News
Karu says civil liberties and freedom of press under serious threat
Civil liberties and the freedom of the press are under serious threat, as the government shows increasing dictatorial tendencies, Chairman of the National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday.
The government is not only undermining democracy but enables gangs to operate with impunity. It is our strong belief that all parties must pay attention to this troubling situation, he said.
Jayasuriya has, in a media statement, said: “The Government must take immediate and necessary action against all illegal acts. The wellbeing of the country is only assured to the extent its people respect and accept its rulers. However, Sri Lanka is facing an unprecedented crisis today. While the country is on the precipice of serious economic and social collapse, the manner in which the Government and all those who bear some responsibility are conducting their affairs in the face of this catastrophe is highly unsatisfactory. In fact, many of these parties are acting in an irresponsible and an arbitrary manner. But at this critical juncture, this could only exacerbate the crisis faced by the country.
“The despicable attack on the residence of journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama and the arrest of activist Shehan Malaka, who has been appearing for the rights of the victims of the Easter Sunday attack are extremely concerning. So are the numerous threats against journalists and activists across the country. However, such actions are not acceptable of any civilised government that values democracy and seeks to protect the rights of the people. In the face of such serious incidents, there is now a growing suspicion that lawlessness in the country is on the rise due to the failure of its rulers to pay adequate attention to these incidents and take necessary action to prevent them. It is an extremely frightening as well as tragic situation.
“Therefore, as a responsible civil society organisation, the National Movement for Social Justice urges the Government to act in a responsible manner so that such tragic incidents that intimidate and suppress the civil rights of the people can no longer occur.
“To ensure that such heinous and illegal acts do not continue, the law must be enforced against those involved, regardless of rank and status. Unfortunately, this does not seem to be the case.
“However, the present Government and its leadership, which wields more power than any other ruler in the history of this country, can present no valid excuse in the face of such incidents. No matter how much power a head of state or government may possess, the well-being of the country is only assured to the extent its people respect and accept its rulers. In the face of such events, a governance structure that fails to take appropriate action cannot be expected to gain the respect or acceptance of the people. Such a situation could only exacerbate the economic and social crises facing our country.
Therefore, we urge the Government to take immediate measures to stop illegal and arbitrary actions taking place in the country today.”
Latest News
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
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.
Latest News
Maldivian President plants a sapling to mark 60 years of Sri Lanka–Maldives Diplomatic Relations
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)]
News
Sri Lanka and Maldives strengthen ties with productive bilateral talks
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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