Category: News

Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president K Selvaperunthagai on Thursday criticised BJP president K Annamalai for his remarks against former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for giving Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.

In a statement, Selvaperunthagai defended Indira Gandhi, saying Katchatheevu was given to Sri Lanka as “strategic step”.

The island covers an area of 285 acres, which is not fit for human habitation, he said, adding in the same agreement, the fishermen of Tamil Nadu were given the right to fish in the Wage Bank in Kanniyakumari south, which is under the control of Sri Lanka government, to compensate Katchatheevu.

Further questioning Annamalai, Selvaperunthagai asked what the BJP had done for stopping Sri Lanka from arresting 530 Tamil Nadu fishermen and auctioning 73 of their boats.

Source: New Indian Express

India’s BJP President K Annamalai on Wednesday lashed out at the Congress and its ally, the ruling DMK in the state, over the ceding of the Katchatheevu islet to Sri Lanka in the 1970s, questioning the TNCC chief over his recent statement that the move was a “strategic maneuver” by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

On his ‘X’ account, Annamalali tagged a video clip of Tamil Nadu Congress Committee President K Selvaperunthagai purportedly saying the ceding was a “strategic maneuver” by India Gandhi.

“He constantly repeats this to emphasise how Indians should be thankful to Smt Indira Gandhi. The DMK & Congress have, for the last 4 decades, led to the loss of lives of our fishermen and put the lives of Tamil Fishermen at risk through their unilateral decision-making by gifting away Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka without even tabling this decision in the Parliament for discussion in 1974,” Annamalai said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working tirelessly to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty and has bridged the gap in infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir and the Northeastern region, “which remained neglected during the Congress regime.”

“And here we have Congress boasting with pride that gifting away a critical island that belonged to India was Smt Indira Gandhi’s strategic maneuver. Does Thiru @SPK_TNCC realise that Congress & DMK’s strategic maneuver has cost the lives of our fishermen, many losing their livelihood due to constant arrest & loss of shipping vessels,” he asked.

“Is the Congress party not ashamed for trying to justify a haphazard decision? Is TN CM Thiru @mkstalin avl also of the same opinion as his Congress counterpart ,” the BJP leader added.

Source: PTI

Jaffna District Independent MP Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna declared today (23) in Parliament that he will no longer support the ruling party, citing a violation of his parliamentary privileges.

Dr. Archchuna expressed his frustration, stating that it took 36 days for him to be given an opportunity to speak in Parliament. He further noted that he had hoped the government would address this issue fairly, but no action was taken.

In response, Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake, clarified that it is the responsibility of the opposition—not the government—to allocate time for opposition MPs to speak. Minister Ratnayake added that he had informed the Speaker on multiple occasions regarding the matter and assured that the government is committed to safeguarding the MP’s right to speak.

Countering these remarks, opposition MP Gayantha Karunathilaka stated that the opposition had already taken measures to ensure a fair allocation of time for all its members to speak in Parliament.

He emphasized that arrangements had been made in consultation with opposition MPs and that if Dr. Archchuna agreed to the proposed schedule, he could be accommodated accordingly.

However, commenting further, MP Archchuna said: “I was elected as an ordinary MP this time. Before that, I was a doctor. Have there been any complaints about my behavior in the media before? Has there been a single case against me before entering politics? Why haven’t I been given time? Why are you pressuring me calling me a ‘Tiger’ again and again? If I am a ‘Tiger’, arrest me. Or shoot me….”

“If they kill me, the government must be held accountable,” he declared.

Hot on the heels of signing an agreement with China’s Sinopec for an oil refinery in Hambantota, the government is planning to establish a similar facility in Trincomalee with the help of India if willing, a Minister said yesterday.

During the visit of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to China recently, the agreement was signed for an investment of US $ 3.7 billion with Sinopec which is a leading petroleum and petrochemical company in the world.

