Showers or thundershowers will occur over most parts of the island during the afternoon or night.
Fairly heavy showers above 75 mm can be expected at some places in Uva, Central, Sabaragamuwa, and Easten provinces.
A few showers may occur in coastal areas of the western and southern provinces during the morning.
The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.
Colombo (LNW): China’s Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has entered a preliminary agreement with Sri Lanka concerning the handling of debts linked to China, announced Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry.
This development comes as Sri Lanka, facing its most significant economic crisis in over 70 years, seeks debt relief from China, its primary bilateral lender.
The country suspended its debt repayments in May of the previous year and is currently in discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a US $2.9 billion bailout package.
As of the end of 2022, Sri Lanka’s debt to China’s EXIM stood at US $4.1 billion, equating to 11 per cent of the nation’s foreign currency debt.
While China is committed to assisting Sri Lanka, there is ongoing speculation about whether the IMF requires more information from Sri Lanka’s creditors to proceed with its financial support.
Some of Sri Lanka’s official creditor committee members are allegedly advocating for a debt restructuring deal without China’s involvement.
Colombo (LNW): The Kalutara High Court today (10) pronounced the death penalty on three individuals convicted of a murder that was committed in 1992 in Keeranthidiya area.
These individuals were involved in a fatal attack on a person using clubs 31 years ago.
While the third, fourth, and fifth accused received the death sentence, the first accused was sentenced to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment with an additional fine of Rs. 300,000. Should the fine go unpaid, he faces an extra two-year prison term.
The Welipenna Police initially arrested the suspects, and after preliminary evidence was heard at the Mathugama Magistrate Court, the Attorney General filed charges against them at the Kalutara High Court.
The Court learned during the proceedings that the second accused had died due to cancer.
Colombo (LNW): The Fundamental Rights (FR) petition lodged by Ministers Harin Fernando and Manusha Nanayakkara challenging the decision by the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) to suspend their party membership is set to be heard before the Supreme Court on October 12, 2023.
This was when the case was taken up before the three-member Supreme Court Bench today (10).
As per the Constitution of Sri Lanka, the attorneys for the respondents emphasised that the case should be resolved within two months of its filing.
The ministers had their party membership suspended in May 2022 after accepting ministerial roles while facing potential disciplinary action from the SJB.
Although they later resigned from their positions in July 2022, they were reappointed by President Ranil Wickremesinghe shortly after.
Colombo (LNW): Japanese Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro, during his meeting with Sri Lankan Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, expressed Japan’s commitment to support Sri Lanka’s economic recovery.
Masahiro praised Sri Lanka for its rapid economic stabilisation and the ongoing structural reforms aimed at fostering a conducive environment for foreign investments.
While in Sri Lanka for the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) meeting, he assured full support to Sri Lanka during its tenure as IORA Chairman.
Premier Gunawardena highlighted the strategic significance of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean and stressed close bilateral cooperation.
He also voiced concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and its potential global ramifications. Additionally, he thanked Japan for its assistance in debt restructuring.
Colombo (LNW): Newly appointed Chairman of the Land Registration Commission (LRC), Attorney-at-Law Panduka Keerthinanda assumed duties today (10).
He currently serves as the Legal Advisor to Tourism and Lands Minister Harin Fernando and as the Chairman of the Tourism Advisory Committee.
World (LNW): Israel has called up over 300,000 troops and closed off the Gaza Strip’s borders, signaling a possible ground incursion into Gaza, according to foreign reports.
Israeli military operations continue in Gaza with the intent of weakening Hamas’s stronghold. The conflict’s death toll has surpassed 1,600 in just three days, with more than 700 Palestinian and over 900 Israeli casualties, including 50 foreign nationals.
Amidst the ongoing conflict, the Palestinian Health Ministry urged for secure routes to transport essential medical supplies as hospitals face critical shortages.
Meanwhile, the United Nations reported that around 187,000 Palestinians have been displaced, many seeking refuge in makeshift camps in schools.
There have also been intermittent skirmishes on Israel’s northern border with Hezbollah militants, and violent confrontations on the West Bank near Jerusalem, resulting in numerous casualties.
Colombo (LNW): Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in North-central, Eastern and Central provinces and in Badulla, Kegalle, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts during the evening or night, warned the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology in an advisory statement today (10).
There may be temporary localised strong winds during thundershowers, the statement added, urging the public to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by lightning activity.
It added 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., and beware of fallen trees and power lines.
Colombo (LNW): UK’s Indo-Pacific Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan is on a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties between the two countries.
This is her inaugural trip to Sri Lanka in this capacity.
Trevelyan highlighted the UK’s commitment to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Ministerial hosted by Sri Lanka, emphasising collaborative programmes on climate mitigation, biodiversity, and the Glasgow Pact from COP26.
She praised the UK-Sri Lanka partnership on climate action, peace-building, and human rights and expressed a desire to boost security in the Indian Ocean region.
Trevelyan will be meeting key Sri Lankan officials, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, to discuss bilateral ties, climate finance, human rights, and justice reforms.
Her itinerary also includes a trip to Jaffna in the Northern Province to interact with regional representatives and inspect a UK-supported demining project.
Following Sri Lanka, Trevelyan will proceed to India to further the UK’s Indo-Pacific relations.
Colombo (LNW): The body of the veteran Actor, Artist and Musician Jackson Anthony is currently placed at the “Jayaratne Respect Home” in Borella Jayaratne Flower Hall for the public to pay their respects.
Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, along with several other politicians and artists, attended the event today (10) to offer their final respects to the late artistic giant.
The significant turnout is a testament to the widespread admiration and love he commanded.
The body of Mr. Anthony will remain at the “Jayaratne Respect Home” for public homage until 11 pm tonight, after which it will be taken to his residence in Ragama.
The funeral rites are scheduled to be held tomorrow (11) and the subsequent Thursday afternoon at the St. Peter and Paul Church.
Prior to the final rites, the body will be at his residence located at 90/A, 58 Vanigasuriyawatta, Ragama Road, Kadawatha.
Photo Courtesy: Ajith Senevirathne
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