டி.பி.எஸ். ஜெயராஜ் தென்னிந்திய மாநிலமான தமிழ்நாட்டில் சட்டசபைத் தேர்தலுக்கான அறிவிப்பை இந்திய தேர்தல் ஆணையம் செய்திருக்கிறது. சட்டசபையின் 234 தொகுதிகளிலும் வாக்களிப்பு 2026 ஏப்ரில் 23 ஆம் திகதியும் வாக்கு எண்ணாக்கை மே 4 ஆம் திகதியும் இடம் பெறவிருக்கின்றன. தமிழ்நாட்டு வாக்காளர்கள் எண்ணிக்கை 5.67 கோடி. அவர்களில் ஆண்கள் 2.77 கோடி, பெண்கள் 2.89 கோடி, மாற்றுப் பாலினத்தைச் சேர்ந்த 7,617 வாக்காளர்களும் இருக்கிறார்கள். இந்தியா எமது நெருங்கிய அயல்நாடு. இந்தியாவின் மாநிலங்களில் 7கோடி 20 …

Continue reading ‘விஜயின் யாழ்ப்பாணத்தைச் சேர்ந்த மனைவி சங்கீதா விவாகரத்து கோரும் நிலையில் விஜய் தலைமையிலான தமிழக வெற்றிக் கழகம் தனியாக தேர்தலுக்கு முகங்கொடுக்கிறது’ »

By D.B.S. Jeyaraj (This article was first written in 1997 for a special volume commemorating the birth centenary of Tamil political leader SJV Chelvanayakam. It is being reposted with slight changes to denote his 128th birth anniversary on March 31) On September 6th 1977, Lalith Athulathmudali, then Minister of Trade said in Parliament “Samuel James …

Continue reading ‘S.J.V.Chelvanayakam: Respected “Gandhian”Tamil Political Leader was a Christian by religion and a Hindu by culture.’ »

By Kishali Pinto- Jayawardene Sri Lanka presented an embarrassment, not of ‘riches’ but of stinging pointers to the negation of the law and the Constitution during the past few weeks. The pesky problem of a Minister indicted for corruption The tone deaf nonchalance of the National Peoples’ Power (NPP) Government in shrugging off the indictment …

Continue reading ‘Kumara Jayakody Indicted Over Alleged Corruption Charges but Why is President Anura Kumara Dissanayake not taking Action Against his Energy Minister?’ »

By Namini Wijedasa A third coal shipment from South Africa—bought via the Indian supplier Trident Chemphar—has failed quality testing by the independent accredited laboratory Cotecna, officials said this week. Trident has now been charged penalties totalling US$8.1mn for three shipments out of the 12 that have been unloaded at Norochcholai, officials from Lanka Coal Company …

Continue reading ‘Coal for Norachcholay Plant From Indian Supplier Trident Chemiphar: Questions Raised in power and energy circles about whose interests the government is protecting?’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Elections to the Legislature of the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu has been announced by the Election Commission of India. Tanil Nadu will go to the polls on 23 April 2026 to elect 234 members to it’s Legislative assembly, Counting of votes would commence on May 4th 2026, Tamil Nadu voters number …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Actor Vijay’s TVK Party Faces Tamil Nadu Elections Alone While Vijay’s Jaffna – born Wife Sangeetha Seeks Divorce Alleging an “Adulterous Relationship:” with an Actress.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( 103rd Birth anniversary on 24 March) As is well-known, an indispensable feature of Indian language films for long has been the song sequences. These songs are usually picturised on actors or actresses, who lip-synch them on screen. Sometimes, they are merely montage scenes with songs audible in the background. It is common …

Continue reading ‘“TMS” :Versatile and vibrant playback singer TM Soundararajan was Hailed as the “Isaich Chakkararthy”(Emperor of Music).’ »

Tamil National Alliance (TNA) MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam pressed the Government in Parliament on missing persons, accountability and delays in investigations, while Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara responded with detailed data on ongoing efforts, including expansion of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), funding allocations and progress on mass grave probes. Rasamanickam on Friday said concerns raised …

Continue reading ‘ITAK Batticaloa MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam Questions Govt in Parliament on missing persons, accountability and delays in investigations : Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara responds with detailed data on ongoing efforts.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on Tuesday had a telephone conversation to discuss the war in West Asia, the disruption in global supply chains, and the energy cooperation between India and Sri Lanka, the leaders said on social media platform ‘X’. “This evening [March 24, 2026], …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Telephones Indian Premier Narendra Modi :Both Leaders Discuss thr West Asian War,Disruption in Global Supply Chains and Energy Cooperation Between Both Countries.’ »

