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Tai Chi ties: Chinese envoy hails deepening cultural bond with Lanka
Chinese Ambassador Qi Zhenhong said that there was a growing popularity of Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts in Sri Lanka as a powerful symbol of the deep-rooted cultural integration and mutual understanding between the two nations.
Speaking at an event in Colombo to mark World Tai Chi Day on Saturday, the Ambassador said that cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka have a long and rich history, with Tai Chi enjoying a particularly strong following among the Lankan people.
Text of Ambassador Zhenhong’s speech: Tai Chi is a traditional Chinese martial arts sport that embodies the essence of the long-standing Chinese civilisation. It reflects the traditional Chinese philosophical ideas of the cycle of yin and yang and the harmony between humans and nature. Tai Chi also illustrates the Eastern philosophy of overcoming strength with gentleness and achieving harmonious coexistence.
Learning Tai Chi has become an important way to understand China and Chinese culture. Practicing Tai Chi not only strengthens the body and provides self-defene but also cultivates one’s character and nurtures the mind. Tai Chi has spread to more than 180 countries and regions so far, with more than 500 million practitioners worldwide. In 2021, Tai Chi was officially included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO. Tai Chi is loved by people all over the world for its profound cultural heritage and practical flexibility.
Cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka have a long history. Our two countries have always enhanced understanding and reached consensus through exchanges. Sri Lankan people have a strong interest in Chinese culture, and Tai Chi has a broad mass base here. Every year, Sri Lanka sends professional teams to participate in international Tai Chi competitions and has won many awards. All these reflect the popularity and prevalence of Tai Chi and other Chinese martial arts in Sri Lanka, and also reflect the deep integration of Chinese and Sri Lankan cultures and the mutual understanding between the peoples.
I hope that through today’s World Tai Chi Day event, more Sri Lankan friends will join this beneficial activity for physical and mental health, further strengthening sports and cultural exchanges between China and Sri Lanka, and enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between our peoples. I look forward to our two peoples continuing to work hand in hand to achieve common progress through mutual learning of civilizations.
News
Police officers donate LKR 9,687,462 from day’s salary to ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund
A sum of LKR. 9,687,462, raised from day’s salary officers of the Police Department, has been donated to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to support the recovery of communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah and to assist in rebuilding the country following the disaster.
To date, officers of the Police Department have contributed over LKR. 74 million to the ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund through three such contributions of one day’s salary.
The donation was presented on Wednesday (22) afternoon at the Presidential Secretariat by the Personal Assistant to the Inspector General of Police, Senior Superintendent of Police C. C. Bamunuarachchi, to the Secretary to the President, Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Chief Inspector Udaya Kumara, Officer-in-Charge of the Police Secretariat, was also present on the occasion.
[Presidents Media Division]
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 26 April 2026, valid for 27 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, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
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.
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Opposition asks for PSC to probe Treasury theft
Opposition and SJB Leader Sajith Premadasa has called for the appointment of a Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) to investigate the illegal diversion of Treasury funds, amounting to US$2.5 million to a third-party account.
Premadasa has said both the chairmanship and a majority of the Committee’s membership should be held by the Opposition to ensure impartiality.
The government has not only failed to account for the loss of US$2.5 million but also deliberately withheld information from Parliament, the Committee on Public Finance (COPF) and the public, Premadasa has told the media, accusing the ruling party of seeking to deflect responsibility by initiating an internal departmental inquiry, which he describes as a biased process designed to justify predetermined conclusions.
The Opposition Leader has said only a transparent and independent probe could establish the facts, adding that such an investigation could be effectively carried out through a Parliamentary Select Committee led by the Opposition.
He has also warned that the alleged failure to inform Parliament about the missing funds amounted to a serious breach of accountability.
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