News
Pillayan and four others granted bail after five years in remand
The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court yesterday granted bail to former Eastern Province Chief Minister and MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan alias Pillayan, who has been in remand custody for about five years over the assassination of former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Joseph Pararajasingham.
Four other suspects too were granted bail along with Chandrakanthan, remanded under Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). However, the Court imposed a foreign travel ban on all suspects.
Former Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Puligal (TMVP) national coordinator and Eastern provincial councilor Edwin Silwa Krishnanantharaja, K. Kanaganayagam and Army intelligence officer M. Kaleel are among the other suspects.
Chandrakanthan was arrested in October 2015 when he arrived at the CID to give a statement on the assassination of Pararajasingham, who was shot on Christmas Eve in 2005 while he was attending a church service.
Earlier, the Court rejected a request by the representatives of the Attorney General (AG) Department to prevent Chandrakanthan from taking part in the meetings of the District Coordinating Committee (DDC) of Batticaloa.
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.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
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.
Latest News
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
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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