The Centre for Policy Alternatives is deeply saddened by the death of Dr. Devanesan Nesiah and extends its deepest condolences to his family. Dr. Nesiah had a distingushed career as a public servant in the Ceylon Civil Servince with numerous stints in key administrative positions including as the Government Agent in Jaffna. He went on to serve in a number of state initiatives appointed to address human rights violations, the ethnic conflict and reconciliation, including heading the Committee on Disappearances in the Jaffna Region appointed by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka in 2003. Dr. Nesiah joined CPA as a Consultant in 2004 playing a key role during the last stages of the war in documenting human rights violations and the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the North and East of the country, raising critical questions on the need for a permanent solution to the war, for peace, reconciliation and justice. Dr. Nesiah was deeply committed to pluralism, the rule of law, and human rights; values which CPA has long advocated for and his vast experience enriched much of CPA’s research and advocacy during the war and immediate post war period. His unflinching belief towards constitutional democracy was evident when he returned his Deshamanya award, marking his principled opposition to then President Maithripala Sirisena’s constitutional coup in 2018. Through this symbolic move, Dr. Nesiah showed the government and his fellow citizens of the importance of challenging injustices and authoritarian practices that erode our democracy. We remember a man who was an optimist at heart and believed in a Sri Lanka that could aspire to be just and fair to all its citizens. His wry sense of humour, the twinkle in his eye and boundless energy constantly reminded us of the work that needs to be done and the many miles we need to walk. Rest in peace, Dr Nesiah. Photo Courtesy of Vasuki Nesiah

For the first time, @GotabayaR is being officially linked to the Easter Sunday bombings. He is being implicated following the arrest of Suresh Sallay, his intelligence chief. newscenter.lk/si/articles/fo…

BASL urges President not to raise retirement age of Superior Court Judges Read more 👇dailymirror.lk/breaking_news…

Ven. Pallegama Hemarathana Thero, facing allegations of child abuse involving a minor girl, has been removed from his position as the Chief Incumbent of Atamasthana (Atamasthanadhipathi). Ven. Ethalawetunawewe Gnanathilake Thero, the Chief Incumbent of Ruwanweliseya, has been appointed as the Acting Chief Incumbent. #SriLanka #SriLankaNews #Anuradhapura #Atamasthana #Ruwanweliseya #PallegamaHemarathana #LKA #BreakingNews

The Shame of a Nation by Tisaranee Gunasekara Read the full article here: groundviews.org/2026/05/24/t… #SriLanka #HumanRights #Justice #Governance #religion

Fifty-four years ago today, May 22, 1972, Ceylon became the Republic of Sri Lanka and ended its Dominion status. The republican constitution established a ceremonial President as Head of State, replacing the British monarch. Not many remember Sri Lanka's Republic Day!

1/ #InternationalTeaDay தினமான இன்று, #CeylonTea இன் பின்னாலுள்ள உழைப்பை அங்கீகரிப்போம். 6 தலைமுறைகளாக உழைத்தும், மலையக மக்கள் இன்னும் நில உரிமை, வீட்டுரிமை மற்றும் உழைப்புக்கேற்ற ஊதியமின்றி வாழும் கட்டமைப்பு ரீதியான சவால்களை எதிர்கொள்கின்றனர். #MalaiyahaTamil #SriLanka

#BREAKING UN General Assembly ADOPTS resolution welcoming the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice on the obligations of States in respect of climate change RESULT In favor: 141 Against: 8 Abstain: 28

