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.”
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.
Latest News
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.
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