By: Editor (LGBTIQ)

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Renowned Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ rights activist Rosanna Flamer-Caldera has been honoured as an Icon in Time magazine’s prestigious list of the 100 most influential people of 2024.

Time magazine acknowledges Caldera’s remarkable dedication to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights in Sri Lanka, spanning over two decades.

Her unwavering efforts culminated in a significant triumph for queer women globally.

In a groundbreaking verdict in 2022, the United Nations supported Caldera in her legal challenge against Sri Lanka’s prohibition on same-sex intimacy among women, deeming it a violation of human rights.

This pivotal case propelled LGBTQIA+ rights to the forefront of Sri Lankan political discourse.

Subsequently, following the UN’s decision, a legislative proposal to decriminalise consensual same-sex conduct between adults was introduced by Ruling Party MP Premnath Dolawatte.

Although President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed no opposition to the amendment, its constitutional validity was contested before the Supreme Court.

Ironically, the bill was challenged by a group of stalwarts of the same political party in which Dolawatte serves as an MP.

The Supreme Court dismissed the arguments against the bill, delivering a special determination that consensual same-sex conduct between adults do not violate the Constitution of Sri Lanka, and a bill to decriminalise such acts, therefore, can be made into law with a simple-majority in Parliament.

Rosanna Flamer-Caldera’s LGBTQIA+ rights organisation, Equal Ground, formed in 2004, was among the groups advocating in support of the bill.

Caldera’s contribution to the rights of queer people in Sri Lanka runs way beyond the era during which Equal Ground was formed.

In the political climate of Sri Lanka, the National Peoples Power (NPP) led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP) remains the sole party which recognises LGBTQIA+ rights in its written policies. The main Opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) categorically recognises LGBTQIA+ rights, despite having no confirmed report of possessing such policy in its manifestos.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): The final rites of the late former UNP MP, Palitha Thewarapperuma, are scheduled to take place tomorrow (19) at 2:00 PM at his residence in Yatadholawatte, Mathugama, sources close to the former Sri Lankan lawmaker said.

Thewarapperuma will be interred at a grave that he had personally prepared on his estate during his lifetime.

The late politician’s body was brought to his residence yesterday (17) and will remain there until Friday afternoon.

Family sources have indicated that religious ceremonies will be conducted before Thewarapperuma is laid to rest on Friday.

Thewarapperuma tragically passed away on Tuesday (16) after suffering an electrocution accident while working on his estate.

He was 64 years old at the time of his demise.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): The National People’s Power (NPP) has outlined a comprehensive plan to address the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack, emphasising justice for victims and their families.

In a recent briefing, the NPP vowed to establish a special Commission of Inquiry with full judicial powers to delve deeper into the findings unearthed by previous investigations into the attack.

This commission will ensure that justice is served swiftly and effectively to the affected families, the Party emphasised.

The NPP is committed to implementing the law rigorously against all individuals involved in plotting and executing the attack, according to the statement.

Those responsible will face swift and decisive punishment based on the recommendations of the special committee, the lawyers collective of the Party said during the briefing.

Highlighting the government’s failure to deliver justice to the victims and their families, the NPP underscored the need for immediate action.

The Easter attack, which took away more than 270 lives and deemed ‘a conspiracy’ with political motives, will be thoroughly investigated, and those behind it will be held accountable, the statement added.

Additionally, the NPP pledged to take action against individuals who neglected their duty to prevent the attacks despite prior intelligence reports.

Security officials who impeded investigations into the culprits will also face consequences, the NPP lawyers said.

Under the leadership of the NPP, criminal charges will be filed against political authorities and government officials complicit in the attack.

Furthermore, ongoing cases related to the Easter Attacks will be prioritised for swift resolution.

Efforts will also be made to extradite criminals who fled the country, ensuring that all conspirators are brought to justice.

Additionally, the Party added that a compensation mechanism will be introduced to provide restitution to victims of the carnage and those who suffered property damage.

Overall, the NPP is committed to upholding justice, accountability, and the rights of the victims and their families in the aftermath of the Easter Sunday attack.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): The Colombo District Court today (18) has extended the interim injunction preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) until May 9.

