News

Johan Fernando, the son of former Minister Johnston Fernando, has been remanded until January 9, 2026, following his arrest by the Financial Crimes Investigation Department (FCID), according to court proceedings at the Wattala Magistrate’s Court.

Fernando was taken into custody yesterday (30) in Kurunegala in connection with multiple allegations, including the suspected misappropriation of a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa and other state-owned vehicles during the period when Johnston Fernando served as Minister of Trade.

Investigators have cited several charges against him, including money laundering, violations of the Public Property Act, misuse of government assets, and criminal misappropriation.

Police said investigations are ongoing to arrest former Minister Johnston Fernando under the same set of allegations, as authorities continue to expand their probe into the case.

The Global Crisis

Deforestation and human-animal conflict have become dangerously intertwined as natural habitats shrink. Wildlife is continuously forced closer to human settlements. The numbers indicate a sobering picture. In 2024, the world lost 16.6 million acres of tropical primary rainforest, at an alarming rate of 4 to 5 cricket fields a minute.

By the end of 2025, the main drivers of this destruction became crystal clear. Commercial agriculture, particularly for the production of commodities like soy, palm oil, and cattle, leads the devastation. Indigenous communities sustainably manage 25 to 28 per cent of the world's land. They are forced to migrate due to deforestation. It results in cultural erosion and heightened poverty. Tragically, they also account for 40 percent of environmental defenders killed globally. They are the people murdered for trying to protect the forests that sustain us all.

Over 1.6 billion people rely directly on forest resources. The loss of primary forests jeopardises medicinal plants and traditional food sources. It leads to malnutrition and health crises in communities that have depended on these ecosystems for generations.

Ecological chain reaction

Deforestation disrupts ecological balance in devastating ways. As wildlife corridors are severed, animals are forced into human territories searching for food and water. This results in crop raiding and livestock predation. This heightened interaction raises the risk of zoonotic disease outbreaks. Forests harbor around two-thirds of the world's species. Their destruction pushes nearly half of endangered mammals toward extinction.

The patterns vary by region, but the underlying theme remains consistent. In Colombia, illegal clearing for coca cultivation and cattle pasture surged amid the power vacuum following peace treaties. In Brazil, agribusiness expansion accounts for nearly 80 percent of Amazon deforestation. Due to development projects, such as roads, hydroelectric dams, mining operations, clearing of remote forest areas continue. Climate-induced fires, exacerbated by extreme droughts, have contributed significantly to forest loss in Brazil and Bolivia. Armed conflicts in various regions have accelerated deforestation rates even further.

India's Wildlife Crisis: A Regional Warning

Close to Sri Lanka, India faces a critical wildlife crisis. Rampant deforestation and habitat fragmentation drive it. This intensifies human-animal conflicts, particularly with elephants and monkeys. With less than 20 percent of original forest cover remaining, wild animals are increasingly forced into human-dominated areas searching for food.

1.  This refers to diseases that are naturally spread from animals to people, such as pets, livestock, and wildlife. Pathogens cause transmissions, and include bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. The diseases can spread through direct contact, contaminated food or water, or the environment, posing serious risks to public health and impacting millions of people worldwide.
2.  Coca is primarily associated with the leaves of a family of South American plants that contain cocaine. These leaves have been traditionally employed for mild stimulation and as a source of illicit cocaine. 
3.  Through collapse of governance and dependence on natural resources for survival and war financing, armed conflicts exacerbate deforestation. Armed groups exploit resources like timber and minerals causing unregulated deforestation and environmental pollution. Local forests are strained by refugee settlements that are a result of conflict, while illegal logging and mining continue to thrive without regulation. Military tactics often involve clearing forests for strategic purposes. Rates of deforestation rise after a war, as farming needs to grow when people return home. These changes exacerbate climate change and biodiversity loss and marks a reversal of sustainable development.

The statistics are grim. Elephants now inhabit merely 3.5 percent of their historical range. Between 2011 and 2021, approximately 3,200 people and 1,150 elephants lost their lives due to conflicts, particularly in high-risk states like Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Karnataka. In Kerala alone, elephants contributed to 103 of the 344 human-wildlife conflict fatalities from 2021 to 2025.

The key factor exacerbating these conflicts is the fragmentation of migratory corridors. The fragmentation is caused by linear infrastructure and agricultural development, alongside climate change and invasive species depleting natural resources. Electrocution has emerged as the primary cause of elephant deaths in conflict zones. Train accidents and retaliatory poisoning follow close behind.

