A300-day protest staged by a group of persons demanding that the army vacate 133 acres at Keppapilavu in the former LTTE stronghold Mullaitivu had been brought to an end by relocating troops stationed there, Rehabilitation Ministry spokesperson told The Island. The spokesperson said that Rehabilitation Minister D. M. Swaminathan had, following consultations with relevant authorities, paid Rs. 148 mn for the relocation of troops. The land would be officially handed over today (Dec 28), he said.

Responding to a query, the spokesperson said a group of villagers had launched the protest early this year demanding their land back. Newly appointed Military Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu confirmed the arrangement to shift troops from Keppapilavu in the Muhudubadapattu Divisional Secretariat area. The Rehabilitation Ministry spokesperson quoted veteran UNPer Swaminathan as having said that tangible measures would be taken in the new year to resettle those who had been displaced at Keppapilavu.

Asked whether Rehabilitation Ministry had paid the Army previously to relocate troops, the spokesperson said that the Army was compensated to the tune of Rs 50 mn on an earlier occasion. The Rehabilitation Ministry announced the latest arrangement with the Army amidst efforts by the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) to regain the land. TNA leader and Opposition Leader R. Sampanthan has sought President Maithripala Sirisena

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.

Stressing that it is time to forget party politics, the United National Party (UNP) today invited all political parties to join hands to create a stable nation.

The official vehicle of Primary Industries State Minister Chamara Sampath Dassanayake caught fire this morning in the Halpe area, as reported by the Ella police. They said the vehicle caught fire due to a technical failure.

The Central Bank has purchased the most amount of dollars for a single month in March, a sign that the country is currently in a very comfortable position in its foreign currency liquidity, after two years into the worst currency crisis in the country.

At least ten people were killed in eight road accidents within the past 24 hours in differenet parts of the country, Police said.

A 62-year-old woman who was receiving treatment at the Jaffna Hospital died of Covid-19, hospital sources said. The woman, a resident of Jaffna had arrived from France last week and was admitted to the Jaffna Hospital due to fever.

Sri Lanka’s state-owned enterprises incurred 744.6 billion rupees in losses in 2022, the SOE restructuring unit has said. “52 State-Owned Enterprises in Sri Lanka incurred losses of LKR 744.6 billion in 2022,” SOERU said in a social media post. “When divided by the total number of Citizen, each citizen needs bare LKR 33,949.”

A 17-year-old girl was injured in a shooting incident at Girithale in Minneriya last night, Police said. They said that the Minneriya Police initiated an investigation upon receiving information that the girl had been injured and subsequently admitted to the Polonnaruwa Hospital.

The National STD/AIDS Prevention Program reports that approximately 1,700 cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) have been identified in Sri Lanka over the past three years. Of these cases, one-third are reported among young people aged between 15 and 29 years old.

The Sri Lankan Rupee remains steady against the US Dollar at several commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Apr 15) compared to last week, while it continues to remain below the Rs. 300 rate.

Special security measures have been implemented for the Sinhala and Tamil New Year celebrations across the island, with around 4,500 events planned, including music shows and carnivals, Police said.

Transnational Government of Tamil Eelam (TGTE), Recognizes Rwanda Genocide, Calls Attention to Int'l Powers, Disparate Responses for Justice to Alike Tamil Genocide.

All presidential candidates should show the public their apparent qualifications, whether they engage in public debates or not, former Minister Navin Dissanayake said.

No permission has been granted for the import of rice, other than Basmati rice for the needs of tourist hotels, Finance State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya said.

The Election Commission (EC) is set to officially declare the date for this year’s Presidential Election in August, as confirmed by EC Chairman R.M.A.L. Rathnayake.

People remain confused since the Ministry of Public Administration, Home Affairs and Provincial has not defined the additional holiday declared on April 15 as a banking and mercantile holiday.

Thamil Makkal Thesiya Kuttani Leader and Opposition Parliamentarian C.V. Wigneswaran called on the majority community-based Presidential candidates to clearly outline their solutions to the Tamil community's issues in the presence of foreign diplomats, if they (candidates) seek the Tamil community's support.

The Sri Lankan Rupee is unchanged against the US Dollar at several commercial banks in Sri Lanka today (Apr 11) compared to Wednesday, while it continues to remain below the Rs. 300 rate.