By Dr.Sanjana Hattotuwa On 17 March, during an address to the nation followed by a Q&A session, ITN journalist Sandari Ratnasuriya asked President Anura Kumara Dissanayake a question: Given that world powers are locked in a power struggle, how can Sri Lanka carry forward its non-aligned policy? The President, speaking in his signature Sinhala cadence, …

Continue reading ‘What Sri Lanka calls non-alignment is, in practice, something closer to strategic ambiguity, a refusal to make choices dressed up as a principled refusal to take sides. In a post-Trump world, where great powers weaponise trade, technology and supply chains as instruments of coercion, the President’s posture leaves us exposed.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Re-developing the Second World War-era oil tank farms in Sri Lanka’s eastern Trincomalee district is the “permanent solution” to the energy crisis, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said, adding that the government was taking steps to expedite the project backed by India and the United Arab Emirates. “Temporary solutions are not sustainable, we …

Continue reading ‘Re-developing the Second World War-era oil tank farms in Trincomalee district is the “permanent solution” to the energy crisis says Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath : Govt taking steps to expedite the project backed by India and the United Arab Emirates.’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “Stupidity has come back as a king – no; as an emperor…” Aldous Huxley (Eyeless in Gaza) Most of the business of the UN are so routine they barely make the news. Like the UN Commission on the Status of Women’s annual vote on Agreed Conclusions For 30 years, the vote had …

Continue reading ‘Bibi Netanyahu and Donald Trump are unmaking the world, as we have known it for decades. There might be nothing left to rebuild by the time they are through.’ »

(The following are excerpts of the speech made by Supreme Court Justice S. Thurairajah at his farewell ceremony held on 19th March 2026) Before I proceed, let me begin with one remarkable symmetry on this day. When I first took my oaths as an Attorney-at-Law before this Honourable Court, I did so before Hon. Chief …

Continue reading ‘“Justice must be rooted in public confidence. A judgment may be correct in law, but if institutions behave in ways that cause right-minded people to doubt fairness, something precious is lost”‘.- Justice S.Thurairajah.’ »

By Suhasini Haidar With the sinking of the Iranian warship, IRIS Dena, in the Indian Ocean, by the United States on March 4, the war in West Asia came home to South Asia. With each passing day, the war that began on February 28 has reached South Asian homes in a number of ways — …

Continue reading ‘Having momentarily abandoned its balancing act between the U.S.-Israel and Iran, it is time for India to restore the balance in its West Asia policy. New Delhi’s traditional position on the tightrope gives a more beneficial vantage point from which to steer the future of its people and those across the wider neighbourhood.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Tenth Death Anniversary of Mangaiyarkkarasi Amirthalingam (Mangai Akka)on March 9th. The name Mangaiyarkkarasi Amirthalingam is not likely to ring any bells among younger generations of Sri Lankans. The lady herself who lived in self-exile in London for several decades has faded away from public memory. Yet, there was a time when she dominated …

Continue reading ‘Mangaiyarkkarasi’s life was inter-twined with her husband Amirthalingam’s political career. Like Lord Shiva and his divine consort Paarvathy, Amirthalingam was “Shivam” and Mangaiyarkkarasi his “Shakthi”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka is ready to receive and support all those forced to flee the country during the civil war and now living as refugees in Tamil Nadu, Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake told The Hindu, urging the Governments of India and Tamil Nadu to refrain from using refugees …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka is ready to receive and support all those forced to flee the country during the civil war and now living as refugees in Tamil Nadu states Cabinet Minister and Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake.’ »

By Siddharth Muralidharan On March 13 2026 , lyricist and poet-novelist Vairamuthu was named for the Jnanpith Award, becoming only the third Tamil literary figure to receive it and the first in 24 years. The previous Tamil recipients were novelists Akilan in 1975 and Jayakanthan in 2002. The announcement was met with two responses. It …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Lyricist-Poet Vairamuthu Receiving Prestigious Jnanpith Award Revives past Sexual Harassment Controversy : Asked about sexual misconduct allegations against him, Vairamuthu says, “I am avoiding this question”’ »

