Students of the University of Jaffna staged a protest on Wednesday demanding the unconditional release of two Tamil farmers who have been remanded in custody over allegations of damaging an archaeological site in the Mullaitivu district.

The two farmers, Samithamby Egambaram and Sri Rathinam Gajaruban, were arrested and presented before the Mullaitivu Magistrate’s Court on May 29 and were ordered to be remanded until June 7.

The protest, held in front of the University of Jaffna, was led by the university’s Student Union.

Addressing the media, Union President Dayabaran Ligirdhar strongly condemned the racially discriminatory actions of several state institutions, including the Department of Archaeology, the Sri Lanka Police, and the Department of Wildlife Conservation.

“These arrests are part of an ongoing pattern of state institutions targeting Tamil civilians under the guise of legal and conservation work. We view these actions as illegal and deeply racist. The two farmers in question are innocent, and we demand their immediate and unconditional release,” he said.

He also raised concerns over the conduct of state officials in relation to land use and archaeological claims in the Northern Province, alleging that these actions are being used to marginalise Tamil communities and restrict their traditional livelihoods.

The protest comes amid heightened tensions surrounding land rights and archaeological claims in the North and East, where Tamil farmers and civil society groups have increasingly raised concerns about state interventions in areas historically inhabited by local communities.

Parliamentarian Shanakiyan Rajaputhiran Rasamanickam presented a private member’s Bill titled “Bill to amend the Provincial Councils Elections Act, No 2 of 1988”, aiming to hold the Provincial Council elections.

MP M. Nizam Kariapper seconded the Bill.

Maintaining good health practices is key to preventing the spread of COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, a public official said, adding that seasonal increases in respiratory illnesses have been observed.

“It is important to maintain good respiratory etiquette and general health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections, such as influenza,” Ministry of Health Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe said.

World Health Organization (WHO) data showed a global increase in the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, since February 2025, he said.

“Compared to recent years, seasonal increases in respiratory illnesses like influenza are commonly observed during this period, especially under prevailing climatic conditions.

“The average positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far this year is approximately 2%, with a slight increase observed at present.”

He urged the public to follow good health practices such as covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow when coughing or sneezing, avoiding touching the face, and ensuring hand hygiene through frequent, proper hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

“Individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness should wear a face mask to minimize the risk of transmitting the infection to others and avoid crowded public settings unless essential.”

The full statement is reproduced below:

COVID -19 Update

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), a global increase in the activity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, has been reported since February 2025.

Based on the International Respiratory Surveillance System, several countries, including several countries in Asia have reported a notable rise in COVID-19 cases in recent months.

In May 2023, the WHO officially declared the end of the COVID-19 global pandemic status, and since then, COVID-19 has been treated as a disease that circulates endemically, similar to other common respiratory infections.

It is a known phenomenon for the SARS-CoV-2 virus to undergo genetic mutations during its transmission.

The currently circulating variant reported in many countries in 2024 has been identified as a sub-lineage of a previously known genetic variant. In 2024, this same variant has been detected in Sri Lanka as well.

In May 2025, specimens tested by the Medical Research Institute (MRI) confirmed the presence of these previously identified sub-lineages.

Therefore, these are not novel variants, and no evidence of increased severity or complications has been reported.

According to Sri Lanka’s Respiratory Surveillance System, during 2024, 3% of respiratory specimens tested for SARS-CoV-2 yielded positive results.

This figure peaked at 9.6% in May 2024.

The average positivity of the SARS-CoV-2 virus so far this year is approximately 2%, with a slight increase observed at present.

Thus, an increase in reported COVID-19 cases was observed in May 2024 and again in May 2025.

However, according to WHO, no definitive conclusions have yet been reached regarding future transmission patterns of the virus.

Ongoing observation and research-based monitoring are still in progress.

Compared to recent years, seasonal increases in respiratory illnesses like influenza are commonly observed during this period, especially under prevailing climatic conditions.

Health authorities remain vigilant in monitoring disease trends, and the public need not panic unnecessarily.

If individuals experience fever or respiratory symptoms, there is no need for hospital admission out of fear.

However, if someone experiences difficulty breathing, medical attention should be sought.

Nevertheless, it is important to maintain good respiratory etiquette and general health practices to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory viral infections, such as influenza.

Recommended measures include covering the mouth and nose with a tissue or the elbow when coughing or sneezing, avoiding unnecessary contact with the face, and ensuring frequent hand hygiene through proper hand washing or the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

It is also advisable to avoid touching the face with unclean hands. Individuals exhibiting symptoms of respiratory illness should wear a face mask to minimize the risk of transmitting the infection to others and avoid crowded public settings unless essential.

Special attention must be directed towards high-risk populations, as they are more susceptible to developing complications from respiratory infections.

These groups include older adults, pregnant women, and infants and young children, whose immune systems are either compromised or stilldeveloping.

Furthermore, individuals with underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, chronic respiratory illnesses, diabetes, renal disease, cancer, or other chronic diseases, as well as those receiving immunosuppressive therapy, are at increased risk and require additional protection.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe
Secretary
Ministry of Health and Mass Media

The Supreme Court has granted leave to proceed with two petitions filed seeking a ruling that then-President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance Minister, violated fundamental human rights by issuing liquor licenses in violation of the Excise Ordinance after the announcement of the Presidential Election in 2024.

Petitions were filed by a group including a businessman from Matale.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, and former Excise Commissioner M.J. Gunasiri were named as respondents in the petitions.

During proceedings, the Supreme Court bench ordered the Commissioner General of Excise to submit information to court regarding the liquor licenses issued during the period from the day the Presidential Election was declared last year until the election was held, as well as those issued throughout 2024.

After considering the facts presented in connection with the petitions, the Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Janak de Silva, and Mahinda Samayawardhena issued this order.

President’s Counsels Sanjeewa Jayawardena and Saliya Pieris, appearing on behalf the petitioners, informed court that between July 26—the date the election was announced—and September 21—the date the election was held—new liquor licenses had been issued by the respondents in violation of the election law.

They pointed out that even the 19-year-old son of former State Minister Shantha Bandara had received a liquor license during this period. Counsels further alleged that liquor licenses were issued to political allies and supporters in this manner.

They claimed that these licenses were granted with the intent of gaining political advantage during the Presidential Election, and that owners of licensed liquor outlets had lodged complaints with the Election Commission regarding this issue.

Deputy Solicitor General Viveka Siriwardena, appearing on behalf of the Attorney General, argued before court that the petitions had been filed after the statute of limitations and that the petitioners had concealed facts from court.

She also noted that the regulations related to the Excise Ordinance, which formed the basis of the case, have since been repealed and replaced with new ones.

Subsequently, the three-judge bench of the Supreme Court granted leave to proceed with the hearing of the petitions and scheduled the hearing for November 19.