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Tamil Nadu Assembly adopts resolution to revive Sethusamudram project

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Tamil Nadu Assembly on Thursday unanimously adopted a resolution nudging the Union Government to revive the Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project that envisages connecting the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait to create a continuous navigable channel around the India peninsula without having to circumnavigate Sri Lanka.  

The project, which was originally conceived in the 19th century by the then British regime, got wrangled in a controversy following apprehensions that it would damage Ram Setu, a bridge that connects India with Sri Lanka as per Ramayana. A case in connection with the project is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi had also added fuel to the fire by asking whether Lord Ram was an “engineer” to have built a bridge between the two countries.

Moving a government resolution in the Assembly, Chief Minister M K Stalin referred to a recent statement by Union Minister of State for Space Jitendra Singh that it was difficult to actually pinpoint the exact structure that existed (in the Rameswaram coast) to push for the multi-crore project’s revival. All parties, including AIADMK and BJP, supported the resolution, which was passed unanimously by the House.

Work on the project, permission for which was granted by the then A B Vajpayee government in 1998, commenced on July 2, 2005 after the then Manmohan Singh government allotted Rs 2,427 crore. However, the project, which was put on hold in 2007, never saw the light of the day due to opposition from various quarters, including from the BJP.

Terming the project as “essential to strengthen the economic development of Tamil Nadu and India”, Stalin accused the BJP of being a “stumbling block” in implementing the project by raising objections and also recalled that late chief minister J Jayalalithaa changed her stance on the project and moved the Supreme Court against the scheme.

“If political stumbling blocks weren’t raised, the project would have been implemented a decade ago, leading to development,” Stalin told the Assembly, and reminded the BJP of its promise that the project will be implemented with a different alignment.

But Jitendra Singh has told Parliament that it is difficult to actually pinpoint the exact structure that existed there, Stalin said, adding that the Union Government should come forward to implement the project, given its current stand.

“This House expresses concern that the continued delay in execution of this Project will be a stumbling block for the development and growth of Tamil Nadu. This august House is of the considered view that the attempts to further delay the implementation of this Project by certain forces is against the interest of our nation’s growth,” the resolution said.

The project aims at creating a shipping canal by linking the Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka. This will not just help reduce the navigation time between the east and west coasts of India, but also prevent ships from circumnavigating Sri Lanka.

“This project will help fishermen travel from Gulf of Mannar to Palk Straits and prevent transhipments of Indian goods at ports in Sri Lanka and other countries. Besides, the project will also strengthen India’s security, and provide jobs to 50,000 people,” Stalin said.

BJP floor leader Nainar Nagendran supported the resolution and said the project should be implemented in a way that does not affect Ram Setu in any manner. AIADMK member Pollachi V Jayaraman objected to references that Lord Ram was an imaginary character and there was no proof to show his existence.

(deccanherald.com)

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COVID subvariants spreading in Asia detected in Sri Lanka

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The Medical Research Institute of Sri Lanka has confirmed that the COVID-19 variant currently spreading in the Asian region has also been identified in the country.

Dr. Jude Jayamaha, a specialist in viral diseases at the Medical Research Institute, stated that patients infected with the Omicron subvariants LF.7 and XFG are being reported locally.

Dr. Jayamaha explained that this finding was confirmed through research conducted on biological samples collected from several hospitals across the island.

However, he emphasized that there is no need for undue fear regarding these COVID-19 variants.

Health authorities have also stressed the importance of vulnerable groups—such as pregnant mothers, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses—following health guidelines, including wearing face masks and avoiding crowded places.

Dr. Jayamaha reiterated that new COVID-19 variants emerge periodically, and health authorities are continuously monitoring the situation, so the public should remain calm.

(newswire.lk)

(This story, originally published by newswire.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

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Anudi misses out from Miss World Quarter-Finals

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The Miss World organization has announced its quarter-finalists, selecting 40 contestants from across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas.

Sri Lanka’s Anudi Gunasekara, was not selected in the top 40, despite being recognized for her impressive performances in the Multimedia and Head-to-Head challenges.

The top 40 consisted of 10 contestants each from Asia & Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas.

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Fuel prices unchanged

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The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) announced that there will be no revision of fuel prices for the month of June 2025.

Accordingly, all fuel prices will remain unchanged for June, it said.  

Existing fuel prices (per litre):

Auto Diesel – Rs. 274
Super Diesel – Rs. 325
Petrol 92 Octane – Rs. 293
Petrol 95 Octane – Rs. 341
Kerosene – Rs. 178

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