News
Attack on journalists in Murippu forest: Protest in M’tivu town
Protesting journalists and civil society activists plant trees in the Mullaitivu town
… scribes allege Wildlife workers involved
Text and pic by Dinasena Ratugamage
A group of journalists on Thursday (15) protested, in Mullaitivu, against the failure on the part of the police to arrest those responsible for the recent attack on local colleagues Shanmugam Thavaseelan and Kanapathipillai Kumanan in the Murippu forest in the district.
The group protested opposite the Wildlife Department Office there. Protesting scribes displayed posters and banners on the fence of the Wildlife Department Office alleging complicity of some public servants in the attack.
Professional Web Journalists’ Association, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Sri Lanka associates the Free Media Movement (FMM) and the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions (FMETU) urged the government to bring the perpetrators to justice. They called for a thorough investigation into the recent attack on two journalists in the Murippu forest in the Mullaitivu district.
They alleged the journalists had been beaten up by gangsters on Oct 12 while they were covering ongoing illegal felling of trees in the Murippu forest area. They said that timber racketeers and illegal sand miners had the backing of local officials, including some law enforcement authorities, hence the reluctance on the part of the police to properly inquire into the incident.
They pointed out that the Mullaitivu incident had taken place place soon after an attack on a journalist in the Moneragala District.
It has been reported that two Sri Lanka Air Force helicopter gunners and four Special Forces personnel have been pronounced dead after a SLAF Bell 212 helicopter crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this (09) morning.
There were a total of 12 armed forces personnel on board the ill-fated aircraft.
It has been reported that a Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 Helicopter has crashed into the Maduru Oya Reservoir this morning.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 4.00 p.m. 08 May 2025, valid for 09 May 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 Northern, North-central and Eastern provinces and Monaragala and Hambantota 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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