July 31, Colombo (LNW): The New Zealand government has agreed to support the development of Sri Lanka’s dairy industry.

Following discussions with Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera, New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine announced assistance in promoting dairy farming in Sri Lanka.

Their talks also covered the cultivation of avocados, pineapples, and mangoes. Currently, avocados are being grown in Sri Lanka’s central hills to meet high foreign demand.

With 60% of Sri Lanka’s milk still imported, boosting local production requires new technology, quality semen imports, and advanced dairy farming techniques.

The High Commissioner confirmed New Zealand’s commitment to providing the necessary technical support in collaboration with the Sri Lankan government.

Additionally, New Zealand will explore opportunities to import Sri Lankan pineapples and mangoes.

The passing away of the late Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratna marks the end of the principled politics and leaves a vacuum in the left movement of Sri Lanka. The British Tamils Forum joins the large number of his admirers in paying its respects to a champion of the disadvantaged. To Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratna, his principles and his commitment to the welfare of the mankind came before the pomp and pageantry associated with the high political offices.

Dr. Wickramabahu Karunaratna steadfastly remained committed to the founding principles of the “fourth International” – equality, fraternity and liberty. He was among a very small circle of Marxist politicians in Sri Lanka to acknowledge the inalienable right to self-determination of the Tamil nation in the island of Ceylon. This earned him the eternal gratitude and a deep seated respect of Tamils.

Old soldiers do not die – they fade away gracefully leaving behind the finest of the memories.

British Tamils Forum

July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Fourth Meeting of the BIMSTEC National Security Chiefs (BNSCs) and its Preparatory Meeting took place in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, last week.

Defence Secretary General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne represented Sri Lanka at the meeting on Friday (26).

The session, held in a retreat format, was inaugurated by Myanmar’s Union Minister and National Security Advisor, General Moe Aung.

Delegations from BIMSTEC member countries—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—participated.

Key discussions centred on regional security challenges, maritime and cyber security, as well as future initiatives.

Progress in counter terrorism and transnational crime (CTTC) within the BIMSTEC region was also reviewed.

Sri Lanka advocated for increased cooperation amongst BIMSTEC nations in these areas.

General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne held bilateral meetings with Myanmar’s Prime Minister and Chairman of the State Administration Council, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, and Admiral Moe Aung, the National Security Advisor.

They discussed mutual interests in defence and maritime collaboration, as well as the exchange of delegations and trainee officers.

Gunaratne also requested Myanmar’s assistance in rescuing the remaining 54 Sri Lankans trapped in Myawaddy, expressing gratitude for previous help in this matter.

July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Interim Secretariat for Truth and Reconciliation Mechanism (ISTRM) launched its official website on 18th July 2024 at the Chamber Hall, Presidential Secretariat, with Secretary to the President, Mr. Saman Ekanayake, as the guest of honour.

The ISTRM was established to address post-conflict grievances and promote reconciliation, reparation, and sustainable peace in Sri Lanka.

The initiative aims to prevent future conflicts among the nation’s diverse communities.

The Commission will implement recommendations from past commissions, including the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC), and the 2006 Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms.

The ISTRM is building the necessary legal and policy frameworks to support truth, reconciliation, and national unity.

Public and stakeholder engagement is a key focus, with consultations held nationwide to address community concerns.

The website launch is a pivotal step in fostering transparent communication and active public involvement in the reconciliation process.

July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Railways Department has announced the resumption of the online train seat reservations system starting on 1st September.

Reservations will now open at 10 a.m., reverting to the previous schedule. Previously, reservations commenced at 7 p.m., but the time has been changed back to 10 a.m.

July 31, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo High Court has sentenced four individuals to death for the 2013 murder of a man, attacked with clubs and stones.

High Court Judge Aditya Patabandige delivered the sentence on Tuesday (30), targeting the accused from Orugodawatta.

Originally, six defendants faced charges, but the second defendant died during the trial, and the sixth was acquitted due to insufficient evidence.

In 2017, the Attorney General indicted the accused on four counts.

The judge ruled that the prosecution proved their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.