June 26, Colombo (LNW): Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (26).

Fairly heavy falls about 50 mm are likely at some places.

A few showers may occur in the Anuradhapura and Matale districts.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

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

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers will occur at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo, Galle and Matara.

Winds:
Winds will be south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph.

Wind speed can increase up to (50-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota.

Wind speed can increase up to (45-50) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Vakarai via Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Mannar and from Matara to Pottuvil via Hambantota will be rough at times.

The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Matara via Colombo and Galle and from Kankasanthurai to Vakarai via Mullaittivu will be fairly rough at times.

The wave height may increase about (2.0 – 3.0) m in the sea areas off the coast extending from Mannar to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota.

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

World leaders were gathering in the Netherlands on Tuesday for the start of a historic two-day NATO summit that could unite the world’s biggest security organization around a new defense spending pledge or widen divisions among the 32 allies.

The allies are expected to endorse a goal of spending 5% of their gross domestic product on their security, to be able to fulfil the alliance’s plans for defending against outside attack.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s first appearance at NATO since returning to the White House was supposed to center on how the U.S. secured the historic military spending pledge from others in the security alliance — effectively bending it to its will.

But in the spotlight instead now is Trump’s decision to strike three nuclear enrichment facilities in Iran that the administration says eroded Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, as well as the president’s sudden announcement that Israel and Iran had reached a “complete and total ceasefire.”

Past NATO summits have focused almost entirely on the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte insisted that it remains a vital topic.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in The Hague for a series of meetings, despite his absence from a leaders’ meeting aiming to seal the agreement to boost military spending.

It’s a big change since the summit in Washington last year, when the military alliance’s weighty communique included a vow to supply long-term security assistance to Ukraine, and a commitment to back the country “on its irreversible path” to NATO membership.

In a joint tribune on the eve of this year’s summit, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said they backed U.S. peace efforts that should preserve Ukraine’s sovereignty and European security.

“For as long as the current trajectory lasts, Russia will find in France and Germany an unshakeable determination. What is at stake will determine European stability for the decades to come,” they wrote in the Financial Times newspaper.

“We will ensure that Ukraine emerges from this war prosperous, robust and secure, and will never live again under the fear of Russian aggression,” the two leaders wrote.

Ahead of the official program, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof. Later in the day, Zelenskyy will address the Dutch parliament.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) informed the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court yesterday (June 24) that it has commenced an investigation into the overseas trips made by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe during his time in office.

According to CID officials, the inquiry is being conducted under the provisions of the Public Property Act, which governs the use and protection of state resources.

Details of the investigation were officially presented to the court, but further specifics regarding the nature or scope of the alleged misuse have not yet been disclosed.

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused both Israel and Iran of violating the recently declared ceasefire, but expressed particular frustration with Israel, urging it to cease airstrikes and “bring your pilots home now!”

Speaking on Tuesday, Trump said he was “really unhappy” with Israel’s actions, despite calling it a “great honour” to have destroyed Iran’s nuclear facilities and then mediated an end to the war initiated by Israel on June 13.

Tensions escalated further when Iran launched a missile attack on a U.S. military base in Qatar on Monday, in retaliation for the strikes that destroyed key nuclear sites within its territory a day earlier.

According to Iranian officials, more than 400 people, including 13 children, have been killed and over 3,000 woundedsince Israel began its military campaign on June 13. In contrast, at least 28 Israelis have reportedly died in Iranian retaliatory strikes.

The rapidly evolving conflict has drawn global concern, with pressure mounting on all sides to restore calm and abide by the ceasefire agreement.

The UN secretary-general has called on Iran and Israel to fully adhere to the ceasefire.

Posting on X, António Guterres said he “welcomed President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran” and urged both sides to respect it in full.

“The fighting must stop,” he wrote, adding that “the people of the two countries have already suffered too much”.

“It is my sincere hope that this ceasefire can be replicated in the other conflicts in the region,” said Guterres.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development has reaffirmed its dedication to strengthening infrastructure and protecting the livelihoods of Sri Lanka’s coastal communities. At the Mannar District Fisheries Coordination Committee meeting held yesterday (June 24) at the Mannar District Secretariat, key decisions were made to address persistent challenges faced by the region’s fishing communities.

Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar, speaking to the media after the meeting, announced that the Government will move forward with the construction of a fully-fledged fisheries port in Pesalai, Mannar District. Slated for implementation in 2026, the project will be funded with assistance from the World Bank and is expected to significantly uplift the local fisheries sector and associated infrastructure.

“There is currently no designated fisheries port in Mannar. This project will address a long-standing gap. We recognize the concerns some locals may have and urge officials, including the Government Agent and other stakeholders, to actively engage with the community to highlight the port’s economic and social benefits,” Minister Chandrasekar stated.

Addressing another pressing issue, the Minister discussed the illegal entry of Indian fishermen into Sri Lankan waters, expressing confidence in the ongoing efforts to combat the problem. He highlighted the coordinated actionbeing taken by the Sri Lanka Navy, government ministries, and through diplomatic channels to prevent further encroachment.

