Nalini Kirubakaran, a 38-year-old at the rehabilitation camp for Sri Lankan Tamils in Tiruchi, became the first naturalised Indian citizen from the Kottapattu camp to vote in a general election on Friday.

It was a dream come true moment for Nalini on polling day as she would have never expected cameras following her from the refugee camp to the polling booth at MM Middle School, near the airport, where she cast her vote.

“I don’t have words to express my feelings. Voting for the first time, I feel I have come out of my past now,” said Nalini.

The journey from being a refugee in a land where she was born to becoming first member of her community to get voting rights took two years of legal battle as her application for an Indian passport was rejected by a regional passport office in 2021. In September 2022, Nalini had established before the Madras High Court that she was an Indian citizen.

Nalini was born in 1986 at the Mandapam camp for Lankan refugees in Rameswaram. She was granted citizenship as the year of her birth fell between January 26, 1950 and July 1, 1987, a period that made those born in India eligible for automatic naturalisation as Indians.

She is currently residing in Kottapattu camp as her family hasn’t received Indian citizenship. Nalini wants all other refugees of the camp to enjoy the same rights

Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong had called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena at the Temple Trees in Colombo yesterday (May 02) to discuss ways and means of early implementation of the agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) reached between the two countries during the Prime Minister’s official visit to China in March 2024.

In a significant development aimed at revitalising maritime infrastructure, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to obtain a proposed financial grant from India for the renovation of the Karainagar Boat Yard.

Tourism stakeholders said Sri Lanka now has the highest visa costs in Asia, creating a significant barrier for tourists compared to competing destinations like Thailand, Vietnam and many others that offer free visas or charge much lower fees.

Former Sri Lankan cricket captain and former Minister Arjuna Ranatunga refuted reports that he had joined the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) though he appeared in a May Day rally in Talawakale which Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa had attended.

The price of a 12.5 kg domestic Litro LP gas cylinder will reduced by Rs.175 from midnight today, Litro Gas said. Accordingly, the new retail price of a cylinder of 12.5 kg LP gas will be Rs.3,940 The 5 kg cylinder of LP gas will be reduced by Rs. 70 and the new retail price will be Rs.1,582 The 2.3 kg cylinder of LP gas will be reduced by Rs.32 and the new retail price will be Rs.740.

he second phase of the first school term for 2024 will end today, the Education Ministry said. Accordingly, the third phase of all government approved schools is scheduled to begin on May 20.

Chaos broke out at the BIA last night following the controversial takeover of the on-arrival visa issuance process at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) by an Indian company.

Norwegian Ambassador in New Delhi May-Elin Stener met National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office this afternoon. Second Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy John Bjerkem and NPP MP Vijitha Herath and Harini Amarasuriya attended the meeting.

Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena took oath as the Governor of the Southern Province before President Ranil Wickremesinghe a short while ago. The President's Media Division said Nazeer Ahamed was also sworn in as the Governor of the North Western Province.

Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka did not play any role in organizing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) May Day rally and therefore, he did not deserve any prominence, its Vice Chairman Sujeewa Senasinghe said today.

Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa today criticized SJB leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, stating that when they were invited to lead the country following the aragalaya, they both refused, fearing their future in politics.

Director of the Uma Oya Multi Purpose Development Project – D.C.S. Alakanda has said that the Ceylon Electricity Board is saving around Rs. 80 million per day following the opening of the project.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) will lead a second Aragalaya if this year's Presidential election is postponed, SJB Former MP Mujibur Rahman said as the party's May Day rally kicked off in Fort.

Apart from organizing a debate between Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa and NPP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake, let us publicly reassure the Sinhalese people, perhaps in a solemn ceremony, that they will not allow the Northern and Eastern regions to gain the right to self-determination, Lanka Private Bus Owners' Association (LPBOA) Chairman Gemunu Wijerathne urged today.

SJB Chairman Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka made an early exit from the party's May Day Rally in Fort, a shortwhile ago. Fonseka was seen greeting MPs and Buddhist clergy before he left the rally.

As the Lok Shaba elections campaign heats up in India, the ruling Bharatiya Janatha Party (BJP) has invited representatives from Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and the United National Party (UNP) to gain awareness on the electoral process there, The Hindu newspaper reported.

Former President Maithripala Sirisena said today that Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe will be the Presidential candidate representing the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP). He made this revelation during the commemoration ceremony of the late T.B. Ilangaratne.

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs Rajitha Senaratne and Tatha Athukorala were notable abesentees at party's May Day Rally in Fort today. All Ceylon Makalal Kachchi Leader SJB alley Rishath Bathiudeen, was another abesentee. Another feature is the prominence given to MPs G. L Peiris and Dilan Perera. They were given front seats.

Former Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has been acquitted from the case filed against him over allegations of money laundering related to the purchase of a house in Colombo.

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe has filed a revision application in the Court of Appeal challenging the legality of the enjoining order issued by Colombo District Court preventing him from functioning as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).