News
Malwatte Mahanayaka criticizes political leaders for chaos amidst Postal Office Building sale
says President when he was PM back in 2018 tried to sell Kandy Post office bldg.
BY CYRIL WIMALASURENDRE
KANDY –The Most Venerable Mahanayaka of Malwatta Tibbatuwawe Sri Sumangala Thero expressed his dissatisfaction with the arbitrary actions of the country’s political leaders, which he believes have led to chaos within the nation. His remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the postal trade unions who had gathered to protest the government’s attempt to dispose of the historic Nuwara Eliya and Kandy Post office buildings of the colonial era.
In a meeting held on Wednesday (8), representatives from various trade unions presented a petition voicing their concerns about the government’s plan to sell these historic structures. Most Venerable Si Sumangala Mahanayaka highlighted that this was not the first time such an attempt had been made to sell Kandy Post Office building, recalling a similar effort by President Ranil Wickremasinghe when he was Prime Minister back in 2018.
The Mahanayaka Thero emphasized that selling these invaluable tourist attractions was not the solution to any pressing issues. Instead, he suggested that if the government had a genuine need to generate revenue, they could consider constructing similar structures and selling those, preserving the historical significance of the existing buildings.
Sampath Sri Liyanage, representing the joint trade unions, shared the postal workers’ perspective on the sale of the two Post Offices, expressing their concerns about the potential loss of these iconic structures and their historical significance.
The delegation’s meeting with the Most Venerable Mahanayaka serves as a prominent moment in the ongoing debate over the fate of these colonial-era Post office buildings, as various stakeholders continue to voice their opinions on the matter.
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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