May 22, Colombo (LNW): Eleven Indian fishermen who had been detained in Sri Lanka since early January returned to Tamil Nadu late on Wednesday, bringing closure to a months-long diplomatic effort involving both New Delhi and Colombo.

The men, all from Rameswaram, had ventured into the Palk Strait for what was intended to be a routine fishing expedition on January 11, only to find themselves in custody after allegedly breaching Sri Lanka’s maritime border.

According to officials familiar with the matter, the Sri Lankan Coast Guard intercepted the fishermen after they were believed to have crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

The group’s fishing vessels were confiscated, and the crew was taken ashore and later placed in judicial custody. Their detention drew concern from local communities in southern India, where cross-border fishing incidents have long been a point of contention.

The Tamil Nadu state administration, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, promptly called upon the Indian central government to intervene. In the weeks that followed, diplomatic efforts intensified.

The Indian High Commission in Colombo worked in tandem with the Ministry of External Affairs in New Delhi to negotiate the fishermen’s release.

On May 14, after more than four months in Sri Lankan custody, the group was officially released. The handover to Indian authorities was conducted with due protocol, followed by consular assistance in preparing travel documents for their safe passage home.

The incident once again underscored the sensitive nature of maritime boundaries in the region, where small-scale fishermen often risk detention due to the ambiguity and proximity of national borders in shared fishing zones.

With Indian and Sri Lankan authorities periodically agreeing to release detained fishermen as a gesture of goodwill, long-term solutions to prevent such occurrences happens to have remained elusive.

May 22, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka today observes the 53rd anniversary of becoming a republic—a pivotal moment in its journey from colonial subjugation to sovereign statehood.

It was on May 22, 1972 that the country, then known as Ceylon, adopted its first homegrown Constitution, formally severing its remaining constitutional ties with the British Crown.

Though Ceylon had attained independence on February 04, 1948, that freedom came with limitations. The country remained a Dominion within the Commonwealth, recognising the British monarch as its head of state.

It was not until the Republican Constitution was introduced by a constituent assembly of elected Sri Lankan representatives that the nation fully embraced its identity as a republic, shedding the last vestiges of colonial rule.

This significant constitutional shift marked more than just a change in legal status. It signalled the country’s intent to forge a political and legal order rooted in its own traditions, aspirations, and values—independent from external authority.

The 1972 Constitution replaced the Soulbury Constitution, a document inherited from the British, and reaffirmed the sovereignty of the people through a newly established National State Assembly.

The republic’s birth took place during a period of global decolonisation, when many former colonies were striving to reclaim their political agency. For Sri Lanka, this transition was also symbolic of a broader cultural and national resurgence—one that sought to reassert the island’s own identity following centuries of foreign dominance.

With a civilisation spanning more than two millennia and a history rich in cultural and political evolution, Sri Lanka’s republican milestone is widely regarded as one of the defining chapters in its modern narrative.

Yet in recent decades, the annual commemoration has gradually faded from public prominence. Whilst the day continues to hold constitutional significance, formal state celebrations ceased after 2009, and there have since been no large-scale observances organised by the government.

Nevertheless, many legal scholars, historians, and civic organisations continue to reflect on the day as one that redefined the nature of the Sri Lankan state. For them, Republic Day serves not only as a historical marker, but also as a reminder of the country’s ongoing responsibility to uphold democratic values, institutional integrity, and the rule of law.

May 22, Colombo (LNW): South-West monsoon has established over the island, and showers or thundershowers, therefore, will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (22).

A few showers may occur in North-central province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in Uva province and in Ampara district during the evening or night.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central, North-western and Southern provinces and in Trincomalee district.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather:

Condition of Rain:
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Hambantota via Colombo and Galle.

Winds:
Winds will be westerly to south-westerly and wind speed will be (30-40) kmph. Wind speed can increase up to (55-60) kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota.

Wind speed can increase up to 50 kmph at times in the sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu.

State of Sea:
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Kankasanthurai via Puttalam and Mannar and from Galle to Pottuvil via Hambanthota will be rough at times.
The sea areas off the coast extending from Chilaw to Galle via Colombo and from Kankasanthurai to Trincomalee via Mullaittivu will be fairly rough at times.

The wave height may increase (about 2.0 – 2.5 m) in the sea areas off the coast extending from Puttalam to Pottuvil via Colombo, Galle and Hambantota (this is not for land area).

Naval and fishing communities are requested to be vigilant in this regard.

Temporarily strong gusty winds and very rough seas can be expected during thundershowers.

By: Staff Writer

May 21, Colombo (LNW): The government has announced plans to amend the controversial Online Safety Act, No. 9 of 2024, a law initially passed under the previous regime despite strong opposition from civil society groups, media organizations, and opposition parties.

Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala confirmed that the move is part of broader efforts to align Sri Lanka’s legislation with European Union (EU) standards, particularly in light of the upcoming review of the country’s eligibility for the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences Plus (GSP+).

The EU’s GSP+ facility grants Sri Lanka preferential trade access, which is vital for sectors such as apparel and manufacturing. Losing this benefit could result in significant economic setbacks, affecting both exports and employment.