“The concerns of our fishing communities are well understood. The Government, along with the Navy, is implementing targeted strategies to halt these illegal activities. I’m confident that we’ll be able to fully curtail cross-border intrusions in the near future,” he added.

The Minister also addressed the matter of lands previously acquired by the Navy, confirming that discussions are underway to resolve the issue and return appropriate lands to their original owners where possible.

Deputy Minister Ratna Gamage, who was also in attendance, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to continued community outreach in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, ensuring that the grievances of fishing communities are systematically addressed through district and provincial mechanisms.

“The establishment of the Pesalai port marks a pivotal step in our broader mission to empower fishing communities and strengthen maritime livelihoods,” Gamage noted.

Representatives from Mannar’s fishing community welcomed the Government’s proactive measures, particularly efforts by the Sri Lanka Navy to combat illegal fishing, and expressed appreciation for the transparent approach taken by authorities.

The meeting was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including the Additional Secretary of the Ministry, Mannar District Government Agent, Divisional Secretaries, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Police, environmental organisations, and representatives from key fisheries-related institutions such as the Sri Lanka Fisheries Ports Corporation, Sri Lanka Fisheries Corporation, National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA), and the National Aquaculture Development Authority (NAQDA).

As part of the government’s ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative, the Colombo Central Bus Stand is set to undergo a major upgrade within the next year, alongside the renovation of 50 major bus terminals across the country.

The large-scale refurbishment plan—aimed at enhancing cleanliness, efficiency, and commuter experience—will be carried out with support from the Sri Lanka Air Force. The Colombo Central Bus Stand, established in 1964 and spread across 1.42 hectares, currently facilitates 1,500 to 2,000 buses daily.

Renovation work at the Colombo terminal will include the modernization of several key facilities, including the canteen, rest areas, ticket counters, administrative unit, operations room, and driver quarters.

The announcement was made during a high-level discussion on the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ programme held at the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (June 23).

The meeting was attended by Transport, Highways, Ports and Civil Aviation Minister Bimal Rathnayake, President’s Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha, senior Sri Lanka Air Force officers, and other government officials.

This move reflects the government’s broader commitment to infrastructure improvement and public service delivery under its national cleanliness and modernization agenda.

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office for high-level discussions on strengthening cooperation in human rights, governance, and reconciliation.

Welcoming the High Commissioner, Prime Minister Amarasuriya reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to engaging constructively with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). She highlighted that the recent political transition represents a major shift in Sri Lanka’s political culture, stemming from a historic, broad-based public mandate received across all communities.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister outlined the Government’s priorities under three central pillars:

1. Alleviating rural poverty,
2. Accelerating digital transformation, and
3. Advancing legal, political, and institutional reforms necessary for lasting social change.

Dr. Amarasuriya emphasized the Government’s dedication to upholding the full range of human rights, including social, educational, health, and economic rights, and reiterated that reconciliation remains a core priority. She noted the strengthening of domestic mechanisms such as the Office for Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations (OR), and the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) as key to achieving sustainable peace and justice.

High Commissioner Volker Turk commended Sri Lanka’s continued engagement with the UN and stressed the importance of sustained collaboration in advancing human rights, democratic values, and national reconciliation efforts.

Also present at the meeting were UN Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka Marc-André Franche and other UN officials. The Sri Lankan delegation included Secretary to the Prime Minister Pradeep Saputhanthri, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, and senior officials from both the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The government’s flagship initiative, the ‘Praja Shakthi’ National Programme, aimed at empowering communities and ensuring equitable economic development, is set to officially launch on July 4 at Temple Trees under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

In preparation for the launch, the inaugural meeting of the Praja Shakthi National Operations Committee was held this afternoon (June 24) at the Presidential Secretariat. The discussion was chaired by Minister of Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Upali Pannilage, alongside Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.

The Operations Committee comprises nine Ministry Secretaries and Chief Secretaries of Provincial Councils, and is coordinated by the Senior Additional Secretary (Development Administration) to the President, who also serves as the Secretary and Convener of the Committee.

Praja Shakthi is envisioned as a multi-dimensional framework for community empowerment, aligning with the government’s national policy priorities. As one of three major development programmes currently being implemented, it focuses on ensuring the fair distribution of economic outcomes and fostering inclusive development, particularly in rural and underserved regions.

The initiative seeks to restructure and align existing empowerment efforts under a unified, policy-driven approach. It introduces a new structural framework that supports comprehensive development planning—from identifying local needs to policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring.

Key topics discussed during the meeting included the role of provincial and local government bodies, strategies for capacity building, and the planned establishment of “Praja Shakthi Councils” to drive grassroots participation and oversight.

Currently, one in six Sri Lankans lives in multidimensional poverty, with 95.3% of this population located in rural and estate sectors. This persistent condition hampers national productivity and economic growth. Praja Shakthi aims to tackle these challenges by reinforcing social protection mechanisms and targeting vulnerable populationsthrough an inclusive and structured welfare system.

Among those present at the meeting were Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara, Public Administration Ministry Secretary S. Aloka Bandara, as well as other ministry secretaries, district secretaries, and senior government officials.

Showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts. Several spells of showers may occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva province and in Ampara and Batticaloa districts during the afternoon or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Trincomalee and Hambantota districts.

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