Leader of the Tamil National Alliance R. Sampanthan told United Nations Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff yesterday that the Tamil prisoners in custody are not in jail because they robbed or stole for personal gain and therefore their cases have a political dimension and it is needed to be looked at in that context and resolved. The Government has failed to understand this fact, Sampanthan said. He also highlighted the important issues faced by the Tamil people with regard to the release of lands belonging to civilians and the case of missing persons.

Apprising de Greiff Sampanthan pointed out: "Our people have strong attachment to the lands not merely as a sentimental issue but much beyond that. The people are protesting for the release of their lands in some areas for more than three hundred days. They are in the sun and the rain and exposed to the elements, but they are determined that their lands are returned". Sampanthan further highlighted that the government must understand that it is dealing with the feelings and the rights of the people and it must be resolved without any further delay. He further added: "If we are seeking for a genuine reconciliation, these realities must be recognized".

"A mother that handed over her son to the armed forces or police seeks to know what happened to him. It is a legitimate demand. Therefore, these demands cannot be ignored," he added. Highlighting the delay in operating the Office of the Missing Persons (OMP), Sampanthan pointed out the importance of having this office established in the Northern and the Eastern Provinces as well. "The government has already accepted the fact that the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) is a detrimental law that should be removed from the statutory books. All these prisoners should be released," Sampanthan added.

Sampanthan also informed de Greiff that these matters must be resolved and not be allowed to drift since it will create a serious impediment to the reconciliation process. There are people waiting to disturb the reconciliation process and we must not play into the hands of those people, he said.

Sampanthan urged the Special Rapporteur to ensure that the voluntary commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government to the people of Sri Lanka and to the international Community are implemented fully. He highlighted that these commitments were made by the Government for the betterment and the advancement of the country and for its people, and therefore the Government must honour its commitment and deliver, so that, the commitments do not end with just blueprints. Pablo assured his commitment and the UN's involvement in achieving a lasting solution to the national question.

The 19-year-old Sri Lankan national charged in the mass killing of a newcomer family in Ottawa has no plan to seek bail, his lawyer says.

With the Presidential Election scheduled to be held in the first week of October, political parties have begun vigorous campaigns in electorates as well as closed door discussions with parliamentarians in a bid to secure a basic 50 percent vote base which will win them the presidency.

Notwithstanding the internal friction within the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) resulting in changes in party's leadership positions, the Election Commission clarified its role in accepting nominations for SLFP candidates in the event that internal conflicts persist beyond the declaration of elections.

Editor of the official Catholic Sinhala weekly ‘Gnanartha Pradeepaya’, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando reported to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) today for an investigation related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Apr 19) compared to Thursday. According to Seylan Bank, the buying and selling rates of the US Dollar are unchanged at Rs. 295 and Rs. 305.50, respectively.

It is reported that the Presidential Security Division has taken over the security of the visiting Iranian President – Ebrahim Raisi, who will arrive at Sri Lanka on April 24 for the inauguration of the Uma Oya project.

Sri Lanka remains on high alert as Canadian leaders may make genocide allegations next month when the country marks the war victory, according to a diplomatic source.

The respondent parties in the first application filed before the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court under the newly enacted Online Safety Act, raised objections challenging the maintainability of the application.

The Court of Appeal has issued notice on former Member of Parliament Hirunika Premachandra, requiring her to appear before court on May 8 in connection with a contempt of court application.

The Catholic Church has received the remaining parts of the report submitted by the presidential commission which probed the Easter Sunday attacks, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith said today. Cardinal Ranjith said the church had received it three weeks ago. “A team of lawyers are studying the report and we will come up with a statement on it once the study is completed,” he told a briefing.

The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) arrested two suspects, including a retired Major of the Sri Lanka Army for fraudulently obtaining money from individuals promising employment in the Russian army.

The Colombo District Court today further extended its enjoining order preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). This order will be effective till May 9. The Colombo District Court made this order following a lawsuit filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga.

Sri Lanka is considering providing free visas to over 50 countries, it was reported. According to Tourism Ministry sources, a proposal in this regard is to be submitted to the Cabinet of Ministers next week.

According to the family members, the funeral service for former Deputy Minister Palitha Thewarapperuma is scheduled to take place this Friday (10).

Admissions for the GCE Ordinary Level (O/L) examinations will be issued by next week, the Examinations Department said. Accordingly, admissions will be issued to school applicants through the respective principals and to private applicants by post. The examination is scheduled to be held on May 6.

Preparations are underway to bid farewell to late Dr. A.T. Ariyaratne, the founder and President Emeritus of the Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement, with full state honours.

The Sri Lankan Rupee has depreciated further against the US Dollar today (Apr 17), compared to Tuesday, according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the buying rate of the US Dollar has increased from Rs. 294.20 to Rs. 295.28, while the selling rate has also increased from Rs. 303.54 to Rs. 305.19. The Rupee has also depreciated against several foreign currencies, including Gulf currencies.

The United States (US) Government recently held preliminary talks with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in Colombo regarding the planned transfer of a fourth US Coast Guard cutter to the SLN, as part of the ongoing security partnership between both the countries.

Amidst reports that some ex-military men from Sri Lanka have joined the Russian military operations against Ukraine, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Moscow Prof. Janita Liyanage said she asked for details about them from the Russian military if any. She said this in response to a query about media reports to that effect. “I sought such details from the Russian military if there is anyone there,” she said.

Sri Lanka cannot be pushed and bumped into a global conflict and therefore it should be diligent in its dealings with various nations, a Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP said today.