By D.B.S.Jeyaraj “Stalin Thaan Varraaru, Namakku Vidivu Tharraaru”(Stalin is only coming and will give us a Dawn) was the key slogan around which the Indian political party” Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam”(DMK) conducted its election campaign for the Tamil Nadu State Assembly polls held this year. The message conveyed by the slogan was that the DMK led …
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) today condemned the recent killing of two suspects in police custody, namely Melon Mabula alias ‘Uru Juwa’ and Tharaka Perera Wijesekera alias ‘Kosgoda Tharaka’ which has occurred on two consecutive days. In a statement, the BASL said the State and the Police should have a duty to ensure …
By Saman Indrajith JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake yesterday dismissed the SJB’s call for an all party conference to discuss possible solutions to the prevailing pandemic situation. Responding to media queries on his party’s position with regard to the proposal of setting up of an APRC, during a press conference held at the party headquarters …
The Commonwealth Foundation on Wednesday announced the regional winners of the world’s most global literary prize, with Sri Lankan author Kanya D’Almeida winning the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize (Asia) for her story, ‘I Cleaned The—’ The 35-year-old author from Sri Lanka fought off competition from a strong field of shortlisted entrants including Indian authors …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday (10) conveyed Sri Lanka’s deep concern over the adoption of Private Member Bill 104 on ‘Tamil Genocide Education Week’ by the Ontario Legislative Assembly on 06 May 2021 to Canadian High Commissioner David McKinnon.
Sri Lanka has entered into a $ 500 million loan agreement with the EXIM Bank of Korea to finance development projects, the Finance Ministry said in a statement yesterday. In order to further strengthen the economic cooperation between the two countries, the Government of the Republic of Korea has agreed to provide concessional loans from …
Former Prime Minister and Leader of the United National Party Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday, making a special statement on the rapid spread of COVID-19 in the country, urged the President and the Cabinet of ministers to take control of the worsening situation in the country. Pointing out that the committees appointed to control the pandemic have …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Renowned Sri Lankan Film Maker Lester James Peries passed away three years ago at the age of 99. Among the many who paid homage to the Maestro at that time was Asoka Handagama who is one of the two brightest directorial stars in the Sinhala film firmament of today.(the other is Prasanaa Vithanage). …
Continue reading ‘Lester James Peries the Emancipator of Sinhala Cinema’ »
By Meera Srinivasan Daily-wage agricultural labourer Abdul Ghafoor Muhammadhu Jazeem, in Sri Lanka’s northern Mannar district, had one life goal. To ensure his children have a good education. Despite toiling for years to realise the dream, he could not be more dejected today. On May 16, 2020, the police arrested his eldest son, Ahnaf Jazeem, …
Soon after being sworn-in, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, on Friday, signed five files to implement major promises made in the DMK Assembly election manifesto, including offering ₹4,000 as COVID-19 relief to family cardholders, free travel in city buses (ordinary) for women and reducing the retail price of Aavin milk by ₹3 per litre …
DMK president M K Stalin was sworn in as Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on Friday, along with 34 ministers in his cabinet. Stalin will hold key portfolios of Police and Home, among others. The list promises to be a balanced cabinet featuring both the youth and the experienced. Many former ministers have been inducted into …
Continue reading ‘Names of Ministers in New Tamil Nadu DMK Cabinet and Their Portfolios.’ »
DMK president MK Stalin took oath as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu along with 33 other Cabinet ministers. Interestingly, the Tamil Nadu cabinet now has a unique combination of a Stalin, a Gandhi and a Nehru. MK Stalin, who was named after late Soviet Union leader Joseph Stalin, was sworn in as the chief …
Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin, the DMK president who led his party to a huge victory in the Assembly polls was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on Friday. Governor Banwarilal Purohit administered the oath of office and secrecy to the 68-year old Stalin, for whom this would be the first stint as CM, in …
By Camelia Nathaniel and Amali Mallawaarachchi Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekara yesterday (05) requested the Speaker not to allow MP Rishad Bathiudeen, who is detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to attend Parliament until the investigations relating to his arrest are completed. Weerasekara stated that any MP who would be detained under the …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Asela Gunawardena, who is the state authority for the national campaign against the rampaging Covid-19 pandemic, has acknowledged that his directive that Piliyandala police area be isolated on May Day was overridden. Appearing on Hiru TV ‘Salakuna’ programme on Monday (3) night, Dr. Gunawardena admitted that …
By Asiri Fernando Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen’s absence in Parliament yesterday sparked heated debate in the House, with Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Rtd) Sarath Weerasekara requesting that the Speaker not allow his presence, which was subsequently met with heated arguments from the Opposition. Public Security Minister Weerasekera asked the Speaker not to allow anyone being …
The Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation has condemned Sri Lankan legislation that allows for the creation of “reintegration centers” as part of a campaign against violent extremist religious ideology. The commission said that the legislation will permit arbitrary detention of Muslims who will be subject to human rights violations …
By P.K.Balachandran “India and Asian geopolitics: The past, present” by Shivshankar Menon (Brookings Institution Press, Washington DC, 2021) may, at first glance, appear to be primarily on India. But it is about Asia as a whole, its past, present and future in the context of global developments. China’s growth, problems and prospects in a changing …
By Meenakshi Ganguly Muslims in Sri Lanka already faced a growing list of discriminatory government policies before the cabinet approved plans on April 27 to ban women’s face coverings. If approved by parliament, the measure will outlaw garments worn by some Muslim women such as the niqab or burqa, increasing their social marginalization. After a …
(Former Caabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen’s Spouse Ayesha Rishad Writes to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Over the Arbitrary Arrest and Detention of her Husband and his Brother Riyaj Under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Full text of the letter is Posted Below) Ayesha Rishad, Spouse of Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen M.P, No. 410/16, Bauddhaloka Mawatha, Colombo – …
By Col.R.Hariharan The recently held Quad summit, which transformed an informal frame work of the US, India, Japan and Australia, into a formal grouping with a broad range of objectives in the Indo-Pacific seems to have triggered China into action in South Asia. China’s State Councillor and defence minister Gen Wei Fenghe made a two-day …
By A.J.A. Abeynayake Attorney General Dappula de Livera yesterday indicted, in the Colombo High Court, former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and former Inspector General of Police Pujith Jayasundara on 800 charges over the Easter Sunday terror attacks. The AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne said the charges had been filed in respect of those …
By S.Kumaresan It was a well-fought battle, defying predictions of a “clean sweep,” springing quite a few surprises in the process. Out of power for a decade, the DMK finally managed to dethrone its Dravidian rival by a comfortable margin. MK Stalin, who has been waiting in the sidelines for the last several years, is …
By Priyanka Thirumurthy The DMK is set to form government in Tamil Nadu after a decade and party chief MK Stalin will be sworn in as Chief MInister on May 7. The DMK’s general secretary Durai Murugan has called for a meeting of elected MLAs on May 4 but this is a mere formality where …
By D.B.S.JEYARAJ All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) leader and ex-Cabinet Minister Rishad Bathiudeen is a prominent Sri Lankan politician who is very often in the news for the wrong reasons. The 48-year-old Bathiudeen hailing from Dharapuram in the Mannar District is an engineer by profession. Known widely as Rishad, he was first elected to Parliament …
Continue reading ‘Cardinal’s Candid Comments and and the Bathiudeen Brothers Brouhaha’ »
by Sasanka Perera South Asian University I have a clear recollection of one of my teachers in the Advanced Level Sinhala class narrating the story of how a Sri Lankan ruler was kidnapped by a Chinese naval commander in the Kotte period. It was not part of the subject matter of his class. But as …
by Norman Palihawadana There’s no move to arrest opposition MP, Harin Fernando over his statement in Parliament that he was aware of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks, Public Security Minister, Sarath Weerasekara said.
Tamil National Alliance(TNA) Jaffna District Parlimentarian MA Sumanthiran escaped unhurt when the vehicle in which he was travelling in met with a hydroplaning accident at 3.45 am on the Colombo – Katunayake Expressway on April 30. The vehicle had gone out of control after skidding on the wet surface of the highway. It had spun …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Today, 21 April, is the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings which rocked and shocked Sri Lanka and the world at large two years ago. On the morning of that fateful Easter Sunday, suicide bombers targeted three plush hotels and three churches in Colombo, Negombo and Batticaloa; 269 were killed and over …
Continue reading ‘Is Naufer “Moulavi” the Mastermind Behind the Easter Sunday Bombings?’ »
By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka has prioritised developing relations with China and “firmly supports” China’s positions on issues concerning its core interests, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa told Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defence Wei Fenghe, according to Chinese state media. The Sri Lankan President said his country “has been pursuing an independent foreign policy …
By Shamindra Ferdinando Defence Secretary retired General Kamal Gunaratne has greatly appreciated the stand taken by China on behalf of Sri Lanka at the recently concluded 46th sessions of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), during talks with the high powered Chinese delegation led by State Councillor and Defence Minister General Wei Fenghe. …
