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Karu urges all stakeholders to discuss implementation of 13th Amendment

Published

2 years ago

2024/06/18

The National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) has called on all stakeholders including the government and Opposition political parties, presidential candidates, and civil organisations, to come together and discuss the resolution of ethnic issues, specifically the implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

In a statement issued in this regard, the NMSJ Chairperson and the former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya highlighted the broad consensus on enforcing the 13th Amendment.

Full text of the statement titled ‘Call to Action for Unity and Justice: NMSJ Urges Parliament to Address National Issues with Urgency’: It is incumbent upon us today to cultivate mutual trust between the North and the South, ensuring that issues rooted in race and religion never resurface. Every citizen deserves the right to live with dignity and self-respect, and it is imperative that we address these challenges ourselves, rather than leaving them for future generations. We fervently believe that decisive intervention is necessary before the next Parliamentary Elections, with a commitment to prioritise and thoroughly address these concerns. In this spirit, we, the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ), earnestly call upon the ruling party, led by the President, and the entire opposition, to heed this call to action during the 09th Parliamentary term, in the pursuit of a just society.

The Opposition Leader has publicly emphasised the importance of enforcing the 13th Amendment to the Constitution in addressing these issues. The incumbent President, the Janatha Vimukti Peramuna (JVP), and former Heads of State Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga and Mahinda Rajapaksa have also expressed their support for this cause. Furthermore, it is known that the majority of Parliamentarians currently working independently in Parliament, as well as the Presidential candidates expected to run in the future, share this strong conviction. We should recognise and appreciate these positive aspirations. In consideration of all these circumstances, we would like to once again request that a round table discussion involving the political parties represented in the current Parliament be convened to resolve these matters without delay.

Another important aspect to consider and appreciate is the involvement of a significant group of the Tamil diaspora of Sri Lankan origin towards the achievement of this goal. Their presence and support are crucial for addressing the important issues we need to tackle as a united nation. It is encouraging that prominent parties representing our society have already expressed their blessings for these efforts. We believe that the support and participation of the Tamil diaspora will be invaluable in achieving our goals.

It is the responsibility of all political parties, including all Tamil parties in this country, not to avoid or boycott discussions on this subject for any reason. Ignoring this opportunity, which has emerged beyond narrow political interests, could be deemed an act of treason by future generations. Therefore, we earnestly and repeatedly request the entire Parliament, led by the President, to intervene in this matter in good faith.”

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Landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya

Published

6 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

The Landslide Early Warning Center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya for the next 24 hours commencing at 1200hrs today [08]

Accordingly
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Ududumbara in the Kandy District, Wilgamuwa in the Matale District, and Nildandahinna and Walapane in the Nuwara Eliya District.

LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Meegahakiwula, Welimada, Kandaketiya, Lunugala, Badulla, Passara, Uva Paranagama and Hali_Ela in the Badulla District, Ambanganga Korale in the Matale District, and Mathurata and Hanguranketha in the Nuwara Eliya District.

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Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area

Published

12 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

Deep depression Track. [Source: RSMC]

Warning for deep depression over South-east Bay of Bengal Sea area.
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre, Department of Meteorology at 10.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 for the period until 10.30 a.m. 09 January 2026

The depression in the Bay of Bengal to the southeast of Sri Lanka has intensified into a deep depression and is centered near latitude 5.4°N and longitude 85.3°E, about 420 km southeast of Pottuvil at 05.30 a.m. today (08th). The above system is currently (10:00 a.m.) located about 300 km southeast of Pottuvil.

It is very likely to move west-northwestwards across the southwest Bay of Bengal and cross the Sri Lanka coast between Hambantota and Kalmunai between 5.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. on Friday [9th January 2026].

Hence, showery, and windy condition over the island, particularly in the Northern, NorthCentral, Eastern, Uva and Central provinces is expected to enhance from today (08th).

For the Land area:

DAMAGE EXPECTED:
• Damage to huts, temporary shelters and light structures
• Destroy the roof tops/ sheets etc.
• Damage to power and communication lines.
• Breaking of tree branches and uprooting of large avenue trees.
• Damage to paddy crops, banana, papaya trees and orchards.
• Damage to harbor yachts
• Flash flood
• Sea water inundation in low lying areas in the near coast.

Action suggested for the Land area:
• Coastal hutment dwellers are advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.
• People living in hilly areas (particularly landslide prone areas) and low lying areas in river basins are requested to be vigilant.
• Drivers and people using roads in the hilly areas are requested to be vigilant.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• General public is requested to be vigilant regarding impending extreme weather situation.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
• Requested to be attentive about future advisories issued by the Department of Meteorology in this regard.

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Showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and showers about 50-75 mm in other areas

Published

18 hours ago

2026/01/8

Priyan

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 08 JANUARY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 08 January 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

The depression over the Bay of Bengal, located to the southeast of Sri Lanka, was centered near latitude 5.3°N and longitude 86.0°E, about 490 km southeast of Pottuvil, at 11:30 p.m. yesterday (07). It is expected to move west-northwestwards and towards the eastern coast of the island during next 24 hours. This system is likely to intensify further into a deep depression during the next 12 hours.

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Uva, Central and Southern provinces. Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere in the Island after 1.00 p.m. Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Eastern and Uva provinces. Fairly Heavy showers about (50 – 75) mm are likely at some places in the other areas of the island.

Strong winds about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over the Eastern slopes of the central hills, the Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota, Gampaha, Colombo and Monaragala districts.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.