The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, who is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka at the invitation of the government, called on the Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena today.The High Commissioner also called on the Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees this morning. During the meeting, Prime Minister Wickremesinghe and High Commissioner Zeid focused attention on current challenges and opportunities for strengthening the rule of law and protection of human rights in Sri Lanka.

The UN rights chief yesterday met with the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri chapters in Kandy and paid homage to the Temple of the Tooth. During the meeting, the Chief Prelates had emphasized that any matter among communities should be solved through a domestic mechanism and the present government led by the President and the Prime Minister has the ability to carry out that process. They have also pointed out that the current issues of the country should be addressed based on Buddhism.

The UN official said the visit to the Temple of the Tooth was a moving experience and a very rare privilege for anyone and he is extremely grateful that he had the opportunity to do so and listen very carefully to the guidance and the wisdom and the opinions of the chief prelates.

The UN human rights office, OHCHR, on Friday urged the Sri Lankan Government to take decisive action to uncover the fates and locations of tens of thousands of individuals subjected to enforced disappearances over the years and to hold those responsible accountable.

Today marks the 15th Anniversary of the Mullivaikkal Genocide and the second Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day as recognized by Parliament. On this solemn anniversary, Tamils around the world stand in solidarity with the victims, survivors, and families in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Together, we strive to unveil the truth, hold those responsible for atrocities accountable, and ultimately achieve justice.

The President’s Chief of Staff and National Security Advisor Sagala Ratnayaka has informed US Assistant Secretary of State Donald Lu that steps will be taken to set up a local research team for surveillance in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Speaking at a commemoration marking the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s internal armed conflict on 18 May 2009, which culminated in the brutal Mullivaikkal offensive where countless civilian lives were lost, Secretary General at Amnesty International Agnès Callamard said:

The presidential election is set to be conducted on October 5 or 12. The Sunday Times learns that the Election Commission has had consultations on the possible dates for the conduct of the elections and considered the two days, which are Saturdays.

Former Ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has said that a decision has been made to dissolve Parliament on or after June 14.

A series of events will be held over a period of three days beginning today (17) in the Northern and Eastern regions as well as Colombo to mark the end of war 15 years ago.

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (16) said that nominee to be the next US Ambassador to Colombo Elizabeth K. Horst had revealed that the Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government announced a ban on foreign research vessels’ entry into Sri Lankan waters on January 1 this year at the behest of the US.

The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar acquitted the four accused including a Major involved in the shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of three individuals and the injury of several others during a protest for clean drinking water in Rathupaswala on August 1, 2013.

Former Army Commander General Mahesh Senanayake who joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today has been appointed the head of the party's Ranaviru Balakaya. Ranawiru Balakaya is a group of ex-military men who support the SJB. He received the appointment from Party Leader Sajith Premadasa this morning.

The Indian Navy has arrested 14 Sri Lankan fishermen along with five boats for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and for fishing sea cucumber on Thursday, May 16, 2024.

Showery and windy conditions arebexpected to enhance during th enext few days from today evening due to pre-monsoonal conditions over the country and surrounding sea areas. Heavy rainfall above 100 mm can be expected at some places in Western,Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts.

Over 70 international transitional justice and human rights scholars have urged the Sri Lankan Government to halt the establishment of a Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (CTUR) as it has been rejected by victim groups and the broader national context is not conducive for such a process.

Former Speaker and National Movement for Social Justice Chairperson Karu Jayasuriya voiced his profound regret yesterday over the Police’s handling of the porridge distribution event in Sampur commemorating the victims of the war and enforced disappearances.

General Secretary of Amnesty International, Agnès Callamard, is scheduled to visit Mullivaikkal, in the Mullaithivu District, where the combined security forces defeated the LTTE.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe will attend the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia, from 18 - 20 May at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.

A specialized delegation will leave for Russia on the direction of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to investigate into the welfare of Sri Lankans amidst the on-going Russian-Ukraine war, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said today.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) national list MP Mayantha Dissanayake has been appointed as the party's District Leader for Nuwara Eliya. Dissanayake, who made this announcement at a media briefing said he has also been appointed as the party organiser for the Nuwara Eliya constituency.

Claiming that relatives and comrades have a right to commemorate the war dead, NPP MP Vijitha Herath said today that the government must take steps to protect their rights.

A new election focused alliance led by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party’s (SLFP) Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva faction and the group of Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna breakaway Opposition Parliamentarians led by Nimal Lanza is to be launched next month (June) from Hambantota, said Opposition Parliamentarian Anura Priyadarshana Yapa.