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Secretary to the President instructs all Secretaries to Ministries with regard to attending meetings of the Committees of the Parliament
E. M. S. B. Ekanayake, Secretary to the President gave instructions to all Secretaries to Ministries with regard to attending meetings of the Committees of the Parliament via an official letter on Thursday (06).
Accordingly, the officials attending meetings of any Committee of the Parliament were instructed to be equipped with the relevant knowledge of the subjects under discussion and be prepared to provide information when it is requested by the Committee.
Meanwhile it was recommended having preparatory meetings and to be prepared to answer the questions raised by the Members of the Committee with respect to the items on the agenda. However, in cases where the officials are asked questions that are not included in the agenda, they may request a reasonable time period to answer and respond within the agreed time.
In a situation where the Secretary to the Ministry cannot attend a meeting he/she has been invited to, a senior official could attend the meeting as a representative, with the permission of the Chairperson of the relevant Committee.
Further, the officials should attend the meetings of the Sectoral Oversight Committees with the approval of the relevant Minister. However, if the Minister has concerns regarding the matters to be discussed, those shall be conveyed to the Chairperson of the Sectoral Oversight Committee by the Minister.
If the Leader of the Opposition wishes to summon public officers to a meeting to be held in the Parliamentary premises, he will inform the relevant Minister in writing, who will then sanction the officers to attend such meetings.
When the officials of the Ministry of Finance are summoned for finance-related Oversight Committees, they could attend the meetings with the approval of the Secretary to the Ministry of Finance.
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The Sun is directly overhead Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon today (08)
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (08th) are Warakapola, Aranayaka, Gampola, Bibile, Inginiyagala, and Akkaraipattu at about 12:12 noon.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 07 April 2026, valid for 08 April 2026
Please be aware that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Eastern, North-western, Northern and North-central 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.
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Cabinet approves relief meaures to persons affected due to the War situation in the Middle East
Approval has been granted at the Cabinet Meeting held on 30-03-2026 to provide relief by granting up to rupees 20/- per litre of 92 Octane Petrol, and up to rupees 100/- per litre of Auto Diesel utilized for public transport to minimize the impact on the day today life of the people and the entire economy as a result of escalation of fuel prices due to the war situation in the Middle East region.
Apart from that, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to grant the following relief for low – income generators, electricity consumers, farmers, fisheries community, and small tea planters who have been exposed to the direct impact of the energy price hike:
(i) Provision of an additional special allowance for April 2026 to low-income generating categories registered under the ‘Aswesuma’ Programme, irrespective of family size: • Providing rupees 7,500/- to a family in the extremely poor category
Providing rupees 5,000/- to a family in the poor category
Providing rupees 2,500/- to a family in the transitional category
(ii) Instead of transferring the additional cost borne for engaging thermal power plants for generating electricity due to the fuel price hike and prevailing dry weather circumstances to the electricity consumers, the additional cost is to be borne by the Government for a period of 03 months so that a relief can be provided to the electricity consumers utilizing below 90 units.
(iii) Increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 25,000/- per hectare given at present up to rupees 30,000/- per hectare for the Yala season and increasing the fertilizer subsidiary of rupees 15,000/- per hectare given for additional crops that are cultivated in the paddy fields up to rupees 18,000/- per hectare for the Yala season.
(iv) Provide a 50 kg sack of Urea required for the Yala season at a fixed price of Rupees 10,200/- for farmers through Agrarian Services Centres.
(v) Provide a subsidiary of Rupees 50/- per liter for up to 25 liters per day per single-day fishing vessel, for a maximum of 25 days per month, for a period of three (3) months.
(vi) Provide a one-time payment of Rupees 150,000/- per multi-day fishing vessel engaged in fishing activities during the next three (3) months.
(vii) Provide an additional one-time fertilizer allowance of Rs. 5,000 per 50 kg bag of fertilizer to small tea cultivators, in addition to the existing Rs. 4,000 fertilizer subsidy provided by the Sri Lanka Tea Board.
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