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Indonesian Ambassador lauds SL’s first ever visually handicapped band

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Indonesian Ambassador Dewi Gustina Tobing handing over musical instruments and equipment to the lead vocalist of ‘Bright Light’ Susum Navoda while the rest of the band performs. On extreme left is Samudra Gamage, compere. On right is Melantha Perera guiding light and mentor of young musicians

Sri Lanka’s first ever western music pop outfit comprising the visually handicapped ‘Bright Light’ was launched last Saturday at a simple ceremony at the MJF Foundation auditorium under the auspices of the Indonesian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dewi Gustina Tobing.

The 12-member band is being trained by Melantha Perera, well known, versatile musician, music teacher and leader of the band ‘Black Jackets.’

Ambassador Tobing addressing the gathering said that she was highly impressed with the immense talent on display and the performance of the young musicians. The young musicians should go a long way as a well knitted band, if they are well nurtured, she said.

She assured all support and encouragement for the young music outfit and invited the band to perform at one of the Indonesian Embassy organized event end of June promising to encourage the group to

play the popular Indonesian traditional bamboo instrument ‘Anglung.’ and provide all assistance in that regard and present the band with some of those instruments.

Melantha said that during the pandemic he conducted free online lessons to these young men and women and later trained them at the MJF Foundation.

‘They are immensely talented and what they need is proper guidance and training and I am happy to see that my efforts are bearing fruit, and soon they will perform as a commercial band, he said.

The event was was made possible by the MJF Centre for Community Community Service and Nihal Jayasuriya, President Sri Lanka Indonesia Frienship Association, Ms Felicia Sallay and Samath Fernando.

By Harischandra Gunaratna

Members of ‘Bright Light’ the music makers: Samudra Gamage Dinesh Premakumara Randi Prarthana Theekshana Rasindu Ravichandran Jonathan Sandun Kalhara Akila Dilshan Rashini Sneha Chathruka Nipun Tharindu Lakshan Susum Navoda and Sethani Madugalle

Indonesian Ambassador Tobing performing to the music of ‘Bright Lights’

By Harishchandra Gunaratna



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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

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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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

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