To a question in the Indian Parliament this week on the arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed that 119 Indian fishermen have been arrested so far this year and 17 of their boats seized. He said there were 526 arrests in 2025 and 317 in 2024. [...]
While the country has been placed under lockdown, making newspaper distribution impossible, the Sunday Times team produced your favourite Sunday newspaper in digital format to bring you the latest news, feature stories and political commentaries. We are happy to announce that we are giving you free access to our digital paper. Click here to access the free epaper . If you like to be a subscriber to our regular epaper please click here .
To a question in the Indian Parliament this week on the arrest of fishermen by the Sri Lankan Navy, India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar disclosed that 119 Indian fishermen have been arrested so far this year and 17 of their boats seized. He said there were 526 arrests in 2025 and 317 in 2024.
Dr Jaishanker said that the government of India attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and welfare of Indian fishermen and has been consistently taking up these issues, including the early release and repatriation of Indian fishermen and fishing boats, with the Sri Lankan government through bilateral mechanisms, diplomatic channels and various official and high-level interactions.
“In all our interactions, it has been conveyed that this issue may be considered purely on humanitarian and livelihood grounds. In addition, all issues related to fishermen are also dealt with through bilateral institutional mechanisms such as the meetings of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on Fisheries, which includes representatives from the government of Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Dr Jaishanker also said that officials of the Indian mission and consulates in Sri Lanka make regular visits to local jails and detention centres to ascertain the condition of Indian fishermen and provide requisite support and legal assistance to ensure their well-being and assist in their early release and repatriation.
Judges’ retirement age case goes to court of religious leaders
When the political knot gets a bit too tight, Sri Lankan politicians have the habit of seeking an audience with the Mahanayake Theras of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters to explain matters.
This time it’s regarding the proposed extension of the retirement age of superior court judges. To explain the government position, Justice Minister Harshana Nanayakkara and Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa were in Kandy this week meeting the chief prelates. This was after a delegation from the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) called on the Mahanayake Theras to explain why they oppose the amendment to the constitution.
Soon after, the two ministers met Colombo’s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith and briefed him on the government’s stance. Their visit to the Cardinal was followed by a visit from the delegation from BASL.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is due to pay respects to the Mahanayakes this month, and the issue is likely to be discussed.
Women MPs visit China, promoting ties and women’s empowerment
Sri Lanka's delegation of women MPs, led by Minister Savithri Paulraj, extended a warm welcome in China
A delegation of Sri Lankan women parliamentarians visited China recently to promote women’s leadership and strengthen bilateral relations.
The cross party, ten member delegation was led by Women and Child Affairs Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj. During the visit, the delegates took part in a comprehensive programme in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, including official meetings, academic sessions, institutional visits, and cultural engagements.
The highlight was an exchange with the Shenzhen Women’s Federation, where the delegation explored China’s initiatives on women’s empowerment, childcare services, family welfare, and community development.
CID probes Kariyawasam over remarks on IGP
SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam may have bitten off more than he can chew by making a statement which has been construed as a threat to the life of the Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Mr Kariyawasam, addressing the media recently, claimed that the current government had placed the police in a “highly unfortunate position” and alleged that three former IGPs had faced extremely distressing circumstances under the present administration, adding that the current IGP too could face some unfortunate situation in the future.
His remarks have drawn the ire of those in government, including Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala, who accused the SLPP member of threatening a public officer discharging his duties according to the law. A CID probe is underway, and Mr Kariyawasam could be headed that way soon.
Elephants in chains, elephants in handcuffs
Politics dominates talk at wedding reception
Weddings are a place that brings politicians of many shades together, and this was the scene at the wedding of the daughter of the one-time secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media, Anusha Palpita.
Former president Ranil Wickremesinghe and Gotabaya Rajapaksa were among those in attendance along with MP Namal Rajapaksa.
Among the issues discussed was the recently gazetted Animal Welfare (Amendment) Bill and fears it would be a hurdle to obtaining elephants for the upcoming Esala Maha Perahera and other traditional cultural events.
When someone joked that Mr Wickremesinghe had got his friend (President Dissanayaka) to enact a law to stop the chaining of elephants, to which the former president quipped, “Not chains, but many in the UNP are ending up in handcuffs.”
Another judge in the running for northern CM race
The talk of the town in northern political circles these days is who will be the chief minister candidate in the provincial council elections, even though the government has made no commitments beyond saying they will be held ‘within this year’ or ‘very soon’.
