Athens turned orange as winds deposited sand from North Africa on the Greek capital. Skies over southern Greece turned an orange hue on Tuesday as dust clouds blown across the Mediterranean Sea engulfed the Acropolis and other Athens landmarks. Strong winds carried the dust from the Sahara Desert, giving the atmosphere of the capital a Martian-like filter amid the last hours of daylight. The skies were predicted to clear on Wednesday as winds shift and move the dust, with temperatures dipping. On Tuesday, the daily high in parts of the southern island of Crete topped 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), more than 20C (36F) higher than temperatures registered across northern Greece. The winds over recent days have also fanned unseasonal wildfires in the south. The fire service reported on Tuesday that a total of 25 wildfires had broken out across the country in the past 24 hours. Three people were arrested on the Aegean Sea resort island of Paros on suspicion of accidentally starting a scrub blaze, it said. No significant damage or injuries were reported, and the fire was quickly contained. Greece suffers devastating, and often deadly, forest blazes every summer. Last year, the country recorded the European Union’s largest wildfire in more than two decades. Persistent drought, combined with high spring temperatures, has raised fears of a particularly challenging period for firefighters in the coming months. Source : Al Jazeera

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

The Department of Meteorology stated that showers or thundershowers can be expected in parts of the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Southern provinces today (25) Showers or thundershowers may occur over the coastal areas of Galle to Pottuvil via Matara and Hambantota during the morning. Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces in the morning. The general public is advised to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today 

<ul><li> EC Chair notes that SLFP is yet to be placed separately, cites ongoing discussions&nbsp;</li><li>Parties with intra-party conflicts placed separately pending judicial proceedings conclusion&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>The Election Commission (EC) stated that several recognised political parties have had to be set aside from the relevant list due to internal crises within the said parties.According to the official website of the EC, there are 84 recognised political parties in Sri Lanka.Speaking to The Daily Morning, EC Chairperson R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said that there have been internal crises due to various issues such as problems in appointing the secretary of several recognised political parties. “We have had to set aside several parties from the list of recognised political parties. There are crises in them due to various reasons. For example, some parties have appointed two secretaries. In such cases, we cannot conclude who should be accepted as the secretary.”He also said that giving nominations for members of such political parties in elections is also problematic. “It is the secretary of a certain political party who deals with the EC regarding nominations. Some political parties have two secretaries. In such cases, we cannot decide which secretary's submissions should we base our decision on in issuing nominations? Therefore, they have been placed separately in the recognised political parties' list until the internal crises are resolved through judicial proceedings.”When queried as to whether the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP), which is currently in a state of crisis, is also among such Parties, Rathnayake said that they have not yet added it to the list, since there are ongoing discussions pertaining to the matter. With an interim injunction being issued by the Colombo District Court preventing former President and incumbent Opposition Parliamentarian Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the Party Chairperson, a problematic situation has arisen within the SLFP. The EC recently stated that if the crisis situation within the SLFP continues, there may be a problematic situation in issuing nominations for SLFP members in the upcoming elections.&nbsp;

