Sri Lanka has sought Somali help to ascertain the whereabouts of a Sri Lankan sailor, abducted on 21 April this year. He was among a 17-member crew of the oil tanker Honour 25, hijacked near the Somali coast. The crew consisted of 10 Pakistanis, four Indonesians, one Indian, one Sri Lankan and one from Myanmar.

The Ambassador-designate of Sri Lanka, Nirmala Paranavitana, recently met the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Somalia in Addis Ababa, Abdullahi Mohamed Warfa, to discuss bilateral cooperation, with particular emphasis on consular coordination, on the hijacking of the vessel in the Puntland maritime region.

The Foreign Ministry here said the incident occurred in a complex maritime environment, and that information regarding the current status of the vessel and personnel, remains subject to ongoing verification. Sri Lanka expressed appreciation for the continued cooperation of Somali authorities and requested further facilitation in engaging relevant institutions to support ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring the safe and timely resolution of the matter. Somali authorities reaffirmed their readiness to assist and to facilitate appropriate coordination with relevant national and regional authorities.

Recent rumours circulating on social media regarding a potential move to lift the ban on cattle slaughter, within the Kandy municipal limits, have been categorically denied by both the Kandy Mayor and representatives of the Muslim community.

The allegations suggested that there were attempts to bypass the long-standing ban implemented 14 years ago during the tenure of former Mayor Mahendra Ratwatte, to facilitate slaughter activities during the upcoming Hajj festival season.

In response to these rumours, former Mayor and current Basnayake Nilame of the Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, Mahendra Ratwatte, addressed a formal letter to incumbent Mayor Chandrasiri Wijenayake. In his communication, Ratwatte expressed concerns over reports suggesting that some parties were lobbying for permission to resume animal slaughter, urging the municipal leadership to maintain the sanctity of the Sacred City of Kandy, which houses the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic.

However, the Kandy Mayor, Chandrasiri Wijenayake, firmly dismissed these claims. “There is no such move. Neither I nor the Municipal Commissioner have granted any permission for cattle slaughter, nor do we intend to do so,” the Mayor stated. This stance was further corroborated by the Leader of the Opposition, Lalantha Pieris, who confirmed that the Kandy Municipal Council has not issued any authorisation for such activities, within the city limits.

The Muslim community, often the subject of these rumours, has also stepped forward to clarify their position. Maulavi Mohamed Aslam, Manager of the Collaboration Centre at the Katukele Jumma Mosque, explicitly stated that the Muslim community respects the decision to ban animal slaughter in Kandy, a World Heritage and sacred city.

“The Muslim community is not opposed to the ban. We respect the religious freedom of our Buddhist brothers and sisters. Even on Poya days, we ensure our activities do not interfere with their observances. If any party is attempting to orchestrate such a situation, we will not support them,” he asserted.

Maulavi Aslam emphasised the community’s commitment to social harmony, noting that they have no intention of creating unnecessary friction. “Kandy is a sacred, world-heritage city, and we recognise this status. We continue to respect the decision made years ago, following requests from the Maha Sangha, to keep this city free from animal slaughter. We will not support any act that infringes upon the religious freedom of the Buddhists,” he concluded.

By S.K. Samaranayake

The Constitutional Council of Sri Lanka has approved the appointment of Yasantha Kodagoda as a member of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), filling the vacancy created by the retirement of former Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairaja.

Official sources said Justice Kodagoda would assume duties on the Commission following the completion of the constitutional approval process.

The Judicial Service Commission plays a critical role in Sri Lanka’s judicial administration, particularly in matters relating to the appointment, transfer, disciplinary control and dismissal of judicial officers in the subordinate courts.

Justice Kodagoda, a senior member of the Supreme Court bench, is widely regarded for his extensive experience in criminal law, constitutional matters and judicial administration.

Prior to his elevation to the Supreme Court, he served as the Attorney General of Sri Lanka and held several senior positions within the Attorney General’s Department over a distinguished legal career spanning decades.

Legal observers noted that the appointment comes at a significant time for Sri Lanka’s judiciary amid increasing public focus on judicial independence, institutional accountability and reforms within the legal sector.

The Constitutional Council’s approval is in keeping with the constitutional framework governing appointments to key independent commissions and institutions.

By Ifham Nizam