Monkey conflicts present another dimension of this crisis. Monkey species such as Rhesus macaques and Langurs cause considerable agricultural losses in states like Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. Their presence in urban areas, especially New Delhi, poses safety threats, with numerous attacks reported annually. Cultural reverence for these animals encourages their feeding and aggregation in human habitats, despite official prohibitions aimed at managing their populations.

Sri Lanka's Escalating Crisis

Sri Lanka currently grapples with a critical environmental and social crisis stemming from severe deforestation and escalating human-animal conflicts. The nation's forest cover has plummeted from 84 percent in 1881 to about 29.7 percent in recent decades. This catastrophic loss stems primarily from agricultural expansion, notably tea and coffee plantations, infrastructure development including the Southern Expressway, and urbanisation. All of these have fragmented natural habitats.

The conflict with elephants has reached alarming levels. Sri Lanka now records the highest global elephant mortality rate. In 2025, approximately 408 elephants and 149 humans lost their lives due to these conflicts. The conflicts were largely driven by habitat fragmentation from agricultural and infrastructure projects like the Mattala Airport. This forced elephants into human territories searching for food. The main causes of elephant deaths include gunshots, electrocution, and train accidents, alongside injuries from improvised explosives known as "hakka patas."

Conflicts involving Toque macaques and peacocks have also intensified. Macaques increasingly raid crops and households, leading to substantial economic losses. This is fuelled by habitat destruction and improper waste disposal that lures them into human settings.

The rising human-peacock conflict has emerged as a significant ecological and agricultural issue due to deforestation and habitat alteration. This has facilitated peacock migrations from traditional habitats to populated areas. Peacocks, while culturally significant, have become major agricultural pests, damaging crops and disrupting local ecosystems. Infrastructure expansion has aggravated risks of bird strikes in aviation involving peacocks.

International Solutions Taking Shape

In 2025, strategies for addressing deforestation and human-animal conflict began emphasising the integration of nature-based climate actions with socio-economic empowerment.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework represents a major initiative, with 190 nations committing to protect 30 percent of the world's land and sea by 2030. The WHO Pandemic Agreement was adopted as a legally binding treaty in May 2025. It aims to mitigate "spillover" drivers linked to deforestation and high-risk wildlife trade, addressing zoonotic disease prevention at the source

4. Kerala's progressive government, led by the Left Democratic Front (LDF) was re-elected in 2021. It operates under India's quasi, or semi-federal system, which is more tilted towards a unitary form of government. It contains features of both a federal and a unitary system. Article 1 of the Indian Constitution states that India, or Bharat, will be a union of states.

5. In Sri Lanka, the term "Rilaw" (රිළව්) specifically refers to the Toque macaque (Macaca sinica), distinguishable from the Rhesus macaque found in India. The name "rhesus" is thought to be rooted in mythology. Additionally, Asian leaf-eating monkeys, known as Langur, are part of the subfamily Colobinae within the Old World monkey family. In Sri Lanka, specific species include the tufted gray langur, referred to as “Heli wandura” (හැලි වඳුරා) or “Alu wandura” (අළු වඳුරා), and the purple-faced langur, known as “Kalu wandura” (කළු වඳුරා).

The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) established a framework requiring large operators to comply with it by December 2026. In Brazil, a significant multibillion-dollar initiative rewards countries for maintaining forest ecosystems. This is done by funnelling support directly to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) similarly incentivises forest conservation through financial channels directed to local communities.

Countries like Barbados are innovating with "debt-for-climate-resilience" swaps. It offers debt restructuring in exchange for commitments to local conservation efforts. Market-based financing is evolving from basic grants to "impact investing" focused on species protection and conservation outcomes.

Mitigating Human-Animal Conflict

Landscape-level management strategies are evolving from traditional protectionist approaches to coexistence models. India's "Wildlife Week 2025" theme, "Human–Wildlife Coexistence," features projects like Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR), managing wildlife across broader landscapes rather than confined parks. 

In South Africa, successful approaches included a 2025 initiative to relocate a threatened elephant herd to a safer reserve. It utilised collaring technology, immune-contraceptives, and community monitoring. High-tech solutions are evident in Kenya, where AI-enabled thermal cameras combat rhino poaching. India employs M-STrIPES for real-time tiger monitoring.

Legal recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights emerges as a cost-effective conservation strategy, as they manage 80 percent of global biodiversity. Organisations like World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) are creating standardised traceability systems for beef and leather to prevent deforestation-linked products from entering markets.

