April 06, Colombo (LNW): In preparation for the upcoming Local Government Elections, all Secretaries of Ministries along with the heads of public institutions and statutory bodies have been summoned to attend a high-level meeting at the Election Secretariat.

The meeting, convened under the direction of R.M.A.L. Rathnayake, Chair of the National Election Commission, is expected to take place in the coming week.

The central focus of this assembly will be the enforcement of recently gazetted regulations designed to curb the misuse of state-owned assets and facilities during the election period.

These measures aim to ensure the integrity of the electoral process by preventing public resources from being exploited for partisan gain—a persistent concern in Sri Lankan political life.

In addition to resource management, the session will also address broader issues related to election preparedness. These include guidelines for civil servants, procedures for maintaining neutrality in government communication, and strategies for responding to electoral violations at the local level.

The Election Commission has expressed deep concern over recent developments, with six formal complaints lodged in just the past 24 hours regarding alleged breaches of electoral law. Amongst these was a report concerning the improper use of public assets, a matter now under review by the police.

The commission has been vocal in its calls for all government officers to strictly adhere to established election guidelines. It has also reiterated that public trust in democratic institutions depends heavily on the neutrality and transparency of state functionaries during the lead-up to polling day.

With the Local Government Election scheduled for May 06, 2025, the Commission is intensifying oversight to prevent electoral malpractice and bolster public confidence. This includes monitoring campaign activity, assessing the conduct of public officials, and investigating any credible allegations that may emerge.

April 06, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka has dispatched a dedicated humanitarian relief mission to Myanmar in the wake of a powerful earthquake that has caused significant destruction and loss across the Southeast Asian nation.

A 26-member team, comprising medical and disaster response personnel from the Army, Navy and Air Force, departed from Colombo on April 05 aboard a specially chartered flight to provide immediate assistance to affected communities.

The relief contingent is led by Brigadier Punya Karunathilake and is tasked with delivering essential aid, offering medical support, and contributing to recovery operations in collaboration with Myanmar’s local authorities.

The mission forms part of a broader emergency response initiative coordinated at the highest levels of government.

Under the guidance of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the close supervision of Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retired), the deployment demonstrates Sri Lanka’s capacity for rapid and organised humanitarian mobilisation.

The tri-forces, acting in unison, have once again underscored their ability to respond swiftly and compassionately to crises beyond national borders.

The humanitarian cargo includes medical supplies, food items, and other critical essentials, donated by the people of Sri Lanka in a show of solidarity with the people of Myanmar.

The effort has been led by the country’s monastic community, with the Venerable Maha Sangha and the Chief Prelates of the three principal Buddhist chapters playing a central role in mobilising public support and spiritual guidance for the mission.

Diplomatic coordination for the operation was facilitated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose officials ensured the logistical and regulatory frameworks were aligned for the team’s entry and cooperation with Myanmar’s disaster management agencies.

The ministry worked in close partnership with its counterparts in Naypyidaw, underscoring the strong diplomatic ties between the two countries.

SriLankan Airlines, the national carrier, has played a pivotal role in enabling the mission’s swift deployment by offering logistical support and facilitating the transport of personnel and cargo to the affected region.

The Sri Lankan government has reiterated its intention to continue monitoring the situation in Myanmar and to offer further assistance as needed. The gesture has drawn praise from both local and international observers, who view this response as part of Sri Lanka’s growing role in regional disaster relief efforts, especially in times of acute humanitarian need.

April 06, Colombo (LNW): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to conclude his official visit to Sri Lanka with a significant stop in the ancient city of Anuradhapura today (06).

The visit, his first since 2019, comes at the invitation of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and represents a renewed chapter in Indo-Lanka relations following a period of political transition in Colombo.

Prime Minister Modi will visit the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, one of the most venerated sites in Buddhism, where he is expected to participate in religious observances alongside President Dissanayake.

The presence of the two leaders at this deeply symbolic site underlines the shared cultural and spiritual heritage that binds the two nations.

Later in the day, the two heads of state will jointly unveil the newly modernised railway signalling system at Anuradhapura Railway Station. This upgrade, supported through Indian development assistance, forms part of a broader initiative to revitalise Sri Lanka’s railway infrastructure.

Also being inaugurated is the improved Maho-Omanthai railway line—another key milestone in the bilateral cooperation between the countries.

Over the past three days, the Indian Prime Minister has engaged in a wide range of diplomatic and developmental initiatives aimed at consolidating ties across strategic sectors.

High-level talks between Modi and Dissanayake were held at the Presidential Secretariat, where the leaders explored avenues to strengthen collaboration in defence, renewable energy, digital connectivity, trade, and infrastructure.

