The National Water Supply and Drainage Board (NWS&DB) has announced a 12-hour water cut in Gampaha District on April 24.

Accordingly, esidents in various areas including Peliyagoda, Ja-Ela, Katunayaka Seeduwa Municipality areas, Kelaniya, Wattala, Biyagama, Mahara, Dompe, Katana, Munuwangoda, and Gampaha Municipality areas will be affected.

The water supply in Gampaha will be interrupted due to emergency repair work on the electricity subgrid in Sapugaskanda.The NWSDB regrets any inconvenience caused and advises the public to store enough water in advance to mitigate the impact of the interruption.

Final rites of former Deputy Minister and former UNP parliamentarian – Palitha Thewarapperuma will be held later today (April 19).

His remains are currently lying at his residence in Yatadolawatta, Mathugama and according to reports, a large number of civilians have been arriving to pay their final respects.

His remains will be buried at the gravesite he had built himself sometime back.

The former Kalutara District MP died from electrocution earlier this week.

A prominent figure of the United National Party (UNP), Thewarapperuma had served as Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Wayamba Development and Cultural Affairs in the UNP-led national government in 2015. He was also the chairman of the Mathugama Pradeshiya Sabha in 2002 and was also a member of the Western Provincial Council. He served as a Member of Parliament from Kalutara District from 2010 – 2020. 

He was popular for his active social services to the rural masses of his constituency, opting to join social work himself with his supporters, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and during natural disasters such as floods.

Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, the Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, had arrived at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) premises this morning (19), complying with the summons issued to him.