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French citizen of Lankan descent decries attack on her Piliyandala home

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/19

“Will explore all avenues in SL for redress or go to HRC in Geneva”

Sri Lanka born French citizen Lalani Ruberoe said that she would fight to get justice done against all those responsible by either commission or omission of their duties for destroying her house and property during the riots took place after SLPP goons attacked protesters at the Galle Face Gotagogama on May 09.

Mobs had set a house belonging to Chairman of the Kesbewa Urban Council Lakshman Perera on fire on May 09 together with the neighbouring house belonging to Lalani at Madapatha in Piliyandala. Lakshman Perera is brother-in-law of Lalani.

“Within minutes our lifetime efforts of hard work and savings to build that home were gone in flames. It took 15 years for me and my husband Indunil Illeperuma and our son to build that house. I will seek justice for my case. We were living away from Sri Lanka without having any involvement in local politics. I haven’t voted in Sri Lanka for 35 years,” she said.

Lalani and her husband are dual citizens living in Paris. “We have a construction firm and a hardware shop in Piliyandala. We started those businesses providing jobs to around 15 Lankans because we believe in helping this country.

“We were attending to our normal work in Paris when one of our local employees (in SL) broke the bad news that my home had been set on fire. I simply cannot understand the reason for setting our house on fire. The house had been set on fire on May 09. The police had not come there till May 13. The drug addicts in the area had ransacked the house for the remaining furniture. This has gone on for for three days. I do not see anything right in setting the houses of politicians on fire. It is said that those incidents of arson were reprisal attacks. None can explain why our home had been destroyed because we hardly have any say in Lankan politics.”

Lalani who is a dual citizen of France and Sri Lanka has been living with her spouse and their only son in France since 1987.

She said that her elderly mother and a domestic aide were living in their Madapatha house and moments before the incident had been alerted by the Piliyandala Police to remove all disabled and invalid persons from the house. The police had informed them that there could be a possible attack on the house as the mobs were roaming to avenge attacks by SLPP goons on Galle Face protesters.

“My mother had been taken away by the servant with the help of our relations. The neighbours have captured in their mobile phones visuals of mobs destroying our house. I made a number of telephone calls from Paris and pleaded with neighbours, relatives, friends, the police, and the fire brigade desperately, but none could save our house,” she said.

Lalani said that she and her husband still approved of the people’s protest in Galle Face because that struggle was for higher goals. “The violence that took place after the attack on Galle Face was something else. There were shortages of fuel, gas and milk-powder. Now these mobs set our property on fire, but have they been able to get those shortages corrected?

“You still see the queues. We are not happy about the investigation process. We cannot understand how the suspects were given bail. We will try all all the legal routes in the country to find justice. If not we will go before the Geneva Human Rights Council,” she said.

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Russian circumnavigation team arrive in Sri Lanka

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/26

Priyan

The Russian circumnavigation team, the 5 Oceans Club, made a brief stop in Sri Lanka as part of their second global sailing expedition.

The six-member crew, visited the Russian House in Colombo, on Friday, (24th April) where they shared insights from their journey.

What makes this expedition particularly inspiring is the club’s commitment to inclusivity. They actively encourage children with limb disabilities to experience the ocean and participate in sailing as equals, fostering confidence and a deep connection with nature.

The team also spoke about a specialized sailing school based in Siberia—one of Russia’s most picturesque regions—where children with such challenges are trained and introduced to maritime life. During the session, they offered a glimpse into their daily life aboard the yacht and highlighted how they integrate elements of science into their explorations, making their journey both adventurous and educational.

The crew consists of, Dmitry Kuznetsov – (captain of the boat of the 5 Oceans Club), ⁠Vladimir Dudkin – (crew member), ⁠Dmitry Dudkin –(cabin boy), ⁠Ksenia Kuznetsova – (cabin boy), ⁠Natalia Shahinyan – (founder of the charity foundation “Life on the Move”), ⁠Sofia Sheremet -(ward of the foundation)

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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

Published

22 hours ago

2026/04/26

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on the 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.
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 011-744649

News

Sagarika derailment disrupts coastal rail line; services to resume in two days

Published

23 hours ago

2026/04/26

Thilina Walpola

Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.

Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.

Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”

The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.

The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.

Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.

Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.