News
Sultan Nazrin lauds Malaysia’s Jaffna Tamil community
KUALA LUMPUR:The Jaffna Tamil community in Malaysia continue to play vital roles in every facet of society, said Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.Jaffna Tamils, he said, also continued to produce influential and impactul professionals in various fields including medicine, education, engineering, as well as politics, the civil service and law.
“They continue to engage with culture and heritage – in music, in dance, in movies, and in culinary arts such as with this book.
“These contributions are an integral component of the multi-cultural nature of Malaysia that we all cherish.”
The Sultan said this during his royal address at the book launch of ‘They Came From Jaffna: A Historical Culinary Journey and Enchanting Tale of Roots, Routes and Vivid Memoires, As Told By A Pioneer’s Granddaugher’ authored by Indra R. L. Iswaran at Universiti Malaya here.
Sultan Nazrin also said the Jaffna Tamils, originally from Sri Lanka, had made numerous significant contributions in the development of both Malaya and Singapore since their migration in the late 19th century.
“Travelling by rail back in the old days, one would have encountered many Ceylon Tamil stationmasters.
“Many of the chief clerks in government offices and business agencies also came from this community.
“They could be found in the postal service, in public works departments, and managing plantations,” he said, adding that many Ceylon Tamils also became teachers, which reflected their sound grasp of the English language.
Sultan Nazrin said the book, which also tells of the author’s ancestral family’s journey from Sri Lanka to Malaya in the 1890s, managed to engage all the senses, from its historical accounts to the illustrations and detailed recipes.
“For me as a historian, this interweaving of images, voices, and tastes from the past provides a very special window into those long-ago times.
“At the same time, I am very much looking forward to trying out the recipes for some of my own favourite dishes that are found in the book.”
Sultan Nazrin added that one reason he appreciated this book was because it encapsulated both the cultural and authenticity of one particular community, while fusing in its specific culinary heritage with other local and international influences.
“As Malaysians, we pride ourselves on our rich and varied culinary landscape.
“We equally enjoy sampling this choice array whenever possible. To say we love food is an understatement.
“This shared love of food is one of the things that brings us together as Malaysians. It is a special part of our national identity,” he added.
(The Straits Times)
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Lanka Premier League draft set to take place on March 22
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News3 days agoSajith: Ashoka Chakra replaces Dharmachakra in Buddhism textbook
-
Business3 days agoDialog and UnionPay International Join Forces to Elevate Sri Lanka’s Digital Payment Landscape
-
Features3 days agoThe Paradox of Trump Power: Contested Authoritarian at Home, Uncontested Bully Abroad
-
Features3 days agoSubject:Whatever happened to (my) three million dollars?
-
News2 days agoLevel I landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Badulla, Kandy, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended
-
News2 days agoNational Communication Programme for Child Health Promotion (SBCC) has been launched. – PM
-
News3 days ago65 withdrawn cases re-filed by Govt, PM tells Parliament
-
Opinion5 days agoThe minstrel monk and Rafiki, the old mandrill in The Lion King – II