and set up a mactanism to tackle the crisis instead of playing politics with the anti-COVID-19 efforts.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology At 3.30 p.m. 30 April 2025, valid for 01 May 2025
The general public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi 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 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.
NPP, SJB and SLPP won’t have parades
The ruling party National People’s Power (NPP) will celebrate May Day at Galle Face Green in Colombo. However, the NPP wouldn’t have a parade, party sources said.
The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government in 2023 made Galle Face Green off limits for political rallies. But the incumbent government lifted the restrictions in November 2024.
The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will have its May Day rally at Talawakelle town. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 2 pm with the participation of SJB’s coalition partners, including Digambaram, Mano Ganesan.
The SLPP, too, decided against having a parade this time though it will hold a rally at the Ananda Samarakoon Open Air Theatre in Nugegoda.
The SLFP will hold its May Day event at its headquarters on Darley Road.
The Navy on April 28 carried out post-event maintenance efforts at Kandy Lake, following the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.
The collaborative efforts of the officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Archaeology and the Navy ensured the preservation of the lake’s natural beauty.
(Pic courtesy Navy media)
IPL 2025: Shreyas, Prabhsimran and Chahal eliminate Chennai Super Kings
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi districts.
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