The Supreme Court yesterday ordered written submissions from petitioners and respondents of a petition requesting the Court to issue a declaration that Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK) is a political party, which has as one of the objectives, the establishment of a separate State in Sri Lanka. H.K. Don Chandrasoma of Polhena, Kelaniya Housing Scheme has filed this petition under Article 157A (4) of the Constitution. Mawai Senathirajah
  

According to the petitioner, ITAK is duly registered under the country's election laws although it has in its Articles of Association stated specifically that its mission besides other objectives is to establish a separate State within the territory of Sri Lanka.The petitioner states that the ITAk Constitution makes no explicit statement to the effect that the party will not support or endorse the formation of an autonomous government, nor that it will not exercise any action to secure secession. The petition states that in the circumstances the only inference to be drawn from its Constitution is that ITAK's objectives include forming of such an autonomous government.

The petitioner further states that the concept of self-determination has been discussed in international jurisprudence in three important cases as Separate State or States. The Bench comprises Justices Priyasath Dep, Upali Abeyratna, Anil Goonaratne, who, after hearing both parties ordered them to give Court written submissions within two months. Dharsan Wijesekera appeared for the petitioner while M.A. Sumanthiran appeared for the respondents.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has awarded Sri Lanka a $17 million grant for its proposal, “One Vision, One Shield,” aimed at strengthening pandemic preparedness and response.

In response to Daily Mirror story headlined ‘AKD, Harini clashes over UGC Chairman appointment?’ in yesterday’s edition, the Prime Minister’s Office sent the following clarification.

The latest financial disclosures from the Election Commission reveal that Sajith Premadasa and the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB), lead in campaign spending for the 2024 Presidential Election, with a total expenditure of Rs. 1.13 billion.

Chanu Nimesha, the Secretary of Women's Affairs of the Sri Lanka Socialist party, has created history by becoming the first transgender individual to contest an election in Sri Lanka. Nimesha will contest from the Kegalle District.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration will visit the southern coastal belt in early November to look for any overstaying tourists from countries like Russia and Israel, where an influx of tourists are expected in the emerging South season for Christmas, the Daily Mirror learns.

The elite Special Task Force (STF) have heightened security in Colombo, Weligama and Ella as well, a day after the US Embassy in Colombo gave a warning of a possible terror threat in Arugam Bay, a senior defence source told Daily Mirror last evening.

While refuting claims by former President Ranil Wickremesinghe that his government had allocated funds required to increase public sector salaries, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said that no such funds had been allocated.

A Fundamental Rights petition has been filed before the Supreme Court seeking an order preventing Ranjan Ramanayake from contesting the parliamentary election scheduled for November 14.

Claiming that Sri Lanka has come a long way in terms of undertaking reforms which have led to some hard won gains, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)said they could move fast towards the third review which will come up soon.

The Election Commission has decided to mark the voters' index fingers for this year's general elections, Commissioner General Saman Ratnayake announced. He said the elections are scheduled for November 14, 2024.