In India, notable policy changes in 2025 included a Maharashtra directive mandating the release of trapped monkeys at least 10 kilometers from human habitation. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt alternative crops like ginger, turmeric, or chili, which are less appealing to monkeys. Technological innovations like the AI-based "Hathi Mitra App" in Chhattisgarh and sensor alerts in Uttarakhand alert villagers regarding animal movements.

States like Kerala and Uttar Pradesh have classified human-wildlife conflict as a "state-specific disaster," streamlining compensation and disaster management funding. Physical barriers such as solar-powered electric fences and bio-fencing techniques have been enhanced to deter animals non-lethally. Providing research-informed strategies for mitigation of human-animal conflict is the aim of the Centre of Excellence for Human-Wildlife Conflict Management.

Conclusion: A Global Challenge Requiring Global Solutions

The intertwined crises of deforestation and human-animal conflict represent one of the most pressing challenges of our time. From the Amazon to India to Sri Lanka, the pattern of the conflict is disturbingly consistent. As forests disappear, wildlife and humans are forced into closer proximity, creating conflicts that are deadly for both.

The international community has begun responding with ambitious policy frameworks like the "30x30 Initiative" and the WHO Pandemic Agreement. These represent recognition that forest conservation and wildlife protection are not merely environmental issues. They are matters of human survival, economic stability, and global health security.

6. M-STrIPES is India's critical mobile-based system (Monitoring System for Tigers - Intensive Protection and Ecological Status) for monitoring tigers and habitat in tiger reserves, using GPS/GIS to track patrols and wildlife data for conservation.

7. The "30x30 Initiative" encompasses two significant global campaigns to safeguard 30 percent of land and oceans, and to enhance women's representation in law enforcement to 30 percent by 2030. These initiatives are associated with wider international agreements, notably the Kunming-Montreal Framework.

Yet policy frameworks alone are insufficient. The solutions emerging from the ground, community-based management, Indigenous rights recognition, technological innovations for early warning, and economic incentives for conservation show what is possible when political will meets practical action.

The key lesson from examining these global patterns is that human-animal conflict is not primarily a wildlife problem. It is a land-use problem, a development problem, and ultimately a human problem. Animals are simply responding to habitat loss by seeking food and territory wherever they can find it. The solution lies not only in controlling wildlife populations but in restoring habitats, maintaining corridors, and fundamentally rethinking how human development can coexist with the natural systems that sustain all life.

For Sri Lanka, observing these international trends offers both warning and hope. The warning is that without decisive action, conflicts will continue escalating as forests shrink further. The hope is that proven solutions exist, from community-based fence management to habitat restoration and use of AI-enabled early warning systems. The question is whether Sri Lanka will learn lessons from global experience and implement these solutions before more lives, both human and animal, are lost.

Lionel Bopage

29 Dec 2025

The passing away of veteran singer Mrs Latha Walpola, "The Queen of Songs of Lanka", has created an unfillable void in the Lankan music world. The boundless body of creations she gifted to Sri Lankan singing culture will remain as a cultural heritage of ours. Her melodious voice and her singing ability, which won hearts for generations, set a benchmark in Sri Lankan music.

We sang many of her songs on numerous occasions while enjoying ourselves. Her immortal songs like සැළලිහිණි කොවුල් හඬ රැව් දෙන්නා, මල් බර හිමිදිරියේ, සහ ලෝ අඩ නින්දේ still remain fresh in our memories. The songs of the era she sang, especially with her life partner, veteran singer Dharmadasa Walpola, continue to hold a prominent place among the most popular song collections in Sri Lanka even today.

The last time we sang those songs was when the 55th anniversary of our group, students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, from 1965-69, was held in Sri Lanka last year. In addition to noting my enjoyment of her songs, I would like to take this opportunity to write about several occasions when some of her life events had an impact on my social life.

One was during the 1981-82 period, when the Walpola family was beset by political harassment. Facing the threat of eviction from their home due to pressure from political authorities, they sought the support of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna. Mrs Walpola had sent one of her sons to the then JVP Head office, which was located at Weerasinghe Saw Mills, in Armour Street, Colombo, to inform us about their situation. I brought to the notice of the relevant authorities, the harassment they were enduring, but it did not yield any success. History bears witness to the manner the then-President and certain political powers thought about professionals engaged in the sphere of arts.

