News
Punitive measures demanded against bribe taking officials, illegal sand miners
PTF on ‘One Country, One Law’ concept visits NCP
A concerned citizen Niroshini Sunetha Kumari has urged Presidential Task Force (PTF) engaged in gathering public views on ‘One Country, One Law’ concept to take tangible measures against those who engaged in sand mining and public servants who took bribes from racketeers to turn a blind eye to such nefarious activities.
A statement issued by the Presidential Media Division (PMD) quoted Kumari as having told a PTF meeting, chaired by Ven. Galadodaatte Gnanasara thera at the Polonnaruwa Divisional Secretariat, how government officials protected illegal sand miners.
She has emphasised the responsibility on the part of the government to take action against bribe taking officials. The PTF received representations from people living in the North Central Province, comprising Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura districts.
H.M. Siriyalatha and Sivalingham Sivasundaram explained how some of those who had been displaced were neglected and humiliated for want of a common policy regarding resettlement of the war affected. They alleged some government officials favoured the communities they belonged to, thereby undermining others.
Ven. Nikapitiye Chandima Thera called for urgent measures to protect forests and tangible action against those clearing state land.
Both Buddhist and Hindu priests requested for specific laws to stop organised religious conversions taking place in the North Central region.
(SF)
The Indian Navy Ship (INS) NIREEKSHAK arrived in Sri Lanka for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and a training visit on 21 Apr 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship at the port of Colombo in accordance with time-honoured naval traditions.
Commanded by, Commander Sailesh Kumar Tyagi, this Diving Support Vessel is set to conduct a training programme with the diving professionals of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The crew is also scheduled to participate in several activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy and visit some tourist attractions within the country.
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 12.00 noon 21 April 2026 valid for the period until 11.30 p.m. 21 April 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, Northcentral, Southern, Uva provinces, and in Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts after 1.00 p.m.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities
Two High Commissioners, three Ambassadors and an Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See presented their credentials to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20).
The ceremony, held at 10.00 a.m., followed the formal order of precedence, with the envoys representing Papua New Guinea, Somalia, Luxembourg, the Holy See, Pakistan and Kuwait.
Accordingly, diplomats who presented their credentials were:
01. Vincent Sumale, High Commissioner-designate of Papua New Guinea (Based in New Delhi)
02. Abdullahi Mohammed Odowa, Ambassador-designate of Somalia (Based in New Delhi)
03. Christian Biever, Ambassador-designate of Luxembourg (Based in New Delhi)
04. Monsignor Andrzej Józwowicz, Apostolic Nuncio-designate of the Holy See
05. Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer, High Commissioner-designate of Pakistan
06. Saleh Mubarak Al-Sarawi, Ambassador-designate of Kuwait
Following the presentation of credentials, the President engaged in a cordial discussion with them. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, were also in attendance.
INS NIREEKSHAK makes port call in Colombo
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued to the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western, North-central, Southern, Uva provinces, and Mannar, Vavuniya, Ampara, Batticaloa districts
US, Iran exchange threats as fragile ceasefire set to expire
Six Foreign Envoys Present Credentials to President Dissanayake
Tilak ends Mumbai Indian’s losing streak with 45-ball century
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Business4 days agoHarnessing nature’s wisdom: Experts highlight “Resist–Align” path to resilience
-
News6 days agoPNS TAIMUR & ASLAT set sail from Colombo
-
News4 days agoGratiaen Trust announces longlist for the 33rd Annual Gratiaen Prize
-
News23 hours agoRs 13 bn NDB fraud: Int’l forensic audit ordered
-
News3 days agoFrom Nuwara Eliya to Dubai: Isha Holdings markets Agri products abroad
-
Opinion2 days agoShutting roof top solar panels – a crime
-
News4 days agoHeroin haul transported on 50-million-rupee contract
-
Latest News5 days agoSingapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut