News

GoSL welcomes Canada’s decision to retain LTTE as a terrorist entity

Published

5 months ago

August 15, 2024

editor

The Government of Sri Lanka has welcomed the decision of the Government of Canada to retain the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) along with the World Tamil Movement (WTM) as terrorist entities.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in this regard says :

According to the recent review, Canada maintains that the remnants of the LTTE have an international fundraising and procurement network that still exists. The review of the WTM notes that the group continues to play a facilitating role in the LTTE’s terrorist activities by fundraising on their behalf. This decision taken following a rigorous review process, reaffirms the continued threat posed by these organizations.

The Government of Canada first listed the LTTE as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code on 6 April 2006 and it is a statutory requirement to undertake a review every five years. The latest review process concluded in June 2024.

The continued listing of the LTTE by the Government of Canada is presently the third consecutive ban on the LTTE in recent times, with the extensions on proscription of the LTTE having also taken place in India and the European Union, in addition to the judgement of dismissal by the Proscribed Organisations and Appeal Commission (POAC) in the United Kingdom on the application made for the de-proscription of the LTTE in the UK, this year.

News

Hingurakgoda runway expansion moves forward

Published

29 minutes ago

January 15, 2025

editor

The next phase of construction for the Hingurakgoda runway, which includes an additional 850-metre extension, is set to commence today (15).

The project aims to upgrade the runway to international standards, enabling operations of A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft.

The Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) is leading the design and construction efforts, with the Road Development Authority (RDA) providing consultations and the Civil Aviation Authority and Airports and Aviation Sri Lanka offering regulatory guidance.

Officially inaugurated on August 19, 2024, the project is divided into four phases.

The first phase focuses on constructing the main runway and includes seven stages. So far, stages one and two have been completed, covering 850 metres of the total 2,500-metre runway with an asphalt binder course.

A key milestone was achieved on Monday (13) when a Y-12 aircraft, piloted by Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, conducted a successful test landing on the completed section.

The event was attended by Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva and Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera, among other officials.

News

2 Chinese nationals arrested at BIA with gems worth over Rs. 17 mn.

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

Two Chinese nationals have been nabbed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) last night (Jan. 13) after attempting smuggle a stock of gemstones out of the country.

The customs officers had apprehended the 45-year-old male and his 21-year-old daughter who had hidden gemstones in their undergarments, reports say.

According to Sri Lanka Customs, he stock of gemstones includes Moonstones, Hessonite Garnets, Star Sapphires, Cats Eyes and Emeralds weighing around 689.5 grams in total and valued around Rs. 17,450,875.

News

100 families in Suduwella village, evacuated

Published

12 hours ago

January 14, 2025

editor

100 families residing in Suduwella village, Gal Oya have been evacuated to safety, District Secretary of Ampara District, Chinthaka Abeywickrama says.
Noting that the Gal Oya is near to breaching its banks, Mr. Abeywickrama has said that the evacuation was done in the face of a possible flood situation.

Meanwhile, the banks of the Gal Oya have been severely eroded in the Kota Vehera area.