Charred remains of an individual discovered inside a car in a forested area of Diyabate, Mahawa, has been identified as a 49-year-old hotel businessman from Millawa, Kurunegala, police said.

The body was found following a tip-off, and initial investigations confirmed the deceased had gone missing on June 25 after leaving home for a haircut. When he failed to return, his wife lodged a complaint with Doratiyawa Police.

She later identified the body during the investigation. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for today (June 27) at Kurunegala General Hospital.

Police have yet to determine whether the death was a suicide or a homicide.

Mahawa Police Headquarters is conducting further investigations.

Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (June 27), the Department of Meteorology said.

Fairly heavy rains of about 50 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces.

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

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

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

President Anura Kumara Disanayake met with former President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, this afternoon (June 26) at the Presidential Secretariat.

Mr. Mbeki, who is on his first visit to Sri Lanka, expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to visit the country, stating that he has long followed Sri Lanka’s efforts toward national unity and reconciliation with keen interest. He noted that he was pleased to visit Sri Lanka at this significant moment.

Although South Africa and Sri Lanka are geographically distant, the former President observed that both nations share similarities in their multi-ethnic, multi-religious and multicultural compositions. He added that both countries face similar challenges in achieving peace and reconciliation and expressed his willingness to share lessons learned and experiences from South Africa’s own reconciliation journey.

Mr. Mbeki stated his confidence in President Disanayake’s ability to unite Sri Lanka’s diverse communities and overcome current economic and reconciliation related challenges.

President Disanayake reaffirmed his commitment to fostering national harmony and reconciliation while leading the country forward amidst economic challenges. He emphasized that he remains dedicated to building unity among all ethnic groups and steering the nation toward stability and progress.

Also present at the meeting were South African High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Sandile Schalk, Chief Executive Officer of the Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Maxwell Boqwana  and the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Lukhanyo Neer.

Representing Sri Lanka were Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Roshan Gamage.

Executive Group Director of The Capital Maharaja Group, Chevaan Daniel and Group Manager Anushka Lewke also joined the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)