News
Field Marshal warns govt members of his physical prowess
By Saman Indrajith
SJB Gampaha District MP Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka says that he has enough strength to take on all government members in the front row numbering 25 together single handedly in case they try to surround the Opposition MPs.
Participating in a debate at the time of adjournment of the House on the progress report of the Election Commission on Wednesday (23), Field Marshal Fonseka said so referring to a statement made on Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage that the government had a two-thirds majority in the House and the government MPs could outnumber their Opposition counterparts three to one.
Field Marshal Fonseka said: “His figures are wrong. To have that ratio you need a three-fourths of majority not two-third. This shows that there are MPs who could not receive education beyond the Grade Eight. I would like to tell the government members not to dare think of surrounding us just because you have more numbers. I single handedly can take all of those in your front row. To take on your second row, we’ll send someone of the calibre of our fellow MP Chaminda Wijesiri. We know that there are some among you who have the experience of tasting the power of his blows. For your second row, which has Dayasiri Jayasekera, who knows Karate, we can send someone such as MP Diana Gamage, because she is a black-belt holder in Karate. So do not speak of taking us on that easily. Remember we are not afraid of threats just because you have a two-thirds majority.”
MP Fonseka said that the 19th Amendment to the Constitution had progressive provisions and the attempt to undo them by the incumbent government was a threat to democracy. “I have very little experience in politics but even before entering politics the election culture in this country was not something we could be proud of. The elections after 1994 were marred by thuggery, attacks on counting centres, vote rigging, intimidation and undue influence on voters in mega scales. The Election Department was helpless. But after 2015, the Elections Commission came into being and that independent commission was given powers under the 19th Amendment to the constitution. We hope that the government rank members understand the need to safeguard those democratic mechanisms. If they are going to vote blindly and pass the 20th Amendment as it is, then they should remember they are playing the role of king Sirisangabo, who offered his head. The 20th Amendment has a provision enabling the Elections Commission to issue regulations on private media. That is not democratic. Media should be free from such regulations.”
The front row on each side of the Well in the Chamber has seats for 25 MPs.
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern 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 26 April 2026, valid for 27 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, Southern, and Eastern 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.
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Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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