Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Hakeem rejects Katchatheevu handover calls in Tamil Nadu
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress leader Hakeem rejects Katchatheevu handover calls in Tamil Nadu by Thara
Sri Lanka Muslim Congress (SLMC) leader and Member of Parliament Rauff Hakeem has said that the sovereignty of Katchatheevu is already settled under international law and bilateral agreements, warning that attempts to reopen the issue are not a practical solution to the long-running dispute between fishermen on both sides of the Palk Strait.
Speaking at a press conference in Tamil Nadu on Friday during a visit to India, Hakeem said making Katchatheevu the focus whenever tensions arise between fishermen was not a prudent approach.
Sri Lankan army moves to cement occupation of farm in Valikamam
Sri Lankan army moves to cement occupation of farm in Valikamam by abilash
The Sri Lankan military has erected a signboard designating a military-run agricultural farm on privately owned land inside the Valikamam North High Security Zone (HSZ), entrenching its presence even as landowners campaign for the return of their property.
Large tracts of private land in Valikamam North have remained under military occupation for more than three decades, since the High Security Zone (HSZ) was established during the armed conflict and thousands of Tamil families were displaced from June 1990.
The owners have never stopped demanding
Rights group flags 184 Sri Lankan prison deaths to visiting UN delegation
Rights group flags 184 Sri Lankan prison deaths to visiting UN delegation by Thara
The Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) has formally raised concerns with a visiting United Nations delegation over custodial deaths, prison overcrowding, alleged torture and deteriorating detention conditions in Sri Lanka.
The submissions were made as the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture concluded its official visit to Sri Lanka today, following a ten-day mission from 15 to 24 June.
Executive Director of the Committee, Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera, said written submissions were handed over on
Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanais ancient seafarers
Three thousand years deep - Evidence uncovers Velanais ancient seafarers by Thara
A newly published study has identified the earliest scientifically confirmed evidence of prehistoric human settlement on Velanai Island in the Jaffna Peninsula, dating back around 3,460 years and overturning an erroneous long-held Sri Lankan assumption that the region was largely uninhabited until much later.
The study, published in the Journal of Island and Coastal Archaeology and led by Thilanka Siriwardana of Rajarata University of Sri Lanka and the University of Groningen, examined an extensive shell midden, design