Author: TELO Admin

MP Ponnambalam denies social media claim on Thaiyiddy Vihara

Posted on | by TELO Admin

MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam has clarified that a fake social media account falsely claimed he had called on people to ‘demolish’ the Thaiyiddy Vihara during a press conference held yesterday (24).

A post circulating on social media urged people to join in demolishing the Buddhist temple, which is alleged to have been built on private land in Thaiyiddy. However, the MP dismissed this as false propaganda. Despite this, Palaly Police filed a case against MP Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam at the Mallakam Magistrates’ Court last week in connection with the social media post.

Following this, Jaffna-based journalists Bharathan and P. Thambithurai were summoned to the Palaly Police Sub-Division on Friday, 21 February, to provide statements. They were later taken to the Palaly Police Station, located within a high-security zone, for further questioning. The police confiscated and inspected their mobile phones, conducted an intensive six-hour inquiry, and recorded their statements. The journalists were later released on the condition that they must appear in court whenever summoned.

Meanwhile, former MP Selvarasa Gajendran and former Nallur Pradeshiya Sabha member Vasugi Sudhakaran, who had led protests against the Thaiyiddy Vihara, were also summoned to the police station to provide statements.

Posted in Uncategorized

Sri Lanka parliament passes 2025 budget with two thirds majority

Posted on | by TELO Admin

Sri Lanka’s parliament passed the maiden budget of the National Peoples Power administration with 155 members of the 225 member assembly voting in favour and 46 against.

Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake said the opposition described the fiscal plan as a Ranil budget, IMF budget and a neo-liberal budget, but the NPP had delivered around 80 percent of its election promises.

“We still have more years,” he said.

The budget had looked at sections of society who had been marginalized in the past including the Tamil community, families with autistic children, he said as well as greater benefits under the Aswesuma scheme.

Most tax payers have no objection to giving tax money to alleviate distress.

The budget also said there was a plan to hire able bodied unemployed graduates, about whom there is unhappiness among the tax paying public.

Deputy Finance Minister Anil Jayantha said the budget would increase capital spending.

Opposition legislator Harsha de Silva said the budget had many good aspects and continued many of the past policies but it was doubtful whether it conformed to the promises made to the people or the professed ideology of the NPP.

De Silva also raised concerns over expectations of revenue from vehicles given the high rates.

Sri Lanka had hiked vehicle taxes to high levels, in the naked Mercantilist belief that imports hit foreign reserves.

Foreign reserves however can only be hit by credit that is re-financed by the central bank through open market operations or other methods used to suppress interest rates, triggering loans without real deposits.

Namal questions Govt.’s double standards on PTA

Posted on | by TELO Admin

In the wake of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s remarks in Parliament that the government will not use the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to curb underworld activities, SLPP MP Namal Rajapaksa, referring to the incident of PTA being used against youth from the North and South for Facebook posts, criticized government’s double standard.

In a statement, he asked the government whether it’s acceptable to use the PTA against youth from the North and South for Facebook posts and minor charges when they decided not to use PTA to curb underworld activities.

“This government promised the people that they would repeal the PTA, and they received an overwhelming mandate from the North and East to end the misuse of this act,” Rajapaksa said.

“Yes, our party’s policy supports a strong law to combat terrorism, and we are transparent about it. We have never disguised our intentions, unlike others who wear sheep’s clothing under the guise of a tiger. I strongly oppose this double standard approach by the government. It’s time they openly tell the people what they truly believe, instead of beating around the bush,” the MP added.

Increased complaints against Sri Lanka Police: HRCSL

Posted on | by TELO Admin

An increased number of complaints have been received by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), against Police officers, HRCSL said.

Police officials met HRCSL officials to discuss critical human rights concerns related to Sri Lanka Police last week.

“The HRCSL expressed concerns over the increasing number of complaints received against police officers, particularly regarding allegations of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment, and inaction with respect to complaints,” HRCSL said.

Allegations of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment and inaction with respect to complaints have been noted in a variety of complaints, it said.

A lack of diversity in recruitment has resulted in officers who are incompetent in using Tamil being dispatched to serve in Tamil majority areas.

Sri Lanka Police said this would be sorted in upcoming enrolments.

Th Special Investigations Unit of Sri Lanka Police investigating law enforcing officers’ alleged involvement in torture and enforced disappearance was raised with regard to low levels of prosecution and convictions.

HRCSL says special training should be provided to officers who are working with women and children to ensure the privacy of victims, more effective and sensitive handling of online gender based violence, sensitizing officers at the ground level, particularly those of who are exposed to LGBTQ community.

