Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized the need to create a clean and transparent local governance system that effectively utilizes budget allocations for the development of the rural sector.

The Prime Minister made these remarks on Friday (11), while addressing a public gathering held in Karainagar, Jaffna.

Elaborating further, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:

“This country is rich in cultures and traditions and inherits a proud and prosperous history.

I was deeply moved by the information I received about Karainagar. In 1977, around 80,000 people lived in Karainagar. Unfortunately, today it has dropped to 10,500. What happened to the rest of the people? I also learned that Karainagar is home to some of the most educated and affluent people in the Northern Province. That is remarkable, but the issue is that in order to become educated and affluent, they were forced to leave Karainagar.

Who speaks up for those who could not leave? They are citizens of this country. They are entitled to have equal rights like everyone else does. As the Minister of Education, I looked into the education system in Karainagar. I discovered that there are only two schools offering GCE Advanced Level education, with only two teachers in total. Further, all students who have passed the Grade 5 scholarship exam leave Karainagar to Jaffna for further education.

Throughout the years, there were changes in governments, presidents, national administrations, members of parliament representing this area, local governments, and provincial councils but what have they done to uplift the education of Karainagar?

Education increases the value and prosperity of people. Education is vital as such. However, for decades, the right to quality education has been denied in this region. In addition, there is a severe water issue in Karainagar. Access to clean drinking water which is a basic necessity, comes at a cost to the people in this area. Various projects launched to provide drinking water have never been completed due to corruption.

Further, roads, transport, and many other services have deteriorated due to corruption at the local level. It has been 16 years since the war ended yet what has changed since then? Why have these issues not yet been resolved? That is why the upcoming local government elections are crucial. Problems at the local level must be addressed by local government institutions.

About a month ago, the first budget of the government has been passed.

A significant allocation has been made from all local government accounts for education, health, public welfare, infrastructure, and public transportation but these funds must be spent wisely.

For that, local governments should be governed by clean and corruption-free environment. Therefore, in this election, we must elect people who are free from corruption and dedicated to the purpose of serving the public. In 2024, the people of this country made a decision to change the political culture. On May 6, they will once again have the opportunity to make a thoughtful decision for the betterment of their villages.”

During the event, Minister of Fisheries . Ramalingam Chandrasekar also shared his views:

“Today, the political morality we expected for has taken root in this country. Unlike the governance of previous governments, the representatives of the current government are not exercising the power to enrich themselves and some even do not hesitate to return their salaries for serving the general public.

Today, the public service receives higher salaries, and the government is taking possible decision for the benefit of the people.”

The event was attended by Members of Parliament Shri Bhavan and Ilayankumar, along with other public representatives and candidates contesting in the local government elections.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology for 12th  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 Uva provinces and Polonnaruwa and Mullaitivu 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 table below 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.

So that’s what happens when Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) get the kind of pitch their spinners like. Sunil Narine, Varun Chakravarthy and Moeen Ali (12-1-55-6) went into Chepauk and burgled wickets away from the five-time IPL champions until they were a pale, weak shadow of themselves. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) crumbled to 103 for 9, their lowest IPL total at home, suffered a fifth successive defeat, which had never happened before in their entire history, and are marooned in ninth place on the points table. Welcome back to captaincy, MS Dhoni.

The major characteristic of a black-soil pitch is that it is slow and it grips. It felt like home, which is ironic because home hasn’t felt like home for them this season. KKR would prefer to play most of their matches in conditions like this but their efforts to procure them at the Eden Gardens hasn’t gone well. Ajinkya Rahane doesn’t even want to talk about it now. He did, however, spearhead a phenomenal bowling performance. He brought Moeen into the XI and set him loose on CSK’s two left-hand openers. Devon Conway couldn’t overcome the handicap. The KKR offspinner pocketed a wicket maiden. In the next over, Rachin Ravindra was gone. CSK were bleeding by the end of the powerplay, their 31 for 2 only slightly better than the season low of 30 for 3 that they themselves had set, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.