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday underscored that ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of the country remains the Government’s primary objective, calling for the collective support of the public and private sectors, media and citizens to navigate the current challenges. Addressing a special media briefing, he expressed confidence that a robust mechanism is already in place to …

Continue reading ‘Ensuring the Uninterrupted Fonctioning of the country Remains the Primary Objective of the Government Declares President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Requests the collective support of the public, private sectors, media and the People to Face current challenges’ »

Global shipping disruptions, rather than fuel availability or foreign exchange, have emerged as the primary risk to Sri Lanka’s energy security despite stocks being sufficient into May, Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody told Parliament yesterday, underscoring the constraints posed by the escalating Middle East conflict. Making a special statement in response to Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, …

Continue reading ‘“There is oil and we have the dollars, but there is no shipping vessel to make the delivery due to higher insurance premiums.This is not our war, we are only victims. All we can do is monitor developments daily and adjust our strategy when needed,” States Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody in Parliament.’ »

By Charumini de Silva In a decisive move to safeguard national energy security, the Cabinet of Ministers on Monday approved an emergency coal procurement of 300,000 tons for the Lakvijaya Power Plant and authorised a temporary deviation from standard procurement procedures to secure fuel supplies over the next three months. The decisions come against the …

Continue reading ‘Govt to procure petroleum and petroleum-related products, liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas), and coal outside standard procurement guidelines for a period of three months; Cabinet approves emergency coal procurement of 300,000 tons for the Lakvijaya Power Plant’ »

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa yesterday told Parliament that the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led NPP Government has no “scenario planning” to deal with the crisis influenced by the war in the Middle East. He said at a time when the country faces a series of grave challenges, the President or the Prime Minister should have made …

Continue reading ‘Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa Tells Parliament that the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake-led NPP Government has no “scenario planning” to deal with the crisis influenced by the war in the Middle East.’ »

By Col.R.Hariharan Nobody among the 74 nations, who participated in the largest edition of the Indian Navy’s multilateral naval Exercise MILAN from February 15 to 25 in Vishakapatnam in India, would have imagined it would usher in the US-Iran war to the Indian Ocean region. That is exactly what happened when one of the three …

Continue reading ‘The sinking of the Iranian warship ‘IRIS Dena’ that had participated as a guest in an Indian naval exercise has caused embarrassment to India. This was evident from India maintaining a strategic silence on the sinking.’ »

by Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka on Sunday (March 15, 2026) switched to a digital QR code-based system to ration fuel sales, a move authorities described as a “precautionary measure” amid persisting uncertainty in West Asia. Citing “prevailing geopolitical developments” in West Asia and their adverse impact on global supply chains, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Energy …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka switches to QR code-based system to ration fuel sales as a “precautionary measure”: The weekly quota for cars and motorbikes is limited to 15 litres and 5 litres, respectively’ »

The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Sunday (March 15, 2026) announced the complete schedule for the 234 Assembly seats in Tamil Nadu. The polling is scheduled to be held on April 23, 2026, and the counting is on May 4, 2026. The total number of electors in Tamil Nadu, according to the electoral rolls, …

Continue reading ‘India’s Tamil Nadu State Elections to be held on 23rd April 2025 : 5.67 crore Voters will elect Representatives to 234 Legislative Assembly Seats. Counting of Votes on May 4th.’ »

Tamil lyricist and author R. Vairamuthu has been selected for the Jnanpith Award, the nation’s highest literary honour. He is the third Tamil literary figure to receive the award, after a gap of 24 years. Earlier recipients include the late writers Akilan and Jayakanthan. Mr. Vairamuthu won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2003 for Kallikattu …

Continue reading ‘Lyricist -Author Vairamuthu becomes Third Literary Figure from Tamil Nadu after Akilan and Jayakanthan, to Receive India’s Highest Literary Honour the Jnanpith award’ »

By B.Jeyamohan (B.Jeyamohan is a Tamil and Malayalam language writer and literary critic from Nagercoil). Tamil writer Vannanilavan has an anecdote about Vairamuthu. Twenty years ago, Vairamuthu visited him with a platter of fruit and gifts. “I came to know that you are on the Sahitya Akademi committee. I want your blessings,” he said. When …

Continue reading ‘The Jnanpith award being Given to Vairamuthu is a grave injustice to Tamil and by awarding him, the Jnanpith committee has denigrated modern Tamil literature.’ »

