News
GTF won’t support separate state, Surendiran tells MPs
Global Tamil Forum (GTF) Spokesman Suren Surendiran yesterday (12) said that if he supported a separate state he wouldn’t have been in Sri Lanka.
The UK based GTF representative said so when SLPP MP Sarath Weerasekera, a former Chief of Staff of the Navy asked him whether he supported the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that waged war for a separate state in Northern and Eastern Provinces of the country.
The former Public Security Minister raised the issue at a meeting held in the Committee Room 2 of Parliament, chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
The GTF delegation is here for talks with the government and other political parties to reach post-war consensus on how to bring communities together.
Political sources said that the GTF met members of Parliament to brief them about the ongoing process. Surendiran has explained the circumstances leading to them seeking a consensus with the Buddhist clergy as they spearheaded protests against some previous initiatives, including the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, enacted in 1988, meant to solve the ethnic issue.
MP Weerasekera has pointed out that the Buddhist clergy came forward whenever the unitary state of the country was threatened. Pointing out that the Buddhist clergy protected the country for the last 2500 years — a period during which we experienced 17 invasions, the Navy veteran said that the LTTE fought for a separate state.
Weerasekera said: “Terrorism is defined as killing innocents to achieve a political aim. So whether the cause for terrorism is justifiable or not terrorism cannot be justified. Although we comprehensively defeated terrorism we find that western countries allow commemoration of the LTTE.”
When MP Weerasekera asked Surendiran whether he supported the LTTE, the GTF official said that they were not for a separate state. If they were for a separate state, he wouldn’t have been here, he has said (SF)
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Landslide Early Warnings issued to the districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organisation (NBRO) has issued early warnings to the Districts of Kalutara, Nuwara Eliya and Ratnapura from 1600hrs on 13th June 2026 till 1600hrs on 14th June 2026.
Accordingly,
LEVEL I (YELLOW) landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surounding areas of Palindanuwara and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ambagamuwa in the Nuwara Eliya and Ayagama, Pelmadulla,
Godakawela, Elapatha, Kalawana, Ratnapura and Nivithigala in the Ratnapura district.
News
INS Sharda departs Colombo concluding replenishment visit
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Sharda’ departed the island today (13 Jun 26), concluding her replenishment purposes.
On departure the vessel was accorded a traditional naval farewell by the Sri Lanka Navy at the Port of Colombo.
The visit also paved the way for vibrant personnel interactions, fostering camaraderie and goodwill. The crew of INS Sharda and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy participated in a
friendly volleyball match and a joint yoga session. A
dditionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel had the opportunity to visit the Indian naval vessel, while the visiting crew took time to explore several culturally significant landmarks across the island.
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Special Dengue Prevention Week declared in Colombo District from June 15 to 21
A decision has been taken to declare a Special Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 of June by the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee to curb the spread of the disease in the Colombo District.
This decision was taken at the meeting of the Colombo District Dengue Control Committee held on Friday (12) at the Colombo District Secretariat under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
Compared to last year, the number of dengue cases reported this year has increased significantly. According to the National Dengue Control Unit, approximately 39,100 dengue cases have been reported island wide to date, of which 25.8% have been recorded in the Colombo District. Following this situation, the Colombo District has been identified as a high-risk district.
Health authorities informed that the increasing spread of the disease has been influenced not only by the nature of circulating virus but also to the lack of sufficient immunity among the population. They further noted that the recent period of heavy rainfall has aggravated the spread of Dengue.
It was also identified that the current outbreak is being reported more frequently from public places such as government institutions, private establishments, schools, and religious venues rather than from residential premises. Observations have identified improperly managed solid waste and drainage systems in offices and other public locations as major breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
Accordingly, during the Dengue Prevention Week from 15 to 21 June, a series of measures will be implemented, including, organising community clean-up campaigns in government and private institutions, schools, residential areas, and other public spaces; Conducting inspections of high-risk premises by Divisional Secretariats and taking legal action, where necessary, followed by awareness programmes; Distributing informational leaflets, displaying banners, and carrying out public awareness campaigns through the media. Health authorities also requested school administrations not to involve students below Grade 10 in school cleaning programmes and to immediately notify the relevant Medical Officer of Health (MOH) office if a student is diagnosed with dengue.
The programme is expected to receive the active support and participation of the district’s political leadership, religious leaders of all faiths, public officials, local government institutions, the tri-forces, the police, and the general public.
The event was attended by the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government authorities, government secretaries, police officers, and officials representing the education and health sectors, among others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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