News
Post-Easter Sunday carnage support: Japan provides vehicles, equipment for counter-terror operations
Twenty eight Land Cruisers and one Prado are among vehicles and equipment handed over by Japan to Sri Lanka yesterday for what the Japanese Embassy called counter-terrorism surveillance and investigations.
The Japanese Embassy said that Ambassador Mizukoshi Hideaki had handed over counter-terrorism surveillance and investigation vehicles and narcotic analyzers to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat Office.
A spokesperson said: “In response to the Easter Sunday terror attacks in 2019, the Government of Japan is providing grant assistance in the total amount of JPY 1 billion (approx. Rs.1.7 billion) to support the Sri Lankan Police in their efforts to combat terrorism. As third batch of equipment, Ambassador Mizukoshi handed over 29 vehicles for police patrols, anti-terrorism and crime prevention, traffic control and security operations.
The Government of Japan has also extended equipment in total of JPY 200 million (approx. Rs.350 million) to mitigate the influx of illegal drugs to realize a healthy and peaceful society free from drug abuse, amidst the growing drug-related illegal activities in Sri Lanka as a new social problem. The Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer and Mobile X-Ray Scanner donated by Japan will be used to detect and analyze narcotics and other illegal substances and is expected to enhance the capacity of the Sri Lankan Police to deal with illegal drugs.
As a long-standing friend of Sri Lanka, Japan has been providing extensive support throughout the island to help enhance peace and security in Sri Lanka, including livelihood improvement and empowerment of the people affected by the past conflicts. Japan will continue to support the efforts by the Government of Sri Lanka to eradicate terrorism and illegal drug crimes that pose a threat to the people in Sri Lanka.”
Latest News
Heat Index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology
at 3.30 p.m. on 21 March 2026, valid for 22 March 2026.
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in
Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Mannar and Vavuniya 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.
The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (Ceypetco) has announced a revision of fuel prices, effective from midnight today (21).
Accordingly,
Auto Diesel – Rs. 382 (increased by Rs. 79)
Super Diesel – Rs. 443 (increased by Rs. 90)
Petrol 92 Octane – Rs. 398 (increased by Rs. 81)
Kerosene – Rs. 255. (increased by Rs. 60)
Petrol 95 Octane – Rs. 455 (increased by Rs. 90)
Latest News
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts
Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 12.30 p.m. 21 March 2026, valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 21 March 2026
Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts after 1.00 p.m.
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.
Heat Index likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Mannar and Vavuniya districts
CEYPETCO Fuel prices increased from midnight today (21)
Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts
Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport
Eid celebrations dimmed by war and displacement across Middle East
Showers may occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Northwestern and Uva provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 1.00 pm.
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