(Excerpted from the “Sunday Times”Political Column of 15th March 2026) The arrest and detention of the former State Intelligence Service (SIS) chief, Major General (Retired) Suresh Sallay, over his alleged links to the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks have continued to draw criticism, with critics calling it a witch-hunt. On Wednesday, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) …

Continue reading ‘Maj-Gen Suresh Sallay’s wife Writes to IGP Priyantha Weerasooriya on March 7 over the ‘Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment’ to which her husband is being subjected while under detention.’ »

by Tisaranee Gunasekara ““Societies are not made of sticks and stones, but of men whose individual characters by turning the scale one way or another determine the direction of the whole” Plato (The Republic) Gotabaya Rajapaksa inherited a lower-middle income country and bankrupted it in 2 years and 5 months. Donald Trump is likely to …

Continue reading ‘Gotabaya Rajapaksa bankrupted Sri Lanka in 2 years and 5 months. Donald Trump is likely to upend the world in a much shorter time. if he doesn’t immediately end the unprovoked and illegal war he began against Iran.’ »

(Excerpted from the “Sunday Times”Political Column of 15th March 2026) As the war in West Asia widened into its second week, the shocks came thick and fast for many countries, with Sri Lanka no exception. The first blow for the public came at midnight on Monday (9), with a substantial increase in fuel prices across …

Continue reading ‘Ordinary Sri Lankans Affected by Shortages and Rising Prices after Middle-Eastern War. Public Anger Over Cost of Living Increase Directed not just at the NPP Govt but also President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Himself.’ »

By Namini Wijedasa The price bids of four companies competing to sell 300,000MT of emergency coal for the Lakvijaya power plant were examined this week, but the tender went unawarded, official sources said. Meanwhile, problematic coal supplier Trident Chemphar—which won the ongoing 2025-26 term tender—has again submitted an updated schedule to Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) …

Continue reading ‘Tender to Supply 300,000 Metric Tonnes of Emergency Coal for Lakvijaya Power Pl ant unawarded Despite Competing Bids Being Examined due to problematic coal supplier Trident Chemphar submitting Revised schedule at US $112 per MT to Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd (LCC).’ »

Internet Media Action (IMA) has expressed its profound concern regarding the arrest of veteran journalist and Lanka e News website Editor Sandaruwan Senadheera on Wednesday at Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake, following nearly 16 years of political asylum in the UK. IMA said Senadheera was compelled to flee Sri Lanka during the Rajapaksa Government, having faced …

Continue reading ‘” Lanka e News” Website Editor Sandaruwan Senadheera who Returned to Sri Lanka from Britain after 16 years arrested at Katunayake Airport:Internet Media Action (IMA expresses Profound Concern.’ »

By Ranjith Padmasiri The Colombo High Court has issued notice to Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody ordering him to appear in court on March 27, when indictments in his corruption trial are to be served on him. The notice on Mr Jayakody has been issued on the order of High Court Judge Rashantha Godawela. Mr Jayakody …

Continue reading ‘Colombo High Court issues notice to Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody ordering him to appear in court on March 27, when indictments in his corruption trial are to be served on him.’ »

By Ranjith Padmasiri The Colombo Fraud Bureau (CFB) has informed the Mount Lavinia Magistrate’s Court that it has yet to receive advice from the Attorney General on whether to name Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe and two others as suspects in the case involving the alleged fraudulent leasing of a building belonging to the National Workers’ Congress …

Continue reading ‘Colombo Fraud Bureau Tells Mt.Lavinia Magistrate That advice from Attorney -General is still being awaited on whether to Name Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister Mahinda Jayasinghe and Kaduwela Mayor Ranjan Jayalal as suspects in the National Workers Congress Dehiwela Building Fraudulent Leasing Case’ »

By Wijith De Chickera (The writer is Editor-at-large of LMD, and has a Post-graduate Diploma in Politics and Governance) Crossroads such as The Silk Route have their own legends about countries, characters and caravans. But it is chessboards that may have some elements that are far more relevant to the state of play in the …

Continue reading ‘The Middle East resembles today a black and white board where the pieces are moving faster and unpredictably:Sri Lanka has no pieces in the Middle Eastern theatre, yet its strategic position on the game board itself is increasingly hard to ignore.’ »

By Raj Retnanandan (The author is an energy sector regulatory consultant based in Calgary, Canada. He has been involved in economic development initiatives in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province and has a long-standing interest in regional development, infrastructure planning, and sustainable economic growth) The recent Financial Times column proposing a “Northern Gateway Initiative” presents an ambitious …

