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Divaina’s Jagath Kanaharaarachchi Best Environmental Reporter in 2023
Jagath Kanaharaarachchi of the Divaina Newspaper was named Best Environmental Reporter (Sinhala) at the Journalism Awards for Excellence 2023 held at the Mt Lavinia hotel on Tuesday (07) night.
US President Donald Trump has said next week’s state visit from King Charles and Queen Camilla could help repair relations with the UK.
When asked in a phone interview with the BBC whether the visit could help repair the relationship, Trump said: “Absolutely. He’s fantastic. He’s a fantastic man. Absolutely the answer is yes.”
“I know him well, I’ve known him for years,” he said. “He’s a brave man, and he’s a great man. They would absolutely be a positive.”
The president also spoke about his relationship with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who he said could only “recover” if he changed course on immigration.
The King and Queen will travel to the US for a four-day visit beginning on Monday, and will meet with Trump at the White House.
The King will have a private meeting with the president and also deliver an address to Congress.
After two days in Washington DC, they will travel to New York, Virginia and Bermuda before returning to the UK.
The Foreign Office said the trip would mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, and would celebrate a partnership of “shared prosperity, security and history”.
In the five-minute interview on Thursday, Trump was also asked about his relationship with Sir Keir.
The two leaders have appeared at odds over the war in Iran, and the prime minister has faced mounting pressure over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to the US.
In a post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump said Lord Mandelson was “a really bad pick” but the prime minister had “plenty of time to recover”.
When asked what he meant by that post, Trump said: “If he opened the North Sea and if his immigration policies became strong, which right now they’re not, he can recover, but if he doesn’t, I don’t think he has a chance.
Trump has repeatedly called on the UK to increase oil and gas extraction in the North Sea.
“I make my decisions based on what’s in the British national interest and not what other people say or do,” Sir Keir said while talking to broadcasters about the president’s comments on Thursday.
“That is why I took the decision that we would not be dragged into the war in Iran,” he said. “I’m not going to be diverted or deflected from that by what anybody else says.”
(BBC)
Latest News
Heat Index at Cautiin Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern 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 23 April 2026, valid for 24 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, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern 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 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.
The National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued Landslide Early Warnings to the Districts of Kurunegala and Ratnapura effective from 16:00 hrs on 23.04.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 24.04.2026
Accordingly,
Level 1 landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Rideegama in the Kurunegala district and Kuruwita, Kalawana, Ratnapura, Nivithigala, Pelmadulla and Eheliyagoda in the Ratnapura district.
Whistleblowers ask Treasury Chief to resign over theft of USD 2.5 mn
Hambantora port sets new record
US sinking of Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka unprecedented war crime Araghchi tells Vijitha
No cyber hack: Fintech expert exposes shocking legacy flaws that led to $2.5 million theft
Worker remittances defy fears: 26.5% increase in first quarter
US imposes worldwide blockade on Iran’s sea trade, redirects tankers away from India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka
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