The full statement is reproduced below:

Dialogue with Sri Lanka Police on Strengthening Human Rights

On 18 February 2025, a high-level dialogue was convened at the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to discuss critical human rights concerns related to Sri Lanka Police.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman and all commissioners of the HRCSL, senior officials of the HRCSL, the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Deputy Inspector General of Police – Legal, the Director of the Human Rights Division of Sri Lanka Police, and the Director – Legal, Sri Lanka Police.

The meeting between the officials was constructive and several key issues concerning Sri Lanka Police were discussed at length.

The HRCSL expressed concerns over the increasing number of complaints received against police officers, particularly regarding allegations of torture, arbitrary arrest and detention, harassment, and inaction with respect to complaints.

The Commission acknowledged that under the new police administration, efforts are being made to address these issues through capacity building, institutional restructuring, and the adoption of new techniques and equipment.

Officials from Sri Lanka Police responded by emphasising their aim to significantly reduce rights violations within the next year.

Specific attention was drawn to the role of the Special Investigation Unit of Sri Lanka Police, particularly in terms of investigating law enforcement officers allegedly involved in torture and enforced disappearance.

The HRCSL raised concerns with respect to the low levels of prosecution and convictions in this regard.

The Commission also raised concerns with respect to the rights of human rights defenders to engage in the advocacy of human rights, including the right to stage peaceful protests against government policies.

The HRCSL also raised concerns regarding the representation of women within Sri Lanka Police and the presence of Tamil-speaking officers in specific regions.

It was noted that these concerns will be addressed in upcoming recruitment efforts.

Furthermore, the HRCSL emphasised the need for specialised training of police officers, particularly those serving in Women and Children’s Desks.

It accordingly highlighted the importance of:

1. Ensuring privacy for victims at police stations;
2. Training officers on online gender-based violence for more effective and sensitive case handling; and
3. Sensitizing officers at the ground level, particularly those who frequently interact with persons from the LGBTQI community.

The Acting IGP noted that Sri Lanka Police has initiated proceedings under the Torture Act of 1994 in response to allegations of torture.

He also undertook the responsibility of issuing three formal advisory notes to all officers based on the following key guidelines issued by the HRCSL:

1. The General Guidelines and Recommendations, No. 1 of 2024 on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
2. The Draft General Guidelines and Recommendations to Sri Lanka Police on Preventing Custodial and Encounter Deaths
3. The Guideline for Police Officers to Ensure the Protection of Transgender Persons

Additionally, the IGP agreed to issue an advisory note to raise awareness among police officers on section 26 of the HRCSL Act, which protects officers of the HRCSL from legal action.

This dialogue underscored a mutual commitment to strengthening human rights protections within law enforcement and fostering a more accountable and rights-based policing framework in Sri Lanka.

Nihal Chandrasiri
Media Spokesperson/ Director –Research & Monitoring Division
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka

“Arrest Them All” – Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry Targets Military Deserters

Posted on | by TELO Admin

Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) has issued orders for the immediate arrest of all armed forces deserters.

This directive comes in response to a troubling increase in shooting incidents linked to former military personnel who have abandoned their posts.

During a press conference on Saturday (22), Sri Lanka’s Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasuriya disclosed details about organized crime in Sri Lanka, identifying 58 organized criminal gangs and approximately 1,400 individuals associated with these networks.

Acting IGP Weerasuriya stated, “We have identified 58 organized criminal gangs in Sri Lanka, with around 1,400 followers. These groups are categorized into primary and secondary organized gangs and their supporting groups.”

He further explained that many of these gangs are operated by “godfathers” based abroad.

“As a result of their overseas operations, we recorded 75 shooting incidents and 18 hacking murders in 2024. So far in 2025, there have been 17 shooting incidents and 5 hacking cases,” he added.

The Acting IGP also highlighted the involvement of some police and military personnel in these criminal activities.

“We have identified and arrested two police officers, one soldier, seven army deserters, and one air force member for their direct or indirect involvement in these crimes,” he said.

“We have received unwavering international support, resulting in the extradition of 19 criminals from foreign countries. We have issued 199 red notices, 90 blue notices, and 4 yellow notices for these criminals,” he stated.

He also mentioned that some criminals continue to operate from within prisons.

The Acting IGP identified the Western and Southern Provinces as the most active regions for these criminal gangs.

At the same press conference on Saturday (22). Ravi Senaviratne, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs stated that ecent incidents have created a highly volatile situation among organized crime gangs.