Continue reading ‘Major economic strategies for the Northern Province should be developed and implemented through collaboration between the Sri Lanka Govt, Northern Provincial Council, local authorities, and regional economic stakeholders.’ »

BY Wasantha Rupasinghe-wsws On March 4, a US submarine torpedoed and sank the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena near Sri Lankan waters, killing 108 sailors on board. The attack without warning occurred in international waters as the vessel was returning from multinational naval exercises hosted by India. This act of mass murder, thousands of kilometres from …

Continue reading ‘Despite positive claims by President Dissanayake regarding the Iranian Ships,in reality, the Sri Lankan government functioned as a compliant intermediary for the diplomatic and strategic objectives of the US and Israel as dictated by their diplomatic envoys.’ »

Former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Maj. Gen. (Retd) Suresh Salley is facing three main allegations in connection with investigations related to the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) told the Fort Magistrate’s Court. Presenting a further report to court, the CID said Salley had been detained under the Prevention of Terrorism …

Continue reading ‘CID tells Court that Ex-Intelligence Chief Maj-Gen Suresh Salley is Detained Under the PTA over three Allegations Relating to the Easter Bombings Investigation;Case Fixed for Hearing on March 25th’ »

By Dr.S.Wijeyamohan (Dr.Wijeyamohan is a senior lecturer in Zooology at the Vavuniya University) Deep within the Vanni, Sri Lanka’s “green lung” is being systematically drowned in the name of progress. The Kivul Oya project, a vast irrigation scheme cutting across the island’s northern reaches, promises agricultural prosperity but threatens an ecological suicide. As 2,600 hectares …

Continue reading ‘The Kivul Oya project will inundate an area of 26 square kilometres of thick prime jungle in the Wanni. Preserving this existing forest is essential not only for the Northern Province but for the entire country.’ »

By Krishantha Prasad Cooray There can be no auspicious moment to celebrate life, foster humanity and work towards peace or prosperity. Sadly, we live in times where the energies of violence unleashed have sent tremors of anxiety and foreboding to all corners of the world even as they maim, kill and destroy. One can only …

Continue reading ‘After 147 years, the Royal–Thomian remains one of the most remarkable traditions in Sri Lankan life; a celebration of youth, camaraderie and the enduring bond between Royalists and Thomians.’ »

Former SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena has been arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged acceptance of a USD 2 million bribe linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal. Chandrasena arrived at the Bribery Commission this morning to provide a statement, and after recording a …

Continue reading ‘Ex- SriLankan Airlines Chief Executive Officer Kapila Chandrasena arrested by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) over the alleged acceptance of a USD 2 million bribe linked to the Airbus aircraft procurement deal’ »

By Tharushi Weerasinghe The sinking of the IRIS Dena by a US submarine just 19 nautical miles from Sri Lanka’s shore in its Exclusive Economic Zone has forced Colombo to navigate one of the most complex diplomatic and legal crises in its recent history, with pressure mounting from Washington not to repatriate Iranian survivors and …

Continue reading ‘The Dramatic Tale of Three Iranian Ships,US Belligerence and Sri Lanka’s Humanitarian Approach While Delicately Balancing Neutrality and International Legality.’ »

By Maj-Gen Dr. Boniface Perera The history of warfare is littered with the hubris of technologically superior powers who underestimated the resilience of a civilization state. On February 28, 2026, the world watched as a decapitation strike, intended to trigger a regime change in Tehran instead ignited a firestorm that threatens to consume the global …

Continue reading ‘While technology wins battles, it is the human will and a clear “end-state” that win wars. The current US-Israeli campaign against Iran is missing both; In contrast, the Iranian population,views this as a war for national survival.’ »

டி.பி.எஸ். ஜெயராஜ் வாசகர்களுக்கு ஒரு மன்னிப்புக்கோரலுடனும் விளக்கத்துடனம் இந்த கட்டுரையை தொடங்குகிறேன். இந்த பத்தி கடந்தவாரம் நான் எழுதிய கட்டுரையின் ( ஜனாதிபதி திசநாயக்கவின் சிம்மாசனத்தின் பின்னால் இருக்கும் சக்தி ஜே.வி.பி.யின் பொதுச் செயலாளர் ரில்வின் சில்வா? ) இரண்டாவதும் இறதியானதுமான பாகமாக இருந்திருக்க வேண்டும். ஆனால், இந்த வாரம் பெரும் பரபரப்பை ஏற்படுத்தியிருக்கும் அரச புலனாய்வு பிரிவின். முன்னாள் தலைவர் மேஜர் ஜெனரல் சுரேஷ் சாலே கைது மற்றும் தடுப்புக்காவல் பற்றி எழுதவேண்டியதாயிற்று. ரில்வின் சில்வா …

