Category: News

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi placing four requests before the Union government for the welfare of Sri Lankan Tamils living in the State.

Mr. Stalin requested the Union government for rescinding earlier administrative instructions that barred the consideration of citizenship applications from Sri Lankan Tamils.

Mr. Stalin, in his letter, sought to flag the matter, which he termed was of “profound humanitarian, constitutional, and national importance concerning Sri Lankan Tamils”, who have sought refuge in India, predominantly in Tamil Nadu, for over four decades.

He requested for issuing an executive clarification waiving passport and visa requirements, where appropriate, for the purpose of citizenship or long-term visa applications, based on verified identity documentation issued by the Tamil Nadu government.

The CM requested for delegating appropriate powers to designated district-level authorities for streamlined processing and also requested the Union government for formally clarifying the legal status of registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals sheltered in India up to January 9, 2015.

“These individuals have lived in India with dignity, discipline, and deep cultural affinity for more than four decades. Their presence has been supported and regulated in coordination with the Union government. The continued characterisation of their status as irregular does not reflect the humanitarian context of their entry nor the State-sanctioned nature of their stay.”

Since 1983, successive governments of Tamil Nadu, with the support and concurrence of the Union government, have extended shelter, subsistence support, education, and healthcare to Sri Lankan Tamils, who fled ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, he said.

As of February 15, approximately 89,000 individuals continued to reside in Tamil Nadu — a significant proportion of whom have lived in India for more than 30 years, and nearly 40% of whom were born on Indian soil, Mr. Stalin pointed out.

“While the State has fulfilled its humanitarian responsibilities with commitment and compassion, these individuals remain in a state of prolonged legal uncertainty. Despite their decades-long residence and integration into the social fabric, many continue to lack access to durable legal solutions such as citizenship or long-term visa status,” Mr. Stalin said.

The Tamil Nadu government had constituted an advisory committee that undertook detailed study of the status of these Sri Lankan Tamils and had presented recommendations.

One of the recommendations was that the demographic assessment undertaken by the committee indicated that “several categories of Sri Lankan Tamils are eligible for regularisation under existing legal frameworks — including those born in India prior to June 30, 1987, individuals born to one Indian parent, spouses of Indian citizens, persons of Indian origin with lineage documentation, and those otherwise eligible for long-term visas.”

Mr. Stalin underlined: “I wish to state that the 2003 amendment to the Citizenship Act, which introduced the category of “illegal migrant,” has had the unintended consequence of retrospectively affecting those who entered India under extraordinary humanitarian circumstances and with the tacit approval of the Union government.”

The administrative instructions issued in 1986 have constrained the acceptance of citizenship applications from this community, thereby creating barriers to resolution, Mr. Stalin contended.

“However, recent policy developments — particularly the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025 — signal a constructive and humanitarian approach. A formal clarification that registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals sheltered up to January 9, 2015 shall not be treated as “illegal migrants” would provide much-needed legal certainty.”

Judicial pronouncements, including the judgment of the Madras High Court in P. Ulaganathan Vs. Government of India (2019), have also emphasised the need for a pragmatic and humanitarian interpretation of the law in such cases, Mr. Stalin pointed out. (The Hindu)

The Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, David Lammy is scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka tomorrow (17).

The visit will reaffirm the UK–Sri Lanka partnership while the Deputy Prime Minister is also expected to witness the UK’s humanitarian response to Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka.

During the visit, the Deputy Prime Minister is scheduled to meet President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for discussions covering economic cooperation, reconciliation, humanitarian priorities and Sri Lanka’s engagement with the Global Charter on Children’s Care Reform — a global effort to strengthen family-based care and protect children.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy is also scheduled to engage with humanitarian aid partners delivering UK support to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwah, which caused widespread damage across the country late last year.

The visit underlines the strength of the UK–Sri Lanka relationship and the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka and its people.

Sri Lanka’s Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA), published on the Ministry of Justice website in late December, would severely undermine democratic freedoms and expose the country to serious international and economic repercussions if enacted in its present form, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris said yesterday.

Speaking at a press conference at the N.M. Perera Centre in Colombo, Prof. Peiris described the draft law as “one of the most dangerous pieces of legislation introduced in this country.” “It is the death knell of democratic freedoms and liberties,” he said.

