News
Economic crisis: Lankan group appreciates Congresswoman Titus’s backing
Three Sri Lankan expatriates, as special attendees at an official State of Nevada Democratic Party gathering, in Las Vegas, where U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was the guest of honour, extended their unreserved gratitude to House Member Dina Titus for taking the leadership to assist Sri Lanka, in recent months, with food and nutritional requirements, foreign media reports said.
Sanje Sedera, Chairman of both Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce and Sri Lanka-America Association of Las Vegas, along with two executive directors of both organizations Lalindra Wickremaratne and Daya Gamage, on behalf of the Sri Lankan people, thanked Congresswoman Dina Titus for taking the lead to impress upon Washington policymakers the urgent need for humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka.
Since Dina Titus, and nine other Congressmen, addressed an official communiqué to U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, and USAID Administrator, Samantha Power, early August, Washington has taken swift measures to dispatch humanitarian assistance to Colombo, it has been noted. Sri Lanka-America Chamber of Commerce, a national entity, based in the Convention Capital of the world, Las Vegas, since its debut a year ago, has gradually been reaching to policymakers in Washington, D.C., U.S. Congressmen who have assignments in foreign affairs, agriculture and commerce and the U.S. Department of Treasury, on issues such as trade, investment and commerce between the two countries.
Two senior officials from the Treasury Department travelled all the way to Las Vegas to have a dialogue with the officials of the Chamber, in June this year. One of them had travelled to Sri Lanka, the previous month, to meet several Cabinet members, including Ali Sabry.
The Chamber, in recent months,has given top priority to find avenues to get humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, a spokesman noted.
The three officials of the two Sri Lankan expatriate organizations attended the ruling Democratic Party official gathering to have discourses with lawmakers to further encourage them to help enhance humanitarian assistance to the economically beleaguered Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan expatriates made House Speaker Nancy Pelosi knowledgeable during their conversation with her at this gathering.
Political activist and entrepreneur Sanje Sedera says that the close rapport he and other expatriates developed with Washington lawmakers and policymakers, during the past two decades, as well as using strategic diplomacy is bringing dividends at this hour of need for Sri Lanka.
Congresswoman Dina Titus remarked that she and her colleague in the Congress are aware of the plight of Sri Lanka and reiterated her commitment to assist Colombo, it has been reported.
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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