News

Lanka welcomes Indian SC remarks on Katchatheevu dispute

Published

1 week ago

2026/10/11

Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources, Ramalingam Chandrasekar, has welcomed observations made by the Indian Supreme Court calling for Tamil Nadu fishermen to be educated on the need to avoid entering Sri Lankan waters illegally.

In a statement, the Minister said the court’s observations, made during hearings on petitions seeking the return of Katchatheevu Island to India, highlighted the importance of respecting the internationally recognised maritime boundary between the two countries.

According to the statement, a Supreme Court bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kumar stressed the need to provide clear instructions to Tamil Nadu fishermen to prevent them from crossing the maritime boundary and fishing in Sri Lankan waters, particularly around Katchatheevu Island.

“We welcome the observations made by the Indian Supreme Court regarding the need to educate Tamil Nadu fishermen to refrain from illegally entering Sri Lankan waters for fishing,” Chandrasekar said.

The Minister said protecting Sri Lanka’s marine resources and environment remained a key government responsibility.

He expressed concern over illegal and destructive fishing practices by foreign vessels, particularly methods that damage the seabed and threaten the livelihoods of fishing communities in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province.

Chandrasekar also reiterated Sri Lanka’s position on the bilateral agreements signed with India in 1974 concerning Katchatheevu and in 1976 regarding maritime boundaries and fishing rights.

He said the agreements were based on longstanding diplomatic understandings between the two countries and stressed the importance of respecting maritime boundaries while protecting fishermen’s livelihoods.

The Minister further emphasised the need to pursue sustainable solutions through bilateral discussions and diplomatic mechanisms.

Meanwhile, according to the statement, Justice Sanjay Kumar also referred to his observations during a visit to Sri Lanka, praising the public’s commitment to maintaining clean beaches and public spaces and protecting the environment.

The Indian Supreme Court has not delivered a final ruling on the legal validity of the 1974 and 1976 agreements between India and Sri Lanka. Further hearings in the Katchatheevu case have been postponed until February 2027.

The Minister said the court’s observations were significant for protecting fishing communities, conserving marine resources and strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and India.

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News

Establishment of the National Higher Performance Centre

Published

5 mins ago

2026/10/20

Priyan

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports to establish the proposed National Higher Performance Centre for atletes.

News

State patronage for the cremation ceremony of the late deputy prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of the Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya, Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha, Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero

Published

15 mins ago

2026/10/20

Priyan

The cremation ceremony of the late Deputy Prelate (Anu Nayaka Thero) of Sri Laka Ramangya Maha Nikaya,
Gatambe Rajopawanramadhipatha, Siri Chandawimala Wanshalankara, Chandrakeerthi Sri Amarawansha,
Sadhdharmawageeshwara, Shasanashobhanna Most Venerable Keppetiyagoda Siriwimalabhidhana Thero who passed away on 18.10.2026 is scheduled to be held at the Gatambe Urban Council playground on 21.10.2026.

The Cabinet of Ministers approved the joint resolution furnished by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local Governments and the Minister of Buddha Shasana, Religions and Cultural Activities to conduct the cremation ceremony with state patronage.

News

Implementation of Suraksha Student Insurance Program for the Year 2026/2027

Published

22 mins ago

2026/10/20

Priyan

The Suraksha Student Insurance Program has been initiated with the primary objective of the creation of the necessary environment for the students who encounter various obstacles due to various health issues to overcome barriers and continue their education without any interruption.

The students studying in government schools, government approved private schools, Pirivenas and Assisted special schools are eligible to obtain the benefits under this program.

The Cabinet of Ministers, decided to grant their approval for the resolution furnished by the Prime Minister, in her capacity as the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, to revise and implement the currently enforced agreement regarding the aforementioned Suraksha Student Insurance Program between the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation for the period from 01-09-2026 to 31-08-2027,
with the inclusion of the following new benefits as well.

• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs. 75,000/- for repairing hearing accessories and for the service charges incurred thereof.

• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/-for the students who are taking medicines in long term for the diseases such as for chronic kidney diseases and Chronic
Inflammatory Arthritis.

• Providing the opportunity to claim benefits up to Rs.20,000/- for the expenses incurred for the tests Malignancy Screening Test for Skin Cancer, Post-transplant Lymphoproliferative Disorder (PTLD), Screening Test for Osteoporosis, Screening Test for Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.

• Revising ‘Cancer Treatment’ under the critical illness category to ‘Cancer Treatment and related Testing’, and covering expenses incurred for major surgeries required for hip, shoulder, and knee joint replacements due to sudden accidents, as well as PET Scans, under the critical illness category.

• Providing the opportunity to claim an amount of Rs. 100,000/- under the accidental category for student fatalities occurring due to sudden accidents during activities organized by institutions under the Ministry of Education, Higher Education, and Vocational Education, and conducted under the supervision of educational authorities (such as educational terms/excursions and sports meets, etc.) either within or outside the school.