June 06, Colombo (LNW): Several spells of showers will occur in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern and North-western provinces and in Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, with a few showers will occur in Northern and North-central provinces, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (06).

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

Strong winds of about (40-50) kmph can be expected at times over Northern, North-central, North-western provinces and in Hambantota district.

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

Marine Weather:

June 05, Colombo (LNW): The Irrigation Department has announced a gradual reduction in the dangerous water levels of the Kelani River, Kalu River, and Attanagalu Oya. This development brings hope to flood-affected regions as water levels begin to subside.

Engineer Sakura Dilthara from the department confirmed that areas severely impacted by flooding, including Gampaha, Ja-Ela, Wattala, Minuwangoda, and Katana, are expected to see a decrease in water levels today, June 5. Similarly, low-lying regions within the Kelani River Basin, such as Kaduwela, Biyagama, Kolonnawa, Wattala, and Colombo, are also experiencing a gradual decline in water levels.

Despite this positive trend, Dr. Wasantha Senadeera, a senior geologist at the National Building Research Organization (NBRO), has cautioned that the risk of landslides remains high.

The Disaster Management Center has reported that the adverse weather conditions have affected over 161,000 individuals across the island. According to its director, Pradeep Kodippili, the death toll has tragically risen to 21. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges faced by many communities in the wake of these severe weather events.

Portfolio Extension to Be Introduced at CAFÉ 2024 Culinary Art Food Expo

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA 28th May 2024 – AB Mauri Lanka – a division of AB Mauri based in Peterborough, U.K. – is set to launch a trio of new products at the upcoming CAFE 2024 Culinary Art Food Expo on June 7-9 at BMICH. Each bakery ingredient is designed to assist commercial and artisan bakers to answer opportunities behind vegan baking, egg replacement, popular sourdough flavors and even on-shelf stackability.

Bakers attending the food expo will be able to find out more information on FOVO vegan and egg replacement, Aromaferm cereal ferments and Vega for bun resilience. AB Mauri Lanka representatives will be on-hand each day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. inside booth stalls 66-68 to discuss their offers under the theme, ‘An Invitation to Experience the Future of Baking.’

 “We are excited to invite all bakery and culinary professionals in the region to explore our latest technology and gain insight into how our new products can assist them in creating outstanding baked food items,” said Surajdeen Seiyad, Country Director, AB Mauri Lanka. “This is a unique opportunity for local and regional bakers to experience groundbreaking developments and interact with our industry experts, ultimately enhancing baking techniques.”

FOVO egg replacement range offers highly-functional solutions that can significantly reduce or even completely replace eggs in finished baked goods. This innovative line not only addresses the need for delicious and indulgent products but also emphasizes animal welfare, environmental sustainability and a reduced carbon footprint. The FOVO product range includes a FOVO cake concentrate available with or without baking powder and an egg replacer capable of replacing up to 100 percent of the egg content in recipes. 

The new Aromaferm portfolio introduces three varieties of products including wheatgerm, durum and rye ferments, assuring the presence of natural fermentation ingredients for bakers big and small. These natural sourdough items, derived from wheat milling byproducts fermented with select starter cultures, are ideally suited for creative artisanal, sandwich & Mediterranean-style breads, baguettes, pizza crusts and more. Key benefits include improved flavor, enhanced texture, increased freshness and resilience and more.

Vega, a unique range of products designed to boost resilience in buns, is also set for introduction. Crafted to meet modern tastes and offering a soft, resilient bite with a fine texture and white crumb, Vega ensures that buns remain fresh for an extended period, boast excellent resistance to compression and maintain an even crust colour. These qualities make finished baked goods with Vega technology perfect for stacking through commercial distribution.

About AB Mauri Lanka:

AB Mauri Lanka operates under the umbrella of Associated British Foods PLC, a renowned global bakery ingredient manufacturer based in the U.K.  Associated British Foods PLC maintains a significant international presence, operating 52 factories across more than 32 countries. With an extensive international network, AB Mauri Lanka remains committed to empowering the Sri Lankan bakery industry by providing high-quality ingredients trusted worldwide. More information can be found at https://www.abmauri.lk 

June 05, Colombo (LNW): The oldest container terminal at the Port of Colombo, the Jaya Container Terminal (JCT), is undergoing significant enhancements aimed at bolstering its operational capabilities. Scheduled for official unveiling by the end of June, these developments mark a pivotal moment for Sri Lanka’s maritime infrastructure.

Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, Nimal Siripala de Silva, personally oversaw the progress during a recent inspection visit to the terminal. Among the notable upgrades are the installation of three state-of-the-art 45-meter high gantry cranes, an extension of the anchorage by 120 meters to reach a total of 1,400 meters, and the expansion of the container yard by an additional 13 acres. These improvements, coupled with the existing 14 gantry cranes, signify a substantial investment by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), totaling Rs 10 billion.

Upon completion, the terminal will accommodate two large container vessels simultaneously, streamlining the handling of Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) and significantly enhancing operational efficiency. SLPA anticipates a notable increase in container throughput, projecting a rise from the current 1.8 million to 2.5 million containers per year.

This ambitious undertaking underscores the commitment of Sri Lanka’s maritime authorities to modernize and optimize port facilities, positioning the country as a key player in global trade. The inspection visit was attended by high-ranking officials, including Secretary to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Aviation, K.D.S. Ruwanchandra, SLPA Chairman Keith D. Bernard, Vice Chairman Gayan Alagewattege, Managing Director Prabath J. Malavige, as well as other key figures in port operations and management. Their presence highlights the strategic importance attached to this pivotal development in the nation’s maritime infrastructure.

June 05, Colombo (LNW): At the invitation of the Government of Pakistan, Minister of Buddhasasana, Religious, and Cultural Affairs Vidura Wickramanayaka led a delegation to Pakistan on May 27 to participate in the International Symposium and Exhibition titled ‘From Gandhara to the World: The Legacy of Gandharan Buddhism,’ held in connection with Vesak Day 2024.

Minister Wickramanayaka was accompanied by Member of Parliament S.M.M. Muszhaaraff; Ven. Halmillawewe Pemarathana Thera from the International Samanera Bhikkhu Training Institute, Dambulla; Ven. Prof. Thumbulle Seelakkhandha Thera, a member of the Sangha Council in Asgiri Maha Viharaya and former Vice-Chancellor of Pali and Buddhist University and Anuradhapura Bhikku University; Ven. Mugunuwela Anurudha Thera, General Secretary of the All Island Buddhist Council; and Ven. Prof. Tempitiye Indawimala, a lecturer at the University of Peradeniya.

Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Islamabad Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne also participated in the symposium and exhibition. The two-day event on Gandhara was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad from May 28 to 29. Religious leaders, experts, scholars, diplomats, historians, and art enthusiasts from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam attended, providing a platform for exchanging ideas and fostering connections.

Minister Wickramanayaka, as the chief guest, delivered the keynote speech, praising Pakistan’s role in enhancing cultural relations and achieving international recognition for Vesak Day. He emphasized the profound contribution of Buddhism to the culture, art, and civilization of South Asia and beyond. Highlighting the need for harnessing Buddhist values and promoting cultural diplomacy to unite people and nations, he stated, “Let us make Gandhara a bridge to serve this purpose. We must make Gandhara a living legacy.”

Addressing contemporary challenges in preserving and promoting Gandharan heritage, the Minister outlined strategies for fostering greater awareness, conservation, and research through international cooperation and collaboration to safeguard this invaluable cultural treasure.

June 05, Colombo (LNW): Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara announced in a post on ‘X’ that the Ministry has accepted all the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the new Electricity Bill.

Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara announced in a post on ‘X’ that the Ministry has accepted all the amendments suggested by the Supreme Court (SC) regarding the new Electricity Bill.

Minister Wijesekara noted that most of the amendments were agreed upon during the SC hearing on the Electricity Sector Reforms Bill three weeks ago. These suggested amendments will be presented for approval during the Committee stage, as per the Supreme Court’s recommendations.

June 05, Colombo (LNW): The government has taken decisive action to freeze all funds and assets of 15 organizations and 210 individuals involved in extremist and terrorist activities with immediate effect. This measure was announced following the issuance of a special gazette by the Defence Ministry, signed by Defence Ministry Secretary Gen. (retd) Kamal Gunaratne.

