Category: Breaking News

Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata on Tuesday signed two grant contracts under the “Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP)” with two NGOs, Humanitarian Development Organization (HDO) and Nuffield School for Deaf and Blind, during his first trip to the Northern Province, a press release issued by the Embassy said.

The signing took place in the presence of Northern Province Governor, Nagalingam Vethanayahan, at the latter’s office in Jaffna.

The Government of Japan has allocated USD 173,659 (approx. Rs. 50 million) for these projects to enhance medical and educational facilities in the Northern Province. Supporting development in conflict-affected areas remains a priority in Japan’s official development assistance to Sri Lanka, particularly in promoting mitigation of vulnerabilities.

HDO is implementing the “Project for the Construction of a Medical Ward for Palai Divisional Hospital”, which will improve healthcare services in the Kilinochchi District by constructing a new inpatient ward at Palai Divisional Hospital. The hospital, serving 14,927 resettled individuals, currently suffers from severe overcrowding and inadequate hygiene facilities.

The “Project for the Improvement of Nuffield School for the Deaf and Blind in the Northern Province” aims to create a safe and comfortable learning environment for children. The Nuffield School is the only Tamil-language institution providing free education and residential facilities for deaf and blind children from all over Sri Lanka. This project will also enhance power supply safety, sanitation, and hostel facilities in the school.

Ambassador Isomata reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting vulnerable communities and sustainable growth in Sri Lanka, particularly in the Northern Province.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung, has reportedly visited the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Office this morning (14).

Ambassador Chung had arrived at the SLPP office at around 10.00 a.m. this morning and engaged in discussions for over an hour and a half.

Her visit followed a request to meet with the SLPP members.

During her visit, the ambassador engaged in discussions with the SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, along with former Members of Parliament Sanjeewa Edirimanne, C.B. Ratnayake, and Jayantha Ketagoda, as well as Member of Parliament, D.V. Chanaka.

Meanwhile, in a post on ‘X’, Chung stated that she met MP Rajapaksa and SLPP officials as part of the embassy’s cross-party outreach.

“The U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership has long been based on trust, respect, and shared democratic principles. Under President Trump, we’ll be focused on advancing America’s interests and fostering global partnerships for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future,” she said.

Former Vanni District MP Kulasingam Thileepan, who represented the Eelam People’s Democratic Party (EPDP), was arrested by the Tamil Nadu police in India on 12 February.

The former MP had travelled from Sri Lanka to Chennai and was attempting to obtain a visa to travel to a European country using a forged passport when he was apprehended in Kochi, Kerala.

Investigations revealed that, in addition to the passport he submitted for travel to Europe, he possessed another passport, which he had used to travel from Sri Lanka to India. Following these findings, the Tamil Nadu police took him into custody.

After being presented before a court in Kerala, he was remanded in judicial custody and detained at Bhupalpally Prison.

Two months ago, Thileepan was also arrested by the Vavuniya police in Sri Lanka in connection with an alleged fraud case. He had reportedly accepted Rs. 3 million from an individual in Vavuniya, promising to secure a land deal but failed to deliver.

During his previous arrest, he was granted bail after agreeing before the Vavuniya Court to repay the amount in ten instalments. However, while on bail, he left the country, leading to his arrest in India.

Acting IGP Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasooriya says that an investigation has been launched by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) regarding how MP Namal Rajapaksa obtained his law degree.

The Acting IGP adds that he has received several complaints about Namal Rajapaksa’s successful completion of the law examination, alleging that it was problematic.

He says that an inquiry would be conducted with the recommendation of the Principal of the Sri Lanka Law College.

The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha met with Tilvin Silva, General Secretary of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) on Thursday (13) evening.

The Indian High Commission said that they met to discuss and exchange views on strengthening India-Sri Lanka relations.

The meeting focused on enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation between the two nations.

The Supreme Court has ruled that clauses 2 and 3 of the Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) bill, in particular, are inconsistent with Article 12(1) of Sri Lanka’s Constitution, the Speaker of Parliament said.

“The majority of the [3 judge] bench had held that the Bill read as a whole and in particularly Clauses 2 and 3 is inconsistent with Article 12(1) of the Constitution and can be only passed with the special majority required under paragraph (2) of Article 84,” Jagath Wickramaratne told parliament.

Wickramaratne announced on Friday that he had received the determination of the Supreme Court on the Bill titled “Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions)” challenged in the Supreme Court under Article 121 (1) of the Constitution, which had been heard before a bench of three Judges.

The remaining Judge of the bench had held that The Bill as a whole or any provision thereof is not inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution and may be enacted with a simple majority of Parliament.