News
SJB MPS submit letter to Speaker claiming threat to silence them
By Saman Indrajith
Fifteen SJB MPs yesterday handed over a letter to Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena asking him to ensure the MPs’ right of speech in Parliament.
The letter signed by 16 MPs was handed over to the Speaker at his office in the parliamentary complex yesterday.
The letter states that each MP has a right to express his or her opinions in the House as representatives of the people and Parliament is the place for MPs to exercise their right of expressing opinions.
“Following a recent statement made by MP Harin Fernando in Parliament the President has responded in public in a manner threatening the MP. The President is entitled to attend Parliament sessions and respond to the MP’s statement in the chamber.
It has been observed that the supporters of the President had reiterated that statement made by the president in state media and social media. These statements are not only a threat to the freedom of expression and also raise serious concerns about the safety of the MPs and democracy of the country. It is our belief that you as the speaker of the parliament is bound to ensure the MPs exercising their freedom of expression and to ensure the MPs protection and safety therefore we seek your intervention to ensure the protection of those rightss.”
The letter has been signed by MPs Ranjith Madduma Bandara, Dr Raitha Senaratne, JC Alawathuwala, Patali Champika Ranawaka, MHA Haleem, Vadivel Suresh, Nalin Bandara Jayamaha, Velu Kumar, Kings Nelson, Manusha Nanayakkara, K. Sujith Perera, S.M. Marikkar, Eran Wickremaratne, Tissa Attanayake, Rishad Bathiudeen and Harshana Rajakaruna.
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.
INS Sahyadri sets sail from Colombo
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Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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