News
CID summons activist following protest against deportation of Rohingya asylum seekers
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has summoned Jesumaney Yartan Figurado, the joint co-ordinator of the North-East Coordinating Committee (NECC) over his participation in a recent protest opposing the deportation of Rohingya asylum seekers, the Tamil Guardian reported yesterday (13).
A police officer from the CID office in Konthapity, Mannar, went to Figurado’s office, where he was asked to report to the CID’s Human Trafficking and Maritime Crime Division and make a statement over his involvement in the protest on January 9.
Figurado is expected to go to the CID office in Colombo on January 17, 2025.
Last week, the NECC held a protest in Mullaitivu alongside local women’s community-based organisations, human rights defenders, fisher societies, and journalists, calling on the government not to deport Rohingya asylum seekers who landed here in a boad while fleeing persecution in Myanmar.
The refugees including 25 children were rescued from a distressed boat by local fishermen in the Mullaitivu District, who provided assistance to the stranded individuals and informed the Sri Lankan Navy.
On January 3, Ananda Wijepala, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Public Security, announced that the government was in discussions with Myanmar and they were exploring the possibility of deporting the Rohingyas.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Latest News
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to appoint M. M. D. J. Senarathne, who is the senior most officer in Grade I of Sri Lanka Scientific Service se
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
M. M. D. J. Senarathne, appointed Director General of the Department of National Botanical Gardens
Harmanpreet Kaur steps down as India captain
Turkiye, Pakistan agree Saudi Arabia military deployment under Mecca pact
Rumesh Tharanga among nominees announced for World Athlete of the Year 2026
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