“Their existence relies on illegal activities and support from certain corrupt political groups. As law enforcement tightens its grip, these gangs resort to various tactics to evade capture,” he added.

Posted in Uncategorized

India – Sri Lanka Petroleum pipeline – Only possible if economically feasible

Posted on | by TELO Admin

The proposed multi-product petroleum pipeline between India and Sri Lanka will materialize only if it is economically viable but not on political considerations, an official said yesterday.

Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) W.A. Rajakaruna told Daily Mirror that the two sides are assessing the project for its feasibility at the moment.

He said he participated in talks in this regard with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake last week.

“We will assess the project for its feasibility. We will press ahead only if it is feasible. We cannot decide on it over political reasons only,” he said.

The tripartite project involving India, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been envisaged in the joint statement between the two countries, signed during the visit of the President to New Delhi in December, last year.

It is part of the energy connectivity between the two countries . There is a proposal for power grid connectivity between the two countries.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka now contemplates direct fuel purchases from the UAE and Qatar instead of current procurement from the open market through a tender process.

Mr.Rajakaruna said initial discussions were held with the UAE embassy here, and another round of discussion will be held with a technical team from that country.

However, no discussion had taken place with the UAE authorities during the President’s visit there recently.

Posted in Uncategorized

Adani-run port terminal contract blocks SLPA’s partnerships for East terminal

Posted on | by TELO Admin

Major shipping lines have expressed interest in partnering with the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA) to run the East Container Terminal (ECT)—but its agreement with the Adani-run West Container Terminal (WCT) prevents it from doing so.

The agreement blocks the SLPA from directly or indirectly allowing a third party to operate any new facilities in the Colombo Port for seven years from the effective date of the WCT contract or until the total throughput of the port exceeds 5.5 million TEUs over a period of six consecutive months, whichever happens sooner.

The effective date of a contract is when it comes into effect and when the obligations within the agreement need to begin to be fulfilled.

One of the expressions of interest—an unsolicited proposal—was submitted by Maersk and APM Terminals (as consortium lead), in partnership with Mitsui & Co and Ocean Network Express. While other shipping lines have also come forward, the SLPA will neither call for open tenders nor entertain any private parties for ECT, said its Chairman Admiral (Rtd) Sirimevan Ranasinghe.

The ECT will “definitely” be run by the SLPA for the next few years, Admiral Ranasinghe said. He cited two reasons. The first was that “this was something the workers of the Ports Authority demanded and won for themselves.” (In 2021, the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration cancelled a 2019 Memorandum of Understanding to develop ECT alongside India and Japan, citing union opposition to the deal and vowing to operate it as “a wholly owned” facility).

The other reason, the SLPA Chairman said, was the “exclusivity clause” in the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT) build-operate-and-transfer agreement, which prevents the entry of any new third party to the Colombo Port till the terms of the contract are fulfilled.

“Until then, we cannot do any new terminal if it’s privately operated,” he maintained. “ECT can continue as long as it is manned by SLPA and nobody else. There is no way we can go into a contract with someone.”

Admiral Ranasinghe confirmed that “there are many lines that are interested in this (ECT), in fact, everybody.”

“It’s basically a shipping line business, so they continue to do that promotion,” he said. “But whenever they come to talk to me, I have told them that this is something they cannot do right now.”

Clause 4.1 of the WCT concessions agreement reads, “The Port Authority and the Government have represented and undertaken that the East Container Terminal shall be developed, equipped, operated and maintained solely by the Ports Authority.”

It continues: “Neither the Ports Authority nor the Government shall directly or indirectly grant the right to any third party to operate any new facilities (including the East Container Terminal) for the purpose of performing container terminal activities at the Port of Colombo for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the completion of seven (7) Years from the Effective Date or until the total throughput of the Port exceeds five and a half million (5,500,000) TEUs over a period of six consecutive months, whichever happens sooner (“Exclusivity Period to the Terminal Operator”); PROVIDED THAT that the Terminal Operator executes the Construction Works in accordance with the terms of this Agreement. “

CWIT is expected to be fully operational by 2027. Shipping industry analysts have long urged the Sri Lanka Government to renegotiate clause 4.1. “This clause is a travesty considering WCT also got so many tax breaks,” said one expert, who requested anonymity.

“We are almost doubling port capacity in 18 months, whereas for us to get to the current level of capacity has taken us 18 years,” he said. “And ECT is going to open after WCT. So this is going to completely undermine the financial standing of the ECT unless a shipping line is brought in as a partner because we are going to have overcapacity for seven years after both these terminals are opened.”

