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Those who insulted Cardinal now trying to use him to gain political mileage – Johnston
Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando yesterday opened the first Home Shop as part of the International Women’s Day programme at Payagala. Women and Child Development, Pre-School & Primary Education, School Infrastructure & Education Services State Minister Piyal Nishantha is also in the picture.
Those who had insulted the Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith when the Easter Sunday attacks took place, were now trying to use him to gain political mileage, Minister of Highways Johnston Fernando said yesterday at the opening of the first Home Shop.
“When President Mahinda Rajapaksa was defeated in 2015, our GDP growth was second only to China. A lot of development activities were taking place here. The country was secure. Treasury had a lot of reserves. That’s why the yahapalana crooks carried out the bond robberies,” he said.
Fernando said that the Opposition now claimed that the government was not punishing those who had carried out the Easter Sunday attacks.
“After the attacks, the Cardinal asked Catholic MPs to push for a presidential commission of inquiry. Because we asked the former President, he appointed a PCoI. Earlier there was a Parliamentary Select Committee on the attacks. On that committee was Rauff Hakeem whose party members were associated with terrorists. There were JVP members who had fielded Ibrahim with terror links on their national list; his sons blew themselves up during the terror attacks. They also got a lot of cash from him. So much for the members of the PSC!”
“It will take months for us to study the report. Even the Cardinal said he was studying the report. Most people have not read it. The report was in English but we needed to translate it to present it to Parliament. Within 20 odd days we translated it into Sinhala. This is the first time that such a sensitive Presidential Commission report has been made public.”
Fernando said that a number of people had been arrested over the Easter Sunday attacks since President Rajapaksa came into power, but cases were not filed because the AG asked the government to wait till the PCoI report was published.
High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April
Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.
Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.
Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 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, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
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 the 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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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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