The Sri Lanka Navy seized three Indian fishing boats and apprehended 10 Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, during a special operation conducted in the sea area north of Mannar and off the Delft Island in the dark hours of 19 Feb 25.

The Indian fishing boat, together with 04 fishermen aboard, held by the North Central Naval Command was brought to the Talaimannar Pier and they will be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Mannar for legal action. Meanwhile the 02 Indian fishing boats and 06 fishermen held by the Northern Naval Command were brought to the Kankesanthurai Harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for legal proceedings.

Including the recent operation, the Navy has held 13 Indian fishing boats and apprehended 99 Indian fishermen for poaching in Sri Lankan waters, thus far in 2025.

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal submitted by the Minister of Energy Kumara Jayakody to proceed with the establishment of two solar power plants capable of producing 50 megawatts and 70 megawatts at Sampur, Trincomalee, as a joint venture between Sri Lanka and India.

Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, said yesterday (20) that an agreement had been reached between the governments of Sri Lanka and India to set up those solar power plants in two phases—50 megawatts in the first stage and 70 megawatts in the second stage. The project will be undertaken as a joint venture between the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) and India’s National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) under a construction, ownership, and operation model.

He noted that the proposed 50 MW solar power project would be implemented by Trincomalee Power Company Ltd, a partnership between the CEB and NTPC to develop the previously planned coal power project at Sampur.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal to take the necessary steps to advance the project’s implementation, the Cabinet Spokesman said.

by Sujeewa Thathsara

The Health Professionals’ Association has announced plans to take strong professional action unless the recent government decision to reduce overtime and leave entitlements for full-time and part-time medical and nursing staff.

This ultimatum came during a meeting held in Colombo on Feb 19, where several health workers’ unions gathered to discuss the implications of the budgetary changes.

Ravi Kumudesh, President of the Health Professionals’ Association, said that if the authorities failed to provide fair solutions soon, they would be compelled to launch a strike.

“We have given the Health Minister seven days to engage in meaningful discussions and resolve these issues,” Kumudesh said, highlighting the sacrifices health professionals made, working around the clock to deliver essential services.

The Joint Council of Professions Supplementary to Medicine (JCPSM) also expressed concern over the budget’s impact on health sector employees.

Meanwhile, other professional unions have also voiced their dissatisfaction with the budget. Ven. Ulapane Sumangala Thera, President of the Association of Education Professionals, pointed out that the expected salary increases for schoolteachers and principals had not been granted.