The first roadshow will be held on 25th May 2026 at the Crowne Plaza Ahmedabad City Centre in Ahmedabad, followed by the Kolkata on 27th May 2026 at the ITC Sonar. The third roadshow will take place on 29th May 2026 at the Pullman Chennai Anna Salai in Chennai.

India continues to be a leading source market for Sri Lanka tourism in both leisure and MICE tourism, offering immense growth opportunities. It has consistently maintained its position as the. According to statistics published by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, a total of 531,511 Indian tourists visited Sri Lanka in 2025, representing 22% of the country’s total tourist arrivals. Sri Lanka also achieved a historic milestone in 2025 by recording the highest number of Indian tourist arrivals ever received by the country. In addition, Sri Lanka’s tourism earnings surpassed USD 3.2 billion during the year 2025.

MICE and business tourism accounts for approximately 10% of the total tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka and remains a significant sub-sector within the tourism industry.
From January to mid-May 2026, Sri Lanka welcomed 951,742 tourists, of which 221,953 were from India. This positive trend reflects the growing demand for travel and the strong connectivity between the two neighbouring countries.

Travel between Sri Lanka and India remains highly convenient, with SriLankan Airlines operating 90 weekly flights connecting Sri Lanka with nine Indian cities. In addition, IndiGo and Air India operate daily flights to Ahmedabad, Kolkata, and Chennai, ensuring seamless accessibility for both business and leisure travellers.

The upcoming roadshows will showcase Sri Lanka’s diverse MICE and tourism offerings, reaffirming that the destination is fully open and prepared to welcome leisure, business, and corporate travellers. The events are specifically designed to engage MICE tour operators, media representatives, influencers, corporate leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders from the Indian travel industry.

A 24-member delegation comprising leading Sri Lankan tour operators and hoteliers will participate in the initiative, highlighting the country’s diverse attractions, world-class infrastructure and hospitality, and unique experiences.

These Sri Lanka Tourism MICE promotions are structured to facilitate meaningful B2B (Business-to-Business) interactions and productive dialogue among industry stakeholders. Evening networking sessions will further strengthen professional relationships in a more informal setting. In addition, press conferences scheduled in all three cities are expected to generate extensive media coverage and enhance Sri Lanka’s visibility as a premier travel and MICE destination. A performance by a Sri Lankan cultural troupe will also provide a vibrant cultural showcase, highlighting the country’s rich heritage and traditions.

Mr. Dheera Hettiarachchi, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Convention Bureau, stated, “Sri Lanka is an ideal MICE destination due to its close proximity and strong connectivity with India, making it a cost-effective and attractive choice for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions. These MICE promotions will further showcase Sri Lanka’s growth and strengthen tourism and business ties between the two countries.”

Known for a distinguished legal career spanning criminal, civil, and constitutional law, Harihara Arun Somasankar G now presents a sensitive and evocative narrative that moves beyond courtrooms into the emotional complexities of the human heart.

A Tale of Love Found Between the Waves, Finally Us follows the journey of Rana, a man who stopped believing in love after losing his mother to the sea, and Maya, an optimistic architect whose warmth slowly breaks through the walls he built around himself. What begins as an accidental meeting evolves into a quiet and profound emotional connection shaped by shared silences, longing, heartbreak, and destiny.

The novel is described as a slow-burn emotional romance that reflects on second chances, emotional healing, and the transformative power of love. The story culminates at the very sea that once defined loss for Rana -becoming the place where truth, healing, and love finally return.

Speaking about the book, Harihara Arun Somasankar G said: “Finally Us” is not merely a love story. It is about emotional survival, silent battles, and the hope that love can still find us even after life changes us completely.”

Harihara Arun Somasankar G currently practices as an International Lawyer and has previously served as Government Advocate (Prosecutor) for the State of Tamil Nadu. Over the years, Harihara Arun Somasankar G has handled significant criminal and constitutional matters and has been associated with legal advisory work connected to international criminal law. The legal work and interpretative approach of Harihara Arun Somasankar G have received recognition from the Hon’ble High Court of Madras.

A graduate of ILS Law College, Pune, Harihara Arun Somasankar G has also pursued advanced legal and international academic programs associated with institutions including Stanford University, the University of Oxford, and Cardiff University. Alongside notable legal achievements, Harihara Arun Somasankar G has authored works such as Earthman: The Defender of the World and My Little Princess, reflecting a diverse literary voice and creative depth.

With Finally Us, Harihara Arun Somasankar G brings readers a heartfelt contemporary romance that resonates with themes of vulnerability, emotional resilience, and the beauty of finding love when it is least expected.

