News
Farmers, fishers, and herders rally in Batticaloa
South and East unite against threats to natural resources
Farmers, fishers, and pastoral communities the Southern and Eastern Provinces came together in a three-day grassroots-level gathering to resist growing threats to their natural resources.
The discussions were held across three locations—Vakarai, Kathiraveli, and Mailattamadu—and brought together more than 60 local planning forums under the Land and Agrarian Reform Movement.
The landmark meeting provided space for communities—often divided by geography, ethnicity, and religion—to identify shared challenges caused by large-scale development projects, land grabs, and environmental degradation.
Representatives from Hambantota highlighted the adverse impacts of solar power parks and land conversions within the managed elephant conservation reserves. Communities displaced by the Nilwala salt barrier, and farmers affected by the floating solar panels on Kiribban and Chakdrika tanks also shared their stories. Tea plantation expansions that have rapidly destroyed rainforests were another major concern voiced.
From the East, villagers affected by the proposed Ilmenite mining project in Kathiraveli, communities impacted by prawn farming developments in Vakarai, and those displaced by the Mahaweli Authority’s encroachment of Mailattamadu grasslands joined the forum. Collectively, they shared testimonies of being pushed to the margins by projects that threaten their traditional lands and livelihoods.
“This was not just a meeting of complaints—it was an act of resistance and reconciliation,” said Sajeewa Chamikara, a prominent environmental activist and key figure behind the event. “For the first time in years, we saw farmers and fishers from different ethnic and religious backgrounds come together, not only to share their struggles but also to exchange seeds of hope—literally and metaphorically.”
Participants from both provinces exchanged traditional seeds of vegetables and grains, a symbolic and practical gesture aimed at reviving local food systems that have been eroded by commercial agriculture. The event also emphasised the importance of recognising shared humanity over imposed divisions.
“The ruling elite—politicians, corporate actors, and developers—benefit by keeping people divided along ethnic or religious lines. But this meeting showed that such divisions are artificial. When people come together around real issues like land, water, and food, there is no room for racism or extremism,” Chamikara said.
The final day of the gathering concluded with renewed commitment to build a united front for future collective struggles—an alliance beyond language, religion, or region. “This was a convergence of solidarity,” Chamikara emphasised. “It was the beginning of a dream where people will never again be divided. And the only way that dream can come true is if we continue to stand together.”
By Ifham Nizam
The Jana Aragala Sandhanaya yesterday lodged a complaint with the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), calling for an investigation into Deputy Minister Sundaralingam Pradeep over alleged irregularities related to a Guinness World Record event held in Sri Lanka.
The organisation alleged that state patronage had been extended to a private company for the event and that large sums of money had been collected from around 5,000 families of participating students.
Speaking to the media, after submitting the complaint, Jana Aragala Sandhanaya National Executive Council member and Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) Secretary, Duminda Nagamuwa, alleged that the government had promoted the Bharatanatyam workshop, held on June 14, as an event that secured a Guinness World Record for the participation of the largest number of students.
He said a government politician had taken the lead in organising the event, attended by Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe.
Nagamuwa questioned the decision to provide state support for an event organised by a private entity, claiming that the Guinness certificate issued for the achievement had been awarded not to Sri Lanka or a state institution, but to a company.
“Why did the government provide state patronage to a private institution’s programme?” he asked.
He alleged that each of the approximately 5,000 participating students had paid Rs. 5,000, resulting in the collection of a substantial amount of money. He claimed that parents were also asked to pay additional amounts of Rs. 3,450 for logos and Rs. 2,350 for certificates.
Nagamuwa alleged that many families, from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, had incurred heavy expenses travelling to Colombo and staying there for several days for the event, with some families spending around Rs. 30,000 each.
News
Opposition MPs sign motion demanding debate on prolonged failure to fill vacancies in superior courts
Opposition MPs yesterday signed a motion demanding an adjournment debate in Parliament on the prolonged failure to fill vacancies in Sri Lanka’s superior courts.
The motion, submitted under Standing Order 83(1), calls for a debate on the implications of leaving more than eight vacancies in the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal unfilled for over six months.
The Opposition said the proposed debate would examine the impact of the vacancies on the administration of justice, the rule of law, the protection of fundamental rights and public access to justice, while urging the authorities to expedite appointments to the vacant posts.
The motion, bearing the signatures of Opposition MPs, is to be forwarded to Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, for approval, to schedule the debate.
Suranga Sanjeewa Karunaratne, alias ‘Matiya’, an alleged underworld gunman linked to organised crime figure Kehelbaddara Padme, was arrested on arrival at the Bandaranaike International Airport in the early hours yesterday.
Police said the suspect, a resident of Kotugoda, Yagodamulla, had been detained by Malaysian authorities and deported to Sri Lanka. Officers of the CID took him into custody upon his arrival.
Investigators said an Interpol Red Notice had been issued against the suspect.
Karunaratne is wanted in connection with the fatal shooting, near the Gampaha Magistrate’s Court, in July, 2022, in which alleged organised criminal ‘Paspodda’ was killed and several others sustained injuries.
Following preliminary questioning by the CID, the suspect was handed over to the Western Province North Crimes Division for further investigations. Police said a 72-hour detention order had been obtained to facilitate further inquiries.
by Norman Palihawadane ✍️
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