Chitra and I had the opportunity to meet Mrs Walpola in person at one of her singing concerts held in Canberra, Australia in the 1990s. The concert, organised by the Australia Sri Lankan Association Inc., ACT (ASLA) in collaboration with other organisations, was a great success. Our very cordial meetings also gave us the opportunity to reflect on our past.

The ‘Sri Lanka Day’ organised in Canberra in 1998 to commemorate the half-century since Sri Lanka gained independence is a historic event that deserves special mention. The fact that February 4th coincided with the annual Australian National Multicultural Festival held in Canberra further enhanced the significance of the event. Under the leadership of ASLA, of which I was the president, with the support of other Sri Lankan organisations, and under the guidance of the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia, late Mr. Elmo Perera, and the High Commission, the event was to be held on a grand scale.

The event featured a series of exhibitions on Sri Lankan arts and crafts, heritage and photography, a Sri Lankan cricket exhibition, a Sri Lankan documentary film exhibition, a Sri Lankan cooking demonstration, and several Sri Lankan food, tea and tourism stalls. To conclude the one-day event on a grand note, preparations were also being made to hold a dance and songs recital at the Llewellyn Hall of the Australian National University. The dance program was organised by the Canberra School of Sri Lankan Dance and its principal, late Mrs Vijitha Lokusooriya. The singing program was organised by the School of Eastern and Western Music of Canberra (සංගීත් මංජරී) and its principal, Sangeetha Visharada Ranjith Madurapperuma.

The final item of this dance and singing program was proposed to be a group sing-along of the song "පෙරදිග මුතු ඇටයයි මේ - ලෝකේ සිරි බර සිරි ලංකා", a song full of national pride, sung by the nightingale, Mrs Latha Walpola. It was also proposed to involve Sri Lankan as well as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Fijian and Australian students who were associated with  the Sri Lankan School of Eastern and Western Music, in singing the finale. It highlighted Sri Lanka’s cultural diversity and multi-ethnic harmony, using a blend of South Asian and Australian cultures.

However, a strong campaign of various kinds had been launched against both these proposals. One of the main allegations levelled was that the song "පෙරදිග මුතු ඇටයයි මේ" was a liberation song of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna and that it could not be allowed to be sung at all. The other allegation was that the song should only be sung  by Sinhalese students and that non-Sinhalese students should not be allowed to sing it. Although both of these allegations were based on absurd facts, it should be specially noted that those were disseminated throughout Australia by certain Sinhala supremacists.

It can be assumed that the basis for these absurd allegations may have been the anti-Christian sentiments among those supremacists. Mrs Latha Walpola was born as Rita Genevieve Fernando. She was raised in a Catholic family. She was educated in a Catholic convent. Her singing career began in church choirs. Her religious beliefs and the background in which she was raised may have influenced her early musical path. However, ‍her singing abilities were considered very similar to those of Latha Mangeshkar, who was considered India's greatest and most powerful singer. Although Lata Mangeshkar's singing style was noted as a benchmark in Indian playback singing, the religious bias of some appeared to have become an obstacle for Mrs Latha Walpola.

The Organising Committee met for the last time at the Sri Lankan High Commissioner's residence to make final decisions on the 50th Independence Day program. As the president of the committee, I included the proposals that had been debated and the allegations that had been made against them on the agenda of that meeting. The representatives of the Sinhala Cultural Association in Canberra spoke in support of those allegations. When the High Commissioner asked for my views, I denied both allegations and presented the necessary facts to negate them.

First, I confirmed that the song "පෙරදිග මුතු ඇටයයි මේ" is not a liberation song of the JVP. I explained that the song was a very popular song that evoked Sri Lankan pride and national sentiment, that the lyrics were written by Karunaratne Abeysekara, and that the song was sung around 1956, long before the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna came into being. Accordingly, it was confirmed that the allegation was completely false and fabricated.

Second, I emphasized that rather than limiting the singing of such a song filled with national pride to Sinhalese, we should be proud that citizens of South Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, or any other country in the world, should come together and sing "This is the pearl of the East". I also explained that this is a very important occasion that proclaims Sri Lanka’s multicultural diversity and international friendship. All the non-supremacists unanimously approved the ideas I presented. The supremacists remained silent. At the end, having taken all those facts into consideration, the High Commissioner agreed that the program should be organised as proposed.

