News

Indian court directs to issue passport to woman born to SL parents in TN

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/15

Bringing relief to a woman who was born to Sri Lankan Tamil parents in Mandapam refugee camp in Ramanathapuram district in 1986, the Madurai Bench of India’s Madras High Court held that as per the Citizenship Act, 1955, she was an Indian citizen, and directed the authorities to issue passport to her.

The court was hearing a petition filed by the woman, K. Nalini, who is currently residing at Tiruchi refugee camp. She said her parents came to India when Sri Lanka was on the verge of a civil war and there were atrocities committed against Tamils. She was born in Mandapam refugee camp on April 21, 1986.

The petitioner said she was married now and was a mother of two children. Since she was born in the refugee camp and had stayed there for long, there was stigma attached to it. She said she got an opportunity to go abroad and had applied for an Indian passport.

She said she applied for the Indian passport and the application was processed. But, it was kept pending as the authorities had doubts about her nationality.

She was born on Indian soil and by virtue of the Citizenship Act, 1955, she was an Indian citizen.

Ms. Nalini pointed out that as per Section 3 of the Citizenship Act, every person born in India on or after January 26, 1950, but before July 1, 1987, should be a citizen of India by birth. The objection raised by passport authorities was not warranted. She was an Indian national by birth, she said.

Justice G.R. Swaminathan observed that as per Section 3 of the Citizenship Act, 1955, every person born in India between January 26, 1950 and July 1, 1987 was an Indian citizen. In the present case, the petitioner was born to Sri Lankan refugees in Mandapam refugee camp in 1986. She was now residing in Tiruchi refugee camp. As per the Act, she was an Indian Citizen. Therefore, she was entitled to a passport, the court said and directed Tiruchi passport authority to issue a passport to the petitioner. (The Hindu)

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Singapore Zoo’s first Sri Lankan leopard cubs make their public debut

Published

8 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lankan leopard cubs can be found at the Wild Africa exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday (Straits Times)

Three Sri Lankan leopard cubs that were born at the Singapore Zoo on Jan 1 have now made their public debut at the facility.

The two males and one female, born to mother Yala and father Asanka, are the first of their species yo be born at the Singapore Zoo. The last successful birth in Singapore was recorded at the Night Safari three decades ago.

The triplets, which are the pair’s first litter, are among around 80 Sri Lankan leopards in zoos worldwide.

The species is listed as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, with fewer than 800 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Visitors can now see the triplets at the Wild Africa exhibit, said the Mandai Wildlife Group in a statement on April 16.

The cubs can be found in the exhibit with their mother daily until mid-May and, subsequently, every Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.

*Yala with her cubs in their nest box, a month after their birth on Jan 1. (Straits Times)*

A leopard cub investigating a piece of meat suspended from a tree – one of the several enrichment items in the Wild Africa exhibit designed to keep the cats mentally and physically stimulated. (Straits Times)

Mandai Wildlife Group curator Anand Kumar said it took nearly three years and close collaboration across continents to bring together a compatible pair of Sri Lankan leopards.

(Straits Times)

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-zoos-first-sri-lankan-leopard-cubs-make-their-public-debut?ref=top-stories

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Sri Lanka Navy seize multi day fishing craft suspected of smuggling narcotics

Published

9 hours ago

2026/04/16

Priyan

The Sri Lanka Navy has seized a local multi- day fishing trawler, it’s four man crew together with a consignment suspected to be narcotics off the Southern Coast of the island.

The vessel is presently being escorted to the Dikowita fisheries harbour for further investigations and legal proceedings.

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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

1 day 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