A remembrance has taken place for the 26th year for 24 Tamil civilians who were killed in an Air Force bombing at Manduvil in Mullaitivu in September 1999.

Relatives offered flowers and lit lamps to photographs of the victims at the event on 15 September.

A Kfir aircraft dropped two bombs on a busy street around 10.25 am, killing 10 people on the spot and injuring more than 40 others.

Fourteen others succumbed to injuries later.

NESOHR and SNE have documented details of the dead that include two girls aged 12 and 15 years.

The recent visit to Katchatheevu Island in the northern territorial waters by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during an official visit to Jaffna has swung the regional spotlight back on a matter which has been until now a seasonal bilateral irritant that both Governments across the Palk Strait have often brushed off.

The unprecedented move by a Sri Lankan Head of State ignited the imagination of some segments of the Indian domestic media landscape and State political voices.

When asked if the visit by President Dissanayake to Katchatheevu and the proposed tourism project which is being considered would have an impact on Indo-Lanka relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Thushara Rodrigo said: “Sri Lanka and India are strong democracies, and our relationship will not be strained by discussions of development in Katchatheevu.”

He explained that the two nations had built their partnership on deep foundations of respect and cooperation and that these values would guide them as they navigated sensitive issues related to the island, adding that Sri Lanka respected religious sensitivities and the rule of law and that both countries must act on those principles to preserve their democracies.

Rodrigo also dismissed concerns that Dissanayake’s recent visit to Katchatheevu would inflame relations with New Delhi. He described the visit as a symbolic reaffirmation of Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and stressed that it would not undermine the goodwill and mutual understanding that existed between the two countries. He further emphasised that the sanctity of religious spaces such as St. Anthony’s Church must be safeguarded, but that such issues should not be conflated with geopolitical disputes.

A small island with significance

The island of Katchatheevu, which lies in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka, has long been a point of political contention. Though it measures only 285 acres, it occupies an outsized place in the narratives of sovereignty, religious devotion, and livelihood that stretch across the strait. Its status was formally settled in the 1970s through bilateral agreements in which India recognised Sri Lanka’s sovereignty, but in Tamil Nadu the issue has remained politically potent for decades.

The 1974 Indo-Sri Lanka Maritime Agreement handed sovereignty of Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka while allowing Indian fishermen and pilgrims to visit without visas. This agreement, however, did not extend fishing rights to Indian vessels, a fact that became more explicit in the 1976 accord, which prohibited Indian fishermen from Sri Lankan waters. While the agreements remain legally binding, Tamil Nadu politicians have repeatedly argued that India ceded the island without proper consultation and have called for its retrieval. Petitions to this effect remain before the Indian Supreme Court.

Dissanayake’s visit marked the first time a Sri Lankan Head of State had travelled to Katchatheevu, and it was widely seen as a strong and symbolic gesture at a time when Tamil Nadu politicians, including actor-turned-politician Vijay, have revived their calls for the island’s ‘return.’

Development plans

At the same time, the Government is conducting a feasibility study for a tourism development project in the Northern Province. The plan aims to link Katchatheevu with Neduntheevu, also known as Delft Island, and to encourage greater religious tourism as according to Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar.

Rodrigo nevertheless insisted that no development would proceed until environmental, social and religious impact assessments were completed.

Ministry of Urban Development, Construction, and Housing Secretary Ranjith Ariyaratne further noted that there had been much speculation but little concrete movement. “There has merely been conjecture on proposed development work, but no work has actually begun. It would fall under the purview of the Urban Development Authority (UDA), but I can confirm that no such project has commenced, and no such order has come from the office of the President,” he said. His clarification underscored that the project remained in the study phase and was not yet a matter of execution.

Concerns of the Catholic community

The proposal has nevertheless sparked debate, particularly among the Catholic community in northern Sri Lanka, about whether such projects might alter the sanctity of St. Anthony’s Church, which has been a sacred pilgrimage site for generations.

Deputy Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs Gamagedara Dissanayake emphasised that these concerns were being taken seriously. “The Government will try to iron out the concerns of the Catholic community. A development project that does not complement the religious sanctity of the location is without purpose,” he said. “We must and will respect the views of all worshippers. The Government has no intention of forcibly evicting anyone or proceeding with construction that would breach the sanctity of the site.”

He added that while protests were not unusual in relation to sensitive projects, the Presidential Secretariat was directly overseeing the initiative and had instructed that all reasonable demands made by stakeholders had to be considered during the planning and implementation stages.

Attempts to elicit a response from Roman Catholic Bishop of Jaffna, Right Reverend Dr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, did not yield positive results.

Pilgrimage and security

The church is the focal point of the annual feast that brings thousands of pilgrims from both Sri Lanka and India. Rodrigo explained that Indian devotees attended under special provisions of the 1974 agreement. They do not require visas, but a list of pilgrims and vessels must be submitted in advance to Sri Lankan authorities. He noted that the practice resembled the way Sri Lankan Buddhists travelled to religious sites in India and that it was conducted within the framework of the law.

Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath, elaborating on the entry process, said pilgrims must submit their personal details, along with boat numbers, before making the journey. These details are distributed to the District Secretary of Jaffna, the Navy, the Coast Guard, Immigration, and other agencies. On arrival, pilgrims are checked by Customs, Immigration, Police, and the Coast Guard. After the festival, officials ensure that all participants return to India.

“They cannot travel to the Sri Lankan mainland,” he emphasised. “The Navy and Coast Guard deploy assets to ensure no one penetrates into our territory. Some security measures cannot be revealed, but we have taken all necessary precautions.”

Sampath also confirmed that there were no permanent Government institutions on Katchatheevu. For the festival, temporary infrastructure is brought to the island, set up for the event, and then dismantled. “For security purposes, however, we have a continuous deployment on the island,” he said. “It is not isolated or abandoned, but we do not have permanent buildings there.”

For Sri Lankan fishermen in the north, the dispute over Katchatheevu is intertwined with the frequent challenge of Indian trawlers crossing into Sri Lankan waters. They accuse Indian boats of using bottom trawling, a destructive method banned in Sri Lanka because of its ecological damage. These incursions often lead to arrests and confiscations, fuelling anger among local communities who see their livelihoods threatened.

In Tamil Nadu, fishermen argue that their traditional fishing grounds were lost when India recognised Sri Lanka’s claim to the island. While New Delhi has proposed shifting them to deep-sea fishing, progress has been slow. The result is a persistent cycle of arrests, protests, and political demands that continue to resonate on both sides of the Palk Strait.

Attempts to contact Chandrasekar on the matter failed, with the Minister providing excuses each time he answered the phone.

The economic dimension

Amid this complex mix of politics, diplomacy, religion, and livelihoods, analysts have urged Colombo to adopt a broader view.

Centre for Policy Alternatives Executive Director Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu believes that the Katchatheevu issue is primarily a State-level political rallying point in Tamil Nadu rather than a matter of contention between the Governments of India and Sri Lanka. “There is a clear understanding that the island belongs to Sri Lanka,” he said. “I do not believe it will become a major point of contention.”

He acknowledged that presidential statements and initiatives could have a ripple effect but said they were unlikely to provoke a serious rift with India. More importantly, he argued, Sri Lanka should see Katchatheevu in terms of economic opportunity.

“India is projected to be one of the world’s fastest-growing economies. Tamil Nadu, in particular, is on track to have a trillion-dollar economy by 2030. Sri Lanka’s northern and eastern regions would be foolish to turn their backs on this economic orbit,” he explained. “Any local issues must be considered against the backdrop of this emerging economic power and prosperity.”

Balancing sovereignty, faith, and development

Dr. Saravanamuttu also addressed the concerns of the Catholic community about the sanctity of St. Anthony’s Church. He suggested that compromise was possible, with both religious devotion and development being respected.

“I believe an agreement can be reached where the sanctity of the region is observed while still looking after people’s livelihoods and development. At the end of the day, religion must serve the betterment of the people, and development is not sacrilegious,” he said.

The Katchatheevu debate thus encompasses multiple layers. For the Sri Lankan Government, the challenge is to reaffirm sovereignty, respect religious sensitivities, and manage cross-strait tensions, all while exploring opportunities for tourism and economic growth. For India, the issue remains a balancing act between the sentiments of Tamil Nadu’s electorate and the strategic realities of its partnership with Colombo. And for the people of the north, the stakes are immediate, involving livelihoods, faith, and the hope of development.

Whether Katchatheevu becomes a point of conflict or cooperation in the future will depend on how effectively these interests are balanced.

Insufficient staff is a big setback for Jaffna Public Library’s e-library project, according to the Chief Librarian Anusiya Sivakaran.

“Limited staffing has slowed the e-library’s progress. Users will have to wait longer to access the remaining 11 sections — counter, periodical, lending, children, Indian corner, computer, archive, reference, special youth and Ceylon Collection,” Ms. Sivakaran said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake launched the e-library website (jaffna.dlp.gov.lk) and smart card system on September 1.

The focus of the project is on digitalising frequently used materials from the Ceylon Collection of books by Sri Lankan writers that are free from copyrights.

Books are accessible to users within the country and abroad. Materials are available in English, Tamil, and Sinhala, while there are resources in Japanese, Chinese. “The Ceylon Special Collection is the backbone of the Jaffna library,” said Ms Sivakaran.

Since 2006, the scanning process has been ongoing with support from the Noolaham Foundation, but only 1,200 books have been digitalised so far due to funding and equipment limitations.

“The library has decided to continue the project independently,” she said.

About 117,199 books and ‘olai chuvadigal’ (palm-leaf manuscripts) are available in the Jaffna Public Library.

Ms. Sivakaran also said there are Braille books for visually impaired users and that wheelchair access is available. Library employee Mr. Sivakumar, educated at Laila College, India, has installed the NonVisual Desktop Access (NVDA) software on library desktops.

The software supports 55 languages, pronouncing the letters that are being typed and it also reads full sentences upon completion, assisting visually impaired users. Also, mobile services are used to raise community awareness about the facilities and materials available for the less-abled.