The result of that decision was the successful conclusion of the 50th Independence Day celebrations, Sri Lanka Day, on 4 February 1998, under the patronage of the Chief Minister of the Australian Capital Territory, Mrs. Kate Carnell. A highlight of the event was the singing of the song "පෙරදිග මුතු ඇටයයි මේ - ලෝකේ සිරි බර සිරි ලංකා" by students of various nationalities together. This was a wonderful occasion of expressing national harmony and cultural diversity.

Discussing these events reminds us that Mrs Latha Walpola leaves behind an unfillable void in the universe of Sri Lankan cultural creativity. Born Rita Genevieve Fernando, she transformed her musical journey, which began with church choirs, into an immortal chapter in the history of Sri Lankan music. Her contribution to Sri Lankan music was also a means of promoting national harmony, cultural diversity and human equity. Her contribution to the art of Sri Lankan singing was immeasurable, and her melodious voice will remain in the hearts of many generations. Her melodious voice will resonate in our hearts forever, and her musical legacy will represent a high point in Sri Lankan culture.

We pay tribute to Mrs. Latha Walpola for her immeasurable contribution to the art of Sri Lankan singing. We express our deepest condolences to all of her family, friends and countless followers.

Lionel Bopage

31 December 2025

The Department of Meteorology has forecast intermittent showers and thundershowers in several parts of the country today (31), affecting large areas of the island.

According to the forecast, rainfall is expected at times in the Northern, Eastern, Central, North Central, North Western and Uva provinces. In addition, fairly heavy rainfall exceeding 75 mm is likely at isolated locations within the Central, North Western and Uva provinces.

The Met Department also noted that showers or thundershowers may develop in other areas after 2.00 p.m., particularly during the evening hours.

Early morning misty conditions are expected in parts of the Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, as well as in the Galle and Matara districts, which could reduce visibility.Members of the public have been urged to take necessary safety precautions to reduce potential damage caused by localized strong winds and lightning associated with thundershowers.

Former Member of Parliament Dullas Alahapperuma has formally appealed to United States President Donald J. Trump to consider granting temporary tariff relief on Sri Lankan imports, citing the country’s urgent need for economic recovery following the devastation caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

In a letter addressed to President Trump, Alahapperuma expressed deep appreciation for the United States’ swift humanitarian response to the disaster, including USD 2 million in emergency assistance and the deployment of US military airlift capabilities to deliver essential relief supplies. He described the support as “generous and timely,” noting that it had played a critical role in Sri Lanka’s ongoing relief operations.

Cyclone Ditwah, one of the most severe natural disasters in Sri Lanka’s recent history, has affected nearly 10 per cent of the population—more than two million people—through widespread flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage across all districts. Alahapperuma emphasized that children have been disproportionately impacted, with UNICEF estimating that over half a million children are facing long-term risks such as displacement, loss of parents, disruption to education, and increased vulnerability.

Highlighting President Trump’s recent initiative to establish “Trump Accounts,” a program designed to provide seed funding for the financial security of American children from birth, Alahapperuma drew attention to what he described as a shared commitment to child welfare.

Against this backdrop, he requested that the US administration consider temporarily reducing tariffs on Sri Lankan imports to 12 per cent for a one-year period in 2026. According to Alahapperuma, such targeted trade relief would significantly strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic recovery by supporting export-driven industries, restoring livelihoods, and enabling the government to channel resources toward rebuilding infrastructure and essential services—particularly those benefiting children.

He noted that the estimated annual value of the proposed tariff reduction would exceed the value of a single tranche of International Monetary Fund (IMF) funding to Sri Lanka, underlining its potential impact on the country’s recovery efforts.

Alahapperuma made the appeal in his capacity as a former Minister of Education and a main candidate in Sri Lanka’s 2022 presidential election, stressing the long-term developmental importance of safeguarding children during times of crisis.

Concluding his letter, he described the proposed tariff relief as an act of solidarity that would offer renewed hope to Sri Lankan families, calling it a “perfect Christmas and New Year gift” to the children of Sri Lanka as the nation seeks to rebuild after the cyclone.

Precious metals rebounded on Tuesday, after falling sharply in the previous session, as the market refocused on geopolitical and economic risks, reigniting gold’s rally to cap its best year since 1979.

Spot gold rose 0.8% to $4,364.70 per ounce at 2:07 p.m. ET (1907 GMT). On Monday, it recorded its biggest daily percentage loss since October 21 as profit-taking pushed it down from Friday’s record high of $4,549.71.

U.S. gold futures settled 1% higher at $4,386.30.

