Category: Breaking News

On the occasion of Sri Lanka’s 77th National Independence Day, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake stressed on the nation’s collective hopes and aspirations for a new kind of freedom.

Reflecting on Sri Lanka’s rich history, President Dissanayake highlighted the government’s commitment to rebuilding a thriving nation through the united efforts of people from all regions—North, East, West, and South.

In his message on the occasion of Sri Lanka’s 77th National Independence Day, President Dissanayake called for elevating the nation to new heights for the sake of future generations.

He reminded the citizens of the sacrifices made by historical heroes who fought with their blood and tears to achieve freedom. The President urged everyone to work both individually and collectively to build a modern, developed Sri Lankan nation guided by social, environmental, and ethical principles.

Over the past four months, the new government has laid the foundation for a stable economy, introduced a new political culture, and committed to a new political ideal.

President Dissanayake outlined the government’s vision for a society where people regard each other with equality, respect, and empathy, free from racism and religious divisions. He emphasized the importance of governance through public engagement and the rule of law, with a focus on eradicating rural poverty.

The President also highlighted the government’s efforts to ensure that no citizen, particularly the most vulnerable, is left behind. Steps have been taken to digitalize the economy and embrace advancements in science and technology. Additionally, he noted that the government is committed to transforming Sri Lanka’s global image from a country known for corrupt governance to one that upholds an independent foreign policy and earns trust in international relations.

Despite numerous obstacles and the deep-rooted flaws of the past corrupt political system, President Dissanayake expressed confidence in the steady progress of the people’s government. He affirmed that Sri Lanka has entered an era of national revival and called on all Sri Lankans to stand strong and united. The President invited citizens to participate in shaping a modern vision of freedom and contribute to the collective beginning of this new era of revival.

Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L Ratnayake says that the top election office is all set to conduct the Local Government (LG) elections as soon as Supreme Court rulings on several cases related to the Local Government Election are delivered to the Speaker of Parliament.

Addressing a media briefing, the Election Commission Chairman further noted that Provincial Council Elections will also take place once necessary amendments to the Provincial Council Election Act are passed in Parliament.

Commenting further in this regard, Ratnayake said that the commission is frequently questioned on when the Local Government Election will be held.

“Several Supreme Court rulings on the matter are yet to be delivered to the Speaker of Parliament. Once those court decisions are delivered to the Speaker, the Election Commission will take all necessary steps to hold LG Polls”, he noted.

“Regarding the provincial council elections, there are certain amendments to be made to the act. The Election Commission is all set to hold the Provincial Councils Election once the parliament passes those amendments”, the Election Commission Chairman added.

Responding to a question whether the government has allotted funds for the Local Government election, he highlighted that necessary funds have been allocated for the Local Government Polls.

Sri Lanka’s decision to sign media agreements with China has raised concerns among media workers over the likelihood of further undermining of the country’s already fragile media freedom.

A media agreement was among several pacts signed with China in the past fortnight by the left-leaning new government.

Still, its details have “not been disclosed to the public,” said Dharmasiri Lankapeli, prominent rights activist, addressing media workers in Colombo on Jan. 30.

Sri Lankan president Anura Kumara Dissanayake reportedly signed at least 15 pacts during his Jan. 14-17 first official visit to China, agreeing to expand cooperation in health, farming, trade, and education.

Officials said Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media signed MoUs with China’s National Radio and Television Administration (NRTA) and the state-owned Xinhua NewsAgency to support capacity-building programs for officials and journalists.

According to the government, the agreements involve partnerships between state media agencies and audio-visual departments.

Lankapeli, secretary of the Federation of Media Employees’ Trade Unions, believes the agreement allows Chinese media to operate in Sri Lanka and Sri Lanka’s state media operators to get trained in China.

“This is concerning as Sri Lankan journalists push for reforms to protect media independence,” Anthony Sanjeewa, a senior journalist based in Colombo.

He criticized the move, saying it comes at a time when Chinese media are “widely considered as state-controlled” entities used for propaganda.

Sanjeewa, a Christian, told UCA News that the media partnerships will be a “setback for press freedom. Besides, they could compromise local media integrity and align it with foreign interests. ”

China has a trade interest in Sri Lanka and, between 2004 and 2014, gave the island nation some US$7 billion in loans and investments.

The tiny South Asian nation that experienced its worst economic crisis two years ago currently has a debt of US$64 billion. Reports show that 95 percent of state revenues are spent servicing loans.

However, China continues to invest, and the pact signed with Dissanayake recently includes a $3.7 billion deal to establish an oil refinery in Hambantota.

Other agreements included a renewed currency swap agreement and the advancement of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects, such as a seaport in Colombo and an airport in Hambantota.

Journalists point to the 2024 World Press Freedom Index released by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which says Sri Lanka’s press freedom ranking has dropped by 15 positions, falling to 150th place from 135th the previous year.

Lankapeli said that journalists in the country have faced a brutal and repressive regime for more than two decades, destroying media institutions.

