News
CTC: Additional and meaningful actions are critical in continuing to build bridges with Tamil Diaspora
The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) last week (16) handed over a letter to Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe consisting of several demands to foster efforts of reconciliation between the communities. The letter signed by CTC Executive Director Danton Thurairajah was handed over to the Minister by Pachalingam Kandiah, a representative of the organisation. The CTC thanked the Minister for delisting some Tamil Diaspora organisations, including the CTC and said they feel it is a first step towards achieving improved ethnic relations and economic outcomes in Sri Lanka.
“While this is a step in the right direction by the Government of Sri Lanka, we think that additional and meaningful actions are critical in continuing to build bridges with the Diaspora and help the island nation prosper,” they said. It noted that while the organisation has extended its support to Sri Lanka, the Government has not taken any meaningful actions which are long overdue.
In its letter to the Minister, the CTC called on the Government to release all political prisoners, repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act and to also release all the private lands occupied by the Sri Lankan military and cease all illegal land grabs in the Northern and Eastern provinces.
Additionally, the CTC also requested that the Government allow Tamils to mourn and remember the dead, free of intimidation by Sri Lankan state authorities and to support economic growth in the north and foreign investment by reopening the Palaly International Airport.
Handing over the Jaffna Cultural Centre funded by the Indian Government to the Jaffna municipality, compliance with the UNHRC resolution 46/1 of 2021, fully implementing the 13th Amendment and immediately holding provincial council elections, introducing reforms within the security sector, especially in Northern and Eastern Provinces, stopping of all business initiatives in the Northern and Eastern provinces operated by the Sri Lanka Military and opening of Kankesanthurai and Mannar ferry services to India were among the other requests.
“The CTC urges the Sri Lankan Government to take some firm steps to help build trust and create a conducive environment for reconciliation. The work on a permanent long-term solution acceptable to all Sri Lankan communities is vital for the collective growth of the island,” the organisation said.
Public’s interest in the upcoming Provincial Council elections remains low, according to the People’s Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL).
PAFFREL Executive Director Rohana Hettiarachchi told The Island that there was an urgent need to encourage voter participation, noting that a higher voter turnout is essential for a functioning democracy.
Hettiarachchi said that the current level of political campaigning has been relatively subdued, with fewer aggressive or violent activities than seen in previous elections—a trend he described as a positive development.
He, however, stressed that local councils play a vital role in the lives of citizens, from birth- to death-related services, and also contribute to the legislative process. As such, voters must understand their importance and engage in the electoral process.
Despite the peaceful nature of the campaign so far, PAFFREL has received 20 complaints regarding the misuse of state resources and 15 complaints related to physical assaults. Hettiarachchi, however, added that no major incidents have been reported to date.
By Chaminda Silva
A group of 44 diplomats, including those from Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, the Netherlands, India, Myanmar, Palestine, France, New Zealand, Cuba, Egypt, Japan, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Canada and South Korea, headed to Kandy, by train, yesterday morning, to witness the sacred relic exposition.
The group travelled to Kandy in a special observation saloon of a train that departed from the Colombo Fort Railway Station around 7:00 am.
The ‘Sri Dalada Vandanawa’, a special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic, commenced yesterday (18), and will continue till 27 April.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake, along with the ambassadors, high commissioners and other diplomats, participated in the inaugural event.
“This initiative aims to convey a message to Sri Lanka’s friendly nations that the country is recovering economically, overcoming previous challenges, and fostering national harmony. The event also seeks to strengthen international support for Sri Lanka,” the PMD said.
Yesterday (18), on the opening day, the public had the opportunity to pay homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm From today (19) onwards, it will open for public veneration, daily from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.
Police investigations have revealed that the shooting of a 27-year-old man in Ahungalla on Thursday night was a revenge attack. The motive is said to be his failure to carry out a contract killing assigned by a prominent underworld gang leader currently hiding in Dubai.
The 27-year-old victim, who was seriously injured in the attack, is currently receiving treatment at the Balapitiya Hospital. Investigations have further revealed that the attack was ordered by an underworld figure, known as “Abrew,” who is reportedly hiding in Dubai.
It has come to light that Abrew had given the young man a contract to kill a rival. However, since the contract was not carried out, the attack is believed to have been an act of retaliation.On the night of 17 April, around 9:48 pm, the young man received a phone call from an individual who instructed him to come and collect a packet of ice (a term commonly used to refer to crystal meth).
Accordingly, the 27-year-old arrived near the Revatha Primary School, in Balapitiya, Ahungalla in a three-wheeler. At that location, a hired gunman, who had arrived in another three-wheeler, fired three shots at him and fled the scene.
Despite being injured by one of the bullets hitting him, the young man managed to reach the Ahungalla Police Station in the same three-wheeler he had come in. Police officers then arranged for him to be admitted to Balapitiya Hospital for treatment.
By Hemantha Randunu
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