News

The Supreme Court ruled that the detention order issued by then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) against a woman, who was arrested over the charges of drug possession in 2020, is in violation of the law.

Accordingly, the Supreme Court ordered the government to pay Rs. 100,000 in compensation to the petitioner, for the violation of her fundamental human rights.

This verdict was issued by the Supreme Court today (18), after considering a petition filed by the woman in question, who was arrested by Peliyagoda Special Investigation Unit in 2020 over drug possession.

The Postal and Telecommunications Officers’ Union and the United Postal Trade Unions Front (UPTUF) have announced a 48-hour token strike starting from 4.00 p.m. today (16) until March 18.

According to co-convener of the United Postal Trade Unions’ Front, Chinthaka Bandara the strike is being staged over seven key issues, including the urgent need to fill 7,500 vacancies within the Department of Posts.

“Currently, there is a shortage of 7,500 employees, including junior staff. The department is in dire straits in providing services at the minimum level. In some areas, letters are being delivered only every two days,” Bandara stated.

“A discussion with the Minister is scheduled an hour before the strike begins, and the unions will decide on the strike’s continuation based on the outcome of the discussion,” he added.

The two-day strike will take place on March 17 and 18, and Bandara warned that if a fair and proper solution is not found, the unions will escalate to more severe trade union action beyond these dates.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake stated that steps will be taken to provide the necessary facilities to eliminate organized crime and drug abuse, as well as to introduce new legislation.

The President made these remarks during a discussion held today (18) at the Presidential Secretariat with the police chiefs of the Western Province.

He emphasized that maintaining the rule of law is a key responsibility of the Police Department.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake further stated that a just society cannot be established in Sri Lanka without ensuring the supremacy of the rule of law. (PMD)

Sri Lankan-born Gary Anandasangaree has been sworn in as Canada’s new Minister of Justice and Attorney General. He took oaths in the presence of newly appointed Prime Minister Mark Carney.

Anandasangaree, a long-time advocate for human rights and legal reform, takes on the role with a focus on strengthening Canada’s justice system. His appointment has been welcomed by the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), which expressed its support for his leadership.

“We look forward to working with him and his cabinet colleagues. We also want to thank former minister Arif Virani for his commitment to improving the justice system over the past few years, including his efforts to reduce judicial vacancies and strengthen access to justice,” the CBA said in a statement.

The association emphasized its ongoing collaboration with the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure a fair legal system for all Canadians. CBA members also pledged to contribute their expertise to help shape policies that reflect the evolving needs of society.

Anandasangaree, who has served as a Member of Parliament since 2015, has a strong background in law and human rights advocacy.

ormer Minister Mervyn Silva has been remanded until March 24 following his appearance before the Mahara Magistrate's Court.

Silva, along with two others, was arrested on March 6 under allegations of violating the Public Property Act.

The suspects were presented to the court in the afternoon, where the Chief Magistrate of Mahara ordered their remand until today.

The Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB) and the International Trade Centre (ITC) launched the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub on Friday (14), funded by the UK’s SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme.

The hub will serve as a resource centre to equip women entrepreneurs with the skills, market access, and policy support required to successfully navigate international trade dynamics, fostering greater participation in global trade.

Sri Lanka’s export industry has demonstrated resilience, with merchandise exports reaching $16.17 billion in 2024, a 7.06% year-on-year increase according to the Sri Lanka Export Development Board (EDB), despite global economic challenges.

Women-led businesses in Sri Lanka contribute to over 25% of the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector in-country yet face disproportionate challenges in securing international buyers and scaling operations, a situation faced by women entrepreneurs around the world. The Hub will provide tailored training, trade facilitation, and networking opportunities to bridge this gap and capitalize on the momentum of Sri Lanka’s economic growth and increase exports.

The SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub joins a global network of 20 SheTrades Hubs aroudn the world spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East and North Africa.

At the launch, Hon. Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, underscored the importance of women’s economic inclusion. She stated:

"Women have always played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s economic and social development. Yet, despite their immense contribution, structural barriers continue to limit their full participation in the economy. Our government is committed to breaking these barriers by fostering an inclusive economic environment where women can thrive as business leaders, entrepreneurs, and exporters."

ITC Executive Director, Pamela Coke-Hamilton, reaffirmed ITC’s commitment to gender-responsive trade policies. ‘Women’s economic empowerment and gender equality, as we all know from experience, are goals that we must keep working at daily. And SheTrades hubs, such as this one, are a fantastic network that ensures that women-led businesses have the support they deserve.

The SheTrades Hubs are a force for change, and a testament to the importance of having local solutions owned and led by local actors. Last year alone, they served over 1000 women-led businesses, from Kenya to Mauritius, Mongolia to Argentina.

I can’t wait to see what this SheTrades Hubs network will achieve next.’

Mangala Wijesinghe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Export Development Board (EDB), emphasized the initiative’s role in expanding market access for women-led businesses. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he stated:

"As we move forward, collaboration will be key. Government agencies, international development partners, financial institutions, and private sector leaders will work together to ensure that the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub becomes a lasting force for economic empowerment. Let us use this opportunity to break barriers, drive inclusive growth, and create a future where women entrepreneurs play a central role in shaping Sri Lanka’s export success."

In addition to capacity-building programmes, the Hub also advocates for gender-inclusive policies, ensuring that trade regulations are more accessible and beneficial for women entrepreneurs.

