Author: TELO Admin

Deputy Foreign Minister of Italy to arrive in Sri Lanka today

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The Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy, Maria Tripodi, is scheduled to arrive in the island on an official visit today (03).

The Deputy Minister will remain in Sri Lanka until September 5, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said in a statement.

This visit is significant as it marks the highest-level incoming visit from Italy to Sri Lanka in almost a decade, the Foreign Ministry stated.

During her visit, Deputy Minister Tripodi will co-chair, along with Arun Hemachandra, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, the inaugural session of the Sri Lanka–Italy Political Consultations.

A Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of a Political Consultations Mechanism is due to be signed during the visit, providing a structured framework for dialogue between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Tripodi is also scheduled to call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and hold discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1952, the statement added

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Mass graves: Tamils petitions for international intervention

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A campaign has been launched to collect signatures for a petition demanding international justice for all mass graves found in Sri Lanka’s war-affected north and east.

Regional correspondents report that the campaign seeks international justice for the mass graves found in the north and east, including Sri Lanka’s second largest Chemmani mass grave which has been designated a crime scene by the court, as well as for the genocide committed against the Tamil people.

The petition launched a day before the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances – is targeting the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, to be held from 8 September to 3 October 2025.

The petition was jointly prepared by representatives of several parties and alliances including the Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF) and the Democratic Tamil National Alliance (DTNA), while civil society representatives extended their support to collect signatures in the five districts of the Northern Province.

On 29 August 2025 public gathered to sign the petition at the Mannar Bus Stand, Jaffna Bus Stand, Kilinochchi Public Market Complex, in front of the Maritimepattu Divisional Secretariat in Mullaitivu, and in the Vavuniya town.

During a recent interview with a private television channel, Justice Minister and attorney Harshana Nanayakkara revealed that 17 mass graves have been found in Sri Lanka so far.

For the first time, he listed these as the Mannar Sathosa mass grave, Mannar Thiruketheeswaram mass grave, Puthukkudiyiruppu mass grave, Suthanthirapuram mass grave, Mankulam mass grave, Oddusuddan mass grave, Kokkuthoduvai mass grave, Palaly mass grave, Palaly 2 mass grave, Palaly 3 mass grave, Muhamalai 4 mass grave, Kurukkalmadam mass grave, Matale mass grave, Sooriyakanda mass grave, Colombo Port mass grave, Sampur mass grave, and the Chemmani mass grave.

The Mannar Sathosa mass grave is the largest with 376 bodies discovered so far.

On 20 August 2025, Velanai Pradeshiya Sabha Independent Member Swaminathan Pirakalathan had revealed that there are mass graves in five locations in the islets of Jaffna yet to be excavated.

Regional correspondents reported that on 26 August 2025, the Tamil community in the islets paid tribute for the first time to their relatives who are believed to have been buried in Kayts, Araly Junction, near the Mankumban Pillaiyar Kovil, Allaipiddy and Mandaitivu, and who disappeared 35 years ago.

President declares open the Immigration and Emigration Department’s Jaffna Regional Office

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stated that efforts are underway to enable the public to carry out all payments and transactions with the government through online methods by next year.

The President stated that digitalisation, a key programme of the present government, enables the decentralisation of all administrative functions, which were previously confined to Colombo, to remote rural villages, thereby giving the people the opportunity to access government services much more conveniently.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made these remarks while attending the inauguration of the Jaffna Regional Office of the Department of Immigration and Emigration today (01).

This office, established within the premises of the Jaffna District Secretariat, is equipped with all facilities including modern technology.

As the number of foreign passport applications from the Northern Province is increasing, this regional office was opened to fulfill the need for a more easily accessible location.

The issuance of three passports by the President symbolised the commencement of providing Department of Immigration and Emigration services to the people of Jaffna.

Subsequently, at a meeting with Jaffna District public officials held at the auditorium of the Jaffna District Secretariat, the President stated that in order to meet the expectations of the people, political authorities and public officials must work together.

The President emphasised that while the government will do its utmost to protect public officials who use their authority for the welfare of the people, it will not hesitate to enforce the law against those who misuse that authority for monetary gain.

He further stated that, at present, all public servants in the country have the opportunity to fulfill their duty to the nation.