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal disputes 

<ul><li>Iranian Prez Dr. Raisi pledges knowledge, expertise, &amp; experience sharing&nbsp;</li><li>5 MOUs signed, Prez Ranil acknowledges ‘invaluable’ tech. support&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>Iran stands ready to share its knowledge, expertise, and experience with Sri Lanka for the progress and development of the country, including partnerships in large-scale projects, said Iranian President Dr. Ebrahim Raisi.The Iranian Head of State made these remarks after participating in the ceremony to inaugurate the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) yesterday (24).President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday expressed gratitude to Iran for their technical support, emphasising that without Iran’s assistance, Sri Lanka could not have diverted the Uma Oya tributaries into the Kirindi Oya.&nbsp;President Wickremesinghe and Dr. Raisi jointly inaugurated the UOMDP.Coinciding with Dr. Raisi’s visit, Sri Lanka and Iran signed five memorandums of understanding (MOUs) yesterday.Dr. Raisi’s visit came after a special invitation extended by President Wickremesinghe.The UOMDP aims to alleviate water scarcity in the South-Eastern dry region of the country by redirecting an annual average of 145 million cubic metres (MCM) of excess water from the Uma Oya basin to the Kirindi Oya basin. Owing to this project, approximately 4,500 hectares (ha) of new land and 1,500 ha of existing agricultural land (6,000 ha/15,000 acres of farmland) in the Monaragala District will receive irrigation water, the Government said in an earlier statement. Moreover, the areas of Badulla, Monaragala, and Hambantota will benefit from 39 MCM of water for drinking and industrial purposes, while generating and adding 290 gigawatt hours (GWh) of electrical energy annually to the national grid. Additionally, the UOMDP has effectively addressed the challenge of supplying water for both domestic and industrial purposes in the Bandarawela and Wellawaya regions.&nbsp;The project encompasses the construction of two Reservoirs at Puhulpola and Dyraaba, a conveyance tunnel (link tunnel) spanning 3.98 kilometres (km) to connect the two Reservoirs, a 15.2 km long headrace tunnel (HRT), a surge shaft, a pressure shaft, an underground powerhouse, a switchyard, a transmission line, a tailrace tunnel, and related infrastructure.Pursuant to a MOU executed between Sri Lanka and Iran on 27 November, 2007, the Cabinet of Ministers had approved the execution of the contract agreement between the Executing Agency, the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Management of Sri Lanka and the Farab Energy and Water Projects (Farab Company) of Iran dated 28 April 2008, to implement the UOMDP by the Farab Company, as an engineering, procurement and construction contract.&nbsp;The total contract sums amount to $ 514 million and the contract became effective on 15 March 2010. Initially, the Export Development Bank of Iran funded $ 50 million until 2013. However, due to international sanctions on Iran, they were unable to continue providing funds for the project. Therefore, the Sri Lankan Government decided to proceed with the project using Government funds while continuing with the same contractor, the Farab Company.When the UOMDP commenced on 15 March 2010, its scheduled completion date was 15 March 2015. However, due to various factors such as technical issues, particularly unexpected water ingress into the HRT, social impacts, financial challenges, and disruptions caused by the global Covid-19 pandemic during the construction period, the completion date had been extended to 31 March of this year.&nbsp;The UOMDP involved significant engineering challenges, particularly due to the 700-metre difference in height between Bandarawela and Wellawaya. Adjusting the tunnel route at such a height was a complex task. Additionally, the construction of a deep pressure shaft to channel water onto turbines is an unprecedented feat. The project completed its commissioning phase in February and March 2024, successfully synchronising Units One and Two with the national grid. It then proceeded to complete its trial operations on 1 April this year.Additionally, the overall duration of the project, including the defect and liability period, has been extended to 31 March of next year (2025).&nbsp;Following the completion of the UOMDP, the project components will be transferred to the operating authorities, namely the Ceylon Electricity Board and the Mahaweli Authority. This transition will occur after the Ministry of Irrigation takes over the project components from the contractor.Once electricity is generated, the water is directed through a tunnel to the Alikota Ara Reservoir, built across a tributary of the Kirindi Oya. From there, it is further diverted to the Handapanagala Reservoir, which has been expanded threefold as part of the project. Additionally, water is channelled to the new Kuda Oya Reservoir, currently under construction on the right bank. These Reservoirs facilitate irrigation in areas such as Wellawaya, Thanamalvila, and Balaharutha in the Monaragala District.An irrigation system spanning over 60 metres in length is currently being constructed. It is anticipated that this system will supply irrigation water to 1,500 ha of already cultivated land and an additional 4,500 ha of newly developed land, supporting agricultural activities in both the Yala and Maha seasons.The Uma Oya Downstream Development Project, facilitated directly by the Irrigation Department, is poised to alleviate the longstanding water scarcity issues in the Kirindi Oya Basin. Under the guidance of the Government, officials have been directed to execute an integrated agricultural development initiative leveraging modern technology to optimise water utilisation.