By P.K.Balachandran A video conference of the Foreign Ministers of South Asian countries and China on the containment of the raging COVID-19 pandemic in the region was held on Tuesday. However, India and its allies, Bhutan and the Maldives, were conspicuously absent, perhaps due to the participation of China. New Delhi envisages no role for …
By Mihi Perera The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been granted permission to detain and interrogate MP Rishad Bathiudeen and his brother Riyaj Bathiudeen for 90 days with regard to the Easter Sunday terror attacks, says Police Spokesperson DIG Ajith Rohana. The Bathiudeen brothers were arrested on Saturday (April 24) for allegedly aiding and abetting …
By Dilshan Tharaka Attorney General Dappula de Livera filed indictments against eight persons including deceased Zahran Hashim and Mohammed Husthun who carried out the suicide bombs at the Colombo Shangri-La hotel and Katuwapitiya St. Sebastian’s Church, in the Puttalam High Court for collection of explosives and maintaining an explosive manufacturing base in Wannathivullu area in …
By P. K. Balachandran The visit of the Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe to Sri Lanka which begins on Tuesday (27) is significant as it indicates Sino-Lankan relations may go beyond economic engagement to acquiring a military dimension. A local Sunday paper reported that Wei’s visit will result in China giving Sri Lanka equipment to …
By Krishantha Prasad Cooray When SJB MP Harin Fernando stood up in Parliament, donned a black shawl and made his explosive speech about the Easter Sunday attack, his audience would have reacted along partisan lines. But on one point, his supporters and detractors would have been in agreement. As they listened to him, they would …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj On April 12th, two days before the advent of the “Pilava” April New Year , Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala released 11 suspects who had been in custody for two years since early 2019. These included well-known underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararatne alias Ganemulla Sanjeewa a.k.a. Malingamuwe Sanjeewa and ten others who were …
( Text of Media statement issued by Attorney at Law Rushdhie Habeeb on behalf of Hon Rishard Bathiudeen MP and Riyaj Bathiudeen) We have been instructed by the members of the family of Hon. Rishad Bathiudeen MP and his brother Reyaj Bathiudeen and the All Ceylon Makkal Congress to issue this statement to the media …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Cabinet minister and Wanni district MP Rishad Bathiudeen was arrested by the Police at 3 am on Saturday April 24th 2021. The leader of the All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) that has four MP’s in the current Parliament from the Wanni, Puttalam, Anuradhapura and Amparai districts was arrested in his Bullers Rd …
By D.B.S. Jeyaraj ( Versatile South Indian Playback singer S.Janaki Celebrates her 83rd Birth Anniversary on April 23rd. This article written 5 Years ago is re-posted here without changes to commemorate the popular artiste on this joyful day) Sishtla Sreeramamurthy Janaki popularly known as S. Janaki celebrates her 80th birthday on April 23rd 2018. The …
(Text of Speech made in Parliament on 22 April 2021.= by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran on the Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization.) Thank you, deputy chairman of committees for the opportunity to speak on this adjournment debate on the report that has been presented by the Commission of Inquiry into Political Victimization. …
By Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith (Nine suicide bombers affiliated to local Islamist extremist group National Thowheed Jamath targeted three Christian churches and three luxury hotels in Sri Lanka on April 21, 2019, killing 269 people and injuring more than 500. On the second anniversary of the Easter attacks, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, archbishop of Colombo, gave the …
Questions were raised in Sri Lanka’s parliament how China’s embassy invited them to a ‘study tour’ of Colombo Port City where a bill to set up a regulatory commission for the reclaimed area is currently challenged at the Supreme Court. Opposition legislator Harshana Rajakaruna, dressed in black to mark Islamist suicide attacks on Easter Sunday …
By Krishantha Prasad Cooray Bhagya Abeyratne, a young woman from Godakawela, became a household name overnight when she spoke with passion and sincere devastation about the destruction of the Sinharaja rainforest that she saw with her own eyes. In a matter of minutes, she accomplished something the entire opposition has failed to do for months. …
By Dilshan Tharaka Attorney General Dappula de Livera filed indictments against 16 accused in the Kegalle High Court in connection with causing damage to Buddha statues in Mawanella in 2018, as a prelude to the Easter Sunday attacks by the members of the National Thawheed Jamaath (NTJ) Organisation including its leader Mohammed Zahran Hashim, who …
BY Yohan Perera Colombo’s Archbishop Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith said today the brutal attacks on Easter Sunday in 2019 was unleashed by a group, which tried to consolidate their political power by using religious extremism as a tool. The Cardinal made these remarks during the unveiling of a monument constructed at General Cemetery in Borella, in …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Former Catholic Bishop of the Mannar Diocese the Most Rev. Rayappu Joseph passed away peacefully in Jaffna on 1 April, just 15 days before his 81st birthday. He served as Mannar Bishop from 1992 to 2016. There was spontaneous grief and widespread mourning. Having served as Bishop for over two decades in Mannar, …