Senior journalist Mylvaganam Nimalarajan was murdered allegedly by pro-government Tamil military gunmen in his home in 2000. His murderers were arrested in London, but the Sri Lankan government has yet to bring them back to Sri Lanka.

Prominent government critic editor Lasantha Wickrematunga was murdered in 2009, followed by the 2010 disappearance of cartoonist Prageeth Eknaligoda. Several media outlets faced attacks, including the Tamil-language Uthayan newspaper.

As the government enters media cooperation with China, it should also ensure media freedom, Lankapeli said.

Police said that no definitive decision has been made regarding the return of Mohammed Mahilar Mohammed Hansir alias Azad Maulana, to Sri Lanka.

A senior Police officer said that Maulana is ready to provide further information about his statement to Channel 4 regarding the Easter Sunday attacks.

Azad Maulana is currently abroad seeking political asylum.

The India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has allocated INR 54,830 million for aid to foreign nations, higher than last year’s budget estimate of INR 48,830 million, but lower than last year’s revised estimate of INR 58,060 million.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka saw an increase in its aid allocation at INR 3,000 million from last year’s budget estimate of INR 2,450 million.

The overall budget for the MEA stands at INR 20,516 crore — lower than the budget estimate of INR 22,154 crore and revised estimate of INR 25,277 crore, for the year 2024-2025.

Sources said that at this stage, no allocation has been made towards EXIM bank provisioning in MEA’s budget but may be done at a later phase if the need arises. This allocation of INR 20,516.61 crore is an increase of 15.45 % in comparison to last year’s budget without the allocation towards EXIM bank provisioning, sources said.

The MEA budget has placed an emphasis on India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. INR 4,320 crore — 64 per cent of the total scheme portfolio — has been earmarked for the country’s immediate neighbouINR for initiatives like large infrastructure projects such as hydroelectric plants, power transmission lines, housing, roads, bridges and integrated check-posts.

Bhutan continues to be India’s largest foreign aid recipient, receiving INR 2,150 crore in 2025-26, which is an increase from last year’s budget estimate of INR 2,068 crore. Although, this is a decrease from last year’s revised estimate of INR 2,543 crore. India’s allocation for the Maldives has increased from INR 400 crore (budget estimate) and INR 470 crore (revised estimate) to INR 600 crore.

Afghanistan has seen its aid allocation decrease from last year’s budget estimate of INR 200 crore to INR 100 crore. But, it is an increase from INR 50 crore of revised estimates. Afghanistan has been allocated an aid of INR 100 crore, which is a decrease from last year’s budget estimate of INR 200 crore but an increase from INR 50 crore of revised estimate.

Myanmar’s allocation increased from INR 250 crore in the 2024-25 budget to INR 350 crore for 2025-26. However, the aid has decreased from last year’s revised estimate of INR 400 crore.

India has maintained its allocation for Nepal at INR 700 crore. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka saw an increase in its aid allocation at INR 300 crore from last year’s budget estimate of INR 245 crore.

Aid to Bangladesh remains unchanged at INR 120 crore while aid to African nations rose to INR 225 crore from last year’s INR 200 crore.

Latin America’s allocation has been reduced from last year’s INR 90 crore to INR 60 crore. However, the initial budget estimate was INR 30 cr. The allocation for Chabahar Port in Iran remains at INR 100 crore.

Source: The Indian Express

Initial discussions between the United National Party (UNP) and Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) which is aimed at a political alliance is positive but there is a long way to go, General Secretaries of both parties said yesterday.

UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala told media that initial discussions between the two parties have been a success. However, she said there is still a long way to go. “We will have to discuss many matters. Both parties are still to agree on a symbol. We will inform the nation about the outcome of the discussions at the right time,” she said.

SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara also said the initial discussion was a success. Asked whether SJBers will go back to Sirikotha, Mr. Madduma Bandara said such an eventuality is not on the cards. “It is not important whether we go to Sirikotha or whether UNPers would come to SJB headquarters. However, we are looking at contesting future elections together,” he said.

Ms. Athukorala also confirmed that both parties are looking towards an electoral alliance.

Both Ms. Athukorala and Mr. Madduma Bandara said leaders of the two political parties will also have a discussion shortly.

Meanwhile, both SJBers and UNPers have come out with various suggestions with regard to a political marriage. SJB MP Mujibur Rahman said earlier during the week that UNPers should be absorbed into the SJB while former Minister Navin Dissanayake was reported saying that both parties should look for a new common symbol other than the elephant and telephone.

The Cabinet has appointed two committees to re-evaluate the Adani Group’s wind power project, and legal advice has been sought on the operation of these committees.

This comes due to the ongoing legal proceedings related to the project.

The Ministry of Power says that these committees are tasked with re-assessing several aspects of the Adani Wind Power Project, including estimated costs, legal compliance, and environmental impact reports.

The Adani Group is currently planning to invest 1 billion USD in a 484 MW wind power project in Mannar and Pooneryn.