Several bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, including a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. A notable highlight was the trilateral agreement between India, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates, which paves the way for transforming Trincomalee into a regional energy hub—a project expected to have long-term implications for the energy security of the island.

India also extended its support for key developmental and cultural initiatives, including the rollout of 5,000 solar rooftop units across Sri Lanka, the commencement of the 120 MW Sampur Solar Power Project, and the restoration and development of historic religious sites such as the Thirukoneswaram temple in Trincomalee.

The two leaders jointly launched these projects in a virtual ceremony, further reinforcing the emphasis on energy sustainability and cultural diplomacy.

Modi’s arrival on 4 April was marked by a ceremonial reception at Independence Square, making him the first foreign dignitary to visit Sri Lanka since President Dissanayake assumed office in late 2024.

His visit has been viewed as a signal of India’s firm commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s economic recovery and long-term stability in the wake of past fiscal challenges.

To accommodate today’s high-level programme, several roads in Anuradhapura will experience temporary closures. Motorists are advised to expect limited access to key routes including the Anuradhapura Air Force Base Road, areas surrounding the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the railway station, and prominent intersections like Harischandra Junction and the Hospital Roundabout. Road closures are expected to be in effect between 7:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m., and residents are encouraged to use alternative routes to minimise delays.

April 06, Colombo (LNW): The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has voiced deep alarm following the death of a young man who died in police custody under distressing circumstances during the early hours of April 02, 2025, whilst being held at the Welikada Police Station.

Initial reports suggest that the youth had sustained fatal injuries allegedly inflicted upon himself whilst in custody. However, questions have been raised regarding the mental state of the individual at the time, and whether appropriate precautions were taken by the authorities.

Following his injury, the detainee was transferred to the Mulleriyawa Hospital, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Rajeev Amarasuriya, President of the BASL, issued a strongly worded statement expressing the Association’s serious concern over the incident and its wider implications for police accountability and public confidence in the justice system.

He urged that the Acting Inspector General of Police initiate an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation to ascertain the true circumstances leading to the young man’s death.

Amarasuriya further highlighted that the BASL has, for many years, raised repeated concerns over law enforcement practices in Sri Lanka, emphasising the need for professionalism, restraint, and a commitment to upholding basic rights, particularly in custodial settings.

“When lives are lost in custody, especially under questionable conditions, it raises serious concerns about the state’s commitment to the rule of law,” he stated.

The incident is yet another addition to a troubling pattern of custodial deaths across the country, which the BASL claims continue unabated despite persistent calls for reform.

The Association expressed its disappointment at the failure of the authorities to implement concrete safeguards and ensure accountability in such cases.

According to Amarasuriya, the recurrence of such tragedies risks fostering a dangerous perception that impunity exists within the law enforcement system.

He cautioned that unless decisive action is taken, the public may lose faith in the institutions meant to protect them. “A state that fails to prevent custodial deaths, or delays justice for those affected, effectively sends the message that violations of rights carry no consequence,” he warned.

The BASL reaffirmed its support for a comprehensive zero-tolerance approach to custodial deaths and offered its cooperation to work with the police and other state institutions on reforms and training programmes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Association also called on civil society and international partners to continue engaging on these issues, stressing that the safeguarding of human rights within custodial environments is a fundamental obligation of any democratic society.

April 06, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island during the afternoon or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (06).

Showers may occur in the coastal areas of Western and Southern provinces and in Puttalam, Mannar, Jaffna and Ampara districts in the morning too.

Fairly heavy rainfall of above 75 mm are likely at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central, Uva, North-central, Southern and Eastern provinces.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa, Uva, Northern and North-central provinces during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

The Department also announced the sun’s position against the earth, stating that on the apparent northward relative motion of the sun, it is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka during 05^th to 14^th of April in this year.

The nearest areas of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (06^th) are Kaluthara, Kelinkanda, Kahawaththa, Pokunutenna and Mahawelatota at about 12:12 noon, the announcement further said.

Marine Weather:

OCEAN WITH DAVID ATTENBOROUGH takes viewers on a breathtaking journey showing there is nowhere more vital for our survival, more full of life, wonder, or surprise, than the ocean. The celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker reveals how his lifetime has coincided with the great age of ocean discovery.

Through spectacular sequences featuring coral reefs, kelp forests and the open ocean, Attenborough shares why a healthy ocean keeps the entire planet stable and flourishing. Stunning, immersive cinematography showcases the wonder of life under the seas and exposes the realities and challenges facing our ocean as never-before-seen, from destructive fishing techniques to mass coral reef bleaching.

Yet the story is one of optimism, with Attenborough pointing to inspirational stories from around the world to deliver his greatest message: the ocean can recover to a glory beyond anything anyone alive has ever seen. Screening in cinemas with theatrically exclusive footage.