The British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to gender-inclusive economic development, stating:

"The full economic participation of women is crucial for global prosperity and growth, and the UK is committed to supporting women and gender equality through our development work. I am pleased to celebrate the establishment of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub, which will become part of a broader support ecosystem for women-led businesses in Sri Lanka. This initiative will facilitate greater access to international markets and contribute to Sri Lanka’s economic growth agenda."

In December 2023, the SheTrades Commonwealth+ Programme organized a UK trade mission to Sri Lanka in collaboration with EDB, where 13 UK companies engaged in business-to-business meetings and company visits with women entrepreneurs in Colombo, Kurunegala and Jaffna. The trade mission generated over £100,000 in business leads within the first three months, with an estimated annual value that will reach over £600,000.

ITC will also facilitate two export procedure trainings in Colombo from 17 to 20 March to support women-led businesses navigate requirements to export to the UK. This follows the January launch of two UK export procedure handbooks for Sri Lankan women-led businesses – in agrifood as well as those in textiles and apparel, footwear, women’s accessories, and home décor.

With Sri Lanka’s service exports projected to grow steadily in 2025, integrating more women-led businesses into global supply chains is not just an economic necessity, but also a driver of sustainable development. The launch of the SheTrades Sri Lanka Hub reflects the commitment of EDB and ITC to position women entrepreneurs at the forefront of the country’s trade ambitions, ensuring a more diverse and resilient economic future.

Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe has categorically rejected the ‘Batalanda’ Commission report.

“I wholly reject the report. No one can say the report was kept hidden. It was published as a sessional paper in 2000 but no one including the JVP asked for a debate,” Mr.Wickremeisnmghe said in a special statement today (16).

He pointed out that the commission report mentions the heinous terrorist acts committed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) during the 1988-90 period.

He also said that there is no precedent in this country or anywhere else in the world of debating a sessional paper 25 years after it was published.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has recorded statements from the wife and son of Deshabandu Tennakoon.

The statements were recorded at his residence in Hokandara.

The Matara Magistrate recently issued a warrant for the arrest of Deshabandu Tennakoon.

However, the police have not yet been able to locate him.

During the questioning, his wife and son stated that they do not know his whereabouts.

The Parliamentary Communications Department has announced that the parliamentary debate on the ‘Batalanda’ Commission report will commence on April 10.

Acting Director of Communications of Parliament, Mr. Jayalath Perera stated that the debate will be conducted in two stages.

“From 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM, the debate on the ‘Report of the Commission of Inquiry into the Establishment and Maintenance of Places of Unlawful Detention and Torture Chambers at the Batalanda Housing Scheme,’ which was tabled in Parliament on March 14, will take place. It was also decided to allocate another date in May to continue this as a two-day debate,” he said.

The ‘Batalanda’ Commission report was presented to Parliament on March 14 by the Leader of the House, Minister Bimal Ratnayake.

At that time, Minister Ratnayake mentioned that a two-day debate would be held on the report.

He also disclosed that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had made a policy decision through the Cabinet to take action on the report.

Furthermore, Minister Ratnayake stated that the government had decided to forward the report to the Attorney General for further legal review.

Additionally, a Presidential Committee has been appointed to provide guidance and recommendations regarding future actions related to the report.

Minister Ratnayake also noted that former President Ranil Wickremesinghe had been named in the report in connection with certain allegations.

In response, Wickremesinghe announced that he would make a special statement today (16) to address the accusations against him.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has held a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development focused on enhancing the efficiency, integration and development of the manufacturing sector to strengthen the national economy.

The meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat today (14 Mar), also addressed the challenges associated with these efforts.

Key topics included government-led initial investments and proper regulation to empower small and medium-scale entrepreneurs, the establishment of local small-scale industries within investment zones and challenges related to business loans faced by small and medium-scale enterprises.

During the meeting, President Dissanayake directed officials to expedite the release of lands allocated to the Ministry of Industry that have not been released so far.

Further discussions were held on maintaining and regulating import restrictions to strengthen local industries, prioritizing local suppliers in construction industry procurement and resolving issues in the gem and jewellery sector to ensure its full contribution to the national economy.

The President also instructed officials to swiftly implement tax exemptions for tourists to boost the gem and jewellery industry.

Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti, Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Thilaka Jayasundara and several other ministry officials attended the meeting.

The acceptance of nominations for the upcoming local government elections will begin tomorrow, with the process closing on the 20th March at 12 noon.

Nominations can be submitted daily between 8:30 am and 4:15 pm at District Secretariats and Election Offices under the supervision of Returning Officers.

Candidates must deposit their nomination fee by the 19th at 12 noon.

The date for the local government elections will be announced on the 20th March.

Additionally, nominations for the Mannar, Poonakary, and Dehiattakandiya Pradeshiya Sabhas will be accepted from the 24th to the 27th March, with the deadline for the deposit of bonds set for the 26th at 12 noon.

A special security arrangement will be in place at all District Secretariats and Election Offices during the nomination period.

However, the National Election Commission announced that elections for the Kalmunai Municipal Council and Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha will not be held in this year's local government elections.

Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) National List MP, M.S. Naleem, has resigned from Parliament to contest the upcoming Eravur Urban Council election.

Naleem, the former Chairman of Eravur Urban Council, was appointed as the SLMC’s National List MP after the party secured one national list seat in the last general election.

His resignation marks the first parliamentary resignation of 2025.