Category: News

The Research Vessel Dr. Fridtjof Nansen completed a marine scientific survey in Sea of Sri Lanka and departed Colombo, marking the conclusion of a critical mission to strengthen the country’s ocean knowledge base.

As part of the EAF-Nansen Programme of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Norway, the vessel spent several weeks collecting valuable scientific data on fish stocks, marine ecosystems, and oceanographic conditions, contributing to a deeper understanding of Sri Lanka’s marine resources.

Being the only research vessel that flies the UN flag, the Dr. Fridtjof Nansen serves as a unique platform for international cooperation. Bringing together researchers and fisheries management institutions in partner countries, it is equipped with advanced technology to generate critical knowledge on marine resources and ecosystems, supporting countries like Sri Lanka in making informed, science-based decisions. It also provided hands-on training opportunities for Sri Lankan researchers, strengthening national capacity in fisheries science and oceanographic research.

Norway is proud to partner with Sri Lanka and FAO through the EAF-Nansen Programme to support sustainable ocean planning, where management decisions are firmly based on science,” said May-Elin Stener, Ambassador of Norway to India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and the Maldives.

The survey assessed both pelagic and demersal fish populations, while also collecting key oceanographic data such as water temperature, currents, nutrient levels, and dissolved oxygen. In addition, the potential of underutilized marine resources was explored, including cephalopods and mesopelagic species, and examined marine pollution, including microplastics, alongside nutritional and contaminant analysis of seafood.

This mission marks the fifth scientific survey conducted in Sri Lankan waters under the Nansen Programme, building on previous expeditions carried out between 1978 and 1980 and most recently in 2018. Updated data is particularly important in light of evolving marine ecosystems and changing fish stock dynamics.

The survey was implemented in close collaboration with Sri Lankan institutions, with scientists from the National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA) leading the scientific work, supported by experts and crew from Norway’s Institute of Marine Research (IMR) that operates the vessel and is responsible for the scientific activities and training aboard.

The survey also contributes to Sri Lanka’s international reporting obligations, including requirements related to marine mammal observations necessary to maintain access to global seafood markets.

The findings from this mission will be analyzed and shared with national stakeholders to guide future fisheries management strategies and policy development, ensuring the sustainable use of Sri Lanka’s ocean resources for generations to come.

The Supreme Court has upheld the death sentences imposed on four individuals, including Swiss Kumar, over the abduction, gang rape, and murder of schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithiya in Jaffna.

The ruling was delivered by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena, which dismissed the appeals filed by the accused seeking to overturn their convictions and secure acquittal.

However, the Court also ordered that the sentences of two other accused be set aside.

At the time the order was delivered, three of the accused who had been sentenced to death were produced before court, while others appeared via Zoom technology.

The case relates to the abduction, gang rape, and murder of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vithiya in Pungudutivu, Jaffna, on or around 13 May 2015, while she was returning home from school.

The Attorney General had filed indictments against Swiss Kumar and several others before a Trial-at-Bar in Jaffna over the incident.

In 2017, the Trial-at-Bar found seven accused guilty and imposed the death penalty.

The convicted individuals subsequently filed appeals before the Supreme Court seeking to be acquitted.

During the course of the appeal hearings, one of the accused had died.

The High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Major General Nayyar Naseer, HI (M), (Retd), has paid a courtesy call on Defence Secretary, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), at the Ministry of Defence.

Upon arrival, the Defence Secretary welcomed the High Commissioner and extended his best wishes for the commencement of his diplomatic tenure in Sri Lanka.

Discussions focused on further strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, particularly in the areas of defence cooperation, training, and regional security, according to a statement by the Ministry of Defence.

Both parties exchanged views on matters of mutual interest and reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing collaboration between the two nations, the Ministry added.

The meeting was also attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Ms. Zunaira Latif, and the Defence Attaché of Pakistan to Sri Lanka.

Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha renewed the call for the need to build a land link between Sri Lanka and India and said the time for wavering is over.

He said the distance between Colombo and Chennai by sea is roughly 300 kilometres, but the distance between Rameswaram and Talaimannar, the closest points of our two countries, is about 30 kilometres.

“Yet, there is no direct road. No railway. No ferry service that runs at scale. No energy grid connection. No pipeline. It is, frankly, an anomaly. It is as if two neighbouring rooms are connected only through a corridor outside, even when there is a door that can be built between the two rooms, right in the shared wall of the two rooms,” he said.

He said, “Land connectivity via a bridge or tunnel across the Palk Strait has been discussed for decades. There are enough examples of such corridors across the world. The engineering is well understood. The economics are compelling. The benefits, wherever such bridges have been built, are unmistakable. But we continue to waver. But let me say clearly: the time for wavering is over. A fixed link between India and Sri Lanka would transform the economic geography of this entire region. It would make Sri Lanka a hub, it aspires to become, in a way that no port expansion or airport upgrade can achieve on its own.”

He made these remarks at the Global Innovation and Leadership Summit here in Colombo.

India today is Sri Lanka’s largest trading partner.

“India is the top source of tourists visiting Sri Lanka, a fact that endures despite challenges of a natural calamity like Ditwah or a conflict in West Asia. India is also among the largest sources of foreign direct investment into this country, last year Indian investments in Sri Lanka, including those directed from third countries, and exceeded 50% of the total. Indian companies have invested in telecommunications, energy, digitisation, financial services, and transport and infrastructure,” he said.

Public meeting for the 40th remembrance of TELO Leader Sri Sabaratnam

Telo leader srisabaratnam 40th Remembrance public meeting
Place : 219 Station Road Vavuniya Vorse hall
06-05-2026 Wednesday
Time: 2:30 PM