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Johnston decries Opposition tactics to get people onto roads to spread the pandemic for petty political gain
Chief Government Whip Highways Minister Johnston Fernando called on Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and JVP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake to stop playing with the lives of the people for political gain.
Addressing the media at the parliamentary complex after attending the Monday’s party leaders’ meeting, the Minister said that the government had been asking the Opposition not to encourage public protests. “I myself have been telling them that this is not the time to stage protests. Results of their protests are now visible. Infections are everywhere. Now, as the situation is getting worse, the Opposition is asking the government to close the country. Supposing we go for such a lockdown, then the very same Opposition will protest, asking for reopening. I call upon Sajith Premadasa and Anura Kumara Dissanayake to stop this.”
Asked to comment on people closing down their shops in fear of the pandemic spread, the Minister said that those shop owners would have done so as the Opposition-led protesters had been protesting near them. “People should have listened to the warnings of health experts not to support such rallies and stayed away from them. Those who organised those rallies did not do so for the love of the people but for their need to fish in troubled waters and they thought that disrupting the government’s Covid-19 prevention programmes could help them achieve that goal.”
Pointing out that the daily death toll had crossed 160, the Minister said that he had personally warned of the situation and repeatedly asked the Opposition members not to put the lives of people in danger by creating Covid-19 clusters. “Their response was that we wanted to stop rallies by using the pandemic as an excuse. Now, we see the results. These political parties have no concern for the people. They are like vultures.”
Commenting on the mini-Cabinet reshuffle, the Minister said: “The President can effect changes to the Cabinet any time. He does so in keeping with powers vested in him. This is not the first time this country has seen a Cabinet reshuffle. The President has the power to effect changes as he thinks it will help the government to serve the public better.”
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Sahyadri which arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on 04 Apr 25, departed the island today (07 Apr). The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of INS Sahyadri took part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at enhancing mutual cooperation. In addition, they also explored some tourist attractions in the country. Further, personnel of Sri Lanka Navy had the opportunity to visit INS Sahyadri, gaining insights into her operational capabilities.
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
Belgian prince loses bid for benefits on top of £300k royal allowance
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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