The Sri Lanka Freedom Party called for the retention of the island’s executive presidency, alongside the continued demerger of the Northern and Eastern provinces and the foremost place on the island to be granted to Buddhism, in a series of decisions regarding constitutional reform, at a meeting of minister last week. The Sunday Times reported that during the meeting, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva briefed his colleagues on the latest developments regarding the constitution, after which it was decided, "The unitary status of Sri Lanka should be protected and no changes should be made to...
The Jaffna Library recorded an increased number of new members in 2016. The public library's head librarian, Mrs S Sathasivamurthy, reported that membership had increased in all areas except in the children's section. The library has for decades been at the centre of Tamil cultural life, leading to it being set ablaze by state security forces and state-sponsored mobs in 1981. It has often hosted foreign dignitaries visiting the North-East.
Special action will be taken to guard Buddha statues in Trincomalee, the Uthayan reports. The Eastern Province's governor, Austin Fernando, led a special discussion with Buddhist monks from Trinco's viharas, stressing the need to place special protections on the Buddha statues around the district. The decision comes after unidenitified persons carried out co-ordinated vandal attacks on Buddha statues in four different spots in Trincomalee.
The chief minister of Tamil Nadu, O Panneerselvam wrote another letter to the prime minister, Narendra Modi, seeking the release of ten fishermen who were arrested by the Sri Lanka navy on Monday. The renewed call for action comes just days after Sri Lanka agreed to release 51 fishermen who are currently detained. “Unfortunately, even before the sense of relief following the release of the 51 fishermen could fully set in and the released fishermen reached our shores, the Sri Lankan navy has yet again resorted to its harsh and unjust tactic of apprehending Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu...
Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera left on Monday for the UK to commence a five day official visit. This is the first such visit since the current British prime minister, Theresa May was appointed. “The visit reflects the continuing dialogue between Sri Lanka and the UK since resetting bilateral ties in January 2015. Minister Samaraweera is scheduled to meet with the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, UK’s Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, and other key interlocutors. The discussions are expected to review developments in the bilateral relationship,...
Buddha statues at four locations in Trincomalee were found vandalised on Sunday morning. The statues at Moraveva Junction, Pulmoddai, the Velgam vihara and Thiriyai junction were smashed and vandalised by unknown persons. The incidents are being investigated by police. Photographs: Tamilwin.com
The founder of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) called on the Indian government to push for an international war crimes tribunal to be held in Sri Lanka, following Colombo’s repeated refusal to allow in international investigators. In a statement released this week, Dr S Ramadoss said “with the Sri Lankan government refusing to agree to an international war crimes investigation, there will be no justice to Tamils who suffered under the Sri Lankan government armed forces”. “All those who committed war crimes on innocent Tamils will go scot-free,” he added. “The Indian government has a...
Sri Lanka’s army organised more Christmas carols for Tamils in the North-East over the festive season, by holding an event in Mannar last week. Sri Lanka’s 54 Division organised an event at the St Sebastian Cathedral, where soldiers sang carols “in order to develop the reconciliation among the people living in Mannar area” (sic) according to a military website . Amongst the chief guests invited on stage were senior military figures and Sinhala Buddhist monks. See more of the Sri Lankan military’s activities over Christmas in the North-East below.
The Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe announced on Saturday that China would be investing US $5 billion into the country over the next 2-3 years. “I would like to thank the Chinese Ambassador for confirming this investment," Mr Wickremesinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying. He added that the investment would "boost employment opportunities and enhance the life style of people." "China-Sri Lanka bilateral relations were a role model for all bilateral relations in the world," said Mr Wickremesinghe. The announcement came as protests broke out over plans to lease 15,000...
Sri Lanka missed benchmarks set out by the International Monetary Fund for December, Economy Next reported. The benchmarks included introducing a formula to price fuel, as well as automatic market pricing of electricity. See here for more.