The President further pointed out that a strong public service is needed to build the country and behind the development of every developed country in the world, there is a strong public service.

UN calls for truth, justice and action on enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka

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Marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances 2025, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Marc-André Franche, has urged the government to confront its legacy of unresolved disappearances with transparency, courage, and justice.

Franche described the issue as a “national wound left open by silence, inaction, and impunity,” emphasising that the fate of thousands of forcibly disappeared Sri Lankans remains unknown across all communities on the island.

“The pain of being left without answers about a loved one is a trauma that time alone cannot heal. It is a suffering that endures, deepened by the absence of truth and justice,” he said.

This year’s observance comes amid renewed attention to mass grave sites, with ongoing excavations revealing human skeletal remains, including those believed to be children, as well as personal belongings.

He said the discoveries are a stark reminder of the scale of past human rights violations and the urgent need for credible, independent investigations.

He welcomed the Sri Lankan government’s recent decision to invite the public to help identify items recovered from mass graves, but stressed that “much more needs to be done.”

The UN official acknowledged Sri Lanka’s steps toward addressing this legacy, including ratifying the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, and establishing the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the Office for Reparations.

However, he urged that these institutions be given adequate resources, independence, and forensic capacity to fulfil their mandates.

Franche also expressed concern over surveillance, intimidation, and reprisals reportedly faced by families of the disappeared and human rights defenders, particularly during memorial activities.

“All those engaged in exercising their rights must be protected, not punished,” he said.

He recalled the June visit of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, who met with families of the disappeared and reiterated the need to investigate mass graves as a matter of urgent priority.

Franche also added that the United Nations “stands in solidarity with every family searching for their loved ones” and remains committed to supporting independent investigations, truth-seeking, and reparations to ensure accountability and guarantees of non-recurrence.

ICRC says thousands of families of missing in Sri Lanka still waiting for answers

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The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) says thousands of families of missing persons from all communities across Sri Lanka are still waiting for answers while struggling to cope with multiple challenges at family, community and societal levels.

In a statement to mark the International Day of the Disappeared on 30th August, the ICRC said that not knowing the fate or whereabouts of their missing loved ones, they continue to endure suffering and anguish that transcend differences.

Every effort must be made to establish the fate of missing persons while their relatives must be able to live in dignity, the ICRC said.

For over a decade, the ICRC has implemented a comprehensive, island-wide support programme in Sri Lanka to address the multifaceted needs of families of missing persons, assisting over 10,000 families.

The ICRC will continue engaging with families of missing persons to strengthen their capacities to play an active role in processes aimed at providing them with answers, and to encourage collective action where possible. In parallel, the ICRC works with national authorities and relevant stakeholders to reinforce their ability to address effectively the needs of families of missing persons, including their fundamental right to know.

Drawing on its global experience, the ICRC stands ready to continue sharing its technical expertise with relevant stakeholders in Sri Lanka, in order to contribute to the process of clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing persons, in accordance with its humanitarian mandate.

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President Inaugurates E-Library Programme at Jaffna Library

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The programme to develop the Jaffna Library into an e-library was inaugurated today under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

Accordingly, the website “jaffna.dlp.gov.lk” was introduced for the Jaffna Public Library, enabling readers to access its collection online through this project.

The Jaffna Public Library, a symbol of pride for the people of Jaffna, is one of the largest libraries in Asia, housing an extensive collection of books. It is used daily by school and university students as well as researchers from both Sri Lanka and abroad.

At the event, an integrated library management system, a smart card access facility and a special unit equipped with assistive technology for persons with special needs were also introduced for the Jaffna Public Library.

A sum of Rs. 100 million has been allocated for this project from the 2025 budget.

Following the official launch of the e-library programme, the President toured the reading hall and lending section of the library, engaging in cordial discussions with the staff.

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President assures to release every plot of land in North acquired by security forces

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President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that every plot of land in the North, which was acquired for the security forces during the war, will be released back to the people.

He made these remarks this morning while attending the inauguration of the third phase of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour Development Project in Jaffna, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

He said that it is the responsibility of the government to provide the necessary facilities for the fishing community and that steps are being taken to develop the fisheries harbour in the North in order to provide such facilities and resolve the issues faced by the fishing community.