Uma Oya Project launched 

<ul><li>AMS claims 800-plus vacancies fueled by inadequate income, lack of facilities including transport package, insufficient support, psychological difficulties&nbsp; </li></ul>The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) claimed that the shortage of medical specialists in the country is now higher than 800.&nbsp;Seven specialists attached to several leading hospitals, according to the AMS, had left the country during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. Speaking to The Daily Morning, a senior member of the AMS claimed that medical specialists attached to the District General Hospitals of Hambantota, Embilipitiya, Monaragala, and Nuwara-Eliya and the Base Hospitals of Bibile, Medirigiriya and Mahiyanganaya had migrated during the Sinhala and Tamil New Year holidays. There have been anaesthetists, physicians, and obstetricians and gynaecologists among the said seven specialists.The AMS member further claimed that there should be about 2,500 medical specialists in the country as per current circumstances, but that there are only about 1,700 specialists. He attributed the main reasons for specialists leaving the country for foreign jobs to be the insufficient income, the lack of facilities, and psychological difficulties that they have had to endure due to having to work long distances away from their families.&nbsp;“Various issues are there with regard to specialists' welfare which are yet to be addressed. The Government's failure to provide them with a transport allowance is one of the main issues. Certain specialists have to travel hundreds of kilometres between their houses and the serving hospitals. In accordance with the Public Administration Circular 22/99 approved in 1999 and updated in 2010, senior officials in all sectors of the public service are entitled for an official transport allowance, most including a suitable vehicle and also a driver. The relevant regulations state that Grade One Government officers are eligible for this official transport package. In that context, the specialists are clearly eligible for this allowance, but they are not provided with it. There are several other issues that should be addressed. You can’t keep anybody in the country against their will. All they ask is for reasonable remuneration and benefits, good living quarters, and facilities for children’s education. If they can give a 70% pay hike to the Central Bank employees, why can’t they meet the specialists’ demands at least halfway,” he explained.Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana was not available for comment.Sri Lanka has faced a significant shortage of medical specialists in the past few years, leading to increased pressure on the healthcare system. This shortage has been influenced by several factors, including the changes made to the public servants' retiring age, the migration of healthcare professionals for better opportunities abroad, insufficient training programmes to meet growing demands, and resource related constraints within the health sector.&nbsp;

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

<ul><li>Sajith seeks probes on ‘Abu Hind’, Suresh Sallay, ‘Colonel Ansar', Assad Moulana, Ajith Dharmapala</li></ul>&nbsp;The main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), queried about the actions taken against certain officers in the State Intelligence Service (SIS), who, in certain instances, allegedly blocked the investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) into the Easter Sunday attacks that took place in 2019.Speaking in the Parliament yesterday (24), during the three-day adjournment debate on the Easter Sunday attacks which commenced yesterday, SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa claimed that the authorities have disregarded information revealed about certain crucial incidents and individuals who are allegedly linked with the attacks when carrying out the investigations, even though the Government claims that 99% of the investigations are concluded. Stating that no investigation reveals information about an individual named ‘Abu Hind’ who is considered to be the mastermind behind the attacks, Premadasa questioned as to why no investigation has been carried out into the particular person.&nbsp;He also noted that a statement given by ‘Haadiya’, who is the wife of ‘Zahran Hashim’, the latter being the leader of the terrorist group that launched the attacks, clearly says that ‘Zahran’ received calls from the person named ‘Abu Hind’, who has, according to her, a local Tamil accent.&nbsp;Therefore, he queried the Government over the lack of investigations carried out against that person.&nbsp;He claimed that the SIS has not worked with the CID to carry out the investigations properly, but had instead reportedly blocked certain measures taken by the CID in this regard. Posing a series of questions to the Government, Premadasa claimed that the Government has not taken enough measures to investigate the alleged links between the terrorists and certain officials in the SIS. He further claimed that either the Chief of the SIS, Major General Suresh Sallay, or a person called ‘Colonel Ansar’ have allegedly had connections with a suicide bomber, as claimed by Assad Moulana, whose testimony in the Channel 4 documentary became controversial recently, and Ajith Dharmapala, who is a Sri Lankan Police officer living abroad. Premadasa claimed that no investigation was carried out to verify the allegations made by the aforementioned duo.Moreover, he stated that the SJB is no longer demanding justice for the victims of the attacks from this Government, adding that a special investigation will be launched by a future SJB-led Government to bring justice to all the victims.The Easter Sunday attacks on 21 April 2019, targeting churches and hotels, claimed lives in the triple digit range including of foreigners.

