Police have informed the public to alert authorities to any incidents that are causing harm to the environment.

Accordingly, such incidents can be reported to the hotlines 1997 and 198.

The Meteorology Department has issued an advisory for severe lightning in five provinces today (April 14).

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Central and North-western provinces, it said.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The general public is further requested to avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms and to also avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors, boats etc. and to beware of fallen trees and power lines.

For emergency assistance, the public is requested to contact local disaster management authorities.

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

It has been decided to debate the No-Confidence Motion against the Speaker of Parliament – Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on March 19th and 20th.

The parliament vote in this regard will be held at 4.30pm on March 20.

Earlier this month, 44 opposition Members of Parliament submitted a motion of no confidence against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.