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TV Presenters’ Unity together with UNDP Sri Lanka mark World Press Freedom Day 2023

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The Sri Lanka TV Presenters’ Unity, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Sri Lanka, celebrated a commemorative event to mark World Press Freedom Day 2023 today.This year’s theme was ‘Facing Contemporary Challenges to Responsible Journalism’, and the event aimed to highlight the critical role that journalists play in promoting freedom of expression, democracy, and human rights, while also addressing the challenges they face in performing their duties responsibly.

The event brought together media professionals, civil society organizations, Government officials, and other stakeholders to discuss and explore ways to promote gender inclusivity and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through responsible journalism.

The event saw the participation of high-level representatives including; Azusa Kubota, Resident Representative, UNDP in Sri Lanka; Justice (Rtd) Rohini Marasinghe, Chairperson of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (HRCSL); President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Immediate Past President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka; and Loshini Pieris, Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media.

“We were excited to partner with the UNDP in Sri Lanka to celebrate World Press Freedom Day,” said Dinesh Upendra, Convenor of the Sri Lanka TV Presenters’ Unity. “We believe that this event was an important platform for promoting and advancing press freedom and responsible journalism in Sri Lanka and beyond,” he added.

The UNDP Resident Representative in Sri Lanka, Azusa Kubota, in her opening remarks highlighted the importance of press freedom and responsible journalism in promoting sustainable development and human rights. Kubota stated that in times of poly-crisis, the role of the media is even more important. She noted that journalists in Sri Lanka face many challenges, and the media sector as a whole should work collectively to address them. She went on to highlight the need for accurate and reliable information to counter misinformation and fake news, and to empower young journalists. Kubota also drew attention to hate speech, which can have devastating consequences and urged media professionals to promote accurate and factual information, while avoiding language that stereotypes, stigmatizes, and marginalizes any group.

The event included a panel discussion on ‘Facing contemporary issues to responsible journalism’ including panelists; Dr. Ranga Kalansuriya, Mandana Ismail, Attorney at Law Viranjana Herath and Rehana Thowfeek. The discussion was moderated by Attorney at Law Dilshan Pathirathne, and Thanuja Jayawardhena.

The keynote address at the event was delivered by President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris, Immediate Past President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka.World Press Freedom Day 2023 marks the 30th anniversary of the UN General Assembly’s decision to proclaim an international day for press freedom, based on the Windhoek Declaration of 1991.



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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts

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Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.

The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.

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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Minister of Foreign Affairs pays his last respects to Pope Francis

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]

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RW to visit CIABOC on Monday

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Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.

Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.

Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.

In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.

Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.

The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.

The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.

He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.

According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.

Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.

However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.

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