News
New Zealand to help Lanka establish immigration resource centre in East
By NETHMI RAJAWASAM
ECONOMYNEXT –The Labour and Foreign Employment ministry is to establish a migrant worker resource centre in the Eastern Province, with the use of a New Zealand government grant of 350,000 New Zealand dollars.
“It is planned to establish an immigration resource center in the Eastern Province to provide adequate, timely and reliable information and guidance to reduce the risks and challenges faced by migrants, returning migrants and prospective migrants while traveling and living in foreign countries,” a government information department statement on cabinet decisions said.
The centre is to be established with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the International Center for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) and Sri Lanka’s ministry of labor and foreign employment.
An estimated 1.7 million Sri Lankans are employed abroad.
ICMPD is an Austrian think tank that makes policy recommendations on migration-related issues to governments and intergovernmental agencies.
The Government of New Zealand has agreed to provide a grant of 350,000 New Zealand dollars through its Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to implement the project.
Sri Lanka is in the midst of experiencing the aftermath of an exodus of professionals migrating out of the country in the past year. Official data reveals that in 2022, 14,307 professionals left Sri Lanka, a significant increase from the 8,373 that left in 2021 and 2,957 in 2020.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said that the pandemic, food, energy, climate and fertiliser crises faced by Sri Lanka were causes for the exacerbation of the global debt crisis, locally.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
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.
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.
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Showers above 75 mm are likely at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern and North-western provinces.
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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