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SL HC in New Delhi felicitates long-serving staff members as it celebrates Diwali
The High Commission of Sri Lanka, in New Delhi, celebrated this year’s Diwali festival, felicitating its long-serving Indian staff members and with a family get-together that included the family members of both home-based and local staff, numbering around 150. The felicitation ceremony and the family get-together were held in the garden of the official residence of the High Commissioner.
The event was organized under the guidance of High Commissioner to India Milinda Moragoda, with a view to promoting camaraderie between the home- based and local staff, and, particularly, to recognize and honour the services of Indian staff members who have served in the High Commission for more than 25 years.
In this regard, five Indian staff members, who have served more than 25 years in the High Commission, were felicitated at the event. Notably, the High Commissioner, with the support of the Sri Lankan private sector, has made arrangements for these long-serving five staff members and their spouses/ family members to undertake a visit to Sri Lanka, with a five-night stay, and the announcement in this regard was made at the family get-together.
This was the second consecutive time that the High Commission celebrated Diwali, felicitating its long-serving staff members. Last year, too, it celebrated Diwali, honouring five of its long-serving staff members, and with a family get-together.
This year’s event also included distribution of Diwali gifts to the children and families, lighting of Diwali lamps and a dinner. As a special feature, a talent show, with performances by the staff and their family members,s was also held, adding much colour to the celebrations.
Mrs. Jennifer Moragoda also joined the High Commissioner in distributing Diwali gifts to children and felicitating long-serving staff members.
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.
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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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