“We saw very extreme volatility yesterday where we saw strong action in Asian trading to the upside and then rather substantial profit-taking... but things have stabilised somewhat today, the trade remains generally favourable,” said Peter Grant, vice president and senior metals strategist at Zaner Metals.

Gold, seen as a safe-haven asset, has surged 66% in 2025 — its steepest climb since 1979 — propelled by a perfect storm of interest rate easing, geopolitical flashpoints, robust central bank purchases and flows into bullion-backed ETFs.

The U.S. Federal Reserve agreed to cut interest rates at its December meeting only after a deeply nuanced debate about the risks facing the U.S. economy right now, according to minutes of the latest two-day session.

The Fed next meets on January 27-28, with investors currently expecting rates to be left unchanged.

“The market remains sceptical on the Russia-Ukraine peace deal, and the broader measures of geopolitical risk remain elevated,” supporting prices, Grant said.
Russia accused Ukraine of trying to attack President Vladimir Putin’s residence and vowed retaliation. Ukraine said the claim was baseless.

Silver rose 7.3% to $77.48 per ounce. It hit an all-time high of $83.62 on Monday, before logging its biggest daily drop since August 2020. Silver has soared 168% this year, driven by its inclusion on the U.S. critical minerals list, supply deficits and growing industrial and investor appetite.

Platinum rose 5.1% to $2,216.45 per ounce. It also touched a record high on Monday, of $2,478.50, before logging its biggest-ever one-day drop.

Palladium rose 1.6% to $1,639.08, after falling around 16% on Monday.

(Source:adaderana.lk)

China fired rockets into waters off Taiwan on Tuesday, showcased new assault ships and dismissed prospects of U.S. and allied intervention to block any future attack by Beijing to take control of the island in its most extensive war games to date.

As part of drills rehearsing a blockade, China's Eastern Theatre Command conducted 10 hours of live-fire exercises, launching rockets into waters to the north and south of the democratically governed island.Chinese naval and air force units also simulated strikes on maritime and aerial targets and carried out anti-submarine drills around the island, while state media released images touting Beijing's technological and military superiority and its ability to take Taiwan by force if necessary.

Named "Justice Mission 2025", the drills began 11 days after the U.S. announced a record $11.1 billion arms package to Taiwan, drawing the Chinese defence ministry's ire and warnings that the military would "take forceful measures" in response.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who said on Monday he has a "great relationship" with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, has downplayed the threat of the drills, though U.S. lawmakers and the European Union condemned Beijing's actions as undermining regional peace and stability.

DETERRING 'EXTERNAL FORCES'

For the first time, China's military said the drills were aimed at deterring outside intervention. "Any external forces that attempt to intervene in the Taiwan issue or interfere in China's internal affairs will surely smash their heads bloody against the iron walls of the Chinese People's Liberation Army," China's Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement on Monday.

Beijing has also intensified its rhetoric over Taiwan in the weeks since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested a hypothetical attack on the island could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Xi last week promoted the commander of the Eastern Theatre Command, which oversees Taiwan-facing operations, to full general - a move which analysts say serves to shore up the military's combat readiness after a leadership purge.

"China not only has vast numerical superiority, it now has qualitative superiority across the board in weaponry and probably in training as well," said Lyle Goldstein, Asia programme director at U.S.-based think tank Defense Priorities.

"This is an arms race Taiwan cannot possibly win."

Trump on Monday said he was not worried about the drills, adding that China has carried out naval exercises around Taiwan for more than 20 years.

In contrast, John Moolenaar, the Republican chair of the U.S. House of Representatives' select committee on China, said China's actions represented a "deliberate escalation."

"By rehearsing coercive military scenarios and projecting force beyond its borders, the Chinese Communist Party is seeking to reshape the regional order through aggression and intimidation," Moolenaar said in a statement on Tuesday.

Washington would work to "preserve Taiwan's security," he added.

The European Union also said it had a "direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait," adding in a statement that Beijing "endangers international peace and stability", opens new tab with its latest exercises.

While Trump has repeatedly said Xi told him he will not attack Taiwan while the U.S. president is in office - something Beijing has never confirmed - Trump's first and second administrations have a track record of ramping up weapon sales approvals to Taiwan compared with other U.S. administrations.

The drills this week, the sixth major round of war games since 2022, were the largest by area and the closest yet to Taiwan.

