By: Staff Writer

May 19, Colombo (LNW): Several countries around the world spearheaded by India and China have stepped into collaborate and contribute towards the establishment of International Climate Change University in Sri Lanka considering their responsibility for climate action, senior presidential advisor on climate change Ruwan Wijewardena said.

President Wickremesinghe clarified that the university will not be confined to Sri Lanka; it will be an international stakeholder university, calling upon the international community to join hands in this endeavour, welcoming collaboration and contributions from around the world.

The International Climate Change University was one of the proposals Wickremesinghe made in the previous Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt in 2022 and the government has already allocated 600 acres of land in the central Nuwara Eliya district.

It was launched at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) with an aim to promote climate related research and technologies.

During COP28, in Dubai, Sri Lanka’s President Ranil Wickremesing launched proposals for three new initiatives—a climate justice forum, a tropical belt initiative, and an international climate change university.

A Chinese research institute and two or three Indian universities have expressed willingness to collaborate in Sri Lanka’s climate related capacity building endeavour, he disclosed.

Universities from Yele to George Town, Chinese Research Universities, University of Geneva from Italy, and University from Gujarat, have been keen on coming in and establishing the university.

The British Council is ready to get the assistance of several British universities specializing in climate change as a subject to come together as one, so that they can take certain subjects of the Climate Change University, he revealed.

Bangladesh, Seychelles and Moldova have already pledged their support to the ICCU. He emphasized that climate action is not the sole responsibility of any single nation and called upon the international community to join hands in this endeavour.

The International Climate Change University would be a post-graduate institution solely focused on research and does not offer undergraduate courses. Any country or organization that contributes to the university becomes a stakeholder and gains membership on the Board of Governance.

The Korean Exim Bank has expressed interest in partnering with the university. President Wickremesinghe urged that all future research in the field of climate change should be conducted at this institution.

With the risk of other extreme weather events and climate-related disasters continuing to increase, the Government of Sri Lanka is scaling up its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change under the Paris Agreement.

Central to this approach is the recognition that adaptation and mitigation strategies represent opportunities rather than obstacles to sustainable development and green economic growth.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): The Indian Coast Guard has reportedly detained seven Sri Lankan nationals along with their mechanised fishing boat for poaching in Indian waters.

Indian media reports claimed that the Indian Coast Guard Ship Vaibhav apprehended the Sri Lankan yesterday (18), after it was spotted fishing off the Kanniyakumari coast.

The boat, carrying seven crew members, was intercepted for illegal fishing activities within Indian maritime territory, according to ‘The Hindu’.

The Indian Coast Guard would transport the detained boat and the Sri Lankan fishermen to the Tharuvaikulam Fish Landing Centre on Sunday, 19 May, and upon arrival, they will be handed over to the marine police for further legal action, The Hindu report detailed.

This incident follows the arrest on May 16, of 14 Sri Lankan fishermen from Paruthithurai, Point Pedro.

They were detained by the Indian Coast Guard along with five boats for crossing the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and engaging in the illegal fishing of sea cucumbers.

By: Isuru Parakrama

May 19, London (LNW): In a recent statement, Lord David Cameron emphasised Britain’s commitment to improving human rights in Sri Lanka and supporting meaningful progress that allows the island’s residents to “remember their loved ones freely.”

Reflecting on his 2013 visit to Jaffna, Lord Cameron stated: “As we mark the 15th anniversary of the end of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict, my thoughts are with all those killed and disappeared, and with their loved ones who continue to search for answers.

I heard first-hand about the devastating consequences of the war when I visited Northern Sri Lanka in 2013. There I made a commitment that the UK would support truth, justice, and accountability for all.”

Thangam Debbonaire, the Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, underscored the necessity of holding perpetrators accountable. 

“The Sri Lankan government has had more than 15 years since the end of the conflict but has frustrated any meaningful investigation and failed to fulfil assurances it gave the international community to deliver justice for Tamil victims,” she remarked.

Debbonaire called on the British government to support the Tamil community and take a decisive role in ensuring the Sri Lankan government acts to promote justice and accountability. 

She also highlighted the importance of considering the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights’ recommendations to refer those responsible for war crimes to the International Criminal Court.

Other politicians, including the Rt Hon Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet and Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Tamils, Steve Tuckwell, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip, and Louie French, MP for Old Bexley and Sidcup, shared video messages expressing solidarity and offering condolences to Tamils on Mullivaikkal Remembrance Day.

MP Theresa Villiers, reflecting on the memorial, remarked on the thousands of Tamils who were killed during the final phase of the armed conflict, underscoring the ongoing need for justice and remembrance.