Book Details
Title:Finally Us
Author: Harihara Arun Somasankar G
Genre: Contemporary Romance / Emotional Fiction

The child had been experiencing repeated episodes of severe abdominal pain and pancreatitis for several years due to pancreatic divisum, a congenital condition in which the pancreatic ducts fail to fuse normally during fetal development. This abnormal anatomy leads to impaired drainage of pancreatic secretions, causing repeated inflammation, progressive pancreatic damage, debilitating pain, nutritional compromise, and recurrent hospitalisations.

Despite undergoing multiple endoscopic interventions and repeated pancreatic duct stenting procedures over the years, the child continued to suffer recurrent attacks of pancreatitis. As the disease progressed into chronic pancreatitis with persistent symptoms, the multidisciplinary team at Kauvery Hospital recommended definitive surgical management.

The surgery performed was a robotic Frey’s procedure, one of the most technically demanding operations in pancreatic surgery. The procedure involves removing diseased and inflamed pancreatic tissue while simultaneously reconstructing a drainage pathway between the pancreas and the intestine to restore the normal flow of pancreatic secretions.

Performing this surgery robotically in a child is exceptionally challenging because of the delicate anatomy of the pancreas, extremely small operating spaces, the need for meticulous reconstruction around critical blood vessels and ducts, and the precision required to preserve healthy pancreatic tissue.

The procedure was performed using the advanced Da Vinci Robotic Surgical System, which provides surgeons with enhanced 3D visualization, tremor filtration, superior precision, and improved dexterity during complex reconstructive surgery.

The procedure was led by Dr Senthil Gnanasekaran, Clinical Lead – Abdominal Organ Transplant & HPB Surgery, experienced in Robotic procedures, along with Dr Piyush Bawane, Clinical Lead – Medical Gastroenterology.

The surgery was completed successfully with remarkably minimal blood loss, an important achievement in a major pancreatic procedure. The child had an excellent postoperative
recovery with significantly reduced pain compared to conventional open surgery and was discharged home on the sixth postoperative day.

Commenting on the procedure, Dr Senthil Gnanasekaran said: “Chronic pancreatitis in children is uncommon and can significantly affect quality of life because of repeated pain episodes, hospital admissions, nutritional compromise, and long-term pancreatic damage. Frey’s procedure is among the most complex pancreatic reconstructive surgeries and performing it robotically in a child requires extraordinary precision and expertise. The robotic platform enabled us to perform meticulous dissection and reconstruction through a minimally invasive approach, resulting in less pain, smaller scars, minimal blood loss, and faster recovery for the child.”

Dr Aravindan Selvaraj, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Kauvery Group of Hospitals, said:

“Robotic pancreatic reconstruction surgery in children is exceedingly rare worldwide because pancreatic surgery itself is among the most technically demanding specialties in gastrointestinal surgery. This successful procedure reflects the growing advancement of robotic hepatopancreatobiliary surgery and paediatric minimally invasive surgery at Kauvery Hospital. More importantly, it demonstrates how advanced robotic technology, combined with multidisciplinary expertise, can help children recover faster while minimizing surgical trauma and improving long-term outcomes.”

Kauvery Hospital continues to strengthen its position as one of the leading centres for advanced robotic gastrointestinal, HPB, transplant, and minimally invasive surgery in South India, offering highly specialised care supported by cutting-edge technology and multidisciplinary clinical expertise.

The patient’s heart had become too weak to pump enough blood to the rest of the body, the vital function performed by the left ventricle. This condition is known as left ventricular failure, or advanced left ventricular systolic heart failure. As a result, he frequently suffered severe breathlessness and required repeated ICU admissions. On one occasion, he had to be readmitted to the ICU on the very same day he was discharged from the hospital. Seeking a permanent solution to his recurring breathlessness and the underlying heart condition, the patient opted for advanced definitive treatment.

Considering his advanced age, fragile clinical condition and worsening kidney function, the medical team ruled out heart transplantation and instead opted for implantation of a LVAD. The device sits inside the left ventricle and takes over much of the pumping function.

The LVAD implantation was performed by the team lead Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman- Cardiac Sciences, Director- Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & mechanical Circulatory Support and Dr. Suresh Rao K G, Co- Director- Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & mechanical Circulatory Support at MGM Healthcare. The intervention was successful, following which the patient recovered in hospital for three weeks before being discharged. He is now living independently, able to go for regular walks and leading an active, brisk life.

In his comments, Dr. K R Balakrishnan said, “Our heart works as a two-sided pump, the right side sends blood to the lungs, while the left side pumps blood to the rest of the body. In this patient, the left side had become extremely weak and was barely able to perform its function, which is why he was experiencing frequent breathlessness and repeated hospitalisations. A conventional heart transplant was not feasible because of his advanced age, fragile condition and worsening kidney function. Even LVAD implantation carried significant risk, as multiple organs were beginning to fail. We therefore carried out a comprehensive evaluation, including heart function studies, lung pressure assessment, and checks of all major organs from the kidneys to the brain. Although LVAD is usually an elective procedure, in his case there was little time to wait as his organs were deteriorating, making timely intervention critical. We are extremely happy that the procedure went well.”

