News
Powerful force pressuring Govt. Printer to delay printing of ballot papers- Union
By Saman Indrajith
Ballot papers for 10 districts had already been printed but progress was slow due to an unseen hand, trade unions of the Department of Government Printing said yesterday.Secretary of the Government Printing Employees Union, Asanka Sandaruwan, said that they started printing ballot papers on 12 February.
“We are still printing ballot papers. In our history we have never taken this long to print ballot papers,” he said.
Sandaruwan added that the Department has adequate material for printing, the necessary equipment and a trained staff. Therefore, the Department should not have any problems printing ballot papers, in a few days, in a secure and reliable manner.
“It’s not like we have not done this before. There are people here who can print these with their eyes closed. It is obvious that some powerful force is applying pressure on the Government Printer to delay the printing of ballot papers, in order to delay elections,” he said.
Earlier this week, Government Printer, Gangani Liyanage informed the Elections Commission that she can’t print the ballot papers, unless the full estimated cost of printing (Rs. 401,594,852.56) is settled.
She had cited, as the reason for the delay, President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s order, on January 31st, as the Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation and National Policies, to curtail government expenditure, with a warning to public officials that they would be personally held responsible for whatever goods and services they obtained on credit.
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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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