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AKD has shattered myth that only certain Lankan leaders can engage with international community
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The notion that only a select group of Sri Lankan leaders were capable of effectively engaging with the international community has been shattered by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s recent visit to India, Ramindu Perera, a senior lecturer at the Open University Law Faculty and member of the Federation of University Teachers Association (FUTA) said.
Speaking to The Island yesterday (27), Perera said the President’s successful visit is a positive development not only for the National People’s Power (NPP) but also for other political leaders outside the traditional elite.
“The Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), the principal constituent of the NPP, had an antagonistic relationship with India in the 1980s, and there was significant curiosity about how the NPP would engage with India,” Perera said. “It is now evident that states prioritise their national interests over historical tensions.”
Perera mentioned that India was currently navigating diplomatic challenges in the region, with strained relations with the Maldives, Bangladesh, and Nepal. “In this context, India also has strategic reasons to maintain a stable relationship with Sri Lanka. Ensuring that Sri Lanka does not act counter to its geopolitical objectives is crucial for India,” he said, adding that this pragmatic approach likely contributed to the openness in addressing longstanding issues, such as the fishermen’s dispute, during the visit.
A key focus of President Dissanayake’s discussions was securing India’s backing for Sri Lanka’s bid to join BRICS. Sri Lanka formally initiated its application to join the bloc and the New Development Bank in October 2024. “Although BRICS has temporarily halted the admission of new members, India has pledged to support Sri Lanka’s membership once the process resumes. India’s influence on international opinion is significant, and this commitment is a diplomatic win for Sri Lanka,” Perera said.
Commenting on the joint statement issued following the visit, Perera noted the absence of any specific mention of the 13th Amendment to Sri Lanka’s Constitution, which has historically been a focal point in Indo-Lanka relations. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi refrained from raising the matter during this visit, as he did during President Dissanayake’s earlier visit this year. This signals a shift in India’s approach, partly because the NPP has secured the support of Tamil voters, unlike previous governments,” he said.
Perera cautioned that while India is an important partner, Sri Lanka must remain vigilant in safeguarding its national interests. “India’s priority is, understandably, its own national agenda. For example, many of India’s proposals for physical connectivity with Sri Lanka are still under ‘consideration.’ Reading between the lines, it seems the government’s strategy is to delay commitments to proposals that could be unfavourable to Sri Lanka,” he said.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 28 April 2026, valid for 29 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle,
Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
New controversy erupts over missing USD 2.5 mn:
Public interest activist Nagananda Kodituwakku has sought citizenship details of Finance Ministry Secretary Harshana Suriyapperuma from the Department of Home Affairs, Australia.
According to a letter dated 28 April, addressed to the relevant department, Solicitor England and Wales Kodituwakku sought the required information in terms of Section 15 of the Freedom of Information Act No 3 of 1982 of Australia. Suriyapperuma is also the Secretary to the Treasury.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Suriyapperuma (from November 2024 to June 2025) is embroiled in a deepening controversy over the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
The leader of the Vinivida Foundation said that he intended to move court against Suriyapperuma for entering Parliament through the NPP National List in violation of the country’s Constitution (Article 91(1)(d)(xiiii).
Kodituwakku said: “This is clearly an accountability and integrity issue and violation of the Constitution of Sri Lanka and also this act contravenes the law of a member in the Commonwealth.”
USD 2.5 mn paid to a third party was meant to be an instalment of a loan taken from Australia. Suriyapperuma neither responded to an SMS nor answered his hand phone.
Geetha Kumarasinghe (UPFA/Galle District) and Diana Gamage (SJB National List) lost their seats in 2017 and 2024, respectively, over citizenship issues.
Meanwhile, public interest group ‘Free Lawyers’ that exposed the theft of Treasury funds questioned the failure on the part of Dr. Harsha de Silva, Chairman of Committee on Public Finance (CoPF), to pressure President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to temporarily remove Suriyapperuma to facilitate unhindered investigations.
On behalf of ‘Free Lawyers’, Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon yesterday expressed concern over the way the CoPF, under SJBer de Silva’s leadership, handled the issue at hand. Issuing an open letter, Tennakoon, urged the CoPF chief to explain his stand on a spate of vital issues which needed to be addressed without any further delay.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
News
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara (Sue Tue Nhan) at the conclusion of the 161 km ‘International Peace Walk’ in Colombo yesterday. The Bo-sapling will be taken to the US by the spiritual leader. Pic by Sujata Jayaratne
Dulani and Samarawickrama set up Sri Lanka’s victory in T20I series opener
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Kegalle, Trincomalee and Batticaloa districts during the day time
Showers or thundershowers will occur in most parts of the island after 1.00 pm
Treasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake handing over a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhiya in Anuradhapura to Ven Bhikku Pannakara
USD 625,000 meant for US Postal Service goes missing
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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