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Colombo takes up death of SLN sailor with New Delhi

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Detained Tamil Nadu dhows (pic courtesy SLN)

25 Indian fishers arrested for poaching in SL waters

Navy headquarters said yesterday that four Indian dhows, along with 25 fishers poaching off Delft Island, had been taken into custody.

The arrests made on Monday (01) were the first since the death of a senior sailor attached to the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) on June 25, north east of Point Pedro, due to Indian fishers resorting to aggressive manoeuvers in a bid to resist arrest.

The Foreign Ministry said that the Sri Lankan HC in New Delhi had raised the issue with the External Affairs Ministry and Ministry also took it up with the Indian HC here. Ten fishermen have been arrested and remanded till July 8 pending further investigations.

The Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian fishing boats poaching in Sri Lankan waters in the wee hours of 01st July 2024. The operation led to the seizure of four Indian dhows and the apprehension of 25 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island, Jaffna.

The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing boats, taking into account the impact of those practices on the livelihood of local fishermen, especially their destructive practice of resorting to bottom trawling.

As an extension of these efforts, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft and a Coast Guard Craft to chase away a cluster of Indian fishing boats, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island. The operation resulted in the seizure of four Indian dhows and apprehension of 25 Indian fishermen who continued to remain in Sri Lankan waters.

The apprehended dhows, together with the Indian fishermen, were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector to institute legal action.

With this recent apprehension, the Navy has seized a total of 32 Indian fishing boats and 239 Indian fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters so far this year, and subsequently handed them over to authorities for legal proceedings.



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Sun directly overhead Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon today (15)

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On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from the 05th to 15th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (15th) are Pandatharippu, Thellippalai, Varuthaleivilan, Vasavilan, and Manatkaadu about 12:10 noon.

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Heat Index at ‘Caution Level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 14 April 2026, valid for 15 April 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, North-western, Western, Eastern and Southern
provinces and in Monaragala district.

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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“I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!” – President

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,  issuing a New Year message, extend his heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year, which symbolises the aspiration for renewal both physically and spiritually, is the foremost cultural festival of the people of this country.

During the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, traditional customs are upheld, with priority accorded to rituals and religious observances, and activities undertaken collectively at a common auspicious time. This shared cultural practice vividly reflects our nation’s identity before the world, as well as the strong socio-cultural bonds that exist among our communities.

We firmly believe that the future path of national development can only be shaped in harmony with this invaluable culture and our distinguished historical heritage. Accordingly, it must be recalled that all our future development plans have been formulated upon the firm foundation of these precious traditions and cultural values.

Moreover, the common aspiration embodied in the customs and rituals associated with the solar transition is the nurturing of a compassionate individual who values togetherness, respects others, and lives in harmony with nature. I believe that the virtues and values of unity reflected in these New Year traditions should not be confined to these few days alone, but should instead be demonstrated throughout the year in our daily conduct.

In the face of the most significant recent natural disaster challenge encountered in the past year, we demonstrated to the world our resilience and capacity to withstand internal shocks. At the same time, in responding to the external challenges arising from the conflict in the Middle East, the Government has already set in motion a well-planned and effectively managed programme to overcome these difficulties.

As a nation, in overcoming these challenges together, I call upon all of you to further dedicate yourselves to enriching your lives through the values of togetherness, sharing, and solidarity exemplified during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year season.

As we strengthen the achievements we have secured and move forward with unwavering resolve in the face of emerging challenges, I invite everyone to join hands in unity to realise the vision of “A Thriving Nation – A Beautiful Life” for all.

I extend my heartfelt wishes to all Sri Lankans for a peaceful and joyous Sinhala and Tamil New Year!

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