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB queries action on ‘probe blocking’ SIS officers 

<ul><li>Responds to growing concern over Bill’s ‘shortcomings’&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>In the wake of growing criticism against the proposed Electricity Sector Reforms Bill, the relevant regulatory body, the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) stated that there is no capacity for them to intervene to rectify the shortcomings of the Bill, if any.Posting on the social media platform X on 18 April, Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera said that the Bill would be presented to the Parliament, claiming that the amendments suggested by the stakeholders in January had been added to the revised Bill. It has since attracted criticism from several parties such as Opposition political groups, civil society organisations and unions within the sector.When contacted by The Daily Morning yesterday (24), PUCSL Member Douglas Nanayakkara said that the Bill had been referred to them on an earlier occasion, and that they had accordingly made some recommendations. “We made some recommendations in relation to the aspect of consumer protection, and they have been accommodated by the Ministry of Power and Energy.”&nbsp;When queried as to whether they would consider reviewing it again in view of the growing criticism against the Bill, he said: “We, as the PUCSL, cannot do anything other than make recommendations. If anyone sees any deficiency in the Bill, they can challenge it before the Supreme Court (SC).”The proposed Bill focuses on liberalising electricity supplying agencies such as the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), increasing private sector participation, strengthening regulatory frameworks, addressing the electricity tariff structure to ensure cost recovery, balancing the financial needs of electricity providers with consumer interests, promoting renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, investing in infrastructure to improve grid reliability, reducing losses, and facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources.The Electricity Consumers' Association recently lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka over the proposed Bill while the CEB Workers’ Union has also pledged to challenge the Bill before the SC once it is tabled in the Parliament.&nbsp;

Rectifying Electricity Sector Reforms Bill: PUCSL notes limited intervening capacity 

<ul><li>Urges Govt. intervention to crackdown on racket</li></ul>Opposition Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara has raised concerns about a growing trend where Sri Lankan retired military personnel are allegedly being exploited in a scheme to send them to serve in the Russian and Ukrainian Armies.Speaking in Parliament yesterday (24), he claimed that a significant number of Sri Lankan retired military personnel are being sent to Russia and Ukraine to serve as militants and general camp helpers. "This has become a large-scale racket now. They are being sent to serve as helpers in camps, but later, they are being forced to serve as militants. Sri Lankans joining these two countries and fighting with each other is an unfortunate situation."He also explained that Sri Lankans who have joined the Russian and Ukrainian Armies had to face tragic events, and that therefore, the Government should initiate action to prevent such incidents. "One Sri Lankan retired military member had, together with two other persons, been deployed to a battle tank. It had been blasted and two people died. This particular retired military member had managed to come out of the tank, but he has since gone missing. He was a talented military officer while in Sri Lanka." Speaking further, Jayasekara said that the Government should find out who is behind sending military personnel to Russia and Ukraine, and how many Sri Lankans have been sent thus far. "About Rs. 1.8 million is being charged from one person to go to Russia or Ukraine. Those who send them do so by publishing advertisements. Retired military personnel become victims of this racket as they have no sufficient means to live here. The Government should protect their dignity and take appropriate actions."In response to him, the Leader of the House Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe would respond to Jayasekara.The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, marked a significant escalation of tensions between the countries. The war has resulted in widespread destruction, significant civilian casualties, and the displacement of millions of people.