Continue reading ‘ஈஸ்டர் ஞாயிறு குண்டுத் தாக்குதல்கள் : அசாத் மௌலானாவின் குற்றச்சாட்டுகளும் மேஜர் ஜெனரல் சுரேஷ் சாலேயின் கைதும்’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Energy officials this week received a strong directive from an all-party Parliamentary committee to commission “without further delay” a third independent accredited lab to test coal samples from the Trident Chemphar shipments. On Tuesday, the Lakvijaya coal power plant (LVP) switched completely to South African coal imported via India’s Trident Chemphar. This …

Continue reading ‘Parliament’s Special Oversight Committee wants a third independent accredited lab to test coal samples from the Trident Chemphar shipments “without further delay”’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd (LCC) has extended its bid closing date for the emergency procurement of 300,000MT of coal, as an emergency hasn’t yet arisen, authoritative sources told the Sunday Times. The tender was floated on February 25, 2026, with a closing date of March 6. This has now been extended …

Continue reading ‘Lanka Coal Company (Pvt) Ltd (LCC) has extended its bid closing date for the emergency procurement of 300,000MT of coal,:speculation in the industry that “genuine bidders will not take part”’ »

By Prakash K.L. The ongoing marital dispute between Tamil actor and politician Vijay and his wife Sangeetha Sornalingam has taken a fresh turn, with his estranged wife filing a new petition in court seeking maintenance and residential rights amid their pending divorce case. The development comes two days after the TVK founder spotted with his …

Continue reading ‘Tamil Actor -Politico Vijay’s estranged wife Sangeetha files Interim petition in Chengalpattu court seeking maintenance and residential rights for hersef and their two Children amid their pending divorce case.’ »

The United States is pressing Sri Lanka’s government not to repatriate the survivors from the Iranian warship it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second Iranian ship that is in Sri Lankan custody, according to an internal ⁠State Department cable seen by Reuters on Friday (March 6, 2026). A U.S. submarine …

Continue reading ‘The United States is pressing Sri Lanka’s govt not to repatriate the survivors from the Iranian warship it sank this week, as well as the crew of a second Iranian ship that is in Sri Lankan custody, according to an internal ⁠State Department cable states News report by Reuters’ »

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has filed indictments in the Colombo High Court against Power Minister Kumara Jayakody over an alleged act of corruption linked to his previous role at Lanka Fertilizer Company Limited. According to the indictments, the charges relate to a period in 2016 when Jayakody served as Deputy …

Continue reading ‘Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption files Corruption charges In Colombo High Court against Power and Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody under Section 70(a) of the Bribery Act for Offence Allegedly Committed in 2016 while working as Deputy Procurement Manager of State-owned Lanka Fertilizer Company Ltd’ »

By Jeevan Thiagarajah The “Northern Gateway” Initiative transforms the Northern Province of Sri Lanka into a strategic economic powerhouse. The Government of India (GoI) should with the Government of Sri Lanka launch the “Palk Strait Corridor Excellence Program.” This initiative replicates the high-growth, industry-driven models of Southern Indian states to leverage India’s finance and markets, …

Continue reading ‘The “Northern Gateway” Initiative transforms the Northern Province of Sri Lanka into a strategic economic powerhouse.The Northern Province must be reimagined as a Frontier Province, serving as a living laboratory for Growth-Led Development.By leveraging its proximity to the trillion-dollar economy of Southern India, the North can pioneer a Sub-national Economic Corridor.’ »

By Col R Hariharan Will the arrest of Sri Lanka’s former intelligence chief Major General Suresh Salley in the last week of the month, in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks that killed nearly 270 people, bring to a closure of cases pending for the last seven years? I am not too sure …

Continue reading ‘Comparing and Contrasting the Follow Up Action Taken By India and Sri Lanka After the 26 November 2008 Mumbai Attacks and the 21 April 2019 Easter Attacks.’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Let me begin this article with an apology and explanation to readers. This week’s column should have been the second and final part of last week’s article (Is JVP Gen-Sec Tilvin the power behind President Dissanayake’s throne?).However this week’s column would be about the sensational arrest and detention of former Intelligence chief Maj-Gen …