“Who better to compete than the private sector guys?” he asked, stressing that there must be an open tender. “By virtue of ECT now coming after WCT, they’re going to be so compromised to make a return that it is imperative that ECT enters into an alliance with a shipping line. But that is compromised by virtue of this clause.”

The ownership of WCT is split between Adani (51%), John Keells Holdings (34%) and SLPA (15%). Profits are tax-exempt for 25 years, while equipment is exempt from border taxes. Up to 20 expatriate employees too will get tax exemption on salaries. The commercial terms for WCT are similar to those agreed upon between the China Merchants Port-run Colombo International Container Terminal and SLPA. The latter does not, however, have an exclusivity clause.

Sri Lanka govt approval rating soars to 62% in February 2025 – survey

Posted on | by TELO Admin

The government’s approval rating rose sharply after the election, from 24% in July 2024 to 62% in February 2025, when the latest round of the Gallup style ‘Mood of the Nation’ poll was conducted by Verité Research.

For the first time since the economic crisis, a majority of the population (55%) feels that economic conditions in Sri Lanka are “getting better.” However, 47% still feel that the economy, as a whole, is in a “poor condition.” This is down from the 71% who thought that way in July 2024.

Overall, from July 2024 to February 2025, the percentage of people who disapprove of the government declined from 60% to 16% (44 point reduction), and the percentage of people who think the economy is getting worse declined from 65% to 14% (51 point reduction).

Government Rating | Approve 62% | Disapprove 16% |
In response to the question, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way the current government is working?” 62% said they “approve,” more than double the previous round’s 24%. Only 16% said they “disapprove,” in contrast to 60% who disapproved previously.

Economic Outlook | “Getting Better” 55% | “Getting Worse” 14% |
In response to the question, “Do you think that the economic conditions in the country as a whole are getting better or getting worse?”, 55% said “getting better”, compared to 30% in July 2024. Only 14% said “getting worse”, a sharp drop from the previous 65%.

State of the Economy | “Good” or “Excellent” 35% | “Poor” 47% |
When asked to rate the current economic conditions in the country as “excellent,” “good,” or “poor,” 35% rated them as either “good” or “excellent”, up from 28% in July 2024. Meanwhile, 47% said “poor”, a decline of 24 points from the 71% who said that previously.

Survey Implementation

This regularly conducted poll is part of the Syndicated Surveys instrument of Verité Research. The polling partner was Vanguard Survey (Pvt) Ltd. This instrument also allows other organisations to survey the sentiments of Sri Lankans.

The latest poll was based on a nationally representative multi-stage randomised sample of 1,050 Sri Lankan adults from separate households, and was carried out from 31 January to 5 February 2025. This survey was designed to have a maximum sampling error margin of ±3.0% at a 95% confidence level. Error margins can be further affected by lapses that could arise in the implementation process.

Crime update: 17 shootings, 5 fatal stabbings so far in ’25

Posted on | by TELO Admin

58 organised crime groups operating with 1,400 individuals islandwide

There have been 17 reported incidents of shooting and five fatal stabbings, totalling 22 incidents so far in 2025, according to Police statistics.

Addressing a special media briefing yesterday (22), Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) Priyantha Weerasooriya noted that investigations into the 17 shooting incidents had already been completed.

“The issue extends beyond criminal networks, as some members of law enforcement and the military have also been implicated. As a result, 11 personnel from the Police and tri-forces have been arrested for their alleged involvement in criminal activities. This includes two from the Police, one from the Army, seven Army deserters, and one from the Air Force,” he said.

Commenting on the support of international agencies, Acting IGP Weerasooriya expressed his satisfaction on the cooperation and support received through Interpol through which many arrests had been made.

“We have also garnered significant support from international agencies, particularly Interpol, which has been instrumental in our efforts. To date, 199 Red Notices, 90 Blue Notices, and four Yellow Notices have been issued.

“These notices target not only individuals involved in organised crime but also those engaged in other illicit activities. For instance, on Friday (21) we successfully apprehended the individual responsible for the OnmaxDT fraud case,” he said.

Acting IGP Weerasooriya said that a reward of Rs. 1 million would be given to any person providing credible information leading to the recovery of T-56 assault rifles, as part of an intensified crackdown on illegal firearms.

To facilitate public cooperation, a dedicated hotline (1997) has been established for individuals to report any relevant information.

“The public has a responsibility to provide information to the Police. Police personnel alone cannot be performing this duty by themselves without the support of the public,” he added.

