News
Gajendrakumar claims his rights have been violated

All Ceylon Tamil Congress leader MP Ganjendrakumar Ponnambalam told Parliament yesterday that his rights had been violated by the police.
Raising a privilege issue the MP said that the police had been making several false statements to the media regarding a recent incident of confrontation between him and some policemen.
The MP said: “Considering that it is ultimately the police department itself that has to investigate this incident which also consists of possible crimes committed by one of its own police station members, the fact that the police department has already drawn adverse conclusions against me, means that my rights have been violated by the entire department and it has thereby lost its credibility to investigate this matter in a just and impartial manner pertaining to me and other individuals associated with me, whose rights have been violated.”
The MP said that the police headquarters spokesman who is also an attorney at law, has been making several false statements to the media regarding the incident. “All these statements have been made as the official position of the police inquiry, whilst till yesterday my statement regarding the incident has not been obtained.
Several Sinhala and English media have unquestioning accepted the Police’s version of events despite the police being a party to the 2nd June incident and have published many news items that are blatantly false or thoroughly misleading at the very least. One paper ran a lead story on the 7th June saying I had gone into hiding. Mr. Speaker, even when my father was assassinated by the state I or my family didn’t run. Even when at the height of the war when white van abductions were rampant and extrajudicial killings were taking place against Tamils, I didn’t run away. Now, when the Police have completely exposed themselves for what they are, an institution completely corrupt, that unleashes state terror on the Tamil people, and in my case have completely acted illegally and partially, I’m hardly going to run away. It is in fact in my and my people’s interest to expose everything for what it is.
Considering that it is ultimately the police department itself that has to investigate this incident which also consists of possible crimes committed by one of its own police station members, the fact that the police department has already drawn adverse conclusions against me, means that my rights have been violated by the entire department and it has thereby lost its credibility to investigate this matter in a just and impartial manner pertaining to me and other individuals associated with me, whose rights have been violated.
Accordingly I ask you, Hon. Speaker, to take all measures that you deem fit to safeguard my rights and privileges.”
News
Pope Leo appeals for no more war in first Sunday address

Pope Leo XIV appealed for “no more war” in a message to world powers during his first Sunday address at the Vatican.
Reflecting on current conflicts, the newly selected pontiff called for a “lasting peace” in the war in Ukraine, a ceasefire in Gaza, and welcomed Saturday’s agreement to end recent hostilities between India and Pakistan.
He said he was “deeply hurt” by events in Gaza, expressed hope for a “lasting accord” between India and Pakistan, and wished for a “authentic, true and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
The Pope also recited the Regina Caeli prayer, in honour of the Virgin Mary, to the crowd in St Peter’s Square.
Latest News
May this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings – PM

In her Vesak day message, Prime Minister Dr Harini Amarasuriya wished that this Vesak celebration be a blessed one filled with kindness and compassion towards all living beings
The full text of the prime ministers vesak day message:
“It is an honor to extend my Vesak day message to all citizens of the nation during this sacred period in which Buddhist community across Sri Lanka come together to pay homage to the Lord Buddha, upholding both material and spiritual offerings and commemorating the threefold sacred events of the Lord Buddha’s life.
Since ancient times, the lives of the Sri Lankan people have been deeply rooted by the teaching of the Lord Buddha and this is a greater inheritance we have received through the Dhamma. In our country, where people of diverse ethnicities and religions coexist in harmony, the collective celebration of a major religious festival such as Vesak stands as a powerful testament to that unity.
This year Vesak day celebration marks the first to be celebrated under the current government, which was established with the vision of “A Prosperous Country, a Beautiful Life.” I believe that this Vesak season is a particularly a time to heal the hearts and minds of humanity, especially as our nation embarks on a path of meaningful transformation. Through this message, I take this opportunity to invite all of citizens to unite in mind and spirit, bound together by mutual respect and compassion.
I join all Sri Lankans in praying that the flames of war burning in various parts of the world at this moment may be extinguished, and that all people across the globe may be blessed with lives of happiness and peace.
May all of you have a blessed Vesak!”
News
Special waste management programme launched under “Clean Sri Lanka” during the State Vesak Festival

Parallel with the State Vesak Festival that commenced on Saturday (10) in the Nuwara Eliya District, a special waste management initiative has been launched under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme to enhance facilities for devotees and ensure proper waste disposal in the city of Nuwara Eliya.
With hundreds of thousands of people expected to visit Nuwara Eliya during the Vesak Week, from May 10 to 16, this initiative is aimed at preserving the cleanliness and beauty of the area.
The programme will focus particularly on areas around the Gregory Lake, a key tourist attraction, and the Nuwara Eliya International Buddhist Centre, the venue for the State Vesak Festival.
In addition, the “Clean Sri Lanka” initiative urges visiting devotees to refrain from bringing non-biodegradable material such as polythene and calls on all citizens to act responsibly by properly disposing of waste only at designated locations, while maintaining the sanctity and cleanliness of the environment.
-
Business7 days ago
Aitken Spence Travels continues its leadership as the only Travelife-Certified DMC in Sri Lanka
-
Latest News6 days ago
NPP win Maharagama Urban Council
-
Business7 days ago
LinearSix and InsureMO® expand partnership
-
Features2 days ago
SAITM Graduates Overcome Adversity, Excel Despite Challenges
-
Business5 days ago
John Keells Properties and MullenLowe unveil “Minutes Away”
-
Sports2 days ago
ASBC Asian U22 and Youth Boxing Championships from Monday
-
News2 days ago
Destined to be pope:Brother says Leo XIV always wanted to be a priest
-
Foreign News3 days ago
Mexico sues Google over ‘Gulf of America’ name change