News
Speaker gives assurance on strict health guidelines being followed
By Saman Indrajith
Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena assured Parliament, on Thursday (8), that strict health guidelines would be followed at the parliament affairs services unit in Battaramulla to ensure the safety of all parliamentarians and staff members after a family member of an employee of the unit underwent a PCR test for suspected COVID-19 infection.
The parliament affairs services unit is located at Battaramulla outside the parliament premises.
Speaker Abeywardena said so when Galle District SLPP MP Shan Wijayalal de Silva brought to his notice that he had been held up at the entrance of parliament affairs services unit when he went there to get some work done.
“I was not permitted to enter. First, I thought they had failed to identify me because I was wearing a face mask. After identifying myself I found that it was not so. I had to keep standing there outside the office for 35 minutes. Later, the relevant official brought the documents I needed out of the office and gave them to me. I was not allowed in. I believe that there are strict health guidelines followed by the unit due to the present situation. However, since we too want to get our work done, please make arrangements so that those employees can provided an uninterrupted service.
The Speaker: “A family member of one of the employees at this services unit has undergone a PCR test. Thus, we have adopted precautionary measures. Everyone who goes there will have to abide by these guidelines. Hopefully, when we get this situation under control everything will go back to normal. These measures are for your own safety.”
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution level’ in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 12 April 2026, valid for 13 April 2026.
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 and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee 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.
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon
On the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 05th to 15th of April in this year.
The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (13th) are Pesalai, Mankulam and Nedunkerny about 12:11 noon.
Latest News
PNS TAIMUR & ASLAT arrive in Colombo
The Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) TAIMUR and ASLAT arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 12 Apr 26.
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in
compliance with naval traditions.
The duo of ships is commanded by Captain NIAMAT SAEED KHAN (PNS TAIMUR) and Captain NADIR MATEEN AFRIDI (PNS ASLAT).
Meanwhile, the ships are expected to conduct a Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in Colombo seas.
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