News

Sajith complains of many a broken promise of govt. made to the House

Published

2 years ago

2024/08/7

Sahan Weerasooriya

Sajith

By Saman Indrajith

Ministers’ promises in response to the question raised by Opposition MPs were not implemented, Opposition and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa told Parliament yesterday.

Premadasa said that the government ministers made various promises. “However, these promises are not fulfilled.”

Premadasa pointed out that the government had pledged to increase the interest rate on the senior citizens’ fixed deposits in response to many questions raised by Opposition MPs and himself. “The government promised to this House that the interest rate would be increased to 15 percent. It currently stands at around 7.5 percent.

“I have raised issues pertaining to the Grama Niladhari profession many times in this House. I have pointed out that issues pertaining to their service minute and salaries should be sorted out. Nothing has been done.”

Leader of the House Education Minister Susil Premajayantha said the government had agreed to increase the interest rates of the senior citizens’ deposits. “We have decided to pay a R 3,000 monthly allowance to pensioners. It was found that some pensioners were not entitled to this payment and therefore the Cabinet has decided to pay an allowance of Rs 2,500 to those pensioners.

Following the drop of the rupee against the dollar, interest rates of bank deposits were revised. Yet, the government has decided that the Treasury should absorb the burden of this and pay 2.5 percent interest on each senior citizen’s fixed deposit. We have also attended to the Grama Niladhari service minute and allowances issue and found that there is a salary anomaly. We have appointed a committee to inquire into the matter. We are awaiting a report on it,” Minister Premajayantha said.

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

6 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

7 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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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

1 day 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