News
Protesters win the day at Jaffna University

By Norman Palihawadane and Dinasena Rathugamage
A death fast commenced by five undergraduates of the Jaffna University came to an end soon after Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. S. Srisatkunarajah laid a foundation stone yesterday for te reconstruction of the Mullivaikkal memorial within the university premises.
The death fast was launched in protest against the demolition of the memorial by the university administration on Friday night.
The policy reversal followed discussions between the university student representatives and the Vice Chancellor on Sunday night.
Yesterday morning the protesting students demanded that the VC himself lay the foundation stone. As the rains were continuing the VC wanted to put it off, but the students demanded that he do as they said despite rains.
The VC then again bowed to pressure and laid a foundation stone amidst rains and the students ended their agitation.
“The foundation stone for a memorial to replace the demolished Mullivaikkal memorial at the university was laid today (Monday morning) led by Vice-Chancellor and the Hunger Strike came to an end,” Jaffna District Development Committee Co Chairman and Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) Parliamentarian Angajan Ramanathan said in a tweet.
A tense situation arose in Jaffna on Friday after the war monument in the Jaffna University was demolished by the university authorities.
Jaffna Mayor Vishwalingam Maniwannan was among those who gathered outside the gate with several students.
The University Grants Commission (UGC) earlier defended the decision to demolish the war monument in the Jaffna University.
Chairman of the University Grants Commission, Sampath Amaratunge had said that the war monument was a threat to the unity in the country.
He said that the war monument was constructed in 2018.
The UGC Chairman said that it was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. Sivakolundu Srisatkunarajah, who decided to remove the monument.
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Cabinet gives green light to implement National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the President, to implement the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025-2029 with the coordination of all the ministries, departments, all government institutes, and the relevant stakeholders.
The role of the Bribery and Corruption Investigation Commission has been expanded by the Anti Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023, from investigating and prosecuting offenses related to bribery and corruption to the implementation and regulation of anti-corruption policies to eliminate bribery and corruption.
Since the “Clean Sri Lanka” program of the government tries to uplift the moral development of the Sri Lankan Society, the necessity of the preparation and implementation of a strong national anti-corruption policy in such away covering all the sectors.
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JMSDF MURASAME departs island

Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) MURASAME which arrived in Sri Lanka on 22 March 2025 for replenishment, departed the island on Tuesday (25 Mar).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the stay in Sri Lanka, crew members of JMSDF MURASAME visited some popular tourist destinations within the Colombo city.
News
UK sanctions Shavendra, Wasantha, others in line with Labour party’s election pledge – Secretary of State

UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, has said that sanctions were imposed on former Army Commanders General Shavendra Silva, General Jagath Jayasuriya, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and one-time LTTE Ampara-Batticaloa commander Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, alias Karuna Amman, in accordance with an assurance given to the electorate at the 2024 July general election.
The Labour party won the July 2024 general election.
The British government statement quoted Lammy as having said that he made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure that those responsible would not be allowed impunity. Lammy emphasised that this decision ensured that those responsible for past
human rights violations and abuses were held accountable.
The text of the statement: “The UK sanctions former Sri Lankan commanders and an ex–Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses during the civil war.
* Sanctions aim to seek accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, committed during the civil war, and to prevent a culture of impunity.
* UK is committed to working with new Sri Lankan government on human rights, welcoming their commitments to national unity.
The UK government has imposed sanctions on 4 individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lanka civil war, including extra-judicial killings, torture and/or perpetration of sexual violence.
The individuals sanctioned by the UK today include former senior Sri Lankan military commanders, and a former LTTE military commander who later led the paramilitary Karuna Group, operating on behalf of the Sri Lankan military against the LTTE.
The measures, which include UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extra-judicial killings, during the civil war.
Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, said:
The UK government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today.
I made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not be allowed immunity. This decision ensures that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses are held accountable.
The UK government looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government to improve human rights in Sri Lanka, and welcomes their commitments on national unity.
During her January visit to Sri Lanka, Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West MP, held constructive discussions on human rights with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations, as well as political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka.
For communities to move forward together, there must be acknowledgement, and accountability for past wrongdoing, which the sanctions listings introduced today will support. We want all Sri Lanka communities to be able to grow and prosper.
The UK remains committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan Government on human rights improvements as well as their broader reform agenda including economic growth and stability. As part of our Plan for Change, the UK recognises that promoting stability overseas is good for our national security.
The UK has long led international efforts to promote accountability in Sri Lanka alongside partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, which includes Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.
The UK supported Sri Lanka’s economic reform through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme, supporting debt restructuring as a member of Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee and providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department.
The UK and Sri Lanka share strong cultural, economic and people to people ties, including through our educational systems. The UK has widened educational access in Sri Lanka through the British Council on English language training and work on transnational education to offer internationally accredited qualifications.”.
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