Wijepala revealed that a special committee comprising representatives from the Ministries of Public Security, Health, Media, and Justice has been tasked with drafting amendments. These ministries are expected to submit a joint Cabinet Paper outlining proposed changes to the Online Safety Act.

A monitoring delegation from the EU is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka in late April 2025 to evaluate the country’s compliance with GSP+ requirements.

These include adherence to international standards on human rights, labor rights, environmental protection, and good governance. The Online Safety Act and the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) have drawn particular concern due to their potential impact on freedom of expression.

An official from the Department of Commerce noted that EU oversight could influence domestic policies, especially legislation that affects internet freedom or privacy.

He also mentioned that new GSP+ guidelines may require signatories to ratify additional treaties, including those related to disability rights, children’s rights, and climate change.

Originally proposed by former Public Security Minister Tiran Alles, the Online Safety Act aimed to combat online fraud, gender-based violence, and child abuse.

However, the bill was met with fierce legal and public resistance. Over 50 petitions were filed with the Supreme Court, challenging the bill’s constitutionality.

The court ruled that several provisions required a special parliamentary majority but could be passed with a simple majority if amended at the committee stage.

Despite widespread objections, then-Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena signed the bill into law, prompting further legal action. Transparency International Sri Lanka and others filed fundamental rights petitions, claiming the enactment process violated constitutional principles.

During a court session in February 2025, Additional Solicitor General Viraj Dayaratne confirmed that the current National People’s Power (NPP)-led government intends to introduce amendments. The Supreme Court, acknowledging this development, postponed the next hearing to June 23, 2025.

May 21, Colombo (LNW): In a move aligned with the national agenda to promote integrity in public institutions, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defence has introduced a dedicated unit tasked with enhancing internal oversight and addressing shortcomings in public service provision.

The newly formed Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), now operational at the Ministry’s premises, is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering institutional transparency and confronting entrenched inefficiencies.

This initiative follows a directive issued through a circular from the Presidential Secretariat and forms part of the broader 2025–2029 National Anti-Corruption Framework initiated by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The IAU is designed to function as a preventative and investigative mechanism, focusing not only on addressing public complaints but also on conducting internal reviews and identifying vulnerabilities in administrative processes.

According to Ministry sources, the unit will actively monitor service delivery standards and highlight systemic weaknesses that may contribute to corruption or procedural lapses.

It is mandated to submit comprehensive annual reports to both the Presidential Secretariat and the national anti-bribery commission, ensuring a consistent review of its progress and findings.

At the official launch, Retired Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuiyacontha, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, underlined the shared duty of public servants in maintaining institutional integrity. He stated that accountability must not be confined to enforcement bodies alone but should be reflected in the everyday operations of government departments.

He further remarked that the introduction of such internal oversight mechanisms marks a shift in governance strategy—one that seeks to embed ethical discipline within the core of public administration, rather than relying solely on punitive after-the-fact interventions.

Mrs Priyangani Hewarathna, who has been appointed to lead the Internal Affairs Unit, presented the framework and functions of the division to Ministry officials during the inaugural briefing. Her address outlined plans for a collaborative approach in evaluating risks, responding to public grievances, and supporting internal capacity-building efforts.

The occasion drew the participation of several senior figures, including the Chief of National Intelligence, the Director General of Planning (Disaster Management), and various additional secretaries and departmental heads within the Defence Ministry. Attendees reportedly expressed optimism about the potential of the unit to reinforce the credibility of the Ministry’s operations and reduce inefficiency and misconduct.

May 21, Colombo (LNW): Sri Lanka’s public health sector is facing mounting pressure as the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has sounded the alarm over a worsening shortage of essential medicines in hospitals, whilst the Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals is preparing to launch an island-wide token strike from May 22.

Addressing the media, GMOA spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe revealed that the country’s hospital network is grappling with a dire lack of critical medications, including antibiotics, insulin, painkillers, and drugs for heart disease and hypertension.

He added that by the end of April, the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) had completely run out of nearly 180 essential medicines, with a further 50 varieties missing from hospital stocks.

“This crisis spans both national and regional hospitals. It’s not only about medicine – even basic surgical equipment is in short supply,” said Dr. Wijesinghe. “The implications for patient care are catastrophic if these gaps are not addressed immediately.”

Healthcare professionals have expressed growing frustration over the Ministry of Health’s failure to ensure uninterrupted drug supplies, warning that systemic failures in the procurement and distribution process could risk patient lives and paralyse hospital functions.

In a further escalation, the Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals, representing crucial non-physician medical staff including radiographers, laboratory technicians, and pharmacists, has announced a nationwide token strike beginning tomorrow (22) at 8:00 a.m..

Federation president Ravi Kumudesh said the strike is being carried out in protest against long-standing grievances that have remained unresolved despite repeated appeals to the Minister of Health, the Public Service Commission, and other relevant authorities.

“For over two months, we have requested meetings to discuss these urgent matters. Our calls have been ignored. This token strike is not our first option – it’s our last,” Kumudesh declared. “The Ministry must bear full responsibility for any disruption to health services.”