News

Samantha Power urges SL President to address concerns over OSB

Published

1 year ago

February 14, 2024

nipuni

USAID Administrator Samantha Power has urged Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe to address the concerns about the potential impact of the Online Safety Act on freedom of expression.

Ms. Power had taken up the matter during a virtual conversation with the Sri Lankan leader yesterday (Feb.13).

A press release by the USAID said : “Today, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with the President of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremesinghe. They discussed Sri Lanka’s economic reform agenda, and Administrator Power expressed USAID’s commitment to working with President Wickremesinghe on addressing difficult economic challenges. Administrator Power and President Wickremesinghe discussed the importance of democratic governance and a consultative legislative process. Administrator Power highlighted strong U.S. support for freedom of expression and association, and encouraged President Wickremesinghe to address concerns about the potential impact of the Online Safety Act on freedom of expression, as well as investment in Sri Lanka’s vibrant digital economy.”

News

Former Eastern Provincial Council member arrested

Published

6 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

Ampara District Organizer of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal party and former member of the Eastern Provincial Council K. Pushpakumar alias Iniya Bharathi has been arrested.

He was arrested over the abduction and disappearance of the former Vice Chancellor of the Eastern University Prof. Subramaniyam Ravindranath.

Sivanathurai Chandrakanthan, alias Pillayan, the leader of the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) and former State Minister, was arrested by the Colombo Criminal Investigation Department at his office in Batticaloa on April 8, over this incident.

He was later detained for 3 months under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.

Iniya Bharathi, also known as Kumaraswamy Pushpakumar, was arrested based on information revealed during the interrogation of Pillayan.

News

e-Revenue Licence system down due to technical glitch, ICTA says

Published

6 hours ago

July 6, 2025

editor

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) said the electronic Revenue Licence system (eRL 2.0) is currently unavailable due to a critical technical infrastructure issue.

According to the ICTA, the disruption began on July 3, 2025, and has made vehicle revenue licence issuing services inaccessible.

The unavailability is expected to continue until July 9, 2025.

The ICTA expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to the public and assured that technical teams are working urgently to resolve the issue.

The agency also said that further updates will be shared as work progresses, with an official notice to be issued once services are restored.