TNPF seeks India’s support for federal solution in Sri Lanka after Chennai meeting

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A delegation of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) has met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin in Chennai and handed over a letter urging India to press Sri Lanka to move away from its unitary state structure and adopt a federal system, the party said.

TNPF leader and Jaffna District MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam said the delegation requested the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to persuade India’s central government to exert pressure on Colombo, arguing that only a federal system would allow Tamils to fully enjoy the powers envisaged under the Indo-Lanka Accord.

“Only through a federal arrangement can the Tamil people exercise the powers that were expected through the Indo-Lanka Accord,” Ponnambalam said, speaking to journalists after the meeting.

According to the TNPF, the delegation included former MP Selvaraja Kajendran, lawyers Nadarajar Kandeepan and Sugash Kanagaratnam.

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French Humanitarian Support Lands in Katunayake

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Sri Lanka received a humanitarian donation from the French government—a 14-metric-ton consignment of essential relief supplies aimed at supporting communities affected by recent disasters.

The aid package includes blankets, tents, sanitary items, and kitchen equipment.

The consignment was officially handed over at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, in the presence of French Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Remi Lambert, and European Union Ambassador Carmen Moreno, along with senior officials from Sri Lanka’s Disaster Management Centre.

Indictments Served to Ampitiye Sumana Thera under ICCPR Act

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Indictments were served yesterday (17) at the Batticaloa High Court to Ampitiye Sumana Thera, marking his status as an accused under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act.

Following the service of the indictment under case Hcb/3636, the monk appeared before the court and was subsequently released on bail.

On 15 December, the Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court was compelled to issue a warrant for the arrest of Ampitiye Sumana Thera after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing regarding the allegations of inciting racial hatred. During those proceedings, a Batticaloa Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) appeared on behalf of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) to inform the Magistrate that the monk was missing.

The legal action originates from a formal complaint lodged by Dhanuka Rananjaka Kahandagamage, an Attorney-at-Law, on 23 October 2023. The charges center on a controversial video clip, examined by the Government Analyst, which purportedly shows the monk making violent and aggressive remarks against the Tamil community. In the footage, recorded in the presence of police officers, it is alleged that the monk threatened that “every Tamil person living in the South will be cut and killed.” Following the analysis of this evidence, the Attorney General previously issued a direct instruction to the police to arrest the monk, leading to the current High Court proceedings.

EU provides over €2.35 mln humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka

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The European Union (EU) has allocated a total of Euro 2.35 million of financial assistance to Sri Lanka.

This includes Euro 500,000 through IFRC and Euro 1.85 million through DG-European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO) partners, WFP and UNICEF as humanitarian assistance to Sri Lanka, in response to the impact of Tropical Cyclone Ditwah, according to the President’s Media Division (PMD).

In addition to the above allocation, the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM), which brings together 37 participating States, all 27 EU member States, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Türkiye and Ukraine, is providing in-kind assistance to Sri Lanka.

As a part of the UCPM in kind assistance being provided, on Wednesday, 17th December, Sri Lanka received an aid shipment, with two air cargo flights arriving in Colombo from Germany, France and Luxembourg.

This aid shipment included 83 tonnes of relief items such as family tents, mattresses, hygiene and kitchen kits, beds and water filters. The supplies are intended for distribution among communities most affected by the cyclone.

The arrival of the assistance was welcomed by the EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Carmen Moreno, French Ambassador, Rémi Lambert, and the Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Sarah Hasselbarth. On behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka, the donations were received by Sugeeshwara Gunaratna, Director General/Europe & North America, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism and Chathura Liyanarachchi, Director, Disaster Management Center (DMC).

Italy has also provided a team of structural engineers to support Sri Lanka’s disaster assessment and recovery process, the PMD added.

Furthermore, the EU has activated its Copernicus Emergency Management Service (EMS) in rapid mapping mode, with around 30 maps produced so far.

The European Union has committed continued cooperation and support to Sri Lanka’s disaster recovery and rebuilding process, reaffirming the enduring friendship and strong partnership between Sri Lanka and the European Union.

Flood warning issued for several low-lying areas of Mahaweli River Basin

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The Irrigation Department has issued a flood warning valid for the next 48 hours for several low-lying areas along the Mahaweli River Basin due to rainfall received since last night (17) in certain catchment areas.

Accordingly, residents of low-lying areas in Kinniya, Muttur, Kantale, Seruvila, Welikanda, Lankapura, Thamankaduwa, and Dimbulagala Divisional Secretariat (DS) Divisions have been warned of possible flooding.

Furthermore, there is a risk of inundation of the Batticaloa Polonnaruwa Road (Gallella area), the access road to Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, and the surrounding areas of the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara, the department said.

Therefore, devotees travelling to the Somawathiya Raja Maha Vihara are kindly requested to avoid travel to the area until further notice over the next few days.

In addition, the general public residing in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in the above-mentioned areas are requested to remain highly vigilant and to take necessary measures to protect themselves from possible flood conditions.

