The Divisional Secretary of Dompe has filed a police complaint over the alleged unlawful occupation of a state-owned property in Malwana, Gampaha, by a group affiliated with the Inter University Students’ Federation (IUSF).

The complaint was lodged with the Dompe Police following an occupation that began on 14 May, when IUSF-affiliated activists entered and occupied a vacant house and land, demanding that the property be allocated for use by state universities.

A second complaint was filed on Friday by the New People’s Front, whose Deputy Leader Upatissa Kumaratunga told the media the students were being used as a political instrument by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna.

He described the IUSF as a front for the JVP and urged students not to be deceived by a political agenda.

Kumaratunga also questioned the logic of the students’ demands, pointing out that two universities located near the site were more than 22 km away and suggested the property would be better preserved as a student hostel rather than being handed over to a university.

“This new Inter-University Students’ Federation is the cat’s paw of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. We would like to tell these student activists that if they do not understand student struggles, they should bring a bench and we will teach them. There are already two universities near this location. The University of Kelaniya is 24 kilometres away, while the Yakkala Ayurveda University is 22 kilometres away. How can these students demand that this property be handed over to a university? The university authorities should preserve it as a student hostel.

He further noted that the building had suffered significant flood damage during Cyclone Ditwah, with approximately 50 feet of the structure submerged, leaving only the upper floor above water.

Kumaratunga said he expected police to act swiftly, noting that complaints had now been received from both the Divisional Secretary and a political party, and expressed confidence that the students occupying the property illegally would be removed soon.

Muslims in Sri Lanka will celebrate the Haj festival (Eid al-Adha) on 28 May, the Colombo Grand Mosque has announced.

The Colombo Grand Mosque and the Moon Sighting Committee have stated that the crescent moon for the month of Dhul Hijjah —the 12th and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar- has not been sighted in Sri Lanka today and therefore May 19 will mark the first day of the new month.

Accordingly, the Hajj festival will be observed on Thursday, 28 May, as it always falls on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah while, the Arafat Day will be observed on Wednesday, 27 May.

The festival commemorates the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) son as an act of respect to the divine.

Eid al-Adha, the second most significant festival for Muslims globally, coincides with the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia.

Haj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims and one of the five pillars of Islam. It must be performed at least once in a lifetime by every Muslim who is physically and financially capable of undertaking the journey to the holy city of Makkah.

The Indian Ocean must not be turned into a theatre of major power rivalry, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said, insisting it should instead serve as a platform for cooperation and shared benefit among nations.

“We consistently advocate that the ocean should not be an arena for major power contests, but a broad stage for mutual benefit and cooperation,” Qi said, adding that the Indian Ocean should evolve into “an ocean of peace, development, openness and cooperation.”

He emphasized that such a vision reflects the common interests of countries in the region and the wider international community, warning that opposing approaches would fail to gain support.

Addressing a forum on regional cooperation, the Ambassador highlighted the long-standing significance of the Indian Ocean as a conduit for global trade and cultural interaction since antiquity. He also pointed to the historical ties between China and Indian Ocean nations, noting a tradition of friendly exchanges.

Sri Lanka, he said, occupies a strategically critical position at the heart of the Indian Ocean, functioning as a key hub along east-west maritime routes. This positioning has enabled the island nation to play a distinct and increasingly influential role in fostering regional exchange and cooperation.

Reflecting on bilateral ties, the Ambassador said China-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation has delivered “fruitful results” in recent years under the strategic direction of both countries’ leaders. Cooperation has expanded across multiple sectors, including port construction, shipping logistics, maritime economic activity, and disaster prevention and mitigation, bringing tangible benefits to both populations.

However, he acknowledged that routine maritime scientific research conducted jointly by Chinese and Sri Lankan scientists had faced delays due to various disruptions.

“We hope and believe that the Sri Lankan government, in consideration of its own sovereignty, dignity and interests, will make the right decision at an early date,” he said, referring to the stalled research activities.

Qi noted that countries across the Indian Ocean region are largely focused on economic growth, improving public welfare, and enhancing connectivity. In that context, he reiterated China’s longstanding support for peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the region.

The Ambassador called for open and constructive engagement among participants, encouraging candid discussions and consensus-building during the forum.

“Vast seas allow fish to leap, and boundless skies allow birds to soar. The ocean grants us infinite possibilities,” he said, expressing hope that deliberations would contribute to strengthened China-Sri Lanka maritime cooperation and the overall peace and prosperity of the Indian Ocean region.

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal has determined that Criminal Investigation Department Director, Senior Superintendent of Police Shani Abeysekara, has met the required qualifications to be appointed as a Deputy Inspector General of Police.

The decision was delivered after considering an appeal filed by Abeysekara.

The appeal was heard before a panel of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal comprising former Supreme Court Justice K.T. Chitrasiri, High Court Judge Sreenathi Nandasena, and former Ministry Secretary J.J. Rathnasiri.

The tribunal’s decision is to be submitted to the National Police Commission.

According to the ruling, it would be possible to promote Shani Abeysekara to the position of Deputy Inspector General of Police with effect from August 25, 2020.

A fishermen’s association in northern Sri Lanka has called on Tamil Nadu chief minister Joseph Vijay to take action to prevent fishermen from the southern Indian state crossing into Sri Lankan waters.

The appeal was made by Annalingham Annarasa, a member of Federation of Jaffna District Fisheries Cooperatives Union, at a press conference in Jaffna on 10 May — the same day Vijay, the popular film star-turned-politician, was sworn in as chief minister following his party’s election victory.

“We urge the chief minister to take steps to prevent Tamil Nadu fishermen from violating border limits and entering Sri Lankan waters, so that our fishing communities in the north can freely engage in fishing in our own sea and our own territory and earn their livelihoods,” Annarasa said.

Speaking on behalf of 200,000 people representing 50,000 fishing families across the Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar and Jaffna districts, Annarasa said the incursions by South Indian fishermen had severely undermined the livelihoods of local fishing communities, leaving them in serious hardship.

A former fishing union leader, Annarasa urged Vijay to go beyond simply writing letters as his predecessors had done, and to take concrete action to halt environmentally damaging trawler fishing operations in Tamil Nadu and prevent trawlers from illegally entering Sri Lankan waters.

Sri Lanka and India have held discussions on a USD 450 million post‑conflict reconstruction package, the Ministry of Finance said.

The announcement follows a meeting held yesterday (May 10) between Deputy Minister of Finance Anil Jayantha Fernando and Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha.

According to the Finance Ministry, during the discussions, both sides focused on the reconstruction package and further strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Sri Lanka.