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Microsoft to help empower Sri Lankan through Cloud and AI technologies

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 In a bid to strengthen commitment and partnership towards the South Asia region, Puneet Chandok, the president of Microsoft India and South Asia, made his inaugural visit to Sri Lanka in March 2024, since taking office in September 2023, Microsoft said.

Building on the two-decade journey of empowering the people of Sri Lanka through Cloud and AI technologies, Puneet engaged in discussions with President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena during his two-day visit. The discussions explored the transformative potential of AI in uplifting societies and communities, while discussing how innovative technological solutions can propel Sri Lanka towards becoming a digital nation.

Fostering global competitiveness and investing into the digital future of the country, Microsoft and the Ministry of Education joined forces with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to integrate AI to the national school curriculum starting grade 8, thereby equipping students with essential skills for the future. This marks a significant milestone for the education landscape of Sri Lanka, Microsoft said.

Commenting on his debut visit representing Microsoft in Sri Lanka, Puneet Chandok, president, Microsoft India and South Asia, remarked, “I am honored to continue building on Microsoft’s two-decade-long legacy in Sri Lanka with a renewed thrust towards AI innovation that puts people first. During my meeting with President Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Gunawardena, we discussed how Microsoft can build on its partnership with the government of Sri Lanka towards solving challenges faced by the communities. The MoU with the Ministry of Education is exemplary of that work, and we are proud to play a role in advancing Sri Lanka’s innovation agenda with a boost towards the ICT sector. It was truly inspiring to witness the steps Sri Lanka is taking to ensure inclusivity in innovation. As AI continues to be the defining technology of our time, Microsoft is committed to being Sri Lanka’s copilot for economic and societal transformation.”

Lastly, concluding in a truly collaborative manner, the visit also witnessed Puneet engaging with key business leaders and CXOs in a special session called “Microsoft CEO Connect”, wherein the group catalyzed dynamic conversations on the disruptive potential of AI across industries, and discussed Microsoft’s role in equipping Sri Lankan organizations with cutting-edge technologies to advance innovation.



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Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund

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A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.

To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.

The donation was presented on Wednesday  (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police  C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

Chief Inspector  Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.

[Presidents Media Division]

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 April 2026.

The 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, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.

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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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft

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Sajith

Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.

Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.

The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.

The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.

He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.

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