News

SL – India govt talks soon on fishing row – Minister

Published

1 month ago

March 31, 2025

editor

Days ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to his country, Sri Lankan minister for fisheries, aquatic and ocean resources Ramalingam Chandrasekar has said that govt level talks on the fishing dispute between Sri Lanka and India would be held soon in the presence of fishermen.

He issued the statement on Sunday after a delegation of fishermen from Rameswaram held a meeting with him in Jaffna on Saturday evening.

The delegation, led by fishermen leader R Sahayam, appealed to the minister to initiate talks between fishermen of the two countries. The last ministerial level talks on the dispute were held in 2016. Calling for a lasting solution to the problem, the delegation pleaded with the minister to secure the release of Indian fishermen and their fishing crafts held in the island nation’s custody.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to visit Sri Lanka on April 4, and the fishermen row is likely to be one of the issues that will figure in his meeting with his Sri Lankan counterpart.

Meanwhile, the delegation from Rameswaram met fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan prisons, and took stock of the fishing crafts confiscated by the authorities on charges of poaching in Sri Lanka’s territorial waters. The fishermen leaders had met their counterparts at Vavuniya on March 26 and discussed the issue. The Indian side sought time to stop trawling but the Sri Lankan fishermen made it clear that trawling won’t be accepted in their waters, though they are ready for an amicable solution.

Reiterating this stand, leaders of the Northern Province Fisher People Unity, an umbrella forum of fishermen associations of the northern provinces of Sri Lanka, told reporters on Sunday that Indian trawlers should stop coming to Sri Lankan waters. Else, their country’s law should find its course to stop it. They are determined that their people should fish in their waters independently and leave the marine resources for future generations, said forum spokesperson Annarasa Annalingam.

(TOI)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by TOI has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

1 hour ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

2 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)