Ms. Sivakaran said that when Rs. 100 million was allocated for the project from the 2025 budget, moral support was provided by the Northern Province, Provincial Council, and Jaffna Municipal Council to ensure the funds were used wisely. The smart card online form is also ready, but not yet open to the public. Simultaneously, it will be provided in person to existing members (4,000–5,000) and new members.

The Jaffna Library IT unit uses a system to protect data, prevent cyber-related issues, and restrict access to irrelevant content. Materials can also be printed.

The librarian believes the uploading can be completed by 2026. Staff will be trained to handle the workload. Any potential issues with scanners, the server room, or other equipment will be resolved through proper maintenance, as assured by the government.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Namal Rajapaksa met with Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha in Colombo, where the two discussed ongoing developments in both countries and ways to further enhance bilateral relations.

In a post on X, Rajapaksa said it was a pleasure meeting the High Commissioner, adding that the SLPP “greatly values our longstanding friendship and strong bilateral ties with India” and looks forward to further strengthening the partnership.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo also confirmed the meeting, noting in a post that High Commissioner Jha hosted Rajapaksa at India House.

It said the discussions covered current developments in India and Sri Lanka, along with the “wide-ranging bilateral partnership” shared by the two nations.

The Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong has met former President Maithripala Sirisena at his official residence down Hector Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Colombo, for a discussion.

It is reported that discussions were held pertaining to the on-going political situation in the country.

The Chinese Ambassador in Colombo also met with former Presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe prior to meeting former President Sirisena.

Meanwhile, under the provisions of the Presidents’ Entitlements (Repeal) Bill, the official residences are required to be handed back to the government.

In line with this, former President Sirisena recently stated that he would hand over his official residence once the necessary documentation is received.

* Deforestation regulation EU will ban goods grown or produced on land recently cleared of forest; exporters must provide geo-location data and documentation

* EU authorities can investigate supply chains on suspicion of forced labour; companies must present credible evidence of compliance

* Sri Lanka’s strong labour laws offer an advantage, but exporters must build human-rights due-diligence systems and monitor high-risk suppliers

* Sri Lanka remains attractive in textiles, apparel, rubber and agricultural goods benefiting from GSP+ low tariffs, and has growing potential in IT and business services despite no GSP+ cover

In the wake of Sri Lanka facing headwinds in its export growth because of U.S. tariffs and GSP+, it is now poised to encounter further challenges to overcome in accessing the European Union market because of new laws that will come into effect after 2027, according to a German expert.

In a virtual address to the Sri Lankan stakeholders from Berlin last week, Markus Loning, an expert on human rights and responsible business, said one of them is the EU deforestation regulation, which is relevant to the import of the items – wood, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, leather and beef, soy and rubber.

“Many of these don’t apply to Sri Lanka and are not so important, but at least two of them do. It is important to take this into account. It’s still a while. It’s not so long until this comes into force. What the EU deforestation regulation actually demands is that companies can only place goods on the EU market if they have not been the cause of deforestation,” he said.

Elaborating on the reason for the enforcement of such a regulation, he said the European Union does not want to incentivise further deforestation in any way.

“We want to refrain from buying products grown on plots of land where trees have been cut recently. They (European Union) are taking a baseline, which is a couple of years back. Then, they are looking at what is the plot of land, where this material comes from. That is why you will need to collect geo-location data and documents. They will ask whether this plot of land has been deforested recently. So any product that is linked to forest destruction will not be able to enter the European single market,” he said.

He said the next would be the EU forced labour regulation. Once this law comes into effect, the European Union authorities will investigate into supply chains if there is a suspicion of forced labour, but the burden of proof is different from the deforestation regulation.

The burden of proof is with the authorities in this case. The authorities must have suspicion and evidence. They will then go for an investigation, and the supplier will be able to demonstrate that this is true or not,” he said.

He said that it should be ensured that the goods imported are not made with the help of forced labour.

“Companies are expected to show credible evidence that no forced labour is involved. What’s important about this law is that it applies to all sectors and all countries. There are no exceptions. Anyone importing into the EU or selling goods inside the EU is in the scope of this law. This is something that has been heavily discussed back and forth, but at the end of the day, there was quite a strong consensus here that this is something that the EU is going to stick to,” he said

However, he said that Sri Lanka has very good labour laws in place and the standards are strong.

Key questions will target high-risk supply chains, including Sri Lankan factory suppliers. Companies must set up a human-rights due-diligence system to show their own operations meet legal standards—health, safety, wages and working conditions—and that they monitor high-risk suppliers. Relevant certificates support and document these efforts, according to him.

There’s a clear business opportunity for Sri Lankan companies as an alternative production base—especially in textiles and apparel, rubber-based and agricultural goods, which benefit from GSP+ low tariffs. In addition, IT and business services have strong potential to grow in the EU market, even though they are not covered by GSP+, as this applies to all business with Europe, he said.

EU imports from Sri Lanka amounted to 2.6 billion Euros in 2023. Sri Lanka is now under watch by the European Union for the extension of the GSP+ under the revised criterion to be effective after 2027.