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Lankan convict in Gandhi assassination case passes away

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Santhan alias T Suthendiraraja, a Sri Lankan national who was one of the six convicts released in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, died on Wednesday morning at the Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital (RGGH) in Chennai.

Santhan, who was released by the Indian Supreme Court in November 2022, was kept at the special camp near the Tiruchirapalli Central Prison.

Last week, the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in Chennai issued an order to deport Santhan to Sri Lanka, however, he was admitted to the RGGH for treatment for a kidney-related ailment.

Addressing the reports, E Thenirajan, Dean, RGGH, said that based on the directions of the Tiruchirapalli district collector, Santhan was admitted to the hospital on January 27.

Thenirajan said a team of doctors were treating him at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and constantly monitoring him. He said Santhan was diagnosed with cryptogenic cirrhosis or a liver disease.

“He suffered a setback to his health yesterday (Tuesday) night. He had lost consciousness and we were providing treatment. Around 4.30 am today (Wednesday), he suffered a cardiac arrest. He was revived following a CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) procedure and was on ventilator support. However, he failed to respond to further treatment and passed away at 7.50 am,” he said.

Thenirajan said they would carry out the post-mortem procedures now and take further measures to send his body to Sri Lanka.

According to court documents, Santhan is believed to have fled then strife-torn Sri Lanka in 1991 and reached India by boat, along with Sivarasan, who led the assassination team and was never caught alive, and a few others. According to the Supreme Court order, Santhan’s role in the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi was direct and active.

Santhan was initially sentenced to death for his involvement in the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1991, however, his sentence was commuted to life imprisonment. He was released in November 2022, along with five other convicts, after spending over three decades in prison.

(The Indian Express)

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Heavy rain and winds expected in several areas today

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Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and North-western provinces and in Galle and Matara districts today (May 30), the Department of Meteorology says.

Heavy rains above 100 mm are likely at some places in the Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Nuwara-Eliya, Kandy, Galle and Matara districts.

Several spells of showers may occur in North-central province and in Mannar and Hambantota districts.

Strong winds of about (50-60) kmph can be expected at times over Western slopes of the central hills and in Northern, North-central and North-western provinces and in Hambantota and Trincomalee districts.

Fairly strong winds of about (30-40) kmph can be expected at times elsewhere on the island.

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Chinese Minister of Commerce meets President AKD

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The Minister of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, Mr. Wang Wentao, who is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions. 

Minister Wang noted that, considering the current political and economic stability in Sri Lanka, along with the clear policy direction being pursued by President Disanayake’s administration, there has been a notable rise in interest from Chinese investors looking to invest in the country.

He further stated that this visit undertaken with the participation of over 100 Chinese investors demonstrates a solid dedication to enhancing economic collaboration between the two nations.

The discussion also focused on the importance of working together to achieve mutually beneficial trade and economic goals during this challenging period. In light of global economic instability, the Chinese Minister of Commerce reiterated China’s commitment to providing the necessary support to Sri Lanka.

One of the key objectives of Minister Wang Wentao’s visit is to follow up on the agreements reached during President Anura Kumara Disanayake’s recent visit to China. The two sides also discussed the timely completion of on-going development projects in Sri Lanka with Chinese government support, as well as the prompt implementation of proposed new initiatives.

The Chinese delegation included Mr. Qi Zhenhong – Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Mr. Wang Liping – Director General of the Department of Asian Affairs and Ms. Shu Jueting – Director General of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Representing Sri Lanka, Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with other officials, were also present at the occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

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Polish FM meets President AKD

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Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, in the context of Poland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union Radosław Sikorski, currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, met with President Anura Kumara Disanayake this afternoon (29) at the Presidential Secretariat for discussions.

The discussions focused extensively on strengthening cooperation between Sri Lanka and the European Union. President Disanayake emphasized the importance of continued EU support in overcoming future global economic challenges facing Sri Lanka.

President Disanayake stated that, in the face of challenges arising from the newly introduced tariff regime by the United States and the fiscal constraints imposed by the International Monetary Fund, Sri Lanka hopes to engage in broader cooperation with the European Union to address emerging economic pressures.

The President expressed his appreciation for the positive response demonstrated by the European Union regarding the continued maintenance of the GSP+ concession granted to Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated that his visit reflects the special attention both the European Union and Poland place on Sri Lanka.

The discussion also focused on further strengthening the historic ties between Sri Lanka and Poland, with both sides expressing interest in enhancing bilateral collaboration.

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski recalled the 50 years of economic and trade and 30 years of development cooperation between Sri Lanka and Poland. He expressed his government’s intention to work closely with the new administration in Sri Lanka to further advance these relations.

The delegation including Ambassador of the European Union to Sri Lanka Carmen Moreno, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage were among the other officials. 

(President’s Media Division)

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