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ITN directed to live telecast Sajith – AKD debate
NPP/JVP pushes for one-to-one, SJB prefers team debate
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed his Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor, Sagala Ratnayake, to ensure that ITN would live telecast the Sajith Premadasa – Anura Kumara Dissanayake debate on the economic policies of their parties.
Political sources said that while the SJB had preferred a team debate, Dissanayake was firm on a one-to-one contest. Following the presidential directive, Ratnayake has told the ITN administration that if there is such a debate, it should be telecast live, president’s office sources said.
ITN Chairman Sudarshana Gunawardana has been told that if Premadasa and Disanayake preferred not to come to the ITN studios, necessary crews and equipment be sent to whatever location they prefer.
The president’s directive followed a statement by SLPP Colombo District MP Premnath C Dolawatte that all private channels are vying to telecast the debate but government managed TV channels have been silent.
Dolawatte said so during a meeting between the president, ministers and MPs at the presidential secretariat on Wednesday, sources said.
Chief Government Whip and Housing Minister Prasanna Ranatunga told the meeting that it was the SJB that challenged the JVP for a debate. Originally it was planned to have two teams from the two sides to debate the economy and their plans to develop the country. The JVP has counter proposed that the debate should be between the leaders of two parties and Anura Kumara Dissanayake was ready to take on Sajith Premadasa.
State Minister Shehan Semasinghe said that the SJB kept on insisting that the debate should be between two teams from each party. The JVP however stands their ground that the contest must be between the two party leaders.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
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 and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee 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.
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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