The UNDP in Sri Lanka released its Multidimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) in Sri Lanka which shows a large percentage of individuals in North-East live below the poverty line and have several vulnerabilities, with some of the districts being the worst affected on the whole island. Overall, the Northern and Eastern Provinces had the highest incidence of multidimensional vulnerability by province, according to data gathered by the UNDP. By district, Mullaitivu was the worst affected. According to the report, “in the districts of Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi, the predominant concern is not...
China’s embassy in Colombo has objected to a decision by Sri Lanka authorities to permit a German research vessel to dock on the island amidst a one year ban on foreign research vessels. China’s objections follows a refusal from Sri Lanka authorities to permit a Chinese vessel to dock in Sri Lanka in February. The one-year ban on foreign vessels docking on the island came amidst heavy security concerns from both India and the United States after the visit of two Chinese research vessels. Earlier this month the US released a report detailing China’s potential interest in establishing a...
India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka detailed how his government was “taking the first steps” to construct a land corridor between the two regions, calling it a “game-changing initiative”. Speaking at the annual dinner of the Sri Lanka-India Society Santhosh Jha spoke of connectivity between the two regions, in the wake of several recent initiatives by New Delhi. “Connectivity undoubtedly is the central pillar of our emerging partnership,” said Jha. “When I speak of connectivity, I mean all its dimensions – air, maritime, trade, digital, energy or people-to-people connectivity. Daily...
The Tamil National People's Front (TNPF) commemorated Annai Poopathy today to mark 36 years since she began her fast unto death to protest the atrocities committed by the Indian Peace Keeping Forces (IPKF). TNPF members lit a flame and laid flowers at Annai Poopathy's resting place in Navalady, Batticaloa. Poopathy Kanapathipillai, fondly referred as 'Annai Poopathy', was a member of the Navatkerny Mother's Front when she began her fast unto death on March 19, 1988. The IPKF are accused of perpetrating several atrocities while occupying the North-East including massacres, enforced...
Sri Lanka’s former finance minister Basil Rajapaksa received a warm welcome on his return to the island from the USA earlier this month, as he called for elections to be held. Rajapaksa was greeted at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by several members of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) including Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam and MP Sarath Weerasekara. Speaking to Sirisa since his return, Rajapaksa said his party does not support the postponement of the parliamentary elections. “Be it the parliamentary elections or the presidential,...
The Jaffna regional office of the Human Rights Commission (HRC) has initiated an investigation over the murder of a youth in Karainagar, in which the Sri Lankan Navy have been accused of being complicit in. T. Kanagaraj, the regional coordinator for the HRC confirmed that they had launched an investigation into the incident where a violent mob had ambushed a couple who were on their way home in Karainagar on March 11th. Footage captured by CCTV taken from SLNS Elara (Navy camp) shows them pleading with armed officers on duty for help, whilst troops initially assault the man. As they...
Sri Lanka’s fisheries minister and government-aligned paramilitary leader Douglas Devananda has faced backlash over a cabinet paper that proposes Tamil civilians in the North-East being recruited to a force that patrols the sea alongside the Sri Lankan navy and wards off Tamil Nadu fishermen. The force – known as the “sea guards” – will see Tamils monitor and assist the Sri Lankan navy in warding off Indian fishermen who have been accused of illegally fishing in Northern waters. The civilians recruited for the force are to be members of the fisherfolk community in the North-East and will be...
Tamil lawmakers launched an impromptu protest during a parliamentary session in Colombo earlier today, calling on the Speaker to summon the Inspector General of Police and seek redress over the arrest of eight Tamil devotees who were attempting to pray at Vedukkunaari earlier this month. The parliamentarians brought out placards as proceedings came to a standstill. MP Charles Nirmalanathan said “police have filed fabricated charges against these individuals”. “We want all eight of them released,” he demanded. The leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa also joined the Tamil lawmakers and...
Sri Lanka’s president Ranil Wickremesinghe claimed there was “no evidence” to prosecute many who were accused of corruption during his predecessors’ regime, stating that cases were only “filed against a few”. Responding specifically to questions regarding corruption under the govenrments of both Mahinda and Gotabaya Rajapapksa, Wickremesinghe said, “during our Government, cases were filed against a few but there was no evidence against others”. “If there are fresh evidence, anyone can submit these to the newly formed independent commission,” Wickremesinghe continued. He continued to deflect...
India’s newly appointed Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santhosh Jha confirmed the his government would provide a grant of US $61.5 million to “fully develop” the Kankesanthurai (KKS) Port.