News
Wheeler-dealers wrecking the country, says JVP leader
By Saman Indrajith
JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that a group of wheeler-dealers was responsible for teh collapse of industries and enterprises.
Addressing the 32nd Ill Maha Viru Samaruwa commemoration to mark the assassination of thousands of JVP cadres, including the party’s pioneer leader Rohana Wijeweera by the then UNP government in the 1989-90 period, Dissanayake said: “Today, farmers, entrepreneurs, industrialists or traders cannot earn the profits they deserve from the businesses and industries. The lion’s share of profit is earned by a group of wheeler-dealers. The industries and enterprises cannot survive in this manner. These wheeler-dealers with close contacts to the power and mighty pocket huge margins of profit. That is one of the main reasons for the economic crisis. They earn profit from the pandemic. They earned profit when Rapid Antigen Tests were imported. They earned profits from PCR tests. They earned profits when our migrant workers were brought home.
They earned profit from the organic fertiliser fiasco.”
Dissanayake said that there was a paradigm shift in local polity and people had started realizing that they had continuously been fleeced by successive governments since independence. “The severity of the crisis is reflected by the recent trend of youth trying to leave this country in their thousands. We tell them that leaving the country would not be the solution and not that all can leave the country. We must join forces with those who try to change this situation. There is a split within government ranks because only a single family has taken hold of all powers. Farmers in remote areas are struggling to get their fertilisers. Ven bhikkhus have started preaching a new sermon criticizing the government. The Clergy led by the Cardinal have come out to the streets demanding justice for Easter Sunday victims. Struggles have been launched in every strata by teachers, workers and trade unionists against the government. This is a new situation and people should not fall for tricksters again,” Dissanaayke said.
He said that people had experimented with the two main parties for more than seven decades. “At the end of this process of experiments, what is the balance sheet before them? An economy crumbles on a daily basis and a society full of corruption and crimes emerge. Is there a need to experiment with the same political parties again,” Dissanayake queried.
“The aspiration of those who had sacrificed their lives in the face of the UNP crackdown on JVP in the 1989-90 period was a better society. We should create that society. We must live to achieve the dreams that they cherished and must strive to achieve their goal of creating the society that they had dreamed of,” Dissanayake said.
JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva also addressed the commemoration event.
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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