Hsieh Jih-sheng, deputy chief of the general staff for intelligence at Taiwan's Defence Ministry, told reporters China had ramped up its drills around the island over the past three years to make people doubt the government's ability to defend them.

SHOW OF FORCE

A senior Taiwan security official told Reuters that China appeared to be simulating striking land-based targets such as the U.S.-made HIMARS rocket system, a mobile artillery system with a range of about 300 km (186 miles) that could hit coastal targets in southern China.

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te said in a post on Facebook that frontline troops were primed to defend the island but that Taipei did not seek to escalate the situation.

China's state media rolled a stream of propaganda posters, including one titled "Hammers of Justice" that showed Lai being crushed by one hammer striking the island's south while another hits its north.

Chinese newspapers also highlighted the first deployment of the Type 075 amphibious assault ship. Zhang Chi, an academic at China's National Defence University, said the vessel can simultaneously launch attack helicopters, landing craft, amphibious tanks and armoured vehicles.

CHINA BELIEVED TO BE EYEING 2027 READINESS TARGET

Taiwan sits alongside key commercial shipping and aviation routes, with some $2.45 trillion in trade moving through the Taiwan Strait each year and the airspace above the island a conduit between China, the world's second-largest economy, and the fast-growing markets of East and Southeast Asia.

Taiwan's Civil Aviation Authority said that although 11 of Taipei's 14 flight routes were affected by the drills, no international flights had been cancelled. Routes to the offshore islands of Kinmen and Matsu near China's coast were blocked, affecting around 6,000 passengers.

Taiwan's defence ministry said 71 Chinese military aircraft and 24 navy and coast guard vessels had been operating around the island on Tuesday. The ministry added that China fired 27 rockets in Taiwan's waters. Chinese coast guard ships were tracking Taiwanese vessels during the drills, a Taiwan coast guard official told Reuters.

A Pentagon report released last week said the U.S. military believed China was preparing to be able to win a fight for Taiwan by 2027, the centenary of the founding of the PLA.

China's military said on Monday that simulating a blockade of Taiwan's deep-water Port of Keelung to the island's north and Kaohsiung to Taiwan's south, its largest port city, was central to the drills.

The Pentagon report said U.S. military planners believed Beijing was also contemplating carrying out strikes from China to take Taiwan by "brute force" if needed.

(Source - Reuters)

The final rites of renowned Sri Lankan vocalist Latha Walpola are scheduled to be conducted this evening (31) at the Borella General Cemetery, with full state honours.The veteran singer passed away on December 27 at the age of 91, leaving behind an extraordinary musical legacy that spanned several decades.

Her remains, which are currently lying in state at a private funeral parlour in Borella, will be taken to Independence Square, Colombo 07, at 10.00 a.m. today. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects at the venue from 10.00 a.m. until 2.00 p.m.

Following religious observances scheduled for 2.00 p.m., the remains will be taken to the Borella General Cemetery, where the final rites will be performed.

Born in Mount Lavinia in 1934, Latha Walpola began her musical journey at an early age, making her debut on Radio Ceylon in 1946, when she was just 12 years old. Over the course of her distinguished career, she recorded more than 6,000 songs, including performances in several foreign languages, cementing her place as one of Sri Lanka’s most prolific and celebrated singers.

Opposition MP and President’s Counsel Faiszer Musthapha has called for wide-ranging reforms to Sri Lanka’s divorce, marriage, and personal laws, including the introduction of no-fault divorce, an increase in the minimum marriage age, and strengthened women’s rights under Muslim and Tesawalamai legislation.

At present, Sri Lanka’s divorce system is fault-based, requiring couples to prove a recognized matrimonial offense to obtain a decree of divorce. Critics argue the framework is outdated, encourages false allegations, burdens courts, and intensifies conflict between parties. Musthapha’s proposed reforms would allow divorce on the basis of irreconcilable differences, creating a no-fault system aimed at more humane and efficient resolution of marital breakdowns.

He also recommends amending the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act to raise the minimum age of marriage to 18 years. Under current law, girls under 12 may be married with the consent of a Quazi, a provision Musthapha says conflicts with modern child protection standards.

In addition, he proposes transferring maintenance claims under Muslim law from exclusive Quazi Court jurisdiction to Magistrates’ Courts under the general Maintenance Ordinance. Musthapha said this would improve accessibility, consistency, and procedural fairness, particularly for women seeking timely relief.

The lawmaker also advocates allowing women to serve as Quazis, noting that the current male-only restriction is outdated and inconsistent with Sri Lanka’s record of female leaders, including Chief Justices and Presidents.