With this gazette, the funds, financial assets, and economic resources of these 15 terrorist and extremist organizations and the 210 individuals associated with them will be confiscated. This action is in accordance with the UN Act No. 45 of 1968 and the UN Decree No. 01 of 2012.

June 05, Colombo (LNW): The government has decided to obtain technical assistance from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to improve forecasts and early warnings of severe weather, floods, and landslides, Cabinet Spokesman and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana announced.

Speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department, Dr. Gunawardhana outlined the Climate Resilience Multi-Phase Programmatic Approach. Funded by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank, this initiative is planned to be implemented over nine years in three phases.

The first component of the five-part program aims to enhance the skills, technology, and infrastructure of relevant institutions to enable accurate forecasting and pre-assessment of weather conditions. This improvement is expected to allow for the quick and accurate prediction of high-risk weather and climate conditions, potentially reducing the $313 million annually spent by the government on post-disaster management.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Irrigation Minister to engage the WMO, an international organization with extensive experience in meteorology and hydrology, to enhance the country’s emergency warning systems.

Z Messenger (Pvt) Ltd, a leading Marketing Technology company in Sri Lanka, in partnership with Locobuzz, a cutting-edge social listening and sentiment analyzing platform is set to revolutionize how brands and political campaigners engage with their audience.  

In the digital age, social media has become a powerful force in shaping public opinion and influencing political landscapes. Political campaigns are increasingly leveraging social media platforms to connect with voters, disseminate messages, and gain insights into public sentiment. 

Social listening technology harnesses the power of artificial intelligence and big data analytics to provide real-time insights into public sentiment, trends, and opinions across various online platforms. By analyzing millions of data points, zMessenger’s social listening technology offers a comprehensive understanding of how audiences perceive brands or political personalities.

For brands, this technology offers invaluable insights to shape marketing strategies, enhance customer engagement and outpace competitors. By monitoring public sentiment real-time, brands can address issues promptly, capitalize on positive trends and make data-driven decisions to drive business success.

Social listening and Political campaign landscape:

Internationally, prominent political figures and campaigns have successfully utilized social listening to gain a competitive edge.  During the 2016 US presidential election, candidates employed social listening tools to understand voter sentiment, identify key issues and tailor their messaging to resonate with the electorate. 

Similarly zMessenger, together with Polipedia- an Australian-based political data platform, leveraged social listening platform to gauge public attitude towards policies, track voter sentiment and accurately predict voter behaviour during the last Presidential elections in Australia. Moreover, Locobuzz platform has been successfully deployed to manage multiple Government political campaigns worldwide.

Here are the ways that social listening tools help track and manage public sentiments on web and social media platforms.

Sentiment Analysis: Social media listening analyze the sentiment behind mentions, categorizing them as positive, negative, or neutral. This helps campaigns gauge the public’s emotional response to specific issues or candidates.

Keyword Tracking: These tools track keywords and social media hashtags relevant to the campaign, allowing campaigns to identify popular topics and monitor the use of specific terms across social media platforms.

Demographic Insights: Social media listening tools provide demographic information about individuals engaging in conversations. This helps campaigns understand the characteristics of their audience and tailor messages accordingly.

Competitor Analysis: Campaigns can monitor the online presence of competitors, gaining insights into their strategies, strengths, and weaknesses. This competitive analysis informs the development of more effective campaign strategies.

Influencer Identification: Identifying and engaging with social media influencers is crucial for campaigns. Social media listening tools can identify individuals with significant online influence, allowing campaigns to build relationships and amplify their message through influential voices.

Crisis Management: Social media listening tools play a vital role in campaign crisis management. By monitoring conversations going on across social networks in real time, campaigns can identify and address potential issues swiftly, minimizing a candidate’s reputational damage.

“Our social listening and sentiment analyzing platform partner, Locobuzz is poised to redefine how brands and political campaigns engage with their audiences,” stated Jayomi Lokuliyana CEO zMessenger. “By leveraging the power of technology, we empower organizations to make informed decisions, strengthen connections with their target audience and achieve their objectives” 

zMessenger invites brands and political campaigns to embark on a transformative journey with its Locobuzz social sentiment tracking technology platform unlocking new avenues for engagement, understanding and triumph.