Continue reading ‘Mannar Emeritus Bishop Rayappu Joseph and the Madhu Church Crisis of 2008’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The Easter Sunday bombings of April 21st 2019 and its consequences have caused a profound impact on the body politic of Sri Lanka. A significant feature of his fall-out has been the bold initiative taken by the Catholic Archbishop of Colombo His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith. Immensely disappointed by the slow and tardy …
By Meera Srinivasan Over the last few months, farmers of Mavadi Odai in Sri Lanka’s eastern Batticaloa district frequently spotted something crop up on their land overnight — a border stone they had not planted. “The Forest Department people come and put their stones when we are asleep, and then claim the land to be …
By Damith Wickremasekara The Chinese Government is to provide a grant to Sri Lanka to improve the communication facilities for the Police. As part of the Chinese grant, a widely used communication facility known as TETRA — Terrestrial Trunked Radio — will be provided to the Police to improve communication between senior officers and police …
By Chrishanthi Christopher In the run up to the second anniversary of the Easter Sunday bombings on Wednesday April 21, the Catholic Church said there will be no major protest to mark the day, but Catholics would gather in prayer and worship seeking justice for the victims. An Archdiocese spokesperson said holy masses, holy hours …
By Sandun Jayawardana The arrest of a consumer rights advocate who pointed out alleged issues concerning the Rs 1000 “relief pack” distributed through Lanka Sathosa outlets is an attempt to silence those who raise questions on behalf of consumers, activists claim. Asela Sampath, National Organizer of the Canteen Owners’ Association, was taken into custody on …
By Ranjith Padmasiri A host of petitions filed against the Colombo Port City Economic Commission Bill claiming that the proposed Commission violates Sri Lanka’s Constitution will be taken up tomorrow for hearing by a five-judge bench headed by Chief Justice Jayanatha Jayasuriya. The other judges are: Justices Buwaneka Aluwihare, Priyantha Jayawardena, Murdu Fernando and Janak …
Tamil actor Vivek passed away in a Chennai hospital early on Saturday following a cardiac arrest. He was 59. Vivek was admitted to the intensive care unit of the hospital on Friday morning after he suffered a heart attack. A medical bulletin said he underwent “emergency coronary angiogram followed by angioplasty” on Friday. Soon after …
By Srivatsan S Actor Vivekh died early Saturday morning (4.35a.m.) after suffering a massive cardiac arrest on Friday. He was 59. The comedian’s untimely demise has shaken up the Tamil film fraternity, and legions of fans. Vivekh was one of the lambs shepherded by legendary filmmaker K Balachander, who introduced the actor as ‘Vivek’ in …
by D.B.S.Jeyaraj ( The World’s first Woman Prime Minister Sirimavo Bandaranaike was born on April 17th 1916. This article published in 2019 July is being re-posted here without any changes to commemorate her 105th Birth Anniversary) Germany’s defence minister Ursula von der Leyen has been elected president of the European Union (EU) Commission following a …
By Sandun A. Jayasekera Parliamentarian Wijedasa Rajapakshe today alleged that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had telephoned him early morning and threatened him over his allegations yesterday that the Port City would transform into a Chinese colony.
By Meera Srinivasan Filing about a dozen petitions at Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court on Thursday, opposition parties, civil society groups, and labour unions challenged a recently-gazetted Bill on the Chinese-backed Port City in capital Colombo, arguing it “directly affects” Sri Lanka’s sovereignty. The cases are scheduled to be heard by the top court on Monday. …
By Meera Srinivasan M. Champa Irangani is in no mood to celebrate ‘Avurudu’, or New Year, the biggest annual festival that Sri Lanka’s majority Sinhalese community observes mid-April, while Tamils celebrate the Tamil New Year around the same time. “The New Year will dawn only the day our debts are cancelled. Until then we cannot …
On Monday a USD 500 Million Foreign Currency Term Financing Facility (FTFF) was signed in Beijing between the China Development Bank (CDB) and Sri Lankan Finance Ministry. This is the second tranche of the total RMB 2 billion plus (USD 1 billion) FTFF pledged by the Chinese side to Sri Lanka after the outbreak of …
By P.K.Balachandran The visit to Sri Lanka of China’s Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe later this month, may be described as a “routine ministerial visit”. But seen in light of the developing situation in Sri Lanka and the South Asian and Indian Ocean region, the visit is significant. China is keen on developing ties with …
Well-known underworld figure Sanjeewa Samararatne – popularly known as Ganemulla Sanjeewa or Malingamuwe Sanjeewa – who was in custody for plotting to assassinate M. A. Sumanthiran MP, trading weapons and several other charges was released along with 10 others by the Colombo Chief Magistrate Court on April 12, 2021. Colombo Chief Magistrate Buddhika Sri Ragala …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj Sinhala cinema’s pioneering director Lester James Peries is the Sri Lankan filmmaker I like, admire and respect most. The master movie maker’s 102nd birth anniversary falls on April 5. Sri Lankan Superstar Gamini Fonseka remains my favourite actor on the Sinhala silver screen since childhood. The Movie monarch’s 85th birth anniversary was on …
Continue reading ‘Cinematic Links Between Director Lester and Actor Gamini’ »
By Meