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Lankan Muslim Community invites all to join them for Iftar

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3 years ago

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Lankan Muslim Community’s “Break-Fast at Sunset” Iftar will be held today (2) at 5.30 p.m. at Independence Square to which an open invitation is being extended by the Sri Lankan Muslim Community to anyone free to join in the customs and traditions of Ramadan.

“This is an open invitation to our brothers and sisters in and around Colombo. In fact, we would love to have more participation from other communities/ faiths and the opportunity to host them. The Sri Lanka Muslim Civil Society is organising this on behalf of civil society groups in the community as always, stressed a member of the organising committee.

The month of Ramadan sees a rise in activity amongst Muslims. Mostly, people see them flocking to mosques for prayers, but the month signifies much more than spiritual cleansing. It is equally meant to cleanse the character of a person by improving the quality of his/her relationships and transactions with those around them. Hence, breaking fast together or facilitating it for others is considered one of the highest of good deeds and displays of exemplary character.

Prophet Muhammad – may peace be upon him – taught us that, “By his good character, a believer will attain the degree of one who prays during the night and fasts during the day”, said the committee member, adding that Ramadan is not only a month of fasting but also a month of building the habits of giving, sharing, and practicing good character. Talking about the event, he explained, “we expect to host circa 1,500 – 2,000 people for “BreakFast At Sunset”.

Given the location there will be ample parking, but everyone needs to be a little bit considerate when doing so. It will be simple, charm, and end within a short time with food being served at the location.” He further explained that Prophet Muhammad – may peace be upon him – taught us that “There are three whose duas (prayers/ supplications) are not rejected – a just ruler, the prayer of the oppressed person, and that of a fasting person when he breaks his fast.”

“We will be praying that evening for the well-being of our mother land and fellow Sri Lankans, for better times ahead economically, socially, and good health. Those joining us can unite in this prayer, he said. The month of Ramadan is special to Muslims. They hold fast daily for 30 days and spend the nights in prayer. The month is rich with history of revelations from God and teachings of the Prophet. Hence, it is sought after by Muslims as a period to seek forgiveness and reflect on leading holistic lives in this world together with those around them and prepare for life in the hereafter. On behalf of the Muslim Community, the organisers extended its thanks to the relevant authorities who facilitated the event including the Ministry of Public Administration and Colombo Municipal Council and those who supported to arrange the logistics and event coordination.


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Heat Index at ‘Caution level’ in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and Monaragala districts

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7 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of  Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 25 March 2026, valid for 26 March 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Mannar, Vavuniya and 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 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.

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US dodges question on AKD’s claim SL denied permission for military aircraft to land

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8 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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President

By Shamindra Ferdinando

A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Colombo declared that the United States and Sri Lanka maintain a long-standing defence partnership, grounded in transparency, mutual respect, and shared interests.

The official said so in response to The Island query regarding President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent bombshell disclosure, in Parliament, that his government declined to allow the US Air Force to use the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, following the eruption of the latest West Asia war.

We sought views of the US on President Dissanayake’s claim against the backdrop of Sri Lanka being a party to the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) since 2007. Sri Lanka extended the ACSA in 2017, for another 10-year period, and its extension comes up next year.

The President revealed that the US had requested permission to use Mattala, between 04 and 08 March.

Claiming that the request had been made on 26 February, two days before the war began, President Dissanayake said that the US had sought to land two aircraft, carrying eight anti-ship missiles, but that the request had been turned down to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality. The President revealed that the aircraft were to come from a US base in Djibouti.

The US embassy pokesperson explained that questions related to operational movements, including ‘Operation Epic Fury’, should be directed to the Department of War (DOW) in Washington.

Camp Lemonnier is the primary base of operations for US Africa Command in the Horn of Africa. China, too, has its only overseas military base in Djibouti in the vicinity.

Military sources said whatever various interested parties said about US-Sri Lanka relations, the former provided significant intelligence support during last phase of the conflict that enabled the Navy to hunt down floating LTTE arsenals in international waters. Of the eight LTTE vessels sunk, the US backed four hits with specific intelligence, sources said.

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No decrease in remittances from workers due to Gulf conflict, but significant drop in tourist arrivals – CB Governor

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8 hours ago

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2026/03/26

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CBSL Governor

Sri Lanka’s worker remittances had not seen a decrease despite the ongoing conflict in West Asia, Central Bank (CBSL) Governor, Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe said yesterday.

“Based on currently available data, they have not seen a decline in remittances. In fact, according to that we have observed, is a slight increase in remittances in the past few days, ” the Governor said at a media conference held at the Central Bank head office in Colombo.

Governor Weerasinghe also mentioned that he had not seen any reports about Sri Lankans returning to the country from the Middle East due to the ongoing conflict.

The Central Bank Governor, however, acknowledged that there had been a decrease in tourist arrivals. He confirmed that tourist arrivals had decreased by around 17 percent due to the current volatile situation in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka has decided to maintain the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) at the current level of 7.75%, following its latest Monetary Policy Board meeting.

By Hiran H Senewiratne

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