News

Constitutional Council meets today

Published

8 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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The Constitutional Council is scheduled to convene in Parliament today (April 22) to decide on the appointment of a new Auditor General.

Several candidates have been proposed for the position, including Dharmapala Gammanpila, the most senior officer at the National Audit Office, who is currently serving as Senior Deputy Auditor General.

The Division Heads’ Forum at the department as well as the and the Joint Trade Union Confederation have urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to appoint Mr. Dharmapala to the position, citing that he is best suited to uphold the responsibilities of the state audit process, aligning with the government’s vision for a clean and corruption-free public administration.

They have also highlighted that the most senior qualified officer in the National Audit Office is prioritized for the Auditor General post and Mr. Dharmapala fully meets the legislative criteria as well as the required experience and expertise for the role.

They caution that appointing an external candidate to this key post could undermine public confidence in the government.

News

Weather advisory for severe lightning & heavy rain

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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The Department of Meteorology has issued a warning for strong lightning and heavy rain in several parts of the country, effective until 11:00 pm today (April 22).

Thundershowers accompanied by intense lightning are expected this evening and tonight in the Eastern, Uva, Central, and Northern provinces, as well as in the Hambantota and Polonnaruwa districts.

Temporary strong winds may also occur during these storms.

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News

Police appoints committee to study PCOI report on Easter Sunday bombings

Published

2 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Sri Lanka Police have appointed a four-member committee to study the final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry into the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

According to Police Spokesman SSP Buddhika Manathunga, the committee is headed by a Senior DIG, Asanka Karawita.

The remaining members consist of the DIG in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), the Director of the CID, and the Director of the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID).

He added that several more sub-committees have been appointed under the purview of the main committee.

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Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26

Published

4 hours ago

April 22, 2025

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Pope Francis’s funeral will take place on Saturday (April 26) at 10:00 local time (09:00 BST, 08:00 GMT), the Vatican confirms.

The funeral will take place outdoors in front of St Peter’s Basilica.

The dean of the College of Cardinals, Giovanni Battista Re, will lead the service.

At the end of the funeral, Re will deliver the final commendation – a concluding prayer where the Pope will be formally entrusted to God – and the body moved to St Mary Major for the burial.

The Vatican has also released images of Pope Francis in an open coffin, dressed in a red robe with the papal mitre on his head and a rosary in his hand.

He will be taken to St Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning (April 23), where his casket will remain until burial for the public to pay their respects.

The Pope’s coffin will be there until the burial for the public to pay their respects.

His body is currently laid out in a coffin in the chapel of the Santa Marta residence, where he lived during his 12-year papacy.

The pontiff’s death has prompted an outpouring of grief from Catholics across the globe. From South Sudan to Argentina, Poland to the Philippines.

(BBC News)