News
Govt. issues shoot-on-sight orders as situation gets out of control
Protests at Trinco over MR taking refuge at SLN base
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The government yesterday evening ordered the police and the armed forces to open fire on those looting public and private property and unleashed violence.
In Malwana, mobs set fire to a house, which allegedly belongs to SLPP MP Basil Rajapaksa. In Kurunegala, gangs set ablaze former Premier Mahinda Rajapaksa’s residence. Unknown persons also brought down the D. A. Rajapaksa memorial in Tangalle, while two houses belonging to SLPP MP Chamal Rajapaksa, in Matara and Debarawewa, too, were attacked. His son, MP Shashendra’s Sevanagala home was destroyed.
Amidst continuing violence, ex-Prime Minister Rajapaksa left Temple Trees yesterday morning. The public launched protests outside the Trincomalee Navy, following reports that the Rajapaksa family had taken refuge there. Namal Rajapaksa tweeted that his father Mahinda Rajapkasa
wouldn’t flee the country. The MP said that the former PM was at a safe place.
In Colombo, protesters assaulted Senior DIG Deshabandu Tennakoon near Temple Trees yesterday morning. The senior officer in charge of Colombo in civvies was seen running away. Later, police headquarters said that two persons were arrested in connection with the incident.
Police said that Polonnaruwa MP Amarakeerthi Tennakoon and his private bodyguard were among nine persons killed in incidents on Monday.
Mobs caused heavy damages to houses belonging to former and present lawmakers D. B. Herath, Ramesh Pathirana, Kanchana Wijesekera, Wimal Weerawansa, Siripala Gamlath, Duminda Dissanayake, Keheliya Rambukwella, Shehan Semasinghe, Mahipala Herath, Janaka Bandara Tennakoon, Gamini Lokuge, Channa Jayasumana, Jayantha Ketagoda, Gunapa Ratnasekera, Bandula Gunawardena, Dr. Nalaka Gidahewa, Prasanna Ranaweera, Pavitra Wanniarachchi, Chandima Weerakkody, Mohan de Silva and Vidura Wickremanayake.
Mobs also destroyed Milco Chairman Renuka Perera’s home. Perera is the administrative secretary of the SLPP.
SJB MP Kumara Welgama and his driver came under a mob attack at Mahakumbura in Homagama on Monday night.
Latest News
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 04 May 2025, valid for 05 May 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
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.
“Power failures on election day could occur due to natural causes or sabotage”
Funds allocated for hiring power generators for the counting centres were inadequate, and the Grama Niladaris (GNs) would not be able to ensure a back-up power supply to those places, President of the Sri Lanka United Grama Niladhari Association, Nandana Ranasinghe warned yesterday.
Addressing a press conference, Ranasinghe said: “Under these circumstances, it will not be possible to provide the counting centres with generators. Funds must also be allocated for hiring electric bulbs, cables and transporting generators as well.
“Unless funds are made available immediately, the GNs must not be held responsible if something goes wrong in the event of a power failure, either due to natural causes or sabotage. The GNs must not be asked to bear the cost of supplying back-up power to counting centres.
“In some areas, the District Returning Officers are pressuring the GNs to bear the cost of hiring power generators. The GNs must not be forced to spend their personal funds to provide facilities to counting centres.
“If a power outage occurs, it will definitely cause issues at counting centres. In the event of disruptions to the vote counting process, the results in the polling divisions under the centres may have to be annulled.”
More than 65,000 police officers would be deployed for the 06 May local government (LG) elections from today (05), Police Media Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manatunga told The Island, yesterday. The police personnel will include members of the Police Special Task Force, intelligence units, security divisions, and mobile patrol teams.
Army Media Spokesman Brigadier Varuna Gamage told The Island that 8,500 military personnel would be deployed on the roads across the country in view of the LG elections.
He said the Army would coordinate with the police, and that troops in all military camps had been placed on standby to face any situation.
By Norman Palihawadane and Chaminda Silva
Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala and Kurunegala districts.
Showers expected in most provinces during the afternoon or night today
Fund issues may leave counting centres without back-up power tomorrow: GNs’ trade union
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