On Sunday afternoon, Sri Lankan police shot dead a Tamil man in Jaffna. Though the facts around the killing are still not clear, with reports he may have been involved in illegal sand mining, what is known for certain is that Yogarasa Thines was completely unarmed. The police decision to gun him down, not only seems wholly disproportionate, but follows a sadly well-established pattern of Sri Lankan state violence against Tamil civilians, amidst a culture of impunity.
Tamil parties are not pushing for a re-merger of the Northern and Easter Province said Sri Lanka’s Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella . Speaking during a press conference, Mr Kiriella said, Tamil political parties have asserted they will not push for the merger of the North and East. The minister added, “for the first time all the parties in parliament are trying to draft a new Constitution. We need a new Constitution which gives justice and equality to everybody.” See more here.
The President of the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Tamil Nadu said that Sri Lanka has assured the release of 42 boats of Tamil Nadu fishermen that were seized by the navy. Dr Soundarajan, speaking after a three-day visit to Sri Lanka, said that Colombo has assured to positively consider a plea from her to release Tamil Nadu fishing vessels. Speaking to press on Sunday, she said, “When I pointed out to the 100 fishing boats of the Indian fishermen were yet to be released, Colombo assured (me) that the boats would be released at the earliest.” The senior BJP politician added, “As the undue...
A new constitution will not take away the primary status given to Buddhism said Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesperson, adding that the government would seek approval of the island's senior Buddhist clergy, the Mahanayake Thera. Mr Gayantha Karunathilaka said that both the president and prime minister would meet the Mahayanake Theras to explain the situation with the draft constitution. Mr Karunathilaka said, “certain opposition forces are trying to get political mileage by trying to show a non-existing monster. However the new Constitution would be one that would be approved by the Mahanayake...
A vandal attack on a popular Catholic shrine has upset locals of a Mannar village. A roadside shrine to Saint Michael Sammanasu (Angel) in Tharavan Kottai, Ezhuthoor was found with its protective glass shattered and the icon of the saint smashed on Sunday morning. The pedestal had also been covered in graffiti. Locals informed their priest who filed a complaint with Mannar police. Several members of the Mannar Catholic diocese are involved in civil society activities in the district, often facing surveillance and threats from state intelligence units.
Batticaloa residents protested against the current District Secretary on Monday, with locals calling for her transfer following accusations of corruption.
Keppapulavu villagers who have been protesting for the last 4 months for the release of their land took their protest to the Mullaitivu District Secretariat on Monday. The protest coincided with a Mullaitivu development committee meeting at the DS, attended by the Chief Minister of the Northern Province as well as ministers and other members of the Northern Province and parliamentary representatives.
Events were held in Sampur to remember Tamil civilians killed by Sri Lankan military offensives in and around Sampur in the nineties. Students, politicians, locals and civil society gathered at the Sampur Mahavidyalayam on Sunday and paid tribute to the 53 Tamil civilians killed by the Sri Lankan army, from 7th July 1990 until 1995. A memorial was also held at a monument for the victims in Sampur. In memory of the innocent people massacred on 07.07.1990
Sri Lanka's outstanding foreign debt by the end of April 2017 was US$ 25.61 billion, the mid-year Fiscal Report concluded. This years figure is 23.1 billion dollars higher than the same time last year, LBO reported. The country is currently looking to receive its third tranche of its loan from the International Monetary Fund. Last month a report from the World Bank warned that "slower than expected" progress on reforms was putting economic growth and stability at risk.
The president of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena, on Monday promised voters in his hometown of Polonnaruwa he would ensure rice was provided at a concessionary rate if there was any further increase in rice. Mr Sirisena stressed he would not let people starve, Colombo Page reported. Last week the government announced it would be importing rice from Pakistan after droughts affected paddy production. The Sri Lankan government has also commenced government level talks on the possibility of purchasing rice from Thailand.