The prevailing rainy condition of the island is expected to continue further, due to the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone (where winds from the Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere converge).
Showers or thundershowers will occur at times over most parts of the island.
Heavy showers above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and Uva provinces.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
It is reported that yesterday (17) President Ranil Wickramasinghe reversed the decision of the Constitutional Council to remove the Inspector General of Police from his position when President Ranil Wickramasinghe as the Defense Minister and the Public Security Minister Tiran Alas who is in charge of the Police are not in the island.
The Inspector General of Police was re-appointed less than an hour after the Constitutional Council removed him from his position yesterday.
President Ranil Wickramasinghe has immediately given all the necessary orders from Beijing, China to implement the arrangements related to the re-appointment of the Inspector General of Police.
A senior government minister stated that it is a serious mistake for the Constitutional Council to remove the Inspector General of Police when President Ranil Wickramasinghe as the Minister of Defense and Tiran Alas as the Minister in Charge of Police are not in the island.
The senior minister added that there is a strong suspicion that the removal of the Inspector General of Police is the result of a conspiracy against the backdrop of the arrival of President Ranil Wickramasinghe who has left the island in two days.
The Minister also mentioned that the removal of the Inspector General of Police when the President and the Minister in Charge of Police are not in the country is equivalent to shutting down the entire police force in the country.
Steps had been taken earlier to extend the service of CD Wickramaratne, whose term of office had expired, for another three weeks. However, the Constituent Assembly had ruled yesterday (17) afternoon that according to the policy decision taken by the government not to extend service to government officials over sixty years of age, the extension of service to Inspector General of Police CD Wickramaratne cannot be approved.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Türkiye organized a Sri Lanka tourism and cultural promotional event in Adana commemorating Sri Lanka’s 75th anniversary of Independence celebrated on 04 February 2023, the anniversary of establishing the Republic of Türkiye on 29 October 2023 and the 75th Anniversary of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Türkiye in 2023.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Türkiye decided to organize the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the Independence Day of Sri Lanka under the theme “At 75: Sri Lanka Moving Forward with Nature-based Solutions for Global Climate Change. Although a series of Sri Lanka tourism and cultural promotional events were originally scheduled to be held in February 2023, in solidarity with the Turkish people affected by the devastating earthquake in southeastern Türkiye on 06 February 2023, the Embassy postponed all the promotional events.
Eight months after the earthquake, the first such event was arranged by the embassy together with the Honorary Consul for Sri Lanka in Adana on 13 October 2023 at Adana HiltonSA. Similar events are being organized in the cities of Antalya and Bursa as well.
While welcoming the guests, Hony. Consul of Sri Lanka in the Mediterranean Region, Adana Beşir Uğur shared his experiences about Sri Lanka as a business and tourist destination as Mr. Uğur started his business relations with Sri Lanka in the tea sector in the early 1980s as the owner of BETA Tea in Türkiye.
The Governor of Adana Yavuz Selim Köşger delivered remarks, as the chief guest. He highlighted the importance of arranging such an event in Adana to cherish the similarities, and understand and embrace the differences between cultures that enrich our lives. He also emphasized that it is important to promote tourism and culture as a means of bridging gaps, promoting understanding and peace among people.
Prior to the event, Ambassador Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake called on the Governor Köşger and discussed on areas for collaboration such as trade, and investment including garment, IT, renewable energy, and agricultural sectors. The governor noted a Turkish idiom “one knows who real friends are at times of peril and disasters” noting how Sri Lanka helped Türkiye in the aftermath of the earthquake and how Türkiye helped Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the tsunami.
Governor Köşger, an ardent diver expressed his interest in exploring the under sea around Sri Lanka.
Ambassador Dissanayake delivered the keynote address by introducing Sri Lanka as a country that is well known for its Ceylon tea, gems, and true cinnamon, and a land with infinite experiences for Turkish tourists. She noted that the direct flights to operate between the two countries by Turkish Airlines would increase connectivity and contribute towards closer interactions between the two peoples, which would also enhance bilateral economic cooperation.
The Ambassador also mentioned that Sri Lanka is globally recognized for its commitment to contributing to mitigating climate change impacts and the efforts to sustainably manage its unparalleled ecosystems, diversity, and high endemism. She added that Sri Lanka is ready to share its expertise with Türkiye too.
The event was attended by over 150 invitees, comprising officials from the public sector, including members of parliament from the National Assembly and local government, heads of chambers and leading private sector organizations in Adana, representatives from the tourism sector in Adana and media.
Tourism presentations, videos, Sri Lankan music, batik décor, and banners all provided a beautiful Sri Lankan ambiance to the event.
In addition, a Sri Lankan photo exhibition depicting nature and climate change impact, and culture by professional award-winning photographers, Ravi Ranasinghe & Dr. Umberto Binetti and a selection of paintings by renowned Sri Lankan artist Vasantha Perera were displayed at the venue, together with Sri Lankan gem-studded jewellery.
As the sponsor of the event, BETA Tea Company in Türkiye, served Ceylon tea at the event and showed a video clip introducing BETA tea.
Guests were also treated to sumptuous Sri Lankan delicacies together with Turkish food during the networking session while enjoying traditional and modern Sri Lankan music.
It was an event to expose the people of Adana to a wide range of experiences and insights into the Sri Lankan culture and a glimpse of what Sri Lanka offers to the world, particularly to the people of Adana in Türkiye as a promising future tourist destination.
The new board members of Sri Lanka United National Association of Canada (SLUNA) met with the Consul General of Sri Lanka Thushara Rodrigo at the Consulate General in Toronto on 15 October 2023.