Continue reading ‘April 2019 Easter Bombings, Arrest of Maj-Gen Suresh Sallay and the Allegations by Azad Maulana on Channel 4 TV.’ »

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday said Sri Lanka will adhere to a neutral foreign policy position in response to the ongoing regional conflict. Addressing developments involving the Iranian vessel IRIS Bushehr located near Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, the President said arrangements had been made to disembark the ship’s crew at the Port of Colombo.= He …

Continue reading ‘President Anura Kumara Dissanayake Says Sri Lanka will adhere to a neutral foreign policy position in response to the ongoing regional conflict.:appeals to all stakeholders to act responsibly and avoid exploiting the situation for political advantage, emphasising the importance of measured conduct during a sensitive period.’ »

BY Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka is evacuating 208 crew members from an Iranian naval ship — IRINS Bushehr — stranded near its territorial waters, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said on Thursday (March 5, 2026), a day after a U.S. submarine torpedoed another Iranian warship off Sri Lanka’s southern coast, killing at least 84 sailors and …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka Will Evacuate 208 Sailors from Iranian Naval Ship “IRINS Bushehr” Stranded Near Island Territorial Waters; Ship will be Docked at Trincomalee Port While Crew would be taken to Colombo Announces President Anura Kumara Dissanayake E.’ »

By Meera Srinivasan Amid growing concern over regional implications of the war in West Asia, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath arrived in New Delhi on Thursday (March 5, 2026) to attend ‘Raisina Dialogue’, the high-level annual global forum hosted by India on international and strategic affairs. While neither New Delhi nor Colombo has directly …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath arrived in New Delhi on March 5, 2026 to attend ‘Raisina Dialogue’, the high-level annual global forum hosted by India amid growing concern over regional implications of the war in West Asia,’ »

(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of March 2nd 2026 Under the heading “Imperial war: on the war against Iran”) Donald Trump came to the White House promising to end America’s endless wars. That promise now lies in ashes in West Asia. The far-right Republican, who, along with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, launched an …

Continue reading ‘Blood is on the hands of Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu: one a mercurial hard nationalist who is turning America into a rogue superpower, and the other, an expansionist ethnonationalist wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court.The war machines of the imperial duo have already wrecked the region. Such thuggery cannot be accepted in the international system- “The Hindu”’ »

By Meera Srinivasan The U.S. has “perpetrated an atrocity” at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores, and will “bitterly regret” the move, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi has said. The official reaction from Tehran comes a day after a U.S. submarine attacked the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, which sank in the Indian Ocean …

Continue reading ‘The U.S. has “perpetrated an atrocity” at sea, 2,000 miles away from Iran’s shores, and will “bitterly regret” the move warns Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi in an Official Response to the sinking of Iranian Warship IRIS Dena by the US off Sri Lnka’s Southern Coast’ »

By Meera Srinivasan A U.S. submarine attacked an Iranian warship, which sank in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, bringing the West Asian conflict closer to the Indian subcontinent. At least 87 people were killed in the torpedo attack. U.S. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed the strike at a press …

Continue reading ‘Torpedo Attack by US Submarine Sinks Iranian Frigate “IRIS Dena” 40 Nautical Miles Off Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast: Two Lankan Navy Vessels Respond to Dawn Distress Call and Rescue 32 Iranian Sailors Admitted to Galle Hospital;87 Bodies recovered by SL Navy.’ »

A second Iranian warship is heading towards Sri Lanka’s territorial waters, the same area where a US submarine destroyed an Iranian frigate yesterday. Sri Lanka’s media minister Nalinda Jayatissa said the warship, reported to be carrying more than 100 crew, is just outside Sri Lankan waters. The statement comes after Sri Lanka’s cabinet ‌spokesperson said …

Continue reading ‘Second Iranian Frigate Heading Towards Sri Lanka’s Southern Territorial Waters Where an Iranian Warship Sankk after being Attacked by a US Submarine Torpedo.’ »

Iranian sailors who survived a U.S. submarine ​strike in the Indian Ocean were recovering at ‌a hospital in the Sri Lankan ​port city of Galle, authorities said ⁠on Thursday (March 5, 2026), a day after at least 87 were killed in the attack. Authorities at the National Hospital ‌in Galle and navy sources said 87 …

