News

Rajeev elected to LAWASIA Ex Co

Published

4 years ago

2021/11/15

Rajeev Amarasuriya, Secretary of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka has been elected uncontested to the Executive Committee of LAWASIA (The Law Association for Asia and Pacific) for 2021 / 2022.

LAWASIA is a regional association of lawyers, judges, jurists and legal organisations, which advocates for the interests and concerns of the Asia Pacific legal profession.

For over 50 years, LAWASIA has operated as a platform to promote the cross-jurisdictional exchange of legal knowledge; as a voice of the legal profession; and as a conduit for encouraging adherence to mutually held principles of the rule of law, professional integrity and the protection of human rights.

The structure of LAWASIA comprises a Council constituting representatives of all LAWASIA Member Countries including Sri Lanka with a governing Executive Committee elected from among the representatives of the Member Countries.

BASL President Saliya Pieris, PC and BASL Secretary Rajeev Amarasuriya represent Sri Lanka on the LAWASIA Council as the Sri Lanka Councillor and the Alternate Councillor.

Country members of LAWASIA include ; Afghanistan, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, China, England and Wales, Fiji, Georgia, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Macau SAR, Malaysia, the Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States of America, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Amarasuriya commenced his Legal Practice in the Law Chambers of Sanjeeva Jayawardena, PC. He practised law for more than a decade before commencing his own law Chambers. The Executive Committee of LAWASIA for 2021 / 2022 comprises President Melissa K. Pang (Former President of the Law Society of Hong Kong); Immediate Past President Chunghwan Choi (President of the International Association of Korean Lawyers); President Elect Shyam Divan (Senior Advocate from India); Vice President Eric Yang (Managing Partner Bae, Kim & Lee Singapore who is also a former Vice President International Affairs of the Korean Bar Association); Vice President Steven Thiru (Past President of the Malaysian Bar); Vice President Yap Teong Liang (Director, T.L. Yap Law Chambers Singapore) and Members; Rajeev Amarasuriya; Pauline Wright (Immediate Past President of the Law Council of Australia and presently the President of the New South Wales Council for Civil Liberties); Yin Baohn (Senior Counsellor of the General Office of the China Law Council); C.M. Chan (President of the Law Society of Hong Kong); Dr. Pinky Anand (Former Additional Solicitor General of India); Toshiro Ueyanagi (Secretary of the Japan Bar Association and Vice Chair of the Kanto Federation of Bar Associations); Angela Y. Lin (Director and Vice Chairperson International Affairs of the Taiwan Bar Association); and Robert Brown (Past Chair, International Section of the American Bar Association).

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

3 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The 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, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala 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

Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)