In addition, the law enforcement authorities have identified 58 criminal syndicates operating across the country, with approximately 1,400 individuals linked to these networks.

“Many of these people have already fled the country in fear of being arrested by the Police. Some of them had previously surrendered, but were protected by political figures and because the political support is no longer accorded, they are attempting to go abroad. These godfathers operate from abroad and provide directives to their local henchmen,” he said.

The Acting IGP also provided information into the statistics of firearms confiscated since the new Government took office.

“Since the Government came into power, a significant number of firearms have been seized and placed under Police custody, including 13 T-56 weapons, 21 pistols, 15 revolvers, one AK-47, 805 shotguns, 75 Bora-12 rifles, 10 ‘gal katas,’ seven repeaters, and four other types of firearms,” he noted.

He claimed that such operations were typically linked to smuggling or drug-related offences and went on to issue the statistics of drugs confiscated in the year so far.

“Last year, we successfully seized the largest quantity of illicit substances on record and since this Government took office, our efforts have faced no obstructions. Notably, no political figures have interfered and we are well aware of the circumstances prior to this administration.

“Among the confiscated items are 309 kg of heroin, 97 kg of cannabis, 123 kg of cannabis seeds, 312 kg of cannabis plants, 383 kg of methamphetamine (ice), and 6,430 litres of illicit liquor, all of which are now in Police custody,” he said.

Additionally, the Acting IGP stated that the Western and Southern Provinces had been accorded much higher security owing to the high number of crimes taking place in these regions.

“The Western and Southern Provinces are the most prone to crime and therefore we have already allocated additional attention and security to these regions. We have especially provided additional security outside of the courts, but we are unable to provide security inside court premises without the approval of the courts. We are planning to discuss with the courts and provide better security inside court premises in the future.”

Posted in Uncategorized

Jaffna’s 3axislabs surpasses 100,000 global users with MindMap AI

Posted on | by TELO Admin

Jaffna-based 3axislabs is expanding its Sri Lankan operations to meet growing international demand for its services.

Having successfully delivered almost 50 projects to date, for clients in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Switzerland, Finland, and other countries, the firm is planning to increase its staff total to 50 in the near term, while also expanding its offices to accommodate them. Prompted by a surge in the company’s revenues, to Rs. 60 million in 2024, 3axislabs’ growth follows a chaotic spell experienced during its 2021 start in the midst of the COVID-19 era.

3axislabs Co-Founder and CEO Prasanth Subendran said: “After exhaustive efforts hustling to keep afloat during COVID-19, we have now seen substantial year-on-year growth, resulting in our rapid expansion to 15 team members recently. We believe this will continue with our new foray into product development with MindMap AI, a very promising initiative that requires our team to expand again very soon. Additionally, we are also excited about our role in helping create an IT hub in the North, since our US dollar earnings benefit Sri Lanka directly, with about 80% trickling down to staff and suppliers, along with surrounding communities.” Alongside the planned expansion to its service delivery infrastructure, the company has also taken its first steps into product development, with the recent launch of a mind mapping tool utilising generative AI. This note-taking, brainstorming and planning tool, which is aimed at professionals at the initial stages of projects, uses AI to more easily and quickly create a visual mind map to facilitate a better understanding of existing information, also leading to idea generation, etc. 3Axislabs’ MindMap AI has already seen impressive organic growth due to it being quicker and more user friendly than more traditional mind mapping software options, sometimes as much as 10 times faster per user reviews. This AI-powered tool currently receives over 1,500 visits per day purely through organic reach, with about 70 from every 100 visitors eventually signing up. Overall, MindMap AI has quickly grown to over 100,000 registered users, all achieved without paid campaigns.

“As start-up and tech veterans with over 10 years each in the local eco-system, my co-founders and I have made it our mission to increase high quality IT jobs in the North and East, to help limit the brain-drain from those moving abroad. In fact, we have been very fortunate in attracting IT talent from not just Jaffna, but also Trincomalee, Chilaw, Pollonaruwa, Badulla, Ratnapura, etc. All over, really. And this has helped us establish a highly diversified and experienced team. Further, our close proximity to the University of Jaffna has enabled us to quickly scale- and skill-up when needed, while also giving these graduates the opportunity to stay close to their families. At the same time, our next stage of evolution, as a product development company, is opening up opportunities for potential investors to join us in creating next-gen products like MindMap AI, based on wholly new technologies, which are currently working their way through our go-to-market pipeline,” added Subendran.