Delivering remarks to the press, Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath said yesterday that it would be an oil refinery project primarily meant for the export market, and a landmass of 500 acres adjacent to the Hambantota port would be earmarked for it.

Referring to the proposed multi- product petroleum pipeline between Sri Lanka and India, the Minister said the two sides had agreed to discuss such a project. However, he said the government is planning for an oil refinery in Trincomalee in eastern Sri Lanka, and will do it with India if it is ready for such cooperation. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is also expected to play a role in this project, according to the joint statement.

Already, in the joint statement signed between India and Sri Lanka after the President’s last month visit to New Delhi, the development of Trincomalee Tank Farms as a regional energy and industrial hub has been envisaged.

The government has already decided to develop the Trincomalee oil tank farm through Trinco Petroleum Terminal Ltd which is a joint venture between Lanka Indian Oil Company and Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC).

Out of 99 tanks in Trincomalee, 14 are run by LIOC. According to the agreement signed during the time of Mr. Udaya Gammanpila as the Subject Minister of the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, the CPC is required to develop 35 tanks and the remaining 50 tanks jointly by the CPC and LIOC through this venture.

Energy Minister Kumara Jayakodi recently promised to press ahead with this project.

The British Prime Minister praised British Tamils for their invaluable contribution to the United Kingdom.

The British Prime Minister hosted a reception at his residence in Number 10 Downing Street on Monday evening, where he praised British Tamils for their invaluable contribution to the United Kingdom.

“There’s a huge contribution of the Tamil community to our nation,” said Starmer, as he addressed a crowd of British Tamils.“The richness and generosity of the Tamil community overflows, bringing light and hope to the entire country. Your history, your heritage, reminding us all of our need for community and solidarity.”

“It’s really fantastic just to look around this room and see you all here in Downing Street. Yes, it is my house. Yes, it is the centre of government. But it’s where you should be as well—not just as guests, but here to put your fingerprints on what we do as a government.”

“Treat this place like your house just as much as it is my house,” he added.

Speaking on how some Tamils in the audience can trace their heritage back to a history that “comes with suffering and pain,” Starmer added, “You are not just welcome – You are a vital part of our nation.”

The Prime Minister went on to talk about hopes for a “better future for our children, not just here at home but around the world, especially back in Sri Lanka”.

“This government is absolutely committed to supporting efforts towards equality, truth, and justice, so Tamils can look towards a better and more secure future in Sri Lanka and here in Britain,” he added.

“Thank you – for enriching our nation. Let us hope and work together for a new season of light and abundance this Thai Pongal.”

Speaking shortly before the prime minister was Uma Kumaran, the UK’s first ever MP of Eelam Tamil heritage, who paid tribute to the work of British Tamils which “spans healthcare, education, technology, business, arts, culture, and politics.”

“Together, our community has shown such resilience and determination – but I’m proud to say that we are thriving in the UK and globally,” said Kumaran to applause from the audience.

“Though I was born here, I understand the struggles that generations of Tamils have been through,” she continued. “I watched my own parents rebuild their lives in the UK.”

“I know – and I feel – the absence of justice for Tamils globally. And I feel the weight of duty to use my voice to shine a light on this injustice. I will do all that I can to secure accountability and justice, so that we can move forward as a community.”

“It was inspiring to bring together members of our community who are thriving across the UK – contributing to our NHS, excelling in education, driving innovation in business, science and tech, and enriching our culture through the arts and sports,” added Kumaran after the event.

“As the first British MP of Tamil heritage, I know how important it is for young people and the next generation of change makers to see themselves reflected in politics and public life. This event is not just a celebration of Tamil culture but also a recognition of the British values of hard work, gratitude, and community that Tamils embody and celebrate.”

The evening was filled with entertainment, including from Bharatanatyam dancer Tharenya Sriharan who was introduced by Starmer to the stage.

The celebration of Thai Pongal at the British Prime Minister’s residence has become an annual tradition in the British political calendar.