March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a specialised operation late last night (16) to deter Indian poaching trawlers from encroaching into Sri Lankan waters.

As a result of the operation, two Indian trawlers were seized, and 21 Indian fishermen were apprehended for poaching in Sri Lankan waters off the Delft Island.

Utilising Fast Attack Craft, the Northern Naval Command intercepted a group of Indian poaching trawlers observed engaging in illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters near the Delft Island.

Following the operation, two Indian poaching trawlers were confiscated, and 21 Indian fishermen were detained for continuing their activities within Sri Lankan waters.

The seized vessels, along with the apprehended individuals, were escorted to the Kankesanthurai Harbour.

Subsequently, they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for further legal proceedings, as per naval authorities.

This recent enforcement action brings the total number of Indian poaching trawlers seized by the Sri Lanka Navy in 2024 to 18, along with 146 Indian fishermen apprehended in Sri Lankan waters.

All individuals involved have been duly handed over to the appropriate authorities to initiate legal proceedings.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Malaysian authorities detained 158 individuals, including Sri Lankans, for residing in Malaysia without valid visas or permits and for overstaying their permitted duration, foreign reports claimed.

The apprehensions occurred during a raid conducted at the Bercham Flats in Perak, as reported by the Malaysian National News Agency, Bernama, according to Perak Immigration Director, Meor Hezbullah Meor Abdul Malik.

The detainees, comprising 83 men, 54 women, 8 boys, and 3 girls aged between 9 and 60, hailed from various countries including Indonesia, Nepal, Myanmar, China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam.

Meor Hezbullah stated that most of the individuals were renting apartments from local landlords, and approximately 560 units across 15 blocks were inspected during the operation.

One detainee, a 50-year-old Indonesian, was found to have been working as a house cleaner without a permit for a year.

The operation, dubbed ‘Op Pintu,’ was a joint effort involving 160 individuals from the state immigration department and the Ulu Kinta General Operations Force, conducted in the early hours of the day.

Meor Hezbullah cautioned local homeowners against renting their properties to foreigners without proper authorisation, emphasising that such actions could result in charges under Section 55(E) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

This section carries a maximum fine of RM 30,000 or imprisonment for up to 12 months, or both.

Additionally, he announced that the department would investigate every homeowner who had rented their units to undocumented immigrants following the recent arrests.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has issued directives to Royal College, Colombo 7, concerning reported irregularities in the appointments to the Prefects Council for the year 2024.

This action follows seven complaints lodged by students of Royal College who alleged violations of their rights in the appointment process for prefects in 2024.

The complaints were directed against the Principal of Royal College, the Director of National Schools, and the Minister of Education.

Copies of these complaints were also forwarded to the Secretary of the Education Ministry, the Minister of Education, and the Presidential Investigation Commission.

Under the leadership of Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya, the HRCSL conducted an inquiry into the initial complaints on Friday, March 15. During the inquiry, the appointment criteria for two randomly selected prefects and two rejected candidates were examined.

The commission identified irregularities and failures to adhere to the required criteria in the appointment of two prefects, while it was found that two qualified candidates were denied their positions.

Following the initial inquiry, the HRCSL directed the representative of the school, present during the proceedings, to rectify the alleged wrongful appointments and reach a resolution with the group of students who filed the complaints.

However, if the school fails to address the issue satisfactorily, the HRCSL indicated that a full inquiry would be conducted, with the involvement of all relevant parties, including the principal.

The continuation of the inquiry has been postponed to March 20.

The complaints submitted to the HRCSL by seven students highlighted the established criteria for the selection of members to the Prefects Council, which include academic excellence, participation in extracurricular activities, involvement in clubs and societies, and attendance records.

The complainants alleged that the recent appointments did not adhere to these criteria and that individuals who had allegedly brought disrepute to the college were appointed as prefects.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): A meeting was convened at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (15), chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on National Security and Chief of Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka, to discuss the launch of a new mobile application titled “Beach Clean-up Coordination App.”

