Category: Breaking News

Sri Lanka may lose out on USD 70 million in potential debt relief under its Governance-Linked Bond (GLB) due to a fiscal planning oversight, according to Verité Research.

The interdisciplinary think tank noted that while the Government’s revenue targets for 2026 and 2027 align with the latest IMF projections, they fall just short of the thresholds required to trigger the GLB-linked debt relief.

For 2026 and 2027, the Government has projected revenue levels of 15.2% and 15.3% of GDP, respectively—slightly below the GLB targets of 15.3% and 15.4%.

Verité Research warned that this marginal shortfall could cost the country the USD 70 million relief, underscoring the need for greater precision and ambition in fiscal planning to maximize available debt benefits.

PMK founder S Ramadoss has urged the Central and State Governments to take immediate steps to grant voting rights to Sri Lankan Tamils residing in Tamil Nadu.

In his statement, the senior leader said that over one lakh Sri Lankan Tamils fled to Tamil Nadu since 1983, when the civil war in Sri Lanka forced them to abandon their homes and livelihoods. Today, they continue to live in 116 refugee camps across the State, yet remain deprived of basic rights and freedom.

He noted that a generation born and educated in India still cannot apply for government jobs due to legal restrictions and continue to survive on meagre government aid and daily wages. Despite India allowing citizens of countries like Nepal and Bhutan to apply for jobs, Tamils with ancestral ties are denied similar rights, he said.

Ramadoss pointed out that the refugees wish to live permanently in India, as their lives and livelihoods in Sri Lanka have been destroyed. He urged that during the ongoing voter roll revision in Tamil Nadu, eligible Sri Lankan Tamils should be granted voting rights to ensure political representation and a dignified life.

In another statement, Ramadoss has urged all party functionaries to actively cooperate in the ongoing voter list revision (SIR) across Tamil Nadu, ensuring eligible voters are included and ineligible names removed, while strictly following Election Commission guidelines and assisting officials peacefully and responsibly.

Source: DT Next

Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Tuesday met Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in New Delhi and reaffirmed India’s commitment to supporting Sri Lanka’s progress and development under its “Neighbourhood First” policy.

“Pleased to meet Leader of Opposition @sajithpremadasa of Sri Lanka. Discussed India-Sri Lanka relations and our Neighbourhood First policy. India will always be supportive of progress and development in Sri Lanka,” Jaishankar said in a post on X after the meeting.

Earlier in the day, Premadasa attended a talk at Sapru House, organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA), where he addressed key aspects of India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations, including the long-standing fishermen issue.

Calling the fishermen issue between India and Sri Lanka a “very important” and long-standing one, Sri Lankan Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has said that both countries must cooperate to establish a proper, workable framework guided by international law to address the matter.

“The fishing issue is very important. The two countries must cooperate and establish a proper, workable framework — one that is based on fact and substance,” Premadasa said in a reply to a question by ANI at an event titled ‘India-Sri Lanka Bilateral Relations’ here.

“There are international laws and regulations under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) concerning the continental shelf and high seas, which must be respected. It is important to ensure that illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing is addressed in line with these legal prescriptions,” he added.

Acknowledging the livelihood concerns of fishermen, Premadasa said both governments must ensure that income-generation activities withstand the test of law.

“We understand that this involves the livelihood of households, but it is equally important to ensure that all such income-generation methods are lawful. Rather than operating without a clear and permanent framework, both sides should work together toward a lasting solution,” he said.

His remarks come amid continued tensions between the two nations over fishermen from Tamil Nadu entering Sri Lankan waters near Katchatheevu, often resulting in arrests and maritime boundary disputes.

Earlier, Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month, described the issue as a “sensitive one” and said both countries would continue discussions to find a practical solution.

“We need to protect the livelihoods of our fishermen as well, but we understand that it’s a sensitive issue, and we will continue to talk about it,” Amarasuriya said.

The fishermen issue remains one of the most contentious aspects of India-Sri Lanka relations, with Sri Lankan Navy personnel in the past accused of firing at Indian fishermen and seizing their boats over alleged illegal entry into the island nation’s territorial waters.

The Palk Strait, a narrow strip of water separating Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka, is a rich fishing ground for fishermen from both countries.

Source: ANI

Retired High Court judge Manikavasagar Illancheliyan recently said that he had been deprived of an opportunity to serve for four more years for no fault of his.

Illancheliyan presided over many high profile criminal cases including the rape and murder of Sivaloganathan Vithya. He was the target of a failed assassination attempt in July 2017 near the Nallur Kovil in Jaffna where the police officer escorting him was killed.

Addressing a gathering in London, Illancheliyan said that he had been the President of High Court Judges’ Association and topped the Association’s seniority list of 90 high court judges.

Illancheliyan recalled that Anura Kumara Dissanayake was elected the President on 21 September 2025. He as the President of High Court Judges’ Association, wrote to the President asking for an opportunity to meet him. He was kind enough to give us an opportunity and we, ten high court judges, met him at the Presidential Secretariat on 28 November 2024. My colleagues reminded the President that my retirement date was 20 January 2025 and stressed the need to expedite the promotion of High Court Judges as three vacations – court vacation, Christmas vacation and News Year vacation were to fall before my retirement. The President was joyful and he also posed for a photograph with me. On 12 January 2024, four Appeal Court judges were promoted as Supreme Court judges and there were four vacancies for Appeal Court judges and I had only eight days left for my retirement. On 13 January 2025, the President, comrade Anura Dissanayake left the country for China. It was my misfortune. He returned to the country on 18 January 2025. The following day was Sunday and I retired the next day, Monday. If I had been promoted I would have stayed in service for four more years. I wrote four letters to the President telling him I did not willingly go on retirement but I was forced to retire. I did not get any reply from him. The President is a good person. Something went wrong. I’m a retired judge. I do not blame anybody. The injustice can still be rectified but no interest was shown, said retired High Court judge Manikavasagar Illancheliyan speaking before the Tamil Community in London. He nearly moved to tears.

Selvam Adaikkalanathan, the leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) and Member of Parliament for Vannei District, has filed a complaint with the Jaffna Police, alleging that he received a death threat.

According to the complaint lodged today, the MP stated that the threat was made via a phone call from an individual residing in Canada.

In addition to the police report, Mr. Adaikkalanathan has also informed YouTube-based media outlets about a mudslide campaign allegedly aimed at damaging his political image. According to TELO sources, certain elements are using this campaign to politically undermine the party, particularly in the North and East of Sri Lanka.

The Jaffna Police have initiated an investigation into the death threat, while TELO has called for public awareness regarding the smear tactics being used against its leadership.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has informed authorities not to implement wind power projects without the consent of the people living in the Mannar island.

Three wind power projects have been planned on Mannar Island, which has been identified as an area with high wind power potential, according to the renewable energy resource project plan for the island.

Out of these projects, the operational activities of the Thambapavani wind power plant commenced in 2021. Two other wind projects are expected to commence in December 2025 and December 2026, respectively.

However, taking into consideration the matters raised by the general public regarding the environment and social issues that have arisen due to the projects, the President has informed relevant authorities not to implement them without obtaining the consent of the residents.

Accordingly, it has been decided to provide the consent of the Cabinet of Ministers to take action accordingly.