The Navy on April 28 carried out post-event maintenance efforts at Kandy Lake, following the Siri Dalada Vandanawa.

The collaborative efforts of the officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Secretariat, the Department of Irrigation, the Department of Archaeology and the Navy ensured the preservation of the lake’s natural beauty.

(Pic courtesy Navy media)

The Presidential Media Division (PMD) said yesterday that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had received an assurance from the head of the South Asia Division of the European Union (EU), Charles Whiteley during a meeting that the European Union would positively consider extending the GSP+ trade concession to Sri Lanka in its review.

The EU delegation, which arrived on Monday (28)., will be here till May 7. The EU delegation said the team would take stock of progress on the fulfilment of conditions linked to the granting of GSP+ trade preferences.

Political, Press, and Information Section of the Delegation said: “This is part of the regular biannual monitoring to which the Government of Sri Lanka has committed in order to benefit from GSP+. The Mission will meet government officials, relevant institutions, politicians, civil society, business associations, trade unions and will also make site visits.

Sri Lanka is one among eight low- or lower-middle income countries benefiting from the GSP+. This is a special incentive arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good Governance that is open for vulnerable developing countries that have ratified 27 international conventions on human rights, labour rights, environmental protection and climate change, and good governance. The effective implementation of these 27 conventions is monitored with biannual missions and reports.”

Among those who had been re-elected in the Canadian general election was Gary Anandasangaree, who made history earlier this year by becoming the first-ever Tamil-Canadian to be appointed as Canada’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, the Tamil Guardian reported. Anandasangaree was appointed to the role on 14 March.

Before his entry into politics, Anandasangaree forged a career as a lawyer and community advocate, working with organisations such as the Canadian Tamils’ Chamber of Commerce, the Canadian Tamil Congress, and the Canadian Tamil Youth Development Centre, the Tamil Guardian reported. Anandasangaree was also a familiar voice at the United Nations Human Rights Council, where he frequently spoke out on the alleged ongoing persecution of Tamils in Sri Lanka and called for international accountability for war crimes.

As a Member of Parliament, Anandasangaree was instrumental in Canada’s recognition of May 18th as Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day—the first country in the world to officially do so. He also championed sanctions against Sri Lankan officials accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity. In addition to his work on Tamil issues, Anandasangaree has been a prominent advocate for Indigenous rights within Canada. As Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, he worked to advance reconciliation initiatives, address historical injustices, and promote Indigenous land rights.

Also elected to parliament was another Tamil-Canadian Juanita Nathan for the Liberal Party.