Category: Breaking News

Nominations for the upcoming Local Government Elections will be accepted from March 17, 2025 to March 20, 2025, the Elections Commission announced.

The deadline for submissions is 12 noon on the final day.

The relevant gazette notification has already been sent for printing, according to Additional Election Commissioner M.M.S.K. Bandara Mapa.

However, the Commission did not announce the date for the elections, which originally were to be held in January 2023.

The polls were delayed after then President Ranil Wickremesinghe declared there were no funds to hold the elections after the country faced an unprecedented economic crisis in 2022.

The new government led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake passed the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Bill on February 17 with an overwhelming majority to hold the delayed polls and allow the Election Commission to withdraw the previous election.

The two former Sri Lanka Army Intelligence personnel, who were arrested on suspicion of being involved in the abduction and assault of journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008, have been granted bail by the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Accordingly, the two suspects were ordered to be released on two surety bails of Rs. 1 million each.

The two suspects had been arrested yesterday (01) in the Nawagaththegama and Elayapaththuwa police divisions by officers of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) based on investigations into the assault on journalist Keith Noyahr in May 2008.

On May 22, 2008, journalist Keith Noyahr, was assaulted after being abducted in a van in the Waidya Road area of the Dehiwala Police Division.

The arrested suspects are two retired Army Intelligence personnel from the Military Intelligence Corps (MIC), aged 42 and 46, and residents of the Nawagaththegama and Ulukkulama areas.

The CID is conducting further investigations into the incident.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has engaged with Indian fishermen protesting the Sri Lankan Navy’s arrest of 32 of their colleagues and seizure of five boats on February 23.

During the Sunday meeting, Governor Ravi assured the demonstrators he would raise their concerns with both state and central authorities.

Following the discussion, however, Ravi criticized the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government, suggesting they should adopt a “constructive approach” rather than “politicizing” the situation.

The arrests occurred near the North Mannar region, with Sri Lankan authorities claiming the fishermen had crossed the international maritime boundary.

This incident has sparked widespread protests across Tamil Nadu’s coastal communities.

“I totally understand your problem. The solution can be derived only by the state and the central government together, and I’ll try for that,” Ravi told the fishermen while listening to their grievances.

In a subsequent social media post, the Governor described the fishermen as “victims of an iniquitous agreement of 1974,” which he characterized as insensitive to the livelihood concerns of Tamil Nadu’s fishing communities.

He stated that previous governments in Delhi and Chennai had “committed a grave sin” by depriving fishermen of traditional fishing rights around Katchatheevu island.

“Instead of politicising this issue and faulting the Central Government, a constructive approach by the State Government will go a long way in wiping the tears of our affected people,” Ravi added, noting that the party currently ruling Tamil Nadu was an ally of the central government responsible for the 1974 agreement.

The protests, now in their third day, were triggered by the continued detention of over a hundred fishermen and confiscation of numerous boats by Sri Lankan authorities.

On Saturday alone, 5,000 fishermen in 450 boats were reportedly intercepted, with 32 arrested and taken to Talaimannar Naval Camp.

The ongoing strike has left approximately 700 boats anchored at Rameswaram fishing port, causing daily economic losses estimated at Rs 1 crore.

Fishermen leaders have threatened to expand their protests to other coastal districts if authorities fail to secure the prompt release of their detained colleagues.

Source: The Hans India

At the end of 2024, Chinese scientist Wei Yuansong received an extraordinary honor: a set of commemorative stamps issued by Sri Lanka featuring his portrait.

This rare tribute recognized his decade-long commitment to providing communities with safe drinking water and fostering scientific collaboration between China and Sri Lanka.

The connection of Wei, a leading expert in water pollution control, with Sri Lanka began in 2013 when S.K. Weragoda, a Sri Lankan researcher trained in China’s water and sanitation program, sought his assistance in addressing a pressing public health crisis: Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Etiology (CKDu).

Since 1990, CKDu had affected over 40,000 people in Sri Lanka, with early studies by the World Health Organization linking the disease to groundwater used for drinking.

In August 2014, Wei embarked on his first research trip to Sri Lanka, marking the start of a challenging, yet transformative, journey. Alongside Weragoda, he traveled for hours each day along rugged roads to reach the most severely affected regions. They visited households, engaged with villagers, and worked tirelessly to understand the epidemic’s root causes.

However, their efforts were initially met with skepticism. At that time, experts from multiple developed countries had already carried out studies and assistance in the Asian country.

“Many locals believed that Chinese researchers, like others before them, were only interested in publishing papers, not in solving the problem,” Wei recalled. Despite these obstacles, the team persisted with sustained communication and concrete steps of cooperation, gradually earning the trust of communities.

Their perseverance paid off. In March 2015, China and Sri Lanka signed an agreement to jointly investigate CKDu and improve drinking water safety. Since then, Wei and his team have made frequent visits to Sri Lanka, conducting in-depth research and developing tailored water treatment solutions.

Today, at 55, Wei continues to lead the Laboratory of Water Pollution Control Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), driving innovation in environmental governance and international cooperation.

The issuance of Sri Lankan stamps honoring Wei not only celebrates his contributions but also underscores the power of cross-border scientific partnerships in tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

Wei’s unwavering dedication, alongside his team, has brought about big changes in Sri Lanka. Notably, the CAS facilitated the construction of four water treatment facilities in regions severely affected by CKDu. These facilities now provide safe drinking water for more than 5,000 villagers and 1,300 schoolchildren.

Additionally, the China-Sri Lanka Joint Research and Demonstration Center for Water Technology (JRDC) has been in service since 2021 to further bolster collaborative efforts.

Beyond infrastructure development, the CAS has prioritized capacity building, training over 30 water specialists and approximately 40 graduate students in water and environmental studies for Sri Lanka. This focus on local expertise has created a sustainable foundation for long-term environmental and public health improvements.

“Villagers suffering from kidney diseases have reported not needing hospital visits for years, thanks to the assistance provided by Chinese scientists,” said Titus Cooray, a Ph.D. student at the JRDC, adding that the local people now trust Chinese scientists wholeheartedly.

The first US-based RM Parks’ Shell fuel station opened in Sri Lanka on Wednesday at the BS Cooray Filling Station, in Ambatale.

The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung declared open the fuel station.

“Proud to join the opening of the first California-based RM Parks’ Shell fuel station in Sri Lanka, with 150 stations planned. This investment adds a reliable fuel provider to the market and makes America and Sri Lanka more prosperous. Diversifying fuel suppliers will help avoid the fuel shortages that caused Sri Lanka’s 2022 fuel crisis,” the Ambassador said.

She said the opening highlights Sri Lanka’s openness to foreign investment and to maintaining a level playing for all businesses.

“This opening is great for all Sri Lankan drivers: motorcyclists, car drivers, tuk drivers, truck drivers. Adding competitors to the markets gives them more quality and product options. And the convenience stores will provide snack and essentials to a society increasingly on the go,” she added.

The Ambassador said that in alignment with US President Trump’s vision of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, the event in Sri Lanka reinforces the United States as a global energy leader.

She said that by investing in Sri Lanka’s energy infrastructure, the US is not only strengthening supply chains, but also advancing the ties that bind the two nations.