Cash-strapped Sri Lanka allocates Rs. 10 Billion for presidential and general polls

File photograph. Days after Sri Lanka's president Ranil Wickremesinghe issued a statement citing that the island was “gradually” emerging from its worst economic crisis in generations, the cabinet of ministers has decided that the government is in a position to allocate Rs. 10 Billion for presidential and general elections this year. It was announced during the Cabinet briefing in Colombo today that the Cabinet of Ministers has decided the allocation from Sri Lanka’s 2024 budget will have to be “managed for covering the expenditure of the Presidential and general election” this year. They...

Another former Sri Lankan military commander joins the SJB

Daya Sandagiri, the 14th Naval Commander of Sri Lanka has pledged his support for the Opposition Party Samagi Jana Balawagaya (SJB) headed by Sajith Premadasa today, becoming at least the third senior Sri Lankan military figure to join the party. Premadsa announced that he had also appointed him as an advisor on maritime and naval policies. The move comes after Premadasa also welcomed Daya Ratnayake, a former army commander to the party’s ranks last week. Ratnayake joined Sarath Fonseka, the former head of Sri Lanka's army, to become a party member. Both stand accused of war crimes having...

Ambulance service suspended in Mullaitivu for over 3 months leaving patients in peril

The Suwa Seriya 1990 free ambulance service, which has been a lifeline across the island, has been suspended in Mankulam for three months, leaving residents in dire situations during emergencies.

Sri Lanka showcases military firepower and seeks Buddhist blessings in Independence Day parade

The Sri Lankan government held a massive parade with thousands of troops to showcase its military firepower on Independence Day over the weekend, whilst Tamils in the North-East raised black flags and faced arrests as they protested. The Sri Lankan president’s media unit said the “celebration took place with pride and grandeur at Galle Face Colombo,” as senior government officials joined military figures for the parade. The Chief of Defence Staff, Commanders of the three armed forces, and the Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon were seen escorting president Ranil...

'Outrageous conduct' by Sri Lankan government in passing Online Safety Bill - TISL

Transparency International has spoken out against Sri Lanka's controversial Online Safety Bill that was signed into law last week, issuing a statement that said many of the amendments proposed by the Supreme Court are not in the final bill.

TGTE calls for Independent Police Review into Peel Police Chief's Sri Lanka visit

The Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE) has appealed to the Office of the Independent Police Review Director to investigate the Peel Regional Police Chief’s recent controversial visit to Sri Lanka where he had an audience with Tiran Alles, Public Security Minister and Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, and pledged to increase co-operation with country's notorious police force. TGTE says they are “appalled” by Nishan Duraiappah’s visit since it was only a week before the Acting IGP Tennakoon was handed a conviction of torture by Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court.

JVP tours Delhi, but still no word on India policy

On Monday (5), the leader of Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) and National People’s Power (NPP) coalition, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, after the party was invited to discussion in Delhi for the first time. The visit is seen as a significant outreach by Delhi to the leftist politician, ahead of widely expected presidential polls in Sri Lanka later this year and marks a possible change of heart from the JVP’s fiercely anti-India rhetoric that came to define its politics in the 1980s.

'Black day for Tamils' - Swiss Tamils protest Sri Lanka's Independence Day

Tamils gathered in Bern, Switzerland today to protest Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day which is deemed a 'black day' for Eelam Tamils. Flyers were distributed to explain the oppression the Eelam Tamil nation have been subjected to by the Sinhala Buddhist state for the last 76 years. For years, Tamils have rejected the day as they continue to lack basic rights. This year, the demands of the protest include ensuring justice for the disappeared, an international investigation for the 2009 Tamil genocide, immediate removal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, the release of Tamil political...

Tamil protesters photographed by Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia

Tamils protesting against Sri Lanka's 76th Independence Day outside Sri Lanka's High Commission in Australia were photographed by staff in an attempt to intimidate the protesters. As Sri Lanka celebrated it's independence from Britain, Tamils in the North-East and across the diaspora protested the day as Tamils continue to be oppressed by the Sinhala Buddhist state. While Tamils demonstrated outside the High Commission in Canberra, Sri Lankan military personnel laughed at the crowd as they left the building. Speaking to Tamil Guardian, Renuga Inpakumar, Tamil Refugee Council's (TRC)...

Divine intervention? Sri Lankan High Commission forced to move Independence Day ceremony in London

The Sri Lankan High Commission in the UK was forced into a last-minute change of plans for a religious ceremony scheduled to celebrate ‘Independence Day’ last weekend after locals expressed their displeasure.

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