The aim of this application is to enhance cleanliness and waste management on beaches.

The initiative to introduce this mobile application has been facilitated through the intervention of the Coastal Conservation Protection Authority.

Its primary objective is to formalise coordination among institutions and organisations engaged in the sustainable development of coastal and marine environments.

Ratnayaka underscored the importance of commitment from all responsible institutions in ensuring the sustainability of ocean and coastal areas by maintaining cleanliness.

He emphasised that the new mobile application would serve as an effective tool to facilitate these activities.

Furthermore, Ratnayaka stressed the necessity of expanding current education and awareness programs concerning coastal cleanliness and preservation.

He noted that such efforts would significantly contribute to the government’s initiative to promote tourism in coastal regions.

The Coastal Conservation and Protection Authority highlighted the severe pollution of coastal and marine resources caused by waste flowing from rivers and canals, sewage discharge, and waste dumped near fishing ports and other marine areas.

They emphasised the importance of clean-up efforts involving public and private institutions, as well as non-governmental organisations.

The introduction of the mobile application is expected to enhance the coordination of these activities for more effective waste management.

Among those present at the discussion were Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Prabhath Chandrakeerthi, Secretary of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, W.S. Satyananda, along with other government officials, the Navy Commander, Inspector General of Police, Heads of Security Division, and representatives of non-governmental organisations.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): New Pakistani High Commissioner, Major General (Retd.) Faheem Ul Aziz, met with Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at Temple Trees on Friday (15).

During the meeting, the High Commissioner expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Gunawardena for extending felicitations and best wishes to the newly-elected President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

In response, Prime Minister Gunawardena thanked Pakistan for its consistent support of Sri Lanka at international forums and for providing training facilities to members of the Sri Lankan armed forces.

Discussions revolved around the potential expansion of bilateral ties, particularly in economic sectors, investments, tourism, and industries.

High Commissioner Aziz highlighted the potential for increased Buddhist pilgrimages to Pakistan, noting the presence of established infrastructure facilities in pilgrimage sites such as Thakshila and the Gandhara region.

The meeting was attended by MP Yadamini Gunawardena, Prime Minister’s Secretary Anura Dissanayake, and Deputy High Commissioner Wajid Hassan Hashmi.

March 17, Colombo (LNW): Mainly dry weather will prevail over the island, with misty conditions being expected at some places in Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces and in Galle and Kalutara districts during the morning, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).

Marine Weather:

Meanwhile, heat index, the temperature felt on human body is expected to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in North-western, North-central, Eastern and Western provinces and in Monaragala, Mannar, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya and Hambantota districts.

The public is urged to stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible, check up on the elderly and the sick, never leave children unattended, limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated, and wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.

March 16, Colombo (LNW): The Supreme Court brought the hearing to a close on Friday regarding petitions seeking to invalidate the recommendations and findings of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) established by former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to probe alleged instances of political victimization.

While the hearing concluded, the Supreme Court opted to withhold its decision for the time being.

The petitions were lodged by President’s Secretary Saman Ekanayake, former Navy Commander Travis Sinniah, former High Court Judge Padmini Ranawaka, among others.

March 16, Colombo (LNW):State Minister of Finance, Ranjith Siyambalapitiya, has announced the formation of a committee tasked with investigating the feasibility of transferring surplus land owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantations Corporation to the private sector.

According to Siyambalapitiya, the committee will assess which lands are suitable for transfer and develop the appropriate procedures for such transactions. Emphasizing a competitive process, he stated that prospective parties must focus on export-oriented agricultural production and utilize advanced agricultural technologies.

Furthermore, Siyambalapitiya highlighted the necessity for interested companies to possess the financial resources to meet these requirements and stressed that they must be of Sri Lankan origin.

The committee’s current focus lies in identifying underutilized lands within the State Plantations Corporation’s portfolio. Siyambalapitiya clarified that the proposed initiative would not involve the outright sale of land but rather leasing arrangements with the private sector.