In his comments, Dr. Suresh Rao said, “LVAD technology was originally introduced as a bridge-to-transplant option for very sick patients awaiting a donor heart. Today, it is also being used selectively as a long-term therapy for patients who may not undergo transplantation. While the hospital has implanted LVADs in many patients below 65 years of age, this is the first time it has performed the procedure in a patient close to 80 years old.

In his comments Mr. Nilesh Mundada, COO, MGM Healthcare & Sr. VP – Finance, MGM Group, said, “MGM Healthcare’s commitment has reflected the milestone of pushing past the boundaries of advanced cardiac care as well as bringing in life-saving innovations to patients. The successful implanting of LVAD in a nearly 80-year-old patient, who had an advanced heart failure, emphasizes the strength of our experts. As heart failure continues to emerge as a growing health challenge, we will remain committed to delivering world-class treatment solutions that help us improve the outcomes and give patients renewed hope and quality of life.

Since a matching family donor was unavailable, the hospital sought support from DKMS Foundation, a global non-profit organisation that helps patients with blood cancers find compatible stem cell donors worldwide. The Foundation facilitated the international donor match and coordinated the safe transport of stem cells under specialised conditions despite major logistical disruptions. In a humanitarian gesture, DKMS also waived donor procurement and transportation charges amounting to nearly 11,000 Euros (nearly Rs. 10 lakh) considering the patient’s financial constraints.

The patient, an IT professional, initially experienced persistent fever, severe fatigue, weakness, reduced appetite, repeated infections, and prolonged hospitalisation. Evaluation at Rela Hospital revealed severely abnormal blood counts with markedly elevated white blood cell levels. Further investigations, including bone marrow aspiration and biopsy, cytogenetic studies, and advanced molecular testing, confirmed the diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The disease was classified as high-risk due to multiple genetic abnormalities known to make the cancer more aggressive, less responsive to conventional treatment, and more likely to recur. Considering the seriousness of the condition, doctors determined that a Bone Marrow Transplant was urgently required as a potentially life-saving treatment.

Before the transplant (‘allogeneic matched unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant’), the patient underwent induction chemotherapy to bring the disease under control, followed by consolidation chemotherapy to eliminate residual cancer cells. Once stabilised, healthy donor stem cells were infused into her bloodstream to rebuild normal blood-forming cells and restore immune function.

The transplant was performed by Dr. Divya M, Clinical Hematologist and Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist at Rela Hospital. The multidisciplinary team that played a crucial role in the patient’s diagnosis, treatment, and recovery included intensive care specialists, infectious disease experts, pulmonologists, cardiologists, the transfusion medicine team, and specialised Bone Marrow Transplant nurses.

Following the transplant, the patient was managed in a specialised Bone Marrow Transplant isolation unit under strict infection-control protocols with continuous monitoring, immunosuppressive therapy, blood product support, nutritional care, and antimicrobial treatment. She showed steady clinical improvement, achieved successful neutrophil and platelet engraftment, and was discharged in stable condition.

In her comments, Dr. Divya M, Clinical Hematologist & Bone Marrow Transplant Specialist at Rela Hospital, said: “In aggressive blood cancers such as Acute Myeloid Leukemia, the bone marrow starts producing abnormal white blood cells that crowd out healthy blood cells and rapidly impair the body’s normal functioning. In this patient, advanced molecular genetic testing revealed several high-risk abnormalities, making early stem cell transplantation essential.

Since there was no matching donor in her family, we searched and identified a suitable matched donor through the international donor registry. The donor stem cells were collected at Poland and safely transported to India for transplantation. We are happy that the patient achieved successful engraftment and recovered well after the transplant. The treatment involved months of intensive chemotherapy, advanced molecular diagnostics, HLA matching, stem cell cryopreservation, and highly specialised transplant care.”

In his comments, Mr. Mohammed Farouk, Chief Operating Officer, Rela Hospital, said, “This case demonstrates how global medical collaboration and timely access to advanced transplant care can save the lives of patients with aggressive blood cancers, even when a matching family donor is unavailable. One of the most remarkable aspects of this treatment was the successful transportation of donor stem cells from Poland during major international logistical disruptions linked to the Iran conflict. Despite the transport challenges, the stem cells safely reached India through coordinated international efforts.

We are also deeply appreciative of the humanitarian support extended by the DKMS Foundation that waived donor procurement and courier charges. This case should give hope to patients that suitable unrelated donors can still be identified through international stem cell registries, and that curative treatment remains possible with early referral to specialised hematology and bone marrow transplant centres.”

