The Opposition has announced plans to lodge complaints with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter-Parliamentary Union over what it describes as anti-democratic conduct by the Speaker.

Deputy Organizer Ajith P. Perera stated this, following 02 press briefings held after opposition members, including those from the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), walked out of Parliament yesterday (June 17) in protest.

They claimed the Speaker denied them the opportunity to address concerns regarding the impact of the Iran-Israel conflict on Sri Lanka.

Showers will occur at times in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in the Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts today (June 18), the Department of Meteorology said.

Several spells of showers will occur in the North-western province.

Showers or thundershowers can be expected 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 be expected at times over the Western slopes of the central hills and in the Northern, North-central, Southern and North-western provinces and in the Trincomalee district.

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

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Tehran, Iran has been relocated amid the prevailing situation, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told the Parliament today (June 17).

Embassy officials have also been moved due to the situation. In addition to embassy staff, eight Sri Lankan students who had been at the Embassy in Tehran have also been relocated to the northern part of Iran due to security concerns. 

However, all contact numbers remain operational, the minister added.

Herath said that approximately 35 Sri Lankans remain in Iran, with those residing in Tehran currently facing heightened risks. He also pointed out that nearly 20,000 Sri Lankans are presently in Israel.