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Group of top retired military officers seeks clarification

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Retired Rear Admiral D.P.K. Dassanayake

Retired Rear Admiral D.P.K. Dassanayake asked whether Sri Lanka raised the recent UK sanctions imposed on Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya and former LTTE commander and ex-lawmaker Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan during discussions with the British parliamentary delegation.

Dassanayake said that the armed forces expected the government to vigorously take up this matter to prevent interested parties from targeting the war-winning military that made so many sacrifices to save the country.

Responding to The Island queries, Dassanayake, who had been involved in the Mullaitivu sea blockade, in 2009, leading to the eradication of the LTTE leadership on the banks of the Nanthikadal lagoon, emphasised that the government was yet to make public the recommendations made by a three-member ministerial team comprising Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Deputy Defence Minister Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekara regarding the UK sanctions.

The UK government on 24 March, 2025, imposed sanctions on the mentioned officers alleging they were responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the war, including extra judicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office declared that the measures taken against them included UK travel bans and asset freezes.

Dassanayake said that an association that represented the interests of the war-winning military recently sought meetings with both the government and the Opposition to discuss the ongoing campaign against the country and how those genuinely interested in safeguarding national interests could work together. Unfortunately, both the ruling NPP and the main Opposition SJB, didn’t respond to our plea, an irate ex-officer said, urging the government to address accountability issues without further delay.

Dassanayake said that Sri Lanka wouldn’t have been in this predicament if the war-winning Mahinda Rajapaksa government fulfilled its obligations. Unfortunately, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, too, failed to adopt a cohesive action plan, he said, pointing out that Sri Lanka should be deeply worried that accountability issues here were utilised by various foreign political parties to attract influential voter bloc, of Sri Lankan origin, in their countries.

Dassanayake pointed out that the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lamm, is on record as having assured the electorate, during the last election campaign, to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity. Lammy’s Office quoted him as having said that the 24 March, 2025, sanctions ensured that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses would be held accountable.

Dassanayake said that Parliament should represent the country’s interests and take tangible measures to defend the armed forces in the face of unsubstantiated and politically motivated accusations.

By Shamindra Ferdinando



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Heat Index at Caution Level in  the  Northern, North-central, North-western and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts during the day time

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 04 May 2026, valid for 05 May 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 and Eastern provinces and in Hambantota and Monaragala districts 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 the 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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Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations

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President of the Maldives, Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who is on a State Visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, planted a sapling this afternoon (04) at Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

Upon arrival at the Viharamahadevi Park in Colombo, President Dr Mohamed Muizzu was warmly received by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Children lined both sides of the pathway holding the national flags of the two countries and paid tribute to the visiting Maldivian President.

Among those present at the occasion were Deputy Speaker Rizvi Salih, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath and the Mayor of Colombo, Vraie Cally Balthazaar, along with several other dignitaries.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks

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Following the bilateral meeting between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the Maldives, who is currently on a State visit to Sri Lanka, official-level bilateral discussions between the delegations of the two countries were held this morning (04) at the Presidential Secretariat.

The discussions commenced after the formal welcome ceremony accorded to President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu earlier this morning within the Presidential Secretariat premises.

Extending a warm welcome to the Maldivian President, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressed his appreciation for accepting the invitation to visit Sri Lanka.

President Dissanayake noted that President Muizzu’s visit, taking place as the two nations mark 61 years of diplomatic relations, reflects the strong partnership, mutual trust and longstanding friendship between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. The President further expressed confidence that the visit would mark a new phase in bilateral relations.

The two leaders engaged in extensive discussions on ways to further expand and diversify multifaceted cooperation, including economic, cultural and social ties, in a manner that delivers mutual benefits to the people of both countries.

Key areas of focus included tourism promotion, educational cooperation, youth and sports development, challenges faced by both nations in the fisheries sector within the Indian Ocean region, education and vocational training, as well as defence training and broader security cooperation.

Representing the Government of Sri Lanka were Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Science and Technology, Krishantha Abeysena; Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih, Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (covering Europe, North America, East Asia and Oceania, Southeast Asia and Central Asia, South Asia, the Middle East and Legal Affairs) M. R. K. Lenagala, Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the Maldives, Mohamed Rizvi Hassan and Director (South Asia and SAARC) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Mahesha Jayawardena.

The Maldivian delegation included Minister of Foreign Affairs Iruthisham Adam, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, Mohamed Saeed, Minister of Fisheries, Agriculture and Marine Resources, Ahmed Shiyam, Minister of Homeland Security and Technology, Ali Ihusaan, Chief of Staff to the President, Abdulla Fayaz, Principal Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations, Mohamed Naseer; Chief Government Spokesperson, Mohamed Hussain Shareef, High Commissioner of the Maldives to Sri Lanka,Masood Imad; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Chief of Protocol , Mohamed Shahudy, Deputy Minister at the President’s Office, Mr Mohamed Hassaan and Minister Counsellor at the Maldives High Commission in Sri Lanka, Mr. Ismail Mamdhooh.

[President’s Media Division (PMD)]

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