Category: News

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday formally inaugurated the Vizhinjam International Seaport in Kerala, marking a major step in putting the southern state on the global maritime map. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, the deep-sea port is expected to significantly boost India’s presence in global shipping and trade routes.

The port has been built by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), India’s biggest port developer and part of the Adani Group, in partnership with the government under a public-private model.

“It is designed to accommodate large cargo ships, addressing a critical need. Until now, 75 per cent of India’s transshipment activities were conducted at foreign ports, resulting in significant revenue losses for the country.”

“However, this is poised to change. The funds previously spent abroad will now be channeled into domestic development, creating new economic opportunities for the people of Vizhinjam and Kerala, ensuring that the nation’s wealth directly benefits its citizens,” he said.

He said that the people of Gujarat will be disappointed with Adani Group chairman Gautam Adani for building such a huge port in Kerala when he hails from the western Indian state.

With its commissioning, Vizhinjam positions India as a new maritime gateway in South Asia, expected to rival major ports like Colombo and Dubai.

Its natural depth of nearly 20 metres and proximity to global shipping routes make it ideally suited for large container vessels. The port has already demonstrated its operational capabilities, with trial runs beginning in July 2024 and over 285 vessels docking before its formal inauguration. It is also the first semi-automated port in the country and is equipped with an AI-powered vessel traffic management system developed in collaboration with IIT Madras.

Situated just 10 nautical miles from key international shipping routes, it is ideally located for connecting East and West maritime trade. The port includes a container ship berth of 1,800 metres and container handling capacity of 1.5 million TEUs annually in Phase 1.

Vizhinjam Port, which is strategically important, has been identified as a key priority project that will contribute to strengthening India’s position in global trade, enhancing logistics efficiency, and reducing reliance on foreign ports for cargo transhipment. Its natural deep draft of nearly 20 meters and location near one of the world’s busiest sea trade routes further strengthen India’s position in global trade.

What are key routes?

Vizhinjam is expected to facilitate the movement of transshipment traffic into India as well as on the major routes between the US, Europe, Africa and East Asia, according to a Bloomberg report.

Geneva-headquartered Mediterranean Shipping Co. in March included Vizhinjam for its Jade shipping service route from Europe to Asia, connecting ports in China, South Korea, Singapore, Spain and Italy, according to an Adani Group spokesperson.

Source: Economic Times

A stock of items previously seized by the Sri Lanka Army from the LTTE for investigative purposes was officially handed over to the government at the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters today (2), following the conclusion of relevant investigations.

The items, which include gold, silver, gems and jewellery, were confiscated from banks and possessions linked to the LTTE at the end of the war.

A total of 120 parcels containing these valuables were handed over to the Police.

Acting on instructions from the Attorney General, the parcels will be transferred to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka after inspection by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Authority, under police protection.

Director General of Army Intelligence, Major General Deeptha Ariyasinghe, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya and Chairman of the Gem and Jewellery Authority, Naveen Suryarachchi were present at the event.

The Gem and Jewellery Authority is expected to assess and publicly announce the value and weight of the gold items.

Acting IGP Weerasooriya said that efforts will be made to return the gold to the verified rightful owners in the future.

The European Union (EU) GSP+ monitoring mission, which is currently in town, has once again expressed concern over the delay in repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), despite a promise made as far back as 2017, Daily Mirror learns.

Sri Lanka qualified for the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+) in 2017. However, the current regulations will expire next year. Sri Lanka is required to reapply for GSP+ under the revised criteria, which will come into effect in 2027.

The EU team is visiting Sri Lanka from April 28 to May 7, 2025, to take stock of progress on the fulfilment of conditions linked to the granting of GSP+ trade preferences.

Sri Lanka must make progress in implementing 27 international conventions.

For Sri Lanka, 85 percent of exports to the EU region benefit from the GSP+. In 2023, Sri Lanka exported items worth €3.84 billion.

Sri Lankan authorities informed the EU during this visit that a committee had been appointed to work out a new anti-terrorism bill to be enacted in place of the PTA.

In addition, the EU team inquired about the progress in amending the Online Safety Act and the reconciliation process.

The escalating military tensions between India and Pakistan are casting a shadow over Sri Lanka’s aviation and maritime sectors, with SriLankan Airlines facing higher operational costs and the Port of Colombo risking lost transshipment revenue, according to an analysis by Asha Securities Research.

SriLankan Airlines could see rising fuel expenses, as Europe-bound flights detour around closed Pakistani airspace, compounding operational challenges. The conflict also threatens tourism recovery, with India contributing roughly 20 percent of Sri Lanka’s tourist arrivals. A decline in Indian travellers, driven by safety concerns or travel disruptions, may slow the sector’s rebound in 2025.

India has reportedly urged the transshipment hubs, including Colombo, Dubai and Singapore, to halt re-exporting Indian goods to Pakistan. Compliance could cost Colombo a portion of its lucrative transshipment business, though maritime routes remain open and the port lies outside the immediate conflict zone. Sri Lanka’s trade ties with India (US $ 782 million in exports and US $ 3.5 billion in imports in 2024) could leave it vulnerable to broader regional trade disruptions.

