News
Pope endorses struggle to uncover truth of Easter massacre: Cardinal
By Norman Palihawadane
Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith last week said that Pope Francis has endorsed the continued struggle to uncover the truth about the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
During a holy mass marking the 150th jubilee feast of St. Maria Church in Negombo, the Cardinal noted that four years have passed since the Easter Sunday attacks. “Yet, we have not been able to ascertain the truth. No leader has genuinely attempted to uncover it. We do not seek revenge or punishment but justice. It is our right to know the truth, and no political leader should be allowed to deny us that right,” he said.
He added that Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with the victims’ families and urged Sri Lankan authorities to reveal the truth behind the attacks, which he believes will pave the way for peace.
Cardinal Ranjith mentioned that Pope Francis recently completed a 12-day apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. “I had the opportunity to meet the Pope last week. He asked about the progress of the Easter Sunday investigations. I responded to the best of my ability. The Pope urged us not to abandon our quest for truth and justice for the victims of Easter Sunday. According to our discussions, the country is at a crucial juncture. We are set to shape our nation’s future on September 21. This date is significant, and we should remember what happened on April 21, 2019, when we go to vote,” the Cardinal said.
News
Establishment of an Institutional Framework to Inagurate Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority
Policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 08.06.2026 to establish the Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority for identification and
execution of a formal and long – lasting remedy to secure the central hills including the upper hydro catchment areas enabling them to sustain amidst extreme weather conditions
due to natural calamities and human activities as well as to be used for the sustainable development of the country.
Accordingly, a concept paper has been prepared including
institutional structure, activities, powers, active subject area as well as administrative and coordination mechanism for the proposed authority by an expert technical committee appointed by the Secretary to the President.
Based on the said concept paper, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President to instruct the Legal Draftsman to prepare a draft bill including legal provisions required for the establishment of Upper Hydro Catchment Areas Management Authority.
News
Introduction of Flora and Fauna (Regulation of actions of the Indigenous Community within the nominated areas) Regulations
With the objective of securing the traditional livelihood and the eco system of the indigenous community, it has been recognized the necessity of introducing a formal regulation methodology to secure their engagement in livelihood activities by being more sensitive to the existing laws.
Thereby, the Fauna and Flora (regularizing) regulations under the Fauna and Flora Protection Ordinance (Authority 469) have been prepared so that nominated activities within the prescribed area to a member of the indigenous community
who has been registered for securing the rights acquired from law or custom or usage or traditional stance to execute an act within a certain state land that is fundamental to the survival of the indigenous community permission can be granted
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the Minister of Environment to publish the said regulations in the government gazette notification and thereby submit to the Parliament for its concurrence.
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