Musthapha further highlighted entrenched gender inequality under Tesawalamai law, which prevents married women from disposing of immovable property without their husband’s written consent. He said such restrictions undermine constitutional equality and violate Sri Lanka’s international obligations. His reforms would remove these barriers, recognizing women’s full legal capacity over their property.

Drawing on his experience as former Minister of Provincial Councils and Local Government, where he helped introduce a 25% quota for women in local authorities, Musthapha said the proposed reforms would modernize Sri Lanka’s matrimonial and personal laws, strengthen gender equality, and align national legislation with international standards.

Sri Lanka will take centre stage in the global gem and jewellery industry when FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 opens on January 3 at The Forum, Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, welcoming international buyers and industry professionals from around the world.

Running from January 3 to 5, 2026, FACETS is widely recognised as the first major international jewellery exhibition of the year, placing Sri Lanka at the forefront of the global trade calendar and setting the tone for industry activity in 2026.

Now marking its 33rd edition, FACETS Sri Lanka has evolved into one of the most respected gem and jewellery trade exhibitions in the region. Organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association (SLGJA), the event brings together every segment of the industry—from miners and gemstone cutters to jewellery manufacturers, designers, traders and exporters—under one trusted platform.

SLGJA President Akram Cassim, speaking ahead of the exhibition, said the longevity of FACETS reflects the strength and credibility of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector. He noted that hosting the event at Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams represents a modern, forward-looking approach while remaining grounded in the country’s heritage and industry values.

Internationally known as the “Island of Gems,” Sri Lanka is famed for its high-quality sapphires and diverse range of natural gemstones. FACETS Sri Lanka offers a secure and transparent marketplace where global buyers can engage directly with local exhibitors, reinforcing the country’s reputation for craftsmanship, ethical sourcing and generations of expertise.

FACETS Sri Lanka Chairman Armil Samoon said the exhibition aims to foster strong business relationships and meaningful engagement throughout the three-day event, showcasing the full scope and capability of the Sri Lankan gem and jewellery industry.

The exhibition will feature a comprehensive range of local exhibitors across the Gem Pavilion, Jewellery Pavilion and SME Pavilion, complemented by networking sessions and industry-focused activities designed to encourage collaboration and business expansion.

FACETS Sri Lanka 2026 will run from January 3 to 5 at The Forum, Cinnamon Life – City of Dreams, Colombo, and is open to trade visitors, invited guests and industry professionals seeking insight into the heritage, quality and future direction of Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery sector.

Former Sri Lankan President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has extended her condolences to the family, colleagues, and supporters of former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia following her passing.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Kumaratunga described Zia as “a towering figure in the political life of Bangladesh and a stateswoman of remarkable resilience and courage.”

She highlighted Zia’s pioneering role as one of the first women to lead a South Asian nation and her contributions to promoting greater participation of women in governance across the region.

Kumaratunga recalled her personal experience working with Zia on bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, as well as on regional issues during her tenure as chair of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

She praised Zia’s “charm and unfailing courage in the face of daunting challenges.”

The former president highlighted Zia’s role in strengthening democratic institutions, advancing socio-economic development, and representing the aspirations of millions of Bangladeshis.

She also expressed solidarity with the people of Bangladesh in mourning the loss of “a historic leader.”

Professor Nishan Canagarajah, a distinguished academic of Sri Lankan origin and the President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester, has been knighted in the 2026 King’s New Year Honours for his exceptional service to higher education and inclusive leadership.

Born and educated in Sri Lanka, Professor Canagarajah later moved to the United Kingdom to continue his studies, earning both his Bachelor’s degree and PhD from the University of Cambridge. His academic career spans more than 30 years, including senior leadership roles at the University of Bristol, before taking up his current position at Leicester in 2019.

He has been widely recognised for his commitment to widening access, equality, and social mobility within higher education. Under his leadership, the University of Leicester has strengthened its reputation as one of the UK’s most diverse institutions, with 38% of students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and 69% from minority ethnic communities.

During his tenure, the university launched its first IntoUniversity centre, appointed its first female and minority Chancellor, and expanded community-focused and international initiatives, including programmes supporting refugees and global academic partnerships.

Commenting on the honour, Professor Canagarajah reflected on his journey, saying it was a powerful reminder of the transformative role of education, adding that rising from a childhood in a once war-affected country to being recognised at the highest national level was an extraordinary personal milestone.