News
Direct air service between TN and Jaffna after five decades
A direct air service between Tiruchirappalli in Tamil Nadu and Jaffna in Sri Lanka officially commenced on 30 March 2025, marking the first such connection between the two cities in nearly five decades, Tamil Guardian reported yesterday (01)
Operated by IndiGo Airlines, the inaugural service is part of a broader push to restore and expand regional connectivity between India and Tamil Eelam, it claimed. The route, which had been inactive since the escalation of armed conflict in the late 1970s, was revived following the 2019 reopening of Palaly Airport—now renamed Jaffna International Airport.
Flights will operate six days a week, departing Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) at 13:25 and landing in Jaffna (JAF) at 14:25. The return flight from Jaffna departs at 15:10 and arrives back in Tiruchirappalli by 16:05. Fares range from INR 5,900 to INR 6,400 for a one-way ticket.
On the first day of operations, 27 passengers landed at Palaly Airport at 2:02 PM, and 36 passengers boarded the return flight around 3:00 PM. The milestone was marked with a cake-cutting ceremony led by Indian Deputy Consul General Sai Murali.
The revival of the Tiruchirappalli-Jaffna route follows the earlier launch of flights between Chennai and Jaffna, creating a critical air bridge with Tamil Nadu. The flight takes just 75 minutes between the two cities.
According to Sri Lanka’s Airport and Aviation Services, the new connection is a “major step forward in enhancing direct regional air connectivity”. IndiGo has already become the largest foreign airline operating in Sri Lanka, with 54 weekly flights linking Colombo and Jaffna to cities including Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.
“This underscores our commitment to strengthening India-Sri Lanka bilateral relations,” said Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo. He added that the route would “stimulate tourism and faster economic growth.”
Despite historical resistance from the Sri Lankan state to increased Indian involvement in the Tamil-majority North-East, India has continued to push for enhanced connectivity. The opening of the Tiruchirappalli-Jaffna route forms part of a broader Indian strategy to invest in regional infrastructure and reinforce cultural and economic ties.
IndiGo’s promotional materials described Jaffna as “a destination that boasts a rich history and cultural significance,” noting its “vibrant Tamil heritage”. The airline has also unveiled plans to launch non-stop flights from Bengaluru to Jaffna in the near future.
However, Palaly Airport continues to lie within a High Security Zone (HSZ) under military control.
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The National Building Research Institute has issued landslide early warnings to the districts of Colombo, Galle, Gampaha, Hambanthota, Kalutara, Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala, Matara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 16:00 hrs on 25.09.2026 To 16:00 hrs on 26.09.2026
Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Neluwa, Nagoda, Niyagama and Thawalama inthe Galle district, Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa and Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, and Kothmale West, Ambagamuwa, Kotmale East and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district.
LEVEL II [AMBER] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Elpitiya, Baddegama and Karandeniya in the Galle district, Walallawita in the Kalutara district, Deltota, Udunuwara, Gangawata Korale, Yatinuwara and Panvila in the Kandy district, Aranayake, Dehiowita, Mawanella, Deraniyagala and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district, Thalawakelle in the Nuwara Eliya district and Ratnapura and Pelmadulla in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I [YELLOW] landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka and Padukka in the Colombo district, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Katuwana and Walasmulla in the Hambanthota district, Ingiriya and Bulathsinhala in the Kalutara district, Hatharaliyadda, Poojapitiya, Medadumbara, Kundasale, Ududumbara, Thumpane, Akurana, Pathadumbara, Harispattuwa and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Warakapola, Bulathkohupitiya, Galigamuwa, Kegalle and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Alawwa, Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kegalle district, Pitabeddara, Kotapola and Pasgoda in the Matara district, Nuwara Eliya in the Nuwara Eliya district and Elapatha, Ayagama, Nivithigala, Kuruwita and Kalawana in the Ratnapura district
News
22A, Judicature Amendment Bills passed with 2/3 majority
Parliament yesterday passed the Twenty-Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill and the Judicature (Amendment) Bill with two-thirds majorities, with 158 MPs voting in favour and 63 against each Bill.
The Illankai Tamil Arasu Kadchi (ITAK) and Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) voted with the SJB against the Bills.
NDF MPs Ravi Karunanayake and Faizer Musthapha and SJB Badulla District MP Nayana Wasalathilaka were not present when the votes were taken.
The final vote on the Judicature (Amendment) Bill was announced at around 8.08 p.m. after Opposition MPs called for divisions on its clauses during the Committee Stage.
The votes followed a two-day debate which commenced on Thursday (24), after Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara presented the Bills for their Second Reading.
The Supreme Court’s determination on the Bills was presented to Parliament on Tuesday (22) by Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne. The Court determined that the 22nd Amendment Bill did not require approval at a referendum and could be passed by a special two-thirds majority in Parliament.
The amendment provides for raising the mandatory retirement age of Supreme Court judges from 65 to 67 and that of Court of Appeal judges from 63 to 65. It also provides for the Chief Justice to retire at 67 or after completing six years in office, whichever comes earlier.
The Speaker informed Parliament that the Judicature (Amendment) Bill could be passed by a simple majority.
The SJB opposed the legislation and its MPs attended Parliament dressed in black yesterday. The party also staged a protest at Polduwa Junction, Battaramulla, under the theme “No to 22, which destroys democracy”, with Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and several SJB politicians participating.
News
TIN mandatory for key transactions from Nov. 1
A valid Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate will be required for a range of key transactions in Sri Lanka from November 1, 2026, the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has announced.
The requirement, introduced under the Inland Revenue (Amendment) Act, No. 11 of 2026, applies to transactions specified under Section 102(3) of the Inland Revenue Act.
Accordingly, individuals will be required to produce a valid TIN Certificate when opening an account at a bank or financial institution, obtaining approval for a building plan, registering or renewing the licence of a motor vehicle, registering land or title to land, registering a business, transferring shares in a company incorporated in Sri Lanka or obtaining a credit card.
In the case of share transfers, both the transferor and transferee will be required to provide TIN certificates.
The IRD said officials handling such transactions had been instructed to ensure that a valid TIN Certificate was submitted before processing or completing the relevant transaction.
The Department advised those who do not already have a TIN to obtain one in advance through its e-Services platform.
It said a printout of the TIN verification result showing the applicant’s National Identity Card number and TIN could also be accepted instead of the certificate.The IRD also reiterated that obtaining a TIN is mandatory for resident individuals aged 18 and above under the applicable provisions.
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