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Tamil Headlines
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Virakesari: Postpone the evidence-gathering process” – China and Pakistan request at the informal discussion with the co-sponsoring countries | “Convey the current corruption-free projects to the international community” – President emphasises to World Bank representatives | The Electricity Board will not be privatised; government announces firmly | Massive protest rally in Geneva; call to bring Sri Lanka before the International Criminal Court Thinakaran: “Problems due to Oluvil Port being established without proper studies; decisions on its future will be made only after new feasibility studies are conducted” – Chandrasekar | All government services in the Southern Province through GovPay | Cabinet approval to amend the Sri Lanka Press Council Act | Government decides to import Keeri Samba rice to control artificial mafias |
Thinakkural: “Ministers turn into millionaires even as their salaries go to party funds! Their wealth growth is the eighth wonder of the world” – MP Kavinda Jayawardena | “Mahinda is Anura government’s target; ready to face anything” – MP Namal | Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe’s assets valued at Rs. 270 million! Thamilan: Israeli genocide in Gaza, UN Commission of Inquiry issues firm statement | Purchase of substandard vaccines; bail granted to Keheliya and other defendants; foreign travel ban also imposed | “NPP has deceived the people” – MP Kavinda alleges insensitivity in handling the Easter Sunday attack investigation
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TAMIL PRESS PRIORITIES |
Photo credits: AsianMirror
“The transparent nature of Sri Lanka’s present governance framework, free from corruption, should be conveyed to the global community” – President
Thinakkural, Virakesari, Thamilan
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has urged the World Bank to help promote the country’s transparent, corruption-free governance to the international community.
During a meeting with World Bank Vice President Johannes Zutt and other delegates, the President emphasised that such efforts would attract new investments.
Discussions also focused on how the World Bank could support Sri Lanka’s future development goals and the government’s initiatives to create a favorable investment climate.
President Dissanayake highlighted the government’s work in stabilising the economy and laying the groundwork for growth.
He stated that the current administration’s transparent policies are helping the nation make steady progress, moving past its previous international reputation for corruption.
Voting rights for Sri Lankans abroad; special committee to draft the law
Thinakkural, Thinakaran, Thamilan The Cabinet has approved the appointment of a committee to explore amending existing laws or enacting new legislation to grant voting rights to Sri Lankans living abroad. Under current election laws, only citizens residing in the country or those registered on the electoral roll are eligible to vote. The government noted that countries such as India, Bangladesh, and the Philippines have already introduced legal mechanisms to allow their expatriate citizens to vote. The proposed committee will comprise officials from the Election Commission, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Ministry of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Government. |
Purchase of substandard vaccines; bail granted to Keheliya and others
Thinakaran, Thamilan A Three-Judge Bench of the Colombo High Court granted bail yesterday (16th) to former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and other defendants accused in the case involving the procurement of substandard medicine. The defendants face charges of misappropriating government funds by purchasing substandard medicines during the previous administration’s tenure. Each defendant was ordered to be released on a cash bail of Rs. 500,000 and two surety bails of Rs. 5 million each. The court also imposed a foreign travel ban on the defendants and ordered them to surrender their passports. |
“Postpone the evidence-gathering process” – China and Pakistan request at the informal discussion with the co-sponsoring countriesVirakesari During an informal discussion at the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council regarding a new draft resolution on Sri Lanka, the UK rejected a request by China and Pakistan to postpone the evidence-gathering project on past violations by two years. The Sri Lankan representative stated that the country did not have an ethnic problem but rather a terrorist conflict, asserting that no special mechanism is needed for resolution and that it can be handled through the existing criminal justice framework. The UK-led Core Group, which presented the resolution, expressed confidence that it has sufficient votes to pass the new resolution, which would continue the accountability project. Non-governmental organisations and Tamil diaspora representatives who participated in the discussion reiterated the need for an independent international investigation into past violations. |
Massive awareness rally in Geneva; call to bring Sri Lanka before the International Criminal CourtVirakesari, Thinakkural Hundreds of diaspora Tamils held a major protest rally in Geneva on Monday (15th), demanding that Sri Lanka be referred to the International Criminal Court (ICC). The protesters accused the Sri Lankan State of committing genocide against the Tamil people. The demonstration took place in front of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) building, where participants held placards and chanted slogans calling for an international justice mechanism. This protest was organised to coincide with the ongoing 60th session of the UNHRC, during which a new draft resolution on reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka is being discussed. |
Pillayan also a suspect in the disappearance of Vice-Chancellor Raveendranath; CID decides to name him in court
Thinakaran
The CID has informed the court that Sivanesathurai Santhirakanthan, also known as Pillayan, will be named as a suspect in the abduction and disappearance of former Eastern University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sivasubramaniam Raveendranath.
The CID made this statement during the presentation of three other arrested suspects before Mount Lavinia Magistrate Chathurika de Silva.
The department also revealed the existence of an eyewitness, who has provided a statement to the Colombo Fort Magistrate’s Court, which led to the identification of the current suspects.
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