News
Kashmir Black Day to be observed in Sri Lanka
The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Colombo organized a seminar/photo exhibition to mark the ‘Kashmir Black Day’ on Oct 27 at the BMICH.A press release issued by the Pakistan High Commission said: The event was attended by people from different walks of life including opinion makers, professional, journalists, writers, and local friends of Kashmir as well as the Pakistani community. Documentaries and photos depicting atrocities committed by the Indian forces in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu Kashmir were also shown to the participants. The messages from President and Prime Minister of Islamic Republic of Pakistan were also readout for the audience.
The seminar was addressed by Shiraz Yoonus, political activist and National Coordinator of Muslim Affairs and Suriya Rizwi a Pakistani Alumni. The panel of speakers highlighted Indian atrocities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and inhumane treatment of innocent Kashmiris at the hands of Indian occupation forces, which originated when the people of Jammu and Kashmir were denied the right of self-determination in 1947. On Oct 27, 1947 the land was acceded to India through an improper and illegal Instrument of Kashmir Accession. Ever since, Indian Illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJ&K) has been the largest prison on the planet. Referring to the United Nations Security Council’s special sessions on the Kashmir issue, the speakers noted that the international community is no more a silent spectator to the Indian atrocities.
High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), while thanking the guest speakers and attendees, paid homage to the people of Jammu & Kashmir for their just struggle against decades long Indian illegal occupation of Jammu & Kashmir and reiterated Pakistan’s moral, political and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris in their right to self-determination. Explaining the purpose of the exhibition and seminar, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M) said that Pakistan and its people are united in their hearts and minds with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters. We have always stood for a peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute according to the aspirations of the people of Kashmir and in keeping with the principles of UNSC resolutions. Despite the ebb and flow of global politics, Pakistan has and will always continue to remain committed to the cause of Kashmir until the Kashmiris are given their right to self-determination and therefore, their freedom.
The government, under heavy Opposition fire over inclusion of a sex website in the Grade 6 English module, as well as overall education reforms, has decided to put on hold reforms in respect of Grade 6.
Cabinet Spokesman and Media and Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the government decision yesterday (13) at the post-Cabinet media briefing at the Information Department.
According to him, the decision had been taken at the previous day’s Cabinet meeting, chaired by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Dr. Jayatissa said that education reforms pertaining to Garde 6 had been put on hold until 2027.
The Minister said that other proposed education reforms would be implemented as planned. The Minister said that action would be taken against those responsible for the inclusion of a link to a sex website following investigations conducted by the Criminal Investigation Department and the National Education Institute.
The SJB and several other political parties, as well as civil society groups, have accused the government of promoting an LGBTQ agenda, through the proposed education reforms.
The Opposition grouping Mahajana Handa, on Monday, made representations to the Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatta Chapter regarding the controversial reforms, while urging their intervention to halt the project.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday (13) vowed to go ahead with his government’s agenda, regardless of the destruction caused by Cyclone Ditwah.
Emphasising the responsibility on the part of all to contribute to the post-Ditwah recovery efforts, President Dissanayake said that he would have complete faith in the public service.
The President said so at the launch of the re-building Sri Lanka project at the BMICH yesterday.
The JVP and NPP leader said that he wouldn’t take advantage of the death and destruction caused by the cyclone or use the situation as an excuse to reverse their agenda or weaken it.
President Dissanayake said that in spite of many calling for amending the then Budget, in view of the cyclone, the government presented the proposals that were agreed before the disaster struck.
The United States has announced that it will provide the Sri Lanka Air Force with 10 US Navy TH-57 helicopters free of charge.
The announcement was made by outgoing US Ambassador Julie Chung, who stated, on social media, that the helicopters would be transferred under the United States’ Excess Defence Articles programme. The aircraft are Bell 206 Sea Ranger helicopters previously operated by the US Navy.
US sources said that the transfer was intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster response capabilities, following the devastating cyclone that struck the island at the end of 2025 and killed more than 600 people. US officials have framed the move as a humanitarian measure aimed at improving aerial rescue and relief operations.
Fair weather will prevail except for a few showers in the Uva, Eastern, Western and Central provinces and in Galle, Matara and Rathnapura districts
Trump cancels US-Iran meetings, urges protesters to take over institutions
Govt. bows to pressure, shelves Grade 6 reforms
AKD: Govt. agenda on track despite Ditwah disaster
SL to receive 10 helicopters from US
Foreign couple held over alleged biopiracy at Horton Plains
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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