He warned that the consequences would not be confined to domestic governance. Sri Lanka, he noted, is a signatory to numerous international conventions and treaties from which it derives significant economic benefits, including the European Union’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

“GSP+ is neither a gift nor an entitlement. It is granted temporarily, subject to the fulfilment of specific conditions,” he said, referring to the tariff- and duty-free access granted to Sri Lankan exports to the European market. He stressed that these benefits must not be jeopardized and called for drastic amendments to safeguard the economy.

While acknowledging that special legislation may be required in situations where ordinary law is insufficient, he argued that the fundamental flaw in the proposed legislation is the absence of a clear definition of terrorism.

“As this law now stands, there are 13 major categories of terrorist acts. But the term ‘terrorism’ itself is not defined with clarity. It is vague and open-ended,” he said. He further noted that the offences are framed so broadly that they place ordinary citizens at risk, carrying penalties of up to 20 years’ imprisonment.

Prof. Peiris also criticized provisions granting extensive powers to the armed forces, police and Coast Guard, including authority to enter homes, seize confidential documents and search individuals.

In addition, the proposed law empowers the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence to issue detention orders for up to one year. It also allows a person under investigation, who would ordinarily remain in judicial custody under court supervision, to be transferred to police custody.

Moreover, Prof. Peiris described provisions relating to proscription as “extremely dangerous.” Under the current draft, the President may, through a Gazette notification, declare any organisation illegal. Such an organisation would be barred from recruiting members, holding meetings or operating bank accounts, with the order remaining in force until rescinded by the President.

The legislation also allows the President to declare any location a prohibited place, barring entry and prohibiting photography or videography. Violations could result in up to three years’ imprisonment or a fine of Rs. 3 million.

Another controversial provision allows the Attorney General to defer prosecution for up to 20 years on condition that a suspect complies with specified requirements, including participation in a rehabilitation programme.

The proposed PSTA is intended to replace the PTA introduced in 1979, which was initially enacted as a temporary measure and made permanent in 1982, and has since been widely criticised as overly harsh. However, Prof. Peiris claimed the new draft is far more dangerous than the 1979 law.

“This is a colossal onslaught on democracy,” he said, urging the Government not to proceed with the legislation in its present form but to introduce fundamental modifications before presenting it to Parliament.

Former Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, also addressing the press conference, said the PTA had been introduced at a time when terrorism posed a grave threat to the country. “Now we need a people-friendly law,” he said.

Meanwhile, Former Minister Anura Priyadarshana Yapa said the proposed Act appeared to curtail citizens’ freedoms rather than focus solely on combating terrorism.

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) held a high-level and forthright engagement with the visiting delegation of the European External Action Service (EEAS), led by Director for Asia and the Pacific Paola Pampaloni, at the EU Delegation in Colombo, hosted by Ambassador Carmen Moreno.

The TPA delegation was led by MP Mano Ganeshan. Also present were TPA Vice President – International Affairs Barath Arullsamy and Up-Country People’s Front General Secretary and TPA Politburo Member Prof. Vijayachandran.

Ganeshan stated that while the TPA supports the continuation of Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) trade concessions for Sri Lanka, preferential market access must be tied to measurable guarantees of justice, equality, and dignified citizenship rights for historically marginalised communities, including secure land rights for the Malayaga Tamil people.

He emphasised that the credibility of the GSP+ depends not merely on ratification of international conventions, but on real, verifiable implementation, including: secure land rights for Malayaga Tamil families, elimination of entrenched discrimination in plantation regions, protection of labour dignity and eradication of exploitative, modern slavery-like conditions linked to plantation supply chains, and inclusive development and equal national integration. Without tangible progress, the spirit and governance logic of the GSP+ risk being undermined.

The TPA placed before the EEAS the continuing structural exclusion of the Malayaga Tamil community, highlighting persistent landlessness, intergenerational poverty despite sustaining key export sectors such as tea and apparel, systemic socio-economic inequality, and longstanding development neglect compared to national averages.

