News
Public urged not to be deceived by TNA’s opposition to ONUR law
FNO says Geneva Road Map progressing rapidly, consequences catastrophic
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Secretary to the Federation of National Organizations (FNO) Dr. Wasantha Bandara yesterday (10) urged the public not to be deceived by Tamil political parties’ refusal to back the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) Bill.
Parliament adopted the new law on Tuesday with 48 MPs voting for the Bill, while seven opposed.
Dr. Bandara alleged that was a joint government and Tamil parties’ strategy to hoodwink the people. Pointing out that some members of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and All Ceylon Tamil Congress (ACTC) aka Ahila Ilankai Thamil Congress (AITC), had been among those who voted against the Bill, Dr. Bandara found fault with the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs for failing to take a stand against the separatist agenda.
The enactment of the new law is meant to give legal teeth to the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) that had been established during yahapalana administration in terms of the Geneva dictates, Dr. Bandara said.
The FNO dismissed concerns expressed by a section of the civil society regarding ONUR Bill as mere propaganda. “They are always looking for an opportunity to appease their sponsors.”
Dr. Gunadasa Amarasekera’s effort on behalf of the FNO to convince the members of Parliament to oppose the Bill had been in vain, Dr. Bandara said. Asked whether the FNO intended to step up the campaign against what the grouping called Geneva Road Map, Dr. Bandara said that three of the offices that had been mentioned in the Geneva Road Map were set up beginning with the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) on Aug 2016, followed by Office of Reparations in Oct 2018.
Dr. Bandara said that with the enactment on the ONUR law, the government was in a position to appoint a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation through an Act of Parliament. According to him, once the Parliament enacted that law, the war-winning military and the then political leadership would have to face the consequences.
Dr. Bandara said that in addition to the Bills that had been enacted and the proposed law to set up a Truth, Unity and Reconciliation Commission, Sri Lanka approved three other Bills in line with the Geneva Road Map.
The FNO spokesperson said that regardless of continuing political uncertainty President Wickremesinghe had proceeded with the Geneva Road Map.
Responding to The Island queries, Dr. Bandara said that the President was most likely to present the relevant Act soon. Had President Gotabaya Rajapaksa heeded our warnings, the Geneva Road Map could have been averted, Dr. Bandara said, disclosing that he, on behalf of the FNO on January 11 last year, explained the Western strategy to undermine the government. Interested parties targeted the then Army Commander General Shavendra Silva and Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne to unsettle the military ahead of the US-backed public protest campaign to oust that government, Dr. Bandara said.
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.
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 Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.
The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.
The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.
Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.
News
PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals
The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.
In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.
The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.
Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.
At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.
Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.
Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.
Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.
The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district
Pakistani army chief in Tehran amid bid to restart US talks
Sri Lanka repatriates 238 Iranian sailors stranded after US torpedo attack
Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo
PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals
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