*With inputs from Tamil Guardian

May 19, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ordered the resumption of the “Suraksha” student insurance programme, which had been temporarily suspended due to economic challenges.

Commencing from the first week of June, this insurance scheme will extend coverage to all school students across the island, according to the President’s Media Division.

The Cabinet has approved the Joint Cabinet Memorandum presented by the President, in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Economic Stabilisation, and National Policy, together with the Minister of Education, Susil Premajayantha.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): President Ranil Wickremesinghe has reportedly engaged in discussions with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk regarding the implementation of Starlink in Sri Lanka, on the sidelines of the 10th World Water Forum High-Level Meeting in Indonesia.

The President committed to expediting the application process to integrate Sri Lanka into the global Starlink network, according to the President’s Office.

Starlink, developed by the private spaceflight company SpaceX, is a satellite network designed to provide low-cost internet access to remote and underserved locations.

Commenting on the meeting, Water Supply and Estate Infrastructure Development Minister Jeevan Thondaman wrote that it is ‘great to have two visionary leaders come together for Sri Lanka.’

May 19, Colombo (LNW): Over 280 kilogrammes of narcotics were incinerated using a newly installed high-powered incinerator in Vanathavilluwa, Puttalam.

This facility, constructed at a cost exceeding Rs. 11 million, was utilised yesterday (18) to destroy 251 kilogrammes of heroin and 38 kilogrammes of methamphetamine (ICE).

The destruction process was overseen by Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon.

Previously, the lack of a permanent facility for drug disposal required the government to incur substantial costs.

To address this, the new incinerator has been set up on 20 perches of land in the Lactose Garden area of Vanathavilluwa, owned by the Special Task Force (STF).

The Sri Lanka Navy prepared the site, while the Sri Lanka Police allocated Rs. 6.34 million for its preparation.

The incineration was conducted under the supervision of the Puttalam Magistrate, with representatives from the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board and officers from the Government Analyst’s Department present.

The drugs were destroyed at temperatures ranging between 800 and 1200 degrees Celsius.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): The Defence Ministry has received more than 400 complaints from families of citizens allegedly recruited by mercenary companies to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war, reports said.

Authorities initiated a probe earlier this month following reports of Sri Lankan nationals, particularly those with military backgrounds, being trafficked to participate in the conflict in Ukraine.

In response to these concerns, the Defence Ministry established a hotline for family members to lodge complaints.

This move came after several returnees revealed the perilous conditions faced by predominantly ex-soldiers, who were fighting mainly for Russia.

To date, the Ministry has received a total of 411 complaints.

Reports indicate that not only former security forces personnel but also civilians without any military training have been recruited as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The government has decided to dispatch a delegation to Russia to identify and repatriate its citizens currently engaged in combat for Russia in Ukraine.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): In commemoration of the 15th Victory Day Anniversary, a total of 114 officers and 1,395 other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army have been promoted to their next ranks.

These promotions were authorised by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, following recommendations from the Ministry of Defence and Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage.

The promotions are effective from 19 May 2024, coinciding with the National War Heroes Commemoration Day.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): The renowned Global Peace Ambassador and Spiritual Leader, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (18) afternoon for a three-day official visit.

Defence State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon welcomed the Spiritual Leader at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake upon his arrival.

Shankar was accompanied by the Governor of the Eastern Province, Senthil Thondaman.

During his stay from 18 to 20 May, Shankar is scheduled to attend an event titled ‘Ekamuthuva: An Evening of Music, Meditation, and Wisdom’ at Taj Samudra on 19 May.

Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, an Indian yoga guru and spiritual leader, is widely recognised as a global humanitarian and peace envoy.

He is also the founder of ‘Transcendental Meditation’.

May 19, Colombo (LNW): The National Building and Research Organisation (NBRO) issued early landslide warnings on Saturday (18), for several localities across four districts, effective until 4:00 p.m. on 19 May.

A Level 02 (Amber) alert has been issued for the following areas:

• Badulla: Ella Divisional Secretariat Division (DSD) and surrounding areas.

Additionally, Level 01 (Yellow) alerts have been issued for the following areas:

• Badulla: Hali Ela, Badulla, Haputale, and Haldummulla DSDs and surrounding areas.
• Kandy: Ganga Ihala Korale, Pasbage Korale, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, and Yatinuwara DSDs and surrounding areas.
• Kegalle: Bulathkohupitiya, Deraniyagala, Ruwanwella, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Warakapola, Yatiyanthota, Mawanella, and Galigamuwa DSDs and surrounding areas.
• Ratnapura: Imbulpe, Balangoda, Elapatha, Kalawana, Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Ayagama, Ratnapura, and Kuruwita DSDs and surrounding areas.