Asha Securities noted that near-term trade flow disruptions are unlikely but prolonged hostilities may exacerbate pressures on Sri Lanka’s tourism and logistics sectors.

“Colombo’s role as a transshipment hub hinges on geopolitical stability,” the report warned, highlighting the delicate balance Sri Lanka must strike amid the rising regional uncertainty.

The National Election Commission states that the distribution of official polling cards related to the upcoming local government elections has now been completed via postal services.

The Commission further announced that voters who have not yet received their official polling cards will have the opportunity to collect them during office hours until the 6th of May.

Eligible voters can obtain their polling cards by visiting their nearest post office relevant to the address registered in the electoral list, presenting proof of identity, and collecting the card assigned to their household.

In addition, the Election Commission noted that official polling cards can also be obtained through an online system.

The Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) has submitted a comprehensive five-point proposal to the visiting European Union GSP+ Monitoring Delegation urging that any future extension of the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka be strictly conditioned on measurable and time-bound progress in areas of human rights, democratic reform and social justice.

The TPA said in a statement that the Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) led by Mano Ganesan MP, held a high-level diplomatic meeting with the visiting European Union GSP+ Monitoring Delegation in Colombo.

The TPA delegation included Deputy Leader V. Radhakrishnan MP, Barath Arullsamy (Vice President – International Affairs & Communications), and Sakshin Ganesan (Secretary – Legal Affairs).

Representing the European Union were Ambassador Carmen Moreno, Political Officer Ms. Carolina Lopez and five members of the GSP+ Monitoring Mission, led by Charles Whiteley.

During the meeting, TPA leader Mano Ganesan emphasised that the Tamil people have placed their trust in the European Union as a final international partner capable of holding Sri Lanka accountable. With international momentum on Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations diminishing—particularly from key actors such as the United States—the EU’s role is now more vital than ever.

The five key conditions and reform benchmarks presented by the TPA are as follows:

1. Immediate Suspension of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA)

The current Penal Code is sufficient to address modern security concerns. If a new anti-terrorism law is deemed necessary, it must be developed through inclusive consultation and passed via parliamentary debate. Until then, the use of the PTA must be immediately suspended. This position aligns with the past stance of progressive political actors such as the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP).

2. Revival of the Constitutional Reform Process

The current administration, during its election campaign, pledged to resume the Constitutional reform process initiated under the previous Good Governance government. Both Mano Ganesan and the current President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, served on the prior Constitutional Steering Committee. Delays spanning years would render the process ineffective. The constitutional dialogue must recommence immediately, with a commitment to adopt a new constitution within this calendar year—one that ensures meaningful power-sharing to address the national ethnic question.

3. Establishment of a Truth Commission and Accountability Mechanism

A credible Truth Commission must be established without delay to investigate into enforced disappearances and ensure accountability through robust legal and investigative procedures. This must lead to tangible justice, not symbolic actions.

4. Release of Long-Term Tamil Political Prisoners

All Tamil political detainees held under the PTA must be unconditionally and immediately released. At present, at least ten individuals remain incarcerated without adequate due process. A formal list compiled by M. Gomagan (on behalf of “Voice of the Voiceless”) and transmitted via Comrade Rajkumar Rajeevkanth of the People’s Struggle Front was submitted to the EU GSP+ Monitoring Delegation.

5. Inclusion of the Hill Country Tamil (Plantation) Community under GSP+ Human Rights Monitoring

The TPA called on the EU to include the Hill Country Tamil plantation community—one of Sri Lanka’s most socio-economically marginalised populations—under its GSP+ human rights monitoring framework. Specific concerns outlined include:

(a) The tea industry that supplies European consumers is powered by workers living in conditions akin to modern slavery.

(b) Due to poor inclusion in national social protection systems, these communities rely heavily on private estate companies, leaving them structurally vulnerable.

(c) There has been no shift from exploitative daily-wage labour to collective or equity-based employment models.

(d) Systematic exclusion from national development has resulted in widespread denial of land ownership, housing, education, healthcare, livelihoods, public services and administrative inclusion.

The TPA strongly urged the EU to require measurable improvements in these areas as a precondition for Sri Lanka’s continued access to the GSP+ scheme.

The Department of Posts has issued a special notice for those who are still to receive their official polling cards for the 2025 Local Government (LG) election.

Accordingly, the Postal Department stated that those who have not received their official polling cards as of yet, can visit their local post office during working hours to collect them by proving their identity.

Furthermore, the department noted that this will be in effect until 4.00 p.m. on the date of the election.

The distribution of polling cards to voters commenced on April 16 and concluded on April 29. A voter must place his or her signature to receive the polling card during the distribution process and if a recipient is not home at the time of delivery, the polling cards will be held at their designated post office, according to the Department of Posts.

However, the absence of an official polling card would not hinder the voters from exercising their right to vote, if they are able to provide necessary identification documents upon arrival at the polling station.