The patient continues to remain under regular hematology follow-up and is recovering well with ongoing supportive care and infection precautions.

According to his statement, Trump had already prepared plans for the attack after Iran rejected the conditions he had put forward for a possible deal to end the ongoing conflict. However, he said he paused the operation because he still hopes a diplomatic solution can be reached.

He explained that the ceasefire, which was already extended earlier, has helped reduce immediate fighting. Trump also suggested that he wants the United States to move away from a long and costly war, which he described as a political burden.

At the same time, he made it clear that military options remain on the table if negotiations fail. His comments show that the situation is still tense and uncertain, with both diplomacy and military action being considered.

Officials have not yet confirmed any final agreement between the two sides, and discussions are expected to continue in the coming days as efforts continue to prevent further escalation of the conflict.

Because of safety concerns, railway authorities impose what are known as Permanent Speed Restrictions (PSR). These are fixed speed limits applied to specific sections of track where the curve is too sharp or the conditions are not suitable for high-speed travel. The main purpose of these restrictions is to reduce the risk of accidents and prevent derailments.

When a train travels through a sharp curve, it experiences more pressure and imbalance compared to straight tracks. If trains move too fast in such areas, there is a higher chance of instability, which can be dangerous for passengers and railway staff. To avoid this, speed is reduced in advance and maintained until the train clears the curved section.

However, these speed restrictions also affect the overall efficiency of train operations. Trains take more time to complete their journey, which can lead to delays in both passenger and freight services. In busy routes, even a small reduction in speed can affect the timing of multiple trains.

Railway engineers regularly study such curved sections to find ways to improve safety and performance. In some cases, tracks may be realigned or upgraded to reduce curvature. In other situations, better signaling systems and improved track maintenance are used to manage train movement more efficiently.

Despite these challenges, safety remains the top priority for Indian Railways. Permanent Speed Restrictions are considered necessary to ensure that passengers reach their destinations safely, even if it means slightly longer travel times.

The Animal Husbandry Department and the Greater Chennai Corporation have collected blood samples from around 80 horses. These horses are kept in stables and used at carriage points across the city. The samples will be tested to confirm whether any other animals have been infected.

Glanders is a serious and highly contagious bacterial disease that mainly affects horses, donkeys, and mules. It can spread quickly from one animal to another and can also pose a risk to humans in rare cases. Because of this, officials are taking strict safety measures.

There are about 230 horses in Chennai, mostly used for ceremonial work, tourism rides, and carriage services. After the reported death, veterinary teams have been visiting stables to check the health of all horses one by one.

Officials have placed the animals under close observation while waiting for laboratory test results. If any infection is found, those horses will be isolated immediately to prevent further spread.

Veterinary doctors are also advising stable owners and caretakers to maintain cleanliness, regularly disinfect equipment, and avoid mixing healthy animals with those showing symptoms like fever, weakness, or breathing problems.

The health department has said that more monitoring and sample testing will continue in the coming days to ensure the disease does not spread further in the city.

Authorities have assured that they are taking all necessary precautions to protect both animals and people while the investigation continues.

Before the elections, Congress was part of the ruling alliance led by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam inside the Chennai Corporation council. Congress currently has 13 councillors in the 200-member council and had supported the DMK-led administration, which held a strong majority with 153 councillors.

However, the political situation has now changed after Congress decided to support the TVK-led front. This move is expected to affect the balance of power and alliance dynamics inside the civic body. Political observers believe the new arrangement could create fresh challenges for the DMK in managing the corporation council smoothly.

Other parties such as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, and Indian Union Muslim League have only given outside support to the TVK government. These parties are not officially part of the government but continue to support it from outside on important political matters.

With Congress now shifting sides, discussions have started about how standing committees, council decisions, and voting patterns inside the Greater Chennai Corporation may change in the coming months. Political analysts say the new alliance structure could influence local governance and future civic administration decisions in Chennai.

The Greater Chennai Corporation is one of the most important civic bodies in India, responsible for managing roads, sanitation, public health, water supply coordination, and other city services. Any major political change inside the council can directly affect the administration and functioning of the city.

Construction began after getting approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in late April. The project aims to improve airport efficiency, allowing it to handle up to 45 flights per hour once completed. Currently, the airport handles about 36 flights an hour.

Officials said that after completing a few taxiways earlier, more are being built now. This comes as part of Phase II Modernisation, which includes opening the new T3 International Terminal in December. The terminal is expected to increase both air and passenger traffic.

Planning for this project started in early 2024, with many approvals needed before work could begin. The project is set to finish in one year, with a revised cost of ₹230 crore. Originally, 11 taxiways were planned, but the final plan reduced it to 10.