News

Lowering of guard within prisons, due to corona, opened floodgates for contraband – Sudarshini

Published

5 years ago

2020/12/1

By Saman Indrajith

The security at check points in prisons had become lax in recent times due to COVID-19 and mobile phones had found their way into the prisons, State Minister of Prison Reforms and Prisoners’ Rehabilitation, Dr Sudarshini Fernandopulle told Parliament yesterday.

“There are inmates with mobile phones in the prisons.”

She said that despite the measures in place to prevent the spread of the virus, the clandestine activities, like smuggling goods, had become a main reason for the spread of COVID-19 in prisons. A large number of drug dealers and addicts were now behind bars due to recent raids and that’s why the number of inmates had increased, the Minister said in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa.

Opposition leader Premadasa: “I did not raise this question on behalf of the narcotic dealers. We are supportive of the government’s anti-narcotic campaign. My objective of raising the matter was to point out that a probe into the incident at Mahara by ministry officials is not sufficient.”

JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake: “When there is a crisis, some ministers come out with various hypotheses. Even a Sherlock Holmes could not make such deductions. We know that the numbers of prisoners has increased and that there is heavy congestion. But it is the government’s responsibility to protect them. Recently, one inmate died at Mahara Prison due to COVID-19.”

Ratnapura District SJB Hesha Withanage: “One Cabinet minister stated that a tablet had been smuggled into the prisons and distributed among inmates. Who are the persons behind this or is it just an allegation. This should be investigated.”

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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

Published

4 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

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.

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Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon

Published

5 hours ago

2026/04/13

Priyan

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.