The President further noted that although previous governments acted with the expectation of war, the present government is working with the aim of ensuring that no form of war will ever recur in this country and to build peace and harmony within the nation.

He said the government is committed to safeguarding the surrounding seas, islands and landmass of the country for the benefit of the people and will not allow any external force to exert influence in this regard.

The symbolic inauguration of the third phase of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbour Development Project was carried out by the President.

Under this phase, essential facilities such as water, electricity, fuel, cold storage, net-mending centres, auction halls and radio communication centres will be provided not only for the fishing community of the Northern Province but also for fishing boats arriving from the Eastern and Southern Provinces.

The government has allocated Rs. 298 million for this purpose in the current year.

All former Presidents under probe for possible malpractices during office

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In the wake of the arrest of former President Ranil Wickremesinghe over the alleged misuse of state funds for a foreign trip, the government said it would probe similar malpractices involving other former Heads of State based on complaints, a Minister said.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested Mr. Wickremesinghe last week and produced him before the Colombo Fort Magistrate. Later, he was remanded. Now he is on bail.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Daily Mirror that the law would be applied across the board, and any other former President would not be spared if complaints were received.

“If somebody makes complaints, we will investigate cases against former Presidents or anyone ,” he said.

Asked whether complaints had been received, he said he could not share such details off hand. However, he said investigations are underway against a host of former politicians who held ministerial responsibilities in the past.

The government, earlier, submitted details about foreign travel expenses of Mr. Wickremesinghe and current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The latest arrest of Mr. Wickremesinghe has sparked a political debate regarding the power of the President in spending state funds. Article 33 of Sri Lanka Constitution stipulates how the President should exercise his authority.

The new government led by the National People’s power (NPP) has now sought to prune the benefits of former Presidents. A piece of legislation has already been evolved to be enacted by Parliament. It has been gazetted at the moment.

Recently, the Supreme Court concluded hearings on the petitions challenging the constitutionality of the bill.

High-level U.S. delegation holds talks in Sri Lanka

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A delegation from the U.S. House Democracy Partnership (HDP), a bipartisan commission of the U.S. House of Representatives, had talks with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo.

Welcoming the delegation, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of the partnership of the HDP in promoting accountability, transparency, and legislative capacity, economic growth and reinforcing partnerships in Sri Lanka.

The representatives of HDP presented their focus on working with Parliament on oversight, citizen engagement and e-governance between the two countries.

During the meeting, special attention was also given to the female participation in the Parliament and in national leadership and challenges faced by females in the labor force.

Representing the United States Delegation, the meeting was attended by Ambassador of the United States to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, and the Executive Director, House Democracy Partnership Derek Luyten.

The Sri Lankan delegation included Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism.

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Ranil Has Ruined SLPP’s Identity, Says Ranjith Bandara

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Former Member of Parliament Professor Ranjith Bandara has accused Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe of damaging the identity of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna and eroding the legacy of the Rajapaksa political movement.

Professor Bandara urged senior leaders of the SLPP to refrain from selling out their political movement to Wickremesinghe.

Former SLPP Member of Parliament Professor Ranjith Bandara has published two detailed posts on social media expressing deep concern over what he describes as the destruction of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna’s identity and the Rajapaksa legacy.

In his first post, Bandara stated:

“Ranil Wickremesinghe, to our understanding, has never shared our party’s vision or values. He has undoubtedly destroyed our political identity and distorted it. He has damaged the Rajapaksa legacy entrusted to us by the people and decisively ruined the political future of the Rajapaksas. The crises he claims to be solving are the very ones produced under his supervision during the Yahapalana era. While we may personally sympathize with him, the harm he has done to our party can no longer be ignored. Ranil only grows stronger when we are divided. When SLPP heavyweights and prominent members individually gravitate toward his orbit, our collective strength inevitably weakens. We have seen this happen. We are still seeing it.”

In his second post, Bandara made a direct appeal to SLPP leadership:

“This is a moment for SLPP leaders, organizers, and supporters to reflect deeply. Do not sell our movement back to Ranil. Let him bear the weight of his own failures. We have no journey to make with him.”