COLOMBO, 28 March, 2021, (TON): An Inspector of Police (IP) connected to the Gampaha Traffic Division passed on when the bike he was riding collided with a parked bowser at Kalagedihena Junction on the Colombo-Kandy Main Road early toward the beginning of today

Police said the 36-year-old IP, a resident of Nugadeniya was admitted to the Wathupitiwala Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The police have arrested the driver of the bowser for parking the vehicle without proper safety protocols.

COLOMBO, 28 March, 2021, (TON): Several areas in the country would receive heavy rainfall of over 100 mm during this evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said.

While giving climate estimates for now, the Department said, heavy storm could be considered typical at certain spots in Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Western, Central and North-western areas.

Even showers could be expected in Eastern and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district during the morning, they said.

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

COLOMBO, 26 March, 2021, (TON): Wimal Weerawansa, Minister of Industries, pinpoints that countries like China, Vietnam, and South Korea are successfully coping with global economic crises owing to their high-tech industries and in order to attract such high-tech industries to Sri Lanka, the country requires human resources armed with such knowledge. Thus, enhancing the computer literacy of children could be the first step to achieve the said goals. 

The Minister said while addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Computer Technology Training School established jointly by the Kaduwela Municipal Council and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) on the 25th.

Premanath C. Dolawatta, M.P, Kaduwela Mayor Buddhika Jayawilal, Director of the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology Prof. Lalith Gamage, and many government officials including the Kaduwela Municipal Commissioner were also present on the occasion.

COLOMBO, 24 March, 2021, (TON): After the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) embraced the goal on Sri Lanka, Foreign Affairs Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the quantity of votes that the European countries expected against Sri Lanka didn't emerge.

Out of the 47 member states of the Human Rights Council, just 22 had cast a ballot for the draft goal introduced by the Core Group, he noted, adding that this was not the outcome European nations anticipated. He said the Core Group couldn't get larger part casts a ballot true to form.

 “We thank all those countries who stood up for the defense not only of Sri Lanka but also of all other sovereign nations of the world,” he said. He appreciated the countries that voted against the resolution and abstained from voting.

Convening a press conference, the minister said this is not a time to bring country-specific resolutions. “Don’t waste time unnecessarily on a country-specific resolution by trying to punish Sri Lanka.”

UNHRC on Tuesday adopted the draft resolution L1/Rev.1 titled “Promoting Reconciliation, Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka” which was tabled at the 46th Regular Session of the council.

Speaking further, the minister said, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with his mandate in 2019, soon after his being elected as the head of the state, decided as promised to the country to withdraw from the co-sponsorship of the resolution on Sri Lanka, which the previous government had agreed.

However, constitutionally it was not possible, he emphasized. “Even my predecessor [former] Minister Marapana mentioned in an international forum that constitutionally Sri Lanka cannot go forward with co-sponsored resolution. So, we withdrew from the co-sponsorship.”

“Any of these resolutions, without the consent and acceptance of the country concerned, cannot be implemented.”

Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that Sri Lanka restored human rights by defeating the LTTE. “The LTTE massacred all Tamil democratic leaders. LTTE massacred innocent youths of the north and east.”

He added that Sri Lankan forces were able to bring the conflict to an end, so that Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities could live with a sense of security.

COLOMBO, 24 March, 2021, (TON): Tomorrow (March 25) has been proclaimed as a day of grieving in recognition of late Amarapura Maha Nikaya Mahanayake Most Venerable Aggamaha Panditha Kotugoda Dhammawasa Thera.

As needs are, all slaughterhouses, meat and fish shops, and alcohol stores in the Colombo District will be shut tomorrow.

WASHINGTON, 24 March, 2021, (TON): The United States has approached Sri Lanka to shield the privileges of ethnic and strict minorities. US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter noticed that the United Nations Human Rights Council passed a goal to advance common freedoms in Sri Lanka.

"The United States co-sponsored this resolution and together with the international community calls on Sri Lanka to safeguard the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, and civil society actors, and to take credible and meaningful steps to address its past, promote reconciliation, and guarantee equal access to justice for all its people," she said.

Jalina Porter said the goal grows revealing prerequisites for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and incorporates a command to gather and save proof for future responsibility cycles and communicates worry about the patterns over the previous year.

She said that the drawn-out security and flourishing of Sri Lanka rely upon regarding common liberties today and focusing on harmony and compromise for what's to come.

COLOMBO, 21 March, 2021, (TON): Steps will be taken to provide a relief pack through Sathosa outlets with the aim of giving relief to consumers during the Sinhala/Tamil New Year season, Minister Bandula Gunawardena said.

He said the relief pack will contain 10 essential food items and will be available at Sathosa branches from April 1 at a nominal price of Rs. 1,000 each.

COLOMBO, 20 March, 2021, (TON): Sri Lankan PM Mahinda Rajapaksa on Saturday paid profound recognitions for Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheik Mujibur Rahman. The meeting Sri Lankan PM showed his regard to Bangabandhu by putting a wreath at his representation anywhere nearby of Bangabandhu Memorial Museum at Dhanmondi street number 32 toward the beginning of today.

After placing the wreath, Rajapaksa stood there for some time in solemn silence as a mark of profound respect to the memory of the architect of the country’s independence. He also signed the visitor’s book.

“I’m deeply touched and moved by this sacred space so much venerated by the people of Bangladesh and all the peace-loving people the world over,” he wrote in the visitor’s book.

“The tragedy of Bangladesh that took place at this place on August 15, 1975, in many ways symbolizes the courage and strength it infused into the people of Bangladesh to protect and cherish the freedom for which Bangabandhu sacrificed his valued life,” he also wrote. “May this be an eternal tribute to all those who respect life and freedom,” he mentioned.

DHAKA, 20 March, 2021, (TON): Bangladeshi PM Sheikh Hasina stated that "Bangladesh will always be with Sri Lanka and it will continue to be.

“I can assure you," she said during bilateral talks with touring Sri Lanka's delegation.

COLOMBO, 20 March, 2021, (TON): An official of the Sri Lanka Air Force has kicked the bucket and an airman was wounded during a parachute instructional course at SLAF Parachute Training School in Ampara earlier today.

SLAF spokesperson Group Captain Dushan Wijesinghe said that the parachutes of the officer and the airman had collided during the landing.

The wounded airman was conceded to the Ampara Hospital. The expired official, distinguished as a 34-year old Squadron Leader of the SLAF.