The Indian prime minister, Narendra Modi visited the leader of the DMK, Karunanidhi on Monday at his home in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Mr Modi was greeted by Mr Karunanidhi's son and daughter, Stalin and Kalaimozhi. He later tweeted that he had inquired about Mr Karunanidhi's poor health. The premier was visiting the city to speak at the platinum jubilee celebration of the Tamil newspaper, Daily Thanthi.
The Lank Indian Oil Company (LIOC) on Monday rejected what is described as "mischievous and factually incorrect" reports that it was responsible for the shortage of oil in Sri Lana. "As a reliable distributor of petroleum products in Sri Lanka over many years, LIOC is making all efforts to assist in the early resolution of this problem. However, attempts by some to blame LIOC for causing the shortage are mischievous and factually incorrect, and we categorically reject such allegations," the LIOC was quoted by PTI as saying in a statement "Thus, large shortages across the country can only be...
Four Tamil Nadu fishermen were arrested by the Sri Lankan navy on Tuesday, for allegedly poaching fish off the coast of Neduntheevu, PTI reported. The arrest is the latest in the ongoing issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being arrested by Sri Lankan navy personnel. Last month the chief minister of Tamil Nadu wrote to the Indian premier, Narendra Modi, urging him to intervene and secure the release of dozens of fishermen currently detained in Sri Lanka.
The Sri Lankan Navy's continued occupation of civilian's lands has left residents of a Jaffna village fearing they will lose out on an India-funded housing scheme. Madathu Valavu in Karainagar was formerly a model village housing 44 families, before the homes were destroyed in the war. Following the announcement of Indian government funding to build houses on the island, local authorities informed displaced residents of Madathu Valathu that their village would be receiving the 24 houses allocated to Jaffna district. However the Sri Lankan Navy, which occupies around 126 acres of land under...
The Sri Lankan Army prevented the community clear-up of an LTTE cemetery in Mullaitivu on Monday.
The second Sri Lanka- US partnership dialogue commenced in Colombo today, with the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon meeting with Sri Lanka's Foreign Secretary, Prasad Kariyawasam. "Sri Lanka and the United States recalled their co-sponsorship of a resolution at the United Nations Human Rights Council in March 2017, reaffirming Sri Lanka’s commitment to promote reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in pursuit of lasting peace and prosperity," a joint statement released on Monday read. "The United States expressed support to Sri Lanka in the...
Leaders of cooperatives in Jaffna called for the Sri Lankan government to provide compensation for losses incurred through looting and destruction of goods during three decades of armed conflict. “In recognition of these losses, compensation should be provided by the Government, which can be utilised to increase production and create much needed employment across the district,” the Jaffna District Co-operative Council said in a statement, the Sunday Times reported. “The poorer sections of our society have been trapped by high interest rate loans of microfinance institutions,” the council...
Sri Lanka's minister of petroleum resources development, Arjuna Ranatunga on Monday urged the public not to panic over reports of a shortage of fuel. Mr Ranatunga was quoted by the Colombo Page as saying that the state fuel supplier, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation "is maintaining sufficient stocks for the needs of the consumers". "It was observed that there was anxiety among the public. However, we are now able to meet 80% of the total requirement," he added. "Therefore, I urge the public not to have any undue fears and use the fuel as usual." Reports of a fuel shortage arose after a petroleum...
Work at Hambantota Port is to commence on December 8, the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe said on Monday, the Daily Mirror reported. The project is being jointly managed by China Merchants Port Holding Company (CMPH) and Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA). "It was the Chinese President who suggested forming a joint venture between the Sri Lankan Government and Chinese Company," Mr Wickremesinghe told people at an event in Deniyaya. He explained that "the Government was thinking of closing the port down as there were no funds to operate it." "Sri Lanka had no way of using the...
The Sri Lankan army oversaw the donation of artificial limbs to a group of Tamils at a military camp in Jaffna last month.