The Supreme Court has directed that Prof. W. M. Thilakaratne, a former senior academic of the University of Peradeniya who was found guilty of multiple charges of sexual harassment by a university disciplinary inquiry, be barred from holding any future position in universities or academic institutions in Sri Lanka. The ruling was delivered on 08 May 2026 by a three-judge bench comprising Justices Janak De Silva, Achala Wengappuli, and K. Priyantha Fernando in SC/FR Application No. 81/2021. The Fundamental Rights petition had been filed by Dr. W.A.M. Udari L. Abeyasinghe, a Dental Surgeon and Senior Lecturer attached to the Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental Science, University of Peradeniya. According to the judgment, the incidents occurred while Dr. Abeyasinghe was serving as an Assistant Lecturer under the supervision of Prof. Thilakaratne, who was also her M.Phil co-supervisor. The Court noted that the petitioner’s mother lodged a complaint with the Vice Chancellor of the University of Peradeniya on 02 July 2018, alleging sexual harassment and emotional abuse between July 2017 and April 2018. Following a preliminary investigation, the university appointed a Formal Inquiry Committee, which conducted hearings between July and September 2019. The Committee found Prof. Thilakaratne guilty of several charges, including cyber stalking, frequent hugging, touching despite objections, causing severe emotional distress, violating the university’s sexual harassment policy, and bringing the university into disrepute. However, the University Council later rejected the disciplinary findings, citing delays in the complaint being made, and decided not to take action against the professor. The petitioner subsequently complained to the University Grants Commission and later to the Human Rights Commission before filing the Fundamental Rights application before the Supreme Court in March 2021. The Court upheld a preliminary objection that the petition had been filed outside the constitutional time limit. Despite this, Justice Janak De Silva held that the Court retained powers under its “just and equitable jurisdiction” to issue directions in the public interest, particularly considering the seriousness of the findings against the professor. The judgment noted that Prof. Thilakaratne had never challenged or sought to invalidate the findings of the Formal Inquiry Committee. The Supreme Court subsequently ordered that Prof. Thilakaratne be prohibited from accepting any paid, unpaid, or honorary post in any university, educational institute, or academic institution. The Court also directed the UGC to instruct all universities and institutions under its purview not to offer him any appointment. In addition, the University of Peradeniya was directed to strengthen awareness and enforcement of its policies on sexual and gender-based harassment, including conducting mandatory annual seminars for academics, staff, and students. The judgment also highlighted Sri Lanka’s obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), stressing that sexual harassment creates hostile working environments and undermines equality in employment. (Newswire)

A reminder of an important moment in #SriLanka. Do check out the exhibition @ JDA this weekend

A very special delivery for David Attenborough, beloved by people (and animals) everywhere 💚 To honour Sir David’s 100th birthday, His Majesty The King is supported by a cast of stars from British nature to relay his handwritten message in time for the celebration at the Royal Albert Hall. Watch David Attenborough’s 100 Years on Planet Earth on @BBCiPlayer. youtu.be/I1D9YF0YapQ?si=6zcB…

“We often talk of saving the planet. But the truth is, we must do these things to save ourselves. With or without us, the wild will return.” — David Attenborough

In today's @FT_SriLanka: ft.lk/columns/Vijay-s-victor…

After govt formation,challenge for Vijay is to build TVK with workers instead of fans,& right people to run party & govt. It will be chaotic,unstable,the kind of situ in which the BJP thrives. My #electionresult analysis @thetribunechd ⁦@jomalhotra⁩ tribuneindia.com/news/commen…

The skeleton of another infant was unearthed at the Chemmani mass grave bringing the total number of bodies found at Sri Lanka's second largest mass burial site to 247. Investigators fear the discovery of more bodies and other evidence of a mass crime as excavations continue.

World Press Freedom Day 2026

Capturing key areas that show the promised 'system change' is taking a dangerous turn in #SriLanka.. “The last government” claim: Is Sri Lanka’s democracy under strain? pulseline.lk/sections/politi…

'New SLC Committee Favourites To Win Most Articulate National Body Award.'; ICC #lka #NewsCurry

Sports Minister Sunil Kumara Gamage said the new committee to oversee Sri Lanka Cricket reforms will be called the “Cricket Transformation Committee.”

Mission accomplished as king’s speech to Congress goes down a storm theguardian.com/us-news/2026…