The delegation also noted with concern the continued silence of the Government of Sri Lanka despite repeated calls for dialogue and resolution on these matters. Independent policy evidence has consistently documented disproportionate vulnerability, unequal recovery, and structural exclusion affecting plantation communities.

Ganeshan conveyed grave concern over the exclusion of Ditwah-displaced Malayaga families from the Government’s Rs. 5 million per unit national housing scheme, while redirecting them to the Indian-assisted Rs. 2.7 million program.

He stated that separating plantation communities into inferior recovery frameworks risks institutionalising segregation and perpetuating systemic apartheid-like discrimination, incompatible with principles of equality and non-discrimination.

The delegation called for equitable and non-discriminatory disaster recovery for all affected Malayaga families.

The TPA reiterated its non-negotiable position:

1. Immediate inclusion of all Ditwah-displaced Malayaga families within the national housing framework.

2. International assistance cannot substitute the Sri Lankan State’s obligation to its own citizens.

3. Housing solutions must recognise land-based livelihoods, social structure, and safety needs of plantation communities.

The TPA emphasised that continued denial of land security and persistent structural discrimination raise serious questions regarding effective implementation of international obligations linked to the GSP+, particularly concerning non-discrimination and minority equality, adequate housing and land security, labour dignity and protection from exploitative conditions, and inclusive governance and development justice

Ganeshan stressed that recognition of land rights for the Malayaga Tamil community would constitute a concrete and measurable step towards demonstrating genuine compliance with the principles underpinning the GSP+.

The TPA called upon international partners, including the EU, to ensure that trade partnerships promote justice and inclusive national development, not merely economic exchange.

Resolving the longstanding marginalisation of the Malayaga Tamil community is essential for strengthening democratic inclusion, ensuring social stability, advancing equitable development, and upholding the credibility of Sri Lanka’s international commitments.

The TPA remains committed to constructive engagement, while affirming that justice, land rights, and equality are fundamental prerequisites for sustainable partnership and national progress.

China’s Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, and Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties as the Chinese community in Colombo marked the Lunar New Year at a Spring Festival reception.

Addressing the gathering, Qi said relations between the two countries had “entered a new phase of development,” highlighting progress in sectors including ports, agriculture, the digital economy and tourism. He described the Colombo Port City and Hambantota Port as “thriving hubs injecting new vitality into Sri Lanka.”

Qi also characterised China as “a valued and trusted friend,” referring to Beijing’s support during recent adverse weather events and its engagement in infrastructure, trade, investment and education cooperation.

Speaking at the event, Herath expressed appreciation for China’s continued partnership. “Sri Lanka is grateful for the steadfast support extended by the People’s Republic of China,” he said, adding that Colombo seeks to strengthen ties “in a manner that is mutually beneficial, transparent, and aligned with the aspirations of both our peoples.”

The reception featured cultural performances, including Tai Chi demonstrations and Sichuan opera face-changing, reflecting the growing visibility of Chinese cultural traditions in Sri Lanka.

Four Buddhist monks, including Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero, and six other individuals, have been granted bail by the Trincomalee High Court.

On February 09, the Trincomalee Magistrate ordered that the ten suspects, including Venerable Balangoda Kassapa Thero be further remanded until yesterday (11) in relation to the incident.

They were arrested in connection with the incident of placing a Buddha statue at the Trincomalee Bodhiraja Viharaya on November 16, 2025 in violation of coastal conservation laws.

A case was then filed based on a complaint filed by the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management, alleging that an unauthorised structure was erected and a Buddha statue placed within the coastal protection zone in Trincomalee town.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) National Organiser and MP Namal Rajapaksa said that defending Buddha Dhamma, Buddha Sasana, and the Maha Sangha is not an act of racism.

Speaking to journalists at the party office on Nelum Mawatha today, he highlighted that the majority of Sri Lankans are Buddhists and that protecting Buddhist culture and philosophy benefits all religions in the country.

“I believe this country was built on a Buddhist foundation, and a nation rooted in Buddhism can safeguard all religions,” he said.

He added, “That’s why we are not afraid. I am a Sinhala Buddhist, and I also work to protect other cultures. I have been able to preserve my culture because I believe in my religion. Those who do not believe in religion cannot protect another person’s language, religion, or culture.”