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British HC meets families of missing persons

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British High Commissioner Andrew Patrick meets Jaffna District Secretary Maruthalingam Pradeepan at the District Secretariat

British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, visited Jaffna last week, meeting families of the disappeared, civil society organisations, and district officials, as longstanding demands for truth and accountability over enforced disappearances remain unresolved.

During his visit, Patrick met families of those disappeared in Chemmani, a site synonymous with some of the most notorious allegations of mass killings and enforced disappearances carried out by Sri Lankan security forces in the late 1990s. Following the meeting, the High Commissioner wrote on social media, “Grateful for the opportunity to meet with the families of those disappeared in Chemmani. Hearing their stories firsthand was a powerful reminder of their unwavering search for answers and their decades long pursuit of justice.”

The Tamil Guardian reported that Chemmani has long stood as a stark symbol of the Tamils demand for accountability, with families continuing to seek answers decades after their loved ones were abducted, amid persistent delays and obstruction in investigations. A mass grave uncovered in the area last year has unearthed 240 bodies so far.

Patrick also held discussions with grassroots organisations and civil society actors in Jaffna. Commenting on these engagements, he stated: “I had interesting discussions with grassroots groups in Jaffna. Civil society organisations continue to tackle a wide range of critical issues on the ground, and their unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and reconciliation is vital for shaping Sri Lanka’s future.”

The British High Commissioner also met Jaffna District Secretary Maruthalingam Pradeepan at the District Secretariat, where a detailed discussion was held on post-cyclone recovery and development challenges in the district. During the meeting, Patrick inquired about the impact of Cyclone Ditwah on the Jaffna District.

In response, the District Secretary explained that 20,023 families had been affected by the cyclone. He stated that a payment of 25,000 rupees had been provided to 13,168 families to assist with cleaning their homes, while 15,000 rupees per student had been granted to 15,260 affected schoolchildren to support the purchase of educational materials.

Commenting on the recovery efforts, Patrick said that funds for those affected by Cyclone Ditwah were being provided to the Sri Lankan government and implemented through the Red Cross.

The High Commissioner also highlighted the importance of employment opportunities for young people in the Jaffna District, noting that local youth possess strong skills in information technology and productivity-related sectors. He observed that the implementation of appropriate employment programmes would contribute significantly to the economic development of both the district and the country.

In addition, Patrick reiterated his belief that Tamil expatriates living in the United Kingdom would invest in Jaffna, and sought information from the District Secretary on the district’s current socio-economic development, the Kankesanthurai Investment Zone, and other available investment opportunities.

Also present at the meeting were Raman Chettiar, Second Secretary for Political Affairs at the British High Commission, and Farah Firdous, Political Officer.



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Cabinet nod for MOU between Sri Lanka and Romania on the cooperation in the Labour Field

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Romania, a country that has maintained diplomatic relationship with Sri Lanka for several decades in various fields, has become an increasingly popular destination among Sri Lankan skilled and semi-skilled Labour categories, especially in the fields of construction, manufacturing, hospitality, and services sectors.

At present, the recruitment of Sri Lankan workers to Romania is carried out by licensed private employment agencies under the
supervision of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau. However, since both parties have recognized the need of establishing a more organized and sustainable recruitment method due to increasing  demand, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and the Government of Romania regarding cooperation in the field of the labour sector with the following objectives.

• Establishment of proper mechanism for recruitment and management of workers.
• Promotion of ethical and transparent recruitment practices.
• Protection of rights and welfare of the migrant workers.
• Facilitation of regular discussions between the formal and relevant authorities ofboth countries.
• Improvement of technical cooperation, skills recognition, and capacity building in the labour sector.

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New circular to replace Management Services Circular No. 01/2019

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The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by  the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance,
Planning, and Economic Development to repeal Management Services Circular No. 01/2019 , dated 15-03-2019, issued regarding the implementation of development projects, and to issue a new management services circular including updated provisions instead.

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Four Chief Prelates urge President to appoint NAO official as Auditor General

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Anura Kumara

Chief Prelates of the Malwathu, Asgiriya, Amarapura and Ramanna Nikayas, in a joint letter addressed to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has expressed concern over the protracted delay in appointing a permanent Auditor General.

The Chief Prelates have said that the appointment of an outsider as the Head of the National Audit Office (NAO) responsible for ensuring transparency and accountability in public finances will be inappropriate.

The Chief Prelates have said that they are of the view that Dharmapala Gammanpila, a senior officer with extensive experience within the Auditor General’s Department, is the ideal candidate for the top post. They have also emphasised that his appointment will strengthen the government’s efforts to promote economic prosperity.

Chulantha Wickramaratne, who served as AG for a period of six years, retired in April 2025. Following his retirement, President Dissanayake nominated H.T.P. Chandana, an audit officer at the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, as the AG. The CC rejected that nomination. Subsequently, President Dissanayake appointed the next senior-most official at the NAO Dharmapala Gammanpila as Acting Auditor General for a period of six months. Then, the President nominated Senior Deputy Auditor General L.S.I. Jayarathne to serve in an acting capacity, but her nomination, too, was also rejected. Many an eyebrow was raised when the President nominated O.R. Rajasinghe, the Internal Audit Director of the Sri Lanka Army for the top post. That nomination too was rejected. As a result, the vital position remains vacant since 07 December, 2025.

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