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Group representing N&E condemns GTF-led initiative, draws govt. attention to five issues
A number of Tamil political parties and organisations have condemned the GTF (Global Tamil Forum)-led initiative aimed at promoting post-war national reconciliation though the US has welcomed it.
Tamil civil society groups consisting of university students, families of the disappeared, religious groups, labour unions, academics, women groups et al jointly rejected the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ by an association called Sanga for better Sri Lanka (SBSL) and GTF. They alleged the ‘Himalaya Declaration’ didn’t address their grievances.
They alleged SBSL and GTF ignored the pain and suffering of Tamils during the conflict and post-war period.A delegation, led by the UK-based GTF spokesperson Suren Surendiran, was in Colombo recently to promote the latest reconciliation effort.
The move drew swift condemnation from TNPF MP Gajendrakumar Ponnanbalam and former TNA MP Suresh Premachandran (EPRLF) while the TNA distanced itself from the GTF effort.
The Tamil grouping drew the attention of the government and all other parties to the following issues:
1) Reduce armed forces presence in Tamil areas to the pre-war 1983 levels
2) Stop the destruction of Hindu temples, ancient Hindu sites and stop building Buddhist temples in Tamil areas
3) Stop government sponsored Sinhalese settlements in Tamil areas and stop land grab of Tamil lands by the government. Release all the civilian lands still occupied by the security forces.
4) As requested by the UN, refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court (ICC)
5) To prevent further bloodshed, hold an internationally conducted referendum to solve protracted Tamil conflict
The following were the signatories: A. Vijayakumar, President – Student Union, University of Jaffna, Y. Kanagaranjini, President – Association for relatives of the enforced Disappearances, North and East Provinces, Thavathiru Velan Swamigal, Sivaguru Aatheenam – Coordinator, Pottuvil to Polikandy Rally, (P2P), Fr. Joseph Marry (S J) – Batticaloa, T. Thangaraja, President – Employee’s Union, University of Jaffna, Vimaleswaran Srikantharuban, Women United Monitoring Society, North and East Provinces, Thavathiru Adikal, Thenkailai Aatheenam – Trincomalee, Fr. Jayanthan Pachchek OMI, Oblates of Mary Immaculate – Jaffna, Vigneswaren Gajaruban, Student Union, Faculty of Art and Culture, Eastern University, Mithilaichelvi Sripathmanathan, Working Women Society, Fr. Kandaiya Jegathas, Coordinator, Pottuvil to Polikandy Rally, (P2P) and S. Sivachandran, Centre for Women and Development.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
The Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre has issued an Advisory for Severe Lightning for the Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district.
The advisory issued at 02.00 p.m. today [07 April 2025] is valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 07 April 2025
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambantota district. There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
• Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
• Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
• Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
• For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
The report of the “Census of Population and Housing 2024,” conducted by the Department of Census and Statistics, was officially handed over to President Anura Kumara Disanayake this morning (07) at the Presidential Secretariat.
This preliminary report has been prepared based on island wide data collected between October and December 2024.
The report provides details on Sri Lanka’s population, its growth and the distribution of the population across districts.
The information gathered through the census is vital not only for the government but also for other institutions in formulating policies and development plans essential for the country’s progress. Significantly, for the first time in the history of census-collecting in Sri Lanka, data collection was carried out using tablet computers and user-friendly mobile devices.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Finance & Planning, Harshana Suriyapperuma, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance Mahinda Siriwardana, Director General of the Department of Census and Statistics D.D.G.A. Senevirathne and several other officials.
The Central Bank of Sri Lanka today (07) presented its flagship publication, the Annual Economic Review for 2024 (AER 2024), to President and Minister of Finance, Anura Kumara Disanayake, highlighting the steady progress of Sri Lanka’s economic recovery following the country’s most severe downturn in recent history.
The report was officially handed over by Dr. P. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank, during a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.
AER 2024 comprises four main chapters: Macroeconomic Developments, Conditions of the Financial System, Review of Central Bank’s Policies and Macroeconomic Outlook.
According to the Review, the Sri Lankan economy showed significant signs of recovery in 2024, following the deep economic crisis experienced two years ago. The recovery trajectory, though challenging, has been notably faster than that of many other debt-distressed countries.
Improvements in economic activity, a partial resurgence in purchasing power and reduced uncertainty are among the key positive indicators noted in the report.
The event was attended by Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, K. M. Mahinda Siriwardena, Secretary to the Treasury, Mrs. K. M. A. N. Daulagala, Senior Deputy Governor, Dr. C. Amarasekara, Assistant Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) S. Jegajeevan, Director of Economic Research and Dr. L. R. C. Pathberiya and Additional Director of Economic Research at the Central Bank Dr. V. D. Wickramarachchi.
[PMD]
Advisory for severe lightning issued for Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Hambanthota district
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