News
Sumanthiran favourite at today’s TNA leadership race

All 325 members of the TNA General Committee and 50 others in the Special Central Committee are scheduled to be present in Trincomalee today (21) to elect a new leader for the party, according to party sources.
As the race for the party leadership intensified in the last couple of weeks with three members — Jaffna district MPs MA Sumanthiran, S Sritharan, and former Batticaloa District MP S. Yogeswaran — vying for the post, opinion among the Central Committee members is highly divided over regional differences, party sources said.
They added that the new leader would be chosen by a secret vote of the 375 Committee members.Sumanthiran was believed leading the race. But Yogeswaran last Wednesday (17) met Sritharan in Batticaloa and addressed a press conference, party sources said. This was interpreted as a signal that Yogeswaran was throwing his weight behind Sritharan who is said to have been able to secure the backing of a bloc of Tamil diaspora votes. Although he spoke at the Batticaloa press conference alongside Sritharan, Yogeswaran did not declare himself out of the race.
Trilingual Sumanthiran, a President’s Counsel and a reputed lawyer may have an advantage in today’s vote as he commands popular support not only among Tamils but also other communities, some TNA sources said.
At the Batticaloa press conference, Sritharan rebuffed suggestions that he would not be suitable for leader as he was not as fluent in English like Sumanthiran saying English proficiency and legal skills alone would not provide a solution for the problems of Tamil people.
In videos that went viral on social media platforms, Sritharan went on to state that all three candidates are well qualified to lead the party. He would endeavour to mobilize and bring together the various Tamil parties in the diaspora.
The decision to appoint a new leader comes against the backdrop of both TNA leader R. Sampanthan and ITAK leader Mavai Senathirajah due to retire from politics this year.Party sources said that although Sampanthan had requested the three contestants to have talks and reach a consensus on the next leader, such efforts have failed.
Born on Feb 09, 1964, Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran, PC has a BSc (Physics) degree, LL.M (Internet and Electronic Law) and is an alumnus of Royal College, Colombo. He has also studied at the Monash University’s Clayton Campus, University of Madras and Monash University Faculty of Law. He has been an MP since 2010 and is married to a Methodist Christian.
Sivagnanam Sritharan was born on Dec 8, 1968. He is from Kandavalai in Kilinochchi District though he is originally from the Delft Island. He was educated at Jaffna Hindu College. After school he joined the University of Jaffna and has 20 years’ experience as a teacher and a principal from 1990 to 2010 when he was elected an MP. He is a Hindu and is married to the sister of a senior LTTE fighter, ‘Brigadier’ Theepan (Velayuthapillai Baheerathakumarn).
Seeniththamby Yogeswaran born on April 26, 1970 and was elected an MP in the 2010 general election from the Batticaloa District. He was re-elected at the 2015 parliamentary election but lost his seat at the last general election. He is married and a Hindu.
News
Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.
During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.
The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.
The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.
Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.
Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.
The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.
News
Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

By Saman Indrajith
SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.
“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”
Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.
“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”
Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.
News
SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.
The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.
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