News
GL warns of govt. offensive against media, questions role of ex-CJ’s commission
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Top Opposition spokesman Prof. G. L. Peiris yesterday (27) warned of a major government offensive against the media to neutralise print and electronic media ahead of the presidential election scheduled for next year.
The former External Affairs Minister told a media briefing at the SLPP rebel group’s Nawala office that the proposed creation of a Broadcasting Regulatory Commission for electronic media, Online Safety Bill and Commission of Inquiry headed by retired Chief Justice Priyasath Dep, PC, posed a threat to media freedom.
The former Law Professor said that Dep’s 10-member Commission that had been tasked to thoroughly review all current election laws and regulations, conduct investigations, inquiries and assessments and subsequently make recommendations for essential amendments to align these laws with contemporary requirements was also asked to make recommendations as regards the media.
Prof. Peiris questioned the rationale in Dep’s Commission asked to submit recommendations pertaining to media. The government has said that the Commission would make recommendations for the formulation of media standards to guide the appropriate use of media by political parties and independent groups. The Commission has been entrusted with completing this comprehensive process within a six-month timeframe.
The Commission consists of retired Justice Priyasath Dep, PC, Suntharam Arumainayaham, Senanayake Alisandaralage, Nalin Jayantha Abeysekara, PC, Rajitha Naveen Christopher Senaratna Perera, Ahamed Lebbe Mohamed Saleem, Ms. Sagarica Delgoda, Ms. Esther Sriyani Nimalka Fernando, Vitharanage Deepani Samantha Rodrigo and Alan Carmichael David.
Referring to the stalled Online Safety Bill, Prof. Peiris said that 51 petitions had been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of that Bill. A three-member bench of Supreme Court judges in terms of Article 120 of the Constitution declared that sections 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13,14, 15,16,17,18,19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26,27,28,29, 30,31, 32, 36, 37, 42, 45, 53 and 56 could be approved as mentioned in the Bill, if passed by a special majority of two-third including the absent Members of the Parliament, according to the provisions mentioned in Article 84(2) of the Constitution.
Prof. Peiris said that if the said articles were amended at the committee stage as proposed by the Supreme Court the Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The National List MP said that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government seemed hell-bent on neutralizing the media at any cost.
Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.
The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.
The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.
The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.
Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.
The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)
A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)
Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.
(Straits Times)
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories
The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.
The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 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.
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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