News
Sumanthiran asks whether sovereignty only for the majority, if so then minorities will find their own
By Saman Indrajith
TNA Jaffna District MP MA Sumanthiran says that if the government believes that sovereignty of this country is only for the majority then the minorities will be compelled to seek their own.
Participating in the third reading debate on Wednesday, MP Sumanthiran said: “Sovereignty of a country is for all people. If the majority only enjoys sovereignty, then you are leaving the other people out. You are forcing them to claim their own sovereignty. That will be your own doing.
“The Foreign Minister at the start of his speech wanted to teach a lesson to Chief Opposition Whip Lakshman Kiriella and said that India was a federal nation because it had princely states previously and all those states had to be brought together. I want to ask him of the history of this island. When the Europeans arrived and conquered this island, was there one state here? Was there one kingdom on this island then? No. There were three kingdoms on this island. All of them fell for Western powers at different times. It was only in 1833, consequent to Colebrook-Cameron report, for administrative convenience, that it was made one country. So, you must remember when you are giving lessons on how India became a union or the United States of America had different states coming together remember the history of this country as well. This country consists of different people who each have different rights under the international law. Violation of an international law is not a domestic matter. You cannot hide behind the cloak of state sovereignty. There is nothing called state sovereignty. Sovereignty is enjoyed by people. You cannot hide behind the concept of sovereignty and violate international law and claim that these are domestic matters. You know that very well. Fashioning the country’s foreign policy you have now gone on reverse gear, you put the country at peril. It is our duty to call you to turn around. Promoting accountability and reconciliation is not a matter that violates sovereignty of any country.
“This is the month of November and it is considered the time to remember the dead. That is why poppy flowers are sold all over the world. In Sri Lanka, the people in the north remember their family members who died in the war. Not allowing people in the North to remember their dead kith and kin is an undignified act by the state. Honouring the dead, remembering the dead is in our culture a solemn affair. The other day I stood with a mother 83 years old. She has only a shack for a house. Her son died in 1985. She lit a lamp in his memory. I participated in that event. It was a solemn occasion. Why are you so worried, why are you so scared of the dead? Is it because you put them to death in the most brutal manner violating all the international norms.”
Latest News
Heat Index at Caution Level at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala, Hambantota and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 02 May 2025, valid for 03 May 2025
Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern, Northern and North-central provinces and in Monaragala, Hambantota and Kurunegala districts
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
At the invitation of the President of Vietnam, Luong Cuong, President Anura Kumara Disanayake will undertake a State Visit to Vietnam from May 4 to 6. Accordingly, the President is scheduled to depart Sri Lanka tonight [May 3].
This visit marks the celebration of 55 years of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Vietnam and is expected to further strengthen the long-standing bilateral ties between the two nations.
During the visit, President Disanayake will hold official discussions with the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam. He is also scheduled to meet with senior dignitaries, including the General Secretary of the Communist Party.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake will also participate as the Chief Guest at the United Nations Vesak Day celebrations, scheduled to commence on May 6 in Ho Chi Minh City, where he will deliver the keynote address.
Several Memorandums of Understanding and Agreements are expected to be signed during the visit and discussions will be held with the Vietnamese business community to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, along with a delegation of senior government officials, will accompany President Disanayake on this official visit.
The deadline for political parties and candidates contesting the local government election to conclude their campaigning is at midnight today (03).According to election laws, all campaign related activities must end 48 hours before the day of the election, the Election Commission said.
Furthermore, all campaign offices, except for official media centres established at the local government level, and announcement offices set up for individual wards, must be dismantled after midnight today. The Election Commission also stated that all campaign decorations—except for display boards measuring up to 60 square feet—must be removed by midnight tonight.
Voting for 339 local government bodies will be held on 06 May, with 13,759 polling stations set up for the election. A total of 17,563,538 registered voters are eligible to cast their votes.
Vote counting will be conducted at a designated centre selected for each division, and will begin at 5:00pm on the same day, EC sources said.
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