Russo-Ukrainian war: Dayasiri alleges exploitation of retd. SL military personnel 

<ul><li>JVP says it is ready to accept any date set by SJB, rejects SJB econ. council led by Harsha &amp; Eran over policy ‘contradictions’&nbsp;</li><li>SJB MP Nalin Bandara invites ex-JVP MP Dr. Nalinda for P’ment mting. to decide date</li></ul>Following the main Parliamentary Opposition Party, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), rejecting the dates for the debate proposed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP), also of the Parliamentary Opposition, claiming that the dates must be decided after discussing with both the Parties, the NPP claimed that the SJB and Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa will not be participating in any debate with its Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian Anura Kumara Dissanayake.Speaking at a press conference held yesterday (24), JVP (which is the NPP's main constituent Party) General secretary Tilvin Silva, said that Premadasa and his Party are seemingly making attempts not to participate in the in-person debate with Dissanayake under the guise of a debate between the economic councils of the two Parties. Silva also noted that if the SJB does not accept any of the dates given by the NPP, they should declare a date for the debate, and that the NPP would accept it.&nbsp;“We proposed four dates as we thought that Premadasa was busy with his work. He could have selected a date out of all four. If they are not ready to do so, now they have the opportunity to propose a date. We can accept it,” he said. He also stated that the NPP is of the view that Premadasa would not take part in the debate. Responding to allegations made by the SJB regarding the NPP being reluctant to accept the debate between two economic councils, he said that there is no use of debating with the SJB's economic council members whose economic policies are contradictory.&nbsp;“Who is the leader of its economic council? MP Dr. Harsha de Silva. He is presenting the SJB's economic vision while praising President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s economic policies. At the same time, SJB MP Eran Wickramaratne is advocating for selling national assets. Therefore, there is no use of having debates with them,” he said.Meanwhile, in a letter to the NPP Executive Committee Member, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the SJB's Head of Operations and MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha has invited Jayatissa to hold a meeting at the Parliament to fix a date for the debate, while mentioning that the SJB is also looking forward to holding a debate between the two economic councils.The NPP officially informed the SJB on Monday (22) that they are prepared to hold the proposed debate between Premadasa and Dissanayake on one of the following days: 7 May, 9 May, 13 May, or 14 May. In a letter sent by Jayatissa to SJB General Secretary, MP Ranjith Maddumabandara, the NPP said that certain misunderstandings and speculations might be raised among the public regarding the debate if setting out a date is further delayed. The letter further said that a venue, a television channel, and the duration of the debate can be decided after setting out a specific date. Against this backdrop, MP Jayamaha told the media that the SJB is not ready to hold the debate on any date proposed by the NPP as the dates have been decided without consulting the SJB. Claiming that Premadasa is ready for the debate at any time, he said that the debate must be organised by the two Parties after reaching a consensus regarding the date and the venue. He said that deciding on a date without consulting others is not ethical.

Athens turns orange under North Africa’s Sahara dust clouds

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

Thundershowers expected in fiv ...

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...

Uma Oya Project launched

Uma Oya Project launched

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

Medical specialist shortage ‘c ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB queries action on ‘probe blocking’ SIS offi ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB que ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector Reforms Bill: PUCSL notes limited interv ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector ...

Russo-Ukrainian war: Dayasiri alleges exploitation of retd. SL militar ...

Russo-Ukrainian war: Dayasiri ...

Sajith hiding behind eco.council, won't face AKD: NPP

Sajith hiding behind eco.counc ...

Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

Thundershowers expected in fiv ...

Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...

Uma Oya Project launched

Uma Oya Project launched

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

Medical specialist shortage ‘c ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB queries action on ‘probe blocking’ SIS offi ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB que ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector Reforms Bill: PUCSL notes limited interv ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector ...

Russo-Ukrainian war: Dayasiri alleges exploitation of retd. SL militar ...

Russo-Ukrainian war: Dayasiri ...

Sajith hiding behind eco.council, won't face AKD: NPP

Sajith hiding behind eco.counc ...

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Thundershowers expected in five provinces today

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Recognising political parties: Risks ‘delisting’ over internal dispute ...

Recognising political parties: ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Uma Oya Project launched

Uma Oya Project launched

Medical specialist shortage ‘critical’

Medical specialist shortage ‘c ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB queries action on ‘probe blocking’ SIS offi ...

Easter Sunday attacks: SJB que ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector Reforms Bill: PUCSL notes limited interv ...

Rectifying Electricity Sector ...