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BTF wants Geneva HR chief to visit Mullivaikkal

Published

10 months ago

2025/06/16

The British Tamils Forum (BTF) has written to United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk urging him to visit Mullivaikkal, the site of the 2009 genocide, and Chemmani, where mass graves have been unearthed. The UNHRC Head is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka shortly.

In a letter dated 27 May 2025, the BTF welcomed the visit and stressed its importance ahead of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council in September. The letter noted that the trip should help substantiate the findings of the OHCHR’s recent evidence-gathering efforts, including those reflected in report A/HRC/57/19 published in August 2024.

BTF General Secretary V Ravi Kumar cautioned that despite efforts by successive Sri Lankan governments to conceal the “scars and ongoing impacts of the atrocity crimes committed in the past seven decades,” Tamil communities continue to suffer the effects of state repression and systemic abuses.

The letter urged Türk to visit several critical locations and meet directly with Tamil civilians, relatives of the disappeared, human rights defenders, and Tamil politicians and parliamentarians in order to gain first-hand insight.

Among the sites highlighted was Mullivaikkal and Chemmani in Jaffna, where a mass grave was recently unearthed during construction work. “This is one of several reported mass graves exposed by developers during project execution in Sri Lanka,” the letter stated. It warned that a significant number of unreported graves remain hidden, with some developers covering up such findings to avoid delays. The Chemmani grave has long been linked to victims of torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings.

The letter further called on the High Commissioner to visit selected areas in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar in the Northern Province, as well as Trincomalee, Batticaloa, and Amparai in the Eastern Province. These areas, it noted, remain under heavy military occupation 16 years after the end of the armed conflict, with Tamil communities subjected to “surveillance, intimidation, many forms of land grabs, systematic destruction of Tamil heritage and historical Hindu temples, and the proliferation of Buddhist structures.”

BTF warned that the Sri Lankan state may seek to block access to these areas under the pretext of security concerns. “Sri Lanka may play its trump-card of security risks and prevent Your Excellency’s visits to Tamil areas to hide its crimes and block access to the voice of the victims, but we wish Your Excellency to be sagacious for not falling into such traps,” the letter stated.

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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district

Published

12 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 15 April 2026, valid for 16 April 2026.

The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Eastern
and Southern provinces and in Monaragala district.

The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.

Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.

ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491

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Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 makes port call in Colombo

Published

16 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Indonesian Navy Sailing Ship KRI BIMA SUCI – 945 arrived at the Port of Colombo on a goodwill visit on 15 Apr 2026 and was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in compliance with time-honoured naval traditions.

The vessel’s arrival is a key highlight of the ASEAN Plus Cadet Sail (APCS) – 2026 programme , accompanying a diverse contingent of Navy cadets from 26 different nations alongside their Indonesian counterparts.

The ship is commanded by Commander SUGENG HARIYANTO. Meanwhile, Officer Under-trainees of the Sri Lanka Navy are expected to participate in various programmes aboard the
ship and naval personnel observe its operational functions during its stay in the island.

Furthermore, the ship’s crew is scheduled to take part in programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance camaraderie between the two navies, as well as visit several tourist attractions in the country.

News

PM initiates children into learning at the auspicious time while observing New Year traditional customs and rituals

Published

17 hours ago

2026/04/15

Priyan

The Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival, organized by the Ministry of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, was held on Tuesday (14) in Gampaha under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, with the performance of traditional auspicious customs and rituals.

In accordance with tradition, during the Punya Kalaya (inauspicious time), the Prime Minister visited the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Viharaya in Gampaha and participated in religious observances and received blessings from Venerable Thunmodara Samitha Thero, a member of the Karaka Sangha Sabha of the Sri Lanka Ramanna Maha Nikaya and the Chief Incumbent of the Medagama Sri Sunandarama Dharmaduta Piriven Viharaya.

The traditional observances of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year cultural festival were held at the residence of Darshana Weerasinghe in Gampaha. Marking the auspicious time for commencing work, and upon the invitation of the host family, the Prime Minister planted a sapling within the premises. Concurrently, Minister of Buddha Sasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi, and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, joined the PM.

Subsequently, the Prime Minister joined children in engaging in traditional folk games.

At the auspicious time for engaging work and educational activities, the PM participated with children in reading and writing, guiding them and symbolically marking the commitment to advancing the educational development of the nation’s children.

Thereafter, the Prime Minister and other distinguished guests observed the traditional customs of exchanging greetings, transactions and gifts with the host family, and joined them to partake in the customary New Year meal.

Extending New Year greetings to all citizens, the Prime Minister expressed her gratitude to all Sri Lankans, both at home and abroad, for their contributions in overcoming and effectively managing the various challenges faced by the country.

Speaking at the occasion, Minister Dr. Hiniduma Sunil Senevi stated that the Sinhala and Tamil New Year festival symbolizes renewal and purity, and reflects the energy of the sun. He also conveyed his wishes for a peaceful and prosperous New Year for all.

The occasion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning and Minister of Labour, Dr. Anil Jayantha; Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe; Member of Parliament for the Gampaha District, Ruwan Mapalagama; along with the Gampaha District Secretary, Mayor, Divisional Secretaries, and a large number of government officials.

(Prime Minister’s Media Division)