The consul general welcomed the new board members and appreciated SLUNA’s constructive engagements with the Sri Lankan Canadian community. He commended SLUNA for its longstanding and pivotal role in the community for over 40 years and extended best wishes for the new board members for a successful tenure.
While appreciating the assistance of Sri Lankan Canadians so far extended to Sri Lanka, the consul general emphasized the importance of supporting the motherland in reconciliation and economic recovery efforts irrespective of ethnic, religious, or political differences. He encouraged the new board members to explore the potential to broaden community engagements to further strengthen the multicultural values in the Sri Lankan Canadian community.
Colombo (LNW): During President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to Huawei today, Simon Lin, the Senior Vice President of Huawei Technologies and President of Huawei Asia Pacific, expressed the company’s commitment to sponsor an annual programme to cultivate software and hardware engineering talent in Sri Lanka.
Lin highlighted Huawei’s ongoing partnerships with multiple Sri Lankan universities, encompassing academic support and technological infrastructure provisions.
As part of his four-day official visit to China, President Wickremesinghe, along with the Sri Lankan delegation, toured Huawei’s R&D centre in Beijing today (17).
Throughout his visit, Wickremesinghe articulated his vision for Sri Lanka’s future and acknowledged the pivotal role the Chinese Government and Huawei play in bolstering Sri Lanka’s digital education and green energy initiatives.
To navigate future challenges, the Sri Lankan President underscored the importance of fostering a robust digital and eco-friendly economy in the island nation, mentioning that preliminary efforts in this direction are already in progress.
The conversations also delved into how equipping the Sri Lankan populace with digital know-how can spur national economic growth.
The delegation was introduced to Huawei’s global offerings and their cutting-edge tech innovations.
Moreover, a pact affirming Huawei’s dedication to digitalising Sri Lankan educational institutions was inked during the visit.
Dignitaries such as the Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, Transport and Mass Media Minister Bandula Gunawardena, and Senior Presidential Adviser on National Security Sagala Ratnayaka were in attendance.
Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka Cricket’s Independent Inquiry Committee has recommended the full removal of the ban on Cricketer Danushka Gunathilaka, following an investigation into criminal allegations made against the player in Australia.
Gunathilaka was suspended from all cricket-related activities in November 2022 by the Executive Committee of Sri Lanka Cricket after he was arrested and charged with alleged sexual assault during the T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.
The suspension aimed to protect the reputation of both cricket and Sri Lanka.
The Inquiry Panel, chaired by Retired High Court Judge Sisira Ratnayake and accompanied by Attorneys Niroshana Perera and Asela Rekawa, unanimously advised that Gunathilaka’s suspension be lifted.
They suggested Gunathilaka return to regular cricket activities and national duty, with a caution to act responsibly as a national representative in the future.
Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning activity are likely to occur at several places in Northern, North-Central, North-Western, Eastern, Uva and Southern Provinces and in Kandy District during the afternoon or night, the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology said in an advisory statement today (17).
Temporary localised strong winds may appear during thundershowers.
The general public, therefore, is kindly urged to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.
The Department further urges the public to, 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. and beware of fallen trees and power lines.
Colombo (LNW): Prominent Sri Lankan film producer Deshabandu Dr. Buddhi Keerthisena passed away today (17), his family confirmed.
The 83-year-old was also the co-founder of ‘Buddhi Batiks’.
From Wednesday (18) until Thursday (19) at 09.00 a.m., his body will be kept at his Lake Drive residence in Colombo 08.
It will then be moved to the Buddhi Batiks workshop in Koswadiya, Mahawewa until 03.00 p.m. on Saturday (21).
His funeral will take place at 4.00 p.m. on Saturday at the Koswadiya Cemetery.
He leaves behind his wife, Margaret Ranasiri Keerthisena, and children Darshi Keerthisena and noted filmmaker Boodee Keerthisena.
Keerthisena, who has produced films like “Aya Obata Barai”, new production of “Sujatha” the movie, is a business magnet who has played a pioneering mission in Sri Lanka to take the local batik industry to the global stage.
World (LNW): India’s Supreme Court in a landmark ruling has affirmed the rights of the LGBTQIA+ community, but stopped short of granting legal recognition to same-sex unions, CNN reported.
This decision is seen as a partial triumph for LGBTQIA+ advocates in India who have been pushing for equal rights in the nation.
On Tuesday (17), a panel of five judges, headed by the Chief Justice of India, announced the awaited judgement, with the event being broadcast live by the Supreme Court amid gathering crowds.
Several LGBTQIA+ activists had petitioned against the existing law that prohibits them from entering into legal marriages.
This judgement marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing quest for LGBTQIA+ rights in a society where being homosexual is often stigmatised. India decriminalised same-sex sexual relationships in October 2018.
Colombo (LNW): Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasinghe yesterday (16) ordered the remand of six individuals allegedly linked to the April 2019 Easter Sunday massacre until they receive guidance from the Attorney General.
These suspects are believed to have had connections with businessman Ahmed Luqman Talib, who has been identified as a facilitator for al-Qaeda.
The Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) is acting on information from Interpol, which found from phone records that these suspects communicated with Talib. International Police (INTERPOL) have also identified links between Talib and seven Maldivian and two Australian nationals.
The TID is seeking permission to detain three suspects for questioning and aims to obtain statements from three others currently in prison.
Talib, who was arrested in 2021 by Australia for funding Al-Qaeda, also operated a gemstone trading company in Sri Lanka named Right Gems. The U.S. sanctioned him in 2020 for his financial ties to Al-Qaeda.
The TID will continue its investigation under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) based on the evidence from over 700 phone calls.
