Warm Weather Advisory

Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 06 May 2025, valid for 07 May 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and Ampara and Batticaloa 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.

The countrywide Local Government (LG) election concluded at 4 pm yesterday (06) without serious incidents.

Voting began at 7 am at 13,759 polling centres. Over 17.1 mn people were eligible to vote at the third election since the presidential poll held last September

At the closing of voting, PAFFREL said that during the day they received 78 confirmed cases of polls-related offences including 38 cases of carrying out illegal propaganda and 25 complaints regarding influencing voters.

There had been altogether 38 unconfirmed cases, mostly of carrying out illegal propaganda and influencing voters, PAFFREL said.

The previous LG poll was held in February 2018 during the Yahapalana administration.

Voter turnout passed 50% in most districts with Kalutara recording – 61%, Colombo – 52%, Galle – 63%, Vavuniya – 60%, Digamadulla – 63%, Trincomalee – 67%, Nuwara-Eliya – 60%, Mullaitivu – 60%, Mannar – 70%, Badulla – 60%, Anuradhapura – 60%, Polonnaruwa – 64%, Moneragala – 61%, Kegalle – 58%, Matara – 58%, Matale- 62%, Rathnapura – 60%, Batticaloa – 61%, Kilinochchi – 60%, Puttalam – 55%

Having exercised her franchise at the polling booth at Samurdhi Building, Mirihana, Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya responded to allegations that at the final meeting at Moratuwa she influenced NPP supporters to campaign during the 72 hour ‘silence period.’

Premier Amarasuriya said that if her comments were deemed to have violated election laws she would accept any action taken by the Election

Commission. The law must be applied equally – whether to a citizen or the Prime Minister,” Dr. Amarasuriya said.

At the onset of the campaign President Anura Kumara Dissanayake caused controversy when he declared that government funds would be made available only to local authorities won by the NPP. Commissioner General of Elections Saman Sri Rathnayake is on record as having said that the Election Commission wrote to President Dissanayake regarding his statement.

Polls monitors said that the LG election, like the presidential and parliamentary polls, was peaceful. Political parties and polls monitors said that contrary to earlier assertions, the mini polls attracted a significant number of voters. The northern vote is comparatively higher than the rest of the country, they said.

The ruling NPP, the main Opposition SJB, the SLPP and UNP were the main contestants.

Having voted at Abeysinharamaya, Panchikawatte, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared that the NPP would comfortably win Tuesday’s local government polls. The President voted soon after returning from a two-day state visit to Vietnam. (Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha)

Premier Dr. Harini Aparasuriya, who is under fire for urging NPP supporters to campaign during the official moratorium on campaigning in the run-up to May 09 Local Government polls is leaving ‘Sanasa’ polling booth in Mirihana yesterday after casting her vote.

(Pic by Thushara Atapattu)

Former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe casting his ballot at the College House polling booth in Cinnamon Gardens.

(Pic by Nishan S. Priyantha)

Women and Child Affairs MInister Saroja Savithri Paulraj arrives at Aththudava Maha Vidyalaya, Matara to cast her vote.

(Pic by Priyan de Silva)