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Sri Lanka prepares to deploy fresh military contingent under UN command
The passing-out parade of the No. 11 Contingent of the Aviation Unit assigned to the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) took place on 23 December 2025 at the SLAF Base Katunayake. The Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, took the salute as the parade was led by Group Captain Asiri Pathirage, the Contingent Commander of the 11th contingent.
The heli-deployment, comprising 22 officers (including two female officers) and 88 airmen (including five airwomen), is scheduled to depart for the Central African Republic in the middle of January.
During the address to the parade, the Commander noted that the United Nations Headquarters has praised the Sri Lanka Air Force contingents stationed in the Central African Republic for their bravery, professionalism and dedication to duty. He emphasized that this accomplishment reflects the trust and confidence placed in the military forces of Sri Lanka by the international community, enhancing the nation’s standing on the global stage. This mission is also anticipated to bring significant economic benefits to the country.
The parade was attended by the Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, members of the Air Force Board of Management, officers and airmen of SLAF Base Katunayake and most specifically, the beloved family members of the Aviation Contingent.
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Showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts
WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02 SEPTEMBER 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 02 September 2026 by the Department of Meteorology
The atmospheric conditions are getting favorable for afternoon thundershowers in the Northern, North-central, Eastern and Uva provinces in the next few days.
Several spells of showers will occur in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Eastern and Uva provinces and in Mullaitivu district after 2.00 p.m.
Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over the Western slopes of the Central hills, the North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Matale districts.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon today (02)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (02) are Anamaduwa, Moragollagama, Dambulla, Manampitiya and Valaichchenai, at about 12.10 noon.
News
SC rejects petitioners’ request for full bench
The Supreme Court yesterday rejected a request that the petitions challenging the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution be heard by a full bench of the Supreme Court.
Rejecting the request, Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena said the consideration of the petitions would proceed before the five-judge bench.
Appearing on behalf of one of the petitioners, President’s Counsel M. A. Sumanthiran made the request when the petitions were called for hearing yesterday before a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Chief Justice Surasena.
President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Ali Sabry, Geoffrey Alagaratnam, Eraj de Silva, Srinath Perera, Anura Meddegoda, and Maithri Gunaratne, along with other counsel appearing for several other petitioners, also made the same request.
Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, pointed out that the authority to determine the composition of a judicial bench rested with the Chief Justice. Refering to Article 132(3) of the Constitution, the Solicitor General argued that the discretion to determine the number of judges on a bench lay with the Chief Justice and that no other party had the authority to interfere in the matter.
Counsel including President’s Counsel Nigel Hatch, appearing for an intervening petitioner, also made submissions pointing out that the discretion to determine the composition of a bench rested with the Chief Justice.
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