New building erected at Sri Lankan military-run holiday resort

The Sri Lankan army have laid the foundation stone for a new building at a military-run holiday resort in Kayankerni last week. A new officer’s mess is to be constructed at the “Coral Cove” holiday resort, which is operated by the Sri Lankan security forces. According to an official military website , the resort is for the use of military personnel and their families, as well as civilians, with everyone required to fill out an application form in advance. The resort is located in Kayankerni, a village north of Batticaloa town.

Eastern Province Governor Austin Fernando appointed as Secretary to President

The Governor of the Eastern Province Austin Fernando, a former defence secretary, is to be appointed as the new Secretary to the President reports Adaderana.lk The appointment comes following the resignation of PB Abeykoon, who cited personal reasons for vacating the post. Austin Fernando, a former advisor to the United Nations served as Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary from 2001-2002.

Indian govt looks to build solar power plant in Trinco

A feasibility study is set to take place looking at an Indian government led project for a 50MW solar power plant in Trincomalee. The governments of Sri Lanka and India signed a Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in a host of development projects including a solar power plant in April this year. Speaking to the Hindu Sri Lanka’s Minister of Power and Renewable Energy Sulakshana Jayawardena, said “ We have acquired the land to set up the 50MW solar plant envisaged in the MOU. We have to now work out the process of executing the project, in consultation with India. The next step would...

Slow reforms put future economic growth and stability at risk in Sri Lanka concludes World Bank

Sri Lanka’s reform progress was “slower than expected,” warned the World Bank’s Sri Lanka Development Update (SLDU) report, published Thursday. Stressing that “Sri Lanka faces a number of challenges that increasingly put its future economic growth and stability at risk”, the report said "adopting a piece-meal solution to address the challenges is unlikely to be successful." "A strong political will and support of the bureaucracy could help advancing the reform agenda. Steps are needed to ensure the support of private costs and benefits of the reform agenda.” Highlighting internal political...

NGOs should be regulated says Sri Lanka's Justice Minister

Sri Lanka’s Minister for Justice and the Buddha Sasana launched a scathing attack on Non-Governmental Organisations in Sri Lanka during an interview this week. Agreeing with ongoing discussions on the need to regulate NGOs, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said, “Most NGOs act with objectives seriously detrimental to the national interests. They have become a hindrance to national reconciliation and religious harmony.” When questioned about his alleged protection of the Bodu Bala Sena leader Gnanasara Thera, Mr Rajapakshe said though he did not condone Gnanasara Thera’s actions, “there is substance in...

Tensions between Mullaitivu locals and army after two Tamils injured in accident with military vehicle

Mullaitivu locals were angered after an accident involving a military vehicle left two Tamil youths injured, last Saturday.

Sri Lanka's PTA will not be replaced, only amended says justice minister

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that the Prevention for Terrorism Act would not be repealed due to a changing global environment, adding that only amendments would be made. Speaking to press Mr Rajapakshe said the situation in the country was different to when the discussions on repealing the PTA started. Stating that the countries that had started calls for repealing the PTA were tightening their own anti-terror legislation, he said, “The situation in the country is not the same as at the time we started discussions, the environment was totally different. The...

Minister calls on asylum-seekers to return to 'torture free' Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka’s Minister of National Co-existence told Australian media that it was safe for people seeking asylum in other countries to return to Sri Lanka. Speaking to the SBS Australian media outlet during a visit to the Australia, Mr Manoharan Ganeshan said “If anyone has broken any law, they may be questioned about it. But, they will not be taken to torture camps.” His statements come as reports of torture in Sri Lanka continue to be documented well into Maithripala Sirisena’s governance. Speaking to SBS, Dr Sam Pari, spokesperson of the Australian Tamil Congress, said, “There is evidence...

Tamils displaced by Sampur 'Vidura' navy camp meet HRCSL

Displaced people of Sampur told the Sri Lankan Human Rights Commission that the Sri Lankan Navy’s ‘Vidura’ camp should be removed so that they can be resettled in their own lands. A team from the commission led by Ambika Satkunananthan visited Trincomalee on the 15th and 16th June, holding discussions with civil society and political representatives and visiting the occupied lands in Sampur. According to the villagers, having displaced the people of Neenakeni in 2006, the Navy built a camp on 176 acres of civilian land. Having stated that the owners of those lands would be given alternate...

Protest condemns burglary of Trincomalee women's organisation

Women’s organisations in Trincomalee were joined on Tuesday by colleagues and supporters across the island in a protest condemning the vandalism and burglary of the Trincomalee Women’s Network office.

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