Therefore, disaster management authorities are also requested to take adequate precautions in this regard.

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Jaffna Airport expansion project: Foundation laid for new terminal

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The foundation stone for a new passenger terminal building at Jaffna International Airport was laid on Monday (15) afternoon, marking a key milestone in the Rs 700 million airport expansion project.

The ceremony, held at the airport premises, included multi-religious observances and was attended by Jaffna International Airport Manager Saman Amarasinghe, Deputy Airport Manager Sanjeewa Amarapathi, and senior officials of Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, including its Deputy Chairman and engineering staff.

Construction work for Phase II of the expansion is scheduled to begin in January 2026. The project is being funded by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku said the two-phase expansion project, with an estimated total investment of around Rs 700 million, is aimed at enhancing passenger handling capacity and upgrading facilities at Jaffna International Airport.

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Another aid shipment from India arrives

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Another shipment of dry rations has been brought from India to provide relief to people affected by the cyclone “Ditwah”.

The supplies were brought to Sri Lanka by a C-17 aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force, the President’s Media Division stated.

The relief consignment includes 15 tons of dry rations and 10 tons of medicines.

Additionally, a shipment of 50 tons of dry rations was brought to the country yesterday (15) aboard the Indian Coast Guard vessel “Shaurya”. The supplies were officially handed over at the port to Deputy Minister of Civil Aviation, Janith Ruwan Kodithuwakku, by Indian Deputy High Commissioner Dr. Satyanjal Pandey.

Meanwhile, under the “Sagar Bandhu” operation, the Indian medical team that arrived in Sri Lanka completed its humanitarian mission and returned to India.

Rights groups claim NPP Govt overlooks Tamil language

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A Sri Lankan rights group has called on the government to provide official disaster announcements and statements in all three national languages, citing shortcomings during Cyclone Ditwah and the resulting floods.

Thanne Gnanananda thero, a member of the National Committee of the Equal Rights Movement, said the public was informed only in Sinhala and English during the disaster.

He added that successive governments have historically failed to issue official communications in Tamil during government activities.

The remarks followed the submission of a letter by the rights group to the Presidential Secretariat on Monday (15), urging that official disaster notifications and statements be issued in Sinhala, Tamil, and English.

The group said providing information in all national languages is crucial for ensuring that minority communities receive timely and accurate warnings during emergencies.

Sri Lanka’s Economy Accelerates: 5.4% Growth in Q3 2025

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Sri Lanka’s economy recorded a robust 5.4% growth rate in the third quarter of 2025, according to the latest National Accounts Estimates released by the Department of Census and Statistics (DCS).

The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at constant 2015 prices surged to Rs. 3,325.6 billion, up from Rs. 3,154.1 billion in the same quarter last year, signaling resilience despite global uncertainties.

At current prices, GDP climbed to Rs. 8,400 billion, marking a 12.6% increase from Q3 2024.

The growth was driven by Agriculture (3.6%), Industry (8.1%), and Services (3.5%), with taxes less subsidies on products rising by 13.9%.

Key Drivers of Growth:

Industry led the charge with an 8.1% expansion, powered by construction (12.2%), mining and quarrying (17.5%), and manufacturing activities such as petroleum products (83.1%) and basic metals (22.2%).

Agriculture grew 3.6%, supported by strong performance in plant propagation (46.6%), coconut cultivation (27.1%), and sugar cane and non-perennial crops (11.2%).

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Warrant issued for Ampitiye Sumana Thera; Police claim monk is ‘missing’

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The Batticaloa Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant yesterday (15) for the arrest of Ampitiye Sumana Thera after he failed to appear for the case filed against him under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act for allegedly inciting racial hatred.

When the case was taken up yesterday, the Court noted that the Batticaloa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) had been summoned to explain the failure to arrest Sumana Thera. However, a Batticaloa Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) appeared on behalf of the SSP and informed the Magistrate that the Thera is currently missing.

Due to the nature of the charges under the ICCPR Act, the case is scheduled to be taken up at the Batticaloa High Court tomorrow (17).

During the previous hearing on 8 December (Case No. 1152), the complainant, Attorney-at-Law Dhanuka Rananjaka Kahandagamage, officially recorded his statement before the Magistrate. At that time, Police informed the court that the accused Ampitiye Sumana Thera was not present and was reportedly hiding in a village. This led the Magistrate to issue the order summoning the Batticaloa SSP to appear yesterday (15).

The case stems from a complaint lodged by Kahandagamage on 23 October 2023. The Attorney General (AG) had previously instructed the Police to arrest Ampitiye Sumana Thera in connection with the incident.

According to Kahandagamage, the AG issued this directive after a controversial video clip—purportedly showing the Thera—was examined by the Government Analyst.

The complaint cites a statement made by Sumana Thera in Batticaloa, where he allegedly made aggressive remarks against the Tamil community in the presence of police officers, threatening that “every Tamil person living in the South will be cut and killed”.