Among the many aspirants are a seasoned lawyer from the grand old Tamil party, a media proprietor, and a sitting MP.
Also in the running is a High Court judge from the region who retired without promotion to the apex court. He claimed he was denied the post because of a conspiracy against him and because he was not in the government’s ‘good books’.
Now a star speaker at public events, he recently addressed a Colombo gathering as chief guest. During the event, a retired pensioner asked his friend whether the ex judge might have a shot in the upcoming elections. The friend replied that northern people had had enough of the one-time Supreme Court Justice and had learned a bitter lesson.
Grama Niladharis lack basic facilities
This is the pathetic state of the Grama Niladhari office at Asiri Uyana in Pelawatte
The role of the Grama Niladhari is vital, as they perform some of the most important administrative work for residents in their areas.
However, many lack even basic facilities, such as proper offices or equipment needed to serve the public efficiently.
Even in municipal areas, GN offices are in appalling condition, such as the one at Asiri Uyana in Pelawatta. A once well maintained youth centre under the Kaduwela Municipal Council is now run down, with the Grama Niladhari relegated to a corner of the building in urgent need of overhaul. It is time the Kaduwela MC delivered on its election promises to the residents of the area.
Political twist in Parliamentarians’ pay hike
The increasing cost of living has been a constant worry among people while their salaries stagnate. Parliamentarians, however, are being paid in keeping up with the elevated prices of fuel and other allowances from taxpayers’ funds.
The latest hike is the parliamentarians’ monthly fuel allowance from Rs 179,707.93 (June) to Rs 244,300.46 (July) in keeping up with the adjusted fuel prices. Other allowances such as office equipment and catering also saw minor increases as well, with the total take-home salary being Rs 450,695.99 after all deductions, including Advanced Personal Income Tax amounting to Rs 33,889.47.
As the MPs received their monthly allowance receipt this week, an Opposition MP asked his colleague whether the amount of each ruling-party MP’s mandatory contribution from their allowance to party funds also will be increased.
Impregnable prison walls for cement promotion
Footage of recent incidents inside the Welikada and Kuruvita prisons, where inmates were trying to break the concrete fences and plates, went viral on social media platforms this week.
Hiding their faces with cloths, prisoners were within the fenced premises, making several attempts to orchestrate a prison breakout despite hundreds of armed soldiers and STF personnel surrounding the complex.
At one point, a prisoner was using a sharp iron rod to drill into the concrete fence while his colleagues were lifting the concrete ceiling plates from the pits and trying to break them. They failed despite their continuous attempts.
Videos shot by photojournalists from an aerial perspective went viral on social media, attracting unusual attention to the behaviour. One user left a sarcastic comment saying that this should be the ideal content that cement companies can use to promote the quality of their products.
Minister’s poor response to Kavinda’s container safety plea
Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Kavinda Jayawardena brought to the attention of Transport Minister Bimal Ratnayaka the danger posed by large container vehicles making turns along main roads, especially at night, as such incidents have resulted in several serious accidents.
Recently, two young motorcyclists aged 18 and 20 were killed after their motorcycle collided with a container truck that was turning across the road in the Bolawalana area along the Negombo–Minuwangoda Road around 11.10 pm on July 29.
The SJB MP noted the importance of containers having side lights so that they could be seen in the night, but Minister Ratnayake seems to have dismissed the concerns, paying little heed to the suggestion.
Buying or selling electronics has never been easier with the help of Hitad.lk! We, at Hitad.lk, hear your needs and endeavour to provide you with the perfect listings of electronics; because we have listings for nearly anything! Search for your favourite electronic items for sale on Hitad.lk today!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked. Comments should be within 80 words. *
Post Comment Other Columns As prison riots add to its woes, Govt resists dropping move to extend judges’ retirement age Acts of commission or omission Parliament divided over USD 2.5m cyber crime Independence of the Judiciary is one of the foundations of democracy External reserves decline amid widening trade deficit A ‘people’s mandate’ cannot justify anti-democratic devilry Private and public face of Fauci, America’s Covid Czar, unmasked I grow old, I grow old, two more years and I’ll end up cold Search The Sunday Times Home Archive Feeds Contact Us RSS ↑ Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka Print Edition – The Sunday Times, Sri Lanka
Loading comments…