Continue reading ‘32 Sailors from the Iranian Navy who were Rescued by the Sri Lankan Navy after the Iranian Frigate “IRIS Dena” Sank in the Waters off Sri Lanka’s Southern Coast in a Torpedo attack by a US Submarine Receive Medical Treatment at Ward No 58 of the Galle National Hospital’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Loku Ayya” Tilvin Silva’s 70th Birthday on February 26th. “Power behind the throne” is a phrase that is generally used to refer to someone who does not hold an official leadership position but is actually one who effectively wields control. The phrase is generally used in the context of politics and/or governance to …

Continue reading ‘Is JVP General-Secretary Tilvin Silva the Real Power Behind President Dissanayake’s Throne?’ »

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday assured Parliament that Sri Lanka has sufficient fuel stocks at present, despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East, and outlined a schedule of incoming shipments to ensure uninterrupted supply. Addressing the House, the President said diesel stocks are adequate for 33 days under prevailing consumption levels, while petrol inventories …

Continue reading ‘President Anura Kumara Dissanayake states in Parliament that Sri Lanka has sufficient fuel stocks at present despite the escalating conflict in the Middle East:Diesel cover for 33 days, petrol 28 days (rising to 40 days), and aviation fuel 49 days,Crude oil for 26 days’ »

By Tisaranee Gunasekara “An evil man will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes” – Attributed to Sun Tzu Little girls died first. Over a hundred of them. Felled by a missile on a warm sunny morning. On the first day of Israel-America’s illegal war against Iran. The Shajareh Tayyebeh …

Continue reading ‘The Illegal and Unprovoked war against Iran makes no sense from a global, American or even Israeli point of view, but it does from the point of view of Binyamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump.’ »

By Callistus Davy Besieged coach Sanath Jayasuriya has found himself trapped or poised to backtrack after telling the media he will throw in the towel after the T20 World Cup match against Pakistan last Saturday and then deciding to stay on for talks with Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that has become the fiefdom of a …

Continue reading ‘The baffling inaction of current President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in not making changes at Sri Lanka Cricket despite being a vocal critic against the conduct of cricket officials when he was an Opposition MP’ »

BY Dr. Jehan Perera President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been investing his political capital in going to the public to explain some of the most politically sensitive and controversial issues. At a time when easier political choices are available, the President is choosing the harder path of confronting ethnic suspicion and communal fears. There are …

Continue reading ‘President Dissanayake has recognised that Sri Lanka’s long term political stability and economic recovery depend on building trust among communities that once peacefully coexisted and then lived through decades of war.’ »

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) has directed its officials to prepare the indictment papers to be filed on allegations against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody on the misappropriation of funds while he was serving at the Fertiliser Corporation in 2015. Earlier the minister had requested permission for his counsel to call …

Continue reading ‘Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) directs its officials to prepare indictment papers to be filed against Energy Minister Kumara Jayakody for the alleged misappropriation of funds in 2015 while he was working at the Fertiliser Corporation’ »

By Namini Wijedasa Operational data from Lakvijaya in Norochcholai continued to show this week that South African coal imported under the ongoing 2025-26 tender does not allow the plant to generate the required amount of energy. However, both load port and discharge port reports from two separate accredited foreign laboratories also still indicate that every …

Continue reading ‘Operational data from Lakvijaya in Norochcholai shows that South African coal imported under the 2025-26 tender does not allow the plant to generate the required amount of energy. Plant Output Drop from 810 MW to 750 MW’ »

By Kumudini Hettiarachchi As illegal development activity on Mandaitivu linked to the Jaffna International Cricket Stadium of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) was halted by the country’s environmental watchdog, a powerful call went out from conservationists to cancel the project forthwith, as it was the “worst” site, with a disastrous fallout economically, environmentally and on the …

Continue reading ‘International Cricket Stadium and Sports City Project by Sri Lanka Cricket in Northern Mandaitheevu Should be Cancelled as it would be an Economic and Environmental Disaster Affecting the Livelihoods of People Living There’ »

By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Tamil Nadu state chief minister and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagham leader MK Stalin celebrated his 73rd Birthday today(March 1st). Dtalin has been the Tamil Nadu chief minister from May 2021. Elections to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly will be held in a few months. The DMK led Alliance under Stalin is expected to win …

Continue reading ‘“Tamil and Tamil Nadu are our life, and it is our duty to save them” states Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin Celebrating his 73rd Birthday.’ »