The decision came during the hearing of a case filed by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga this morning.

The initial enjoining order, issued on April 4, restrained Sirisena from acting as the SLFP chairman.

Following this, the SLFP’s politburo appointed Minister of Ports, Aviation, and Shipping Nimal Siripala de Silva as the party’s Acting Chairman on April 8.

In March, Sirisena sparked controversy by claiming to possess information about the ‘true mastermind’ behind the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage, which took away more than 270 lives.

He expressed readiness to disclose this information to the judiciary if requested or if an appropriate order was issued.

During a media interaction in Kandy, Sirisena reiterated his willingness to provide the relevant details while emphasising the judiciary’s role in maintaining strict confidentiality regarding such matters.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): On Wednesday (17), the proposed reforms for the electricity sector were officially published in the government gazette under the title ‘Sri Lanka Electricity Bill’.

The Bill would be tabled in the Parliament during the upcoming sitting week, Power and Energy Minister Kanchana Wijesekara wrote on his X handle.

Furthermore, Minister Wijesekara highlighted that the revisions proposed by stakeholders in January have been incorporated into the updated version of the Bill.

Additionally, Wijesekara noted that members of the public will have a two-week period, starting from the day of the Bill’s presentation to Parliament, to challenge its legality in the Supreme Court.

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Iranian emergency services successfully rescued 21 Sri Lankan crew members after their ship capsized amidst heavy storms in the Gulf of Oman, Iranian State media reported yesterday (17).

According to the official IRNA news agency, the Cook Islands-flagged vessel, which was carrying oil, encountered distress approximately 50 kilometres (30 miles) off the southern city of Jask.

“A rescue vessel was dispatched to the area, and 21 crew members were saved,” Mohammad Amin Amani, director of Jask Ports and Maritime Administration, said.

He further noted, “Five individuals requiring medical attention received treatment from Jask emergency services, and their physical condition is reported to be good.”

The incident occurred amid severe weather conditions, including torrential rains, which have been impacting the Strait of Hormuz, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates since Monday.

Tragically, these storms have resulted in floods that claimed the lives of at least 18 people in Oman.

By: Isuru Parakrama

April 18, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle and Matara districts after 2.00 p.m., the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (18).

Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in North-central, Central and North-western provinces and in Mannar districts during the afternoon or night, the statement added.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

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

Marine Weather:

The Sri Lankan Rupee experienced varied fluctuations against the US Dollar in trading at different commercial banks today, April 17, showing a mix of slight depreciation and appreciation compared to Tuesday’s rates.

Seylan Bank reported a minor drop in both buying and selling rates, with the buying rate slightly decreasing from Rs. 293 to Rs. 292.85, and the selling rate adjusting from Rs. 302.50 to Rs. 302.35.

Conversely, NDB Bank showed an increase in its rates, with the buying rate moving up from Rs. 292.15 to Rs. 294, and the selling rate from Rs. 303.15 to Rs. 305. Similarly, Peoples Bank recorded an increase in the buying rate from Rs. 293.46 to Rs. 294.93 and in the selling rate from Rs. 303.39 to Rs. 304.91.

Commercial Bank and Sampath Bank also reported rises in both buying and selling rates. Commercial Bank’s buying rate climbed from Rs. 292.98 to Rs. 294.21, with the selling rate moving from Rs. 302.25 to Rs. 303.50. Sampath Bank saw its buying rate increase from Rs. 294.25 to Rs. 295.50 and its selling rate from Rs. 303.25 to Rs. 304.50.

April 17, Colombo (LNW):Sri Lanka is set to enhance its tourism appeal by offering free visas to visitors from more than 50 countries. This initiative, aimed at stimulating the travel sector, is being prepared as a proposal for submission to the Cabinet of Ministers next week.

The draft Cabinet paper is being coordinated by the Tourism Minister in collaboration with Foreign Minister Ali Sabry and Public Security Minister Tiran Alles. This collaborative effort underscores the government’s commitment to reinvigorating the tourism industry, which is a significant source of revenue and employment in the country.

By removing the visa fees for these countries, Sri Lanka aims to attract more tourists, potentially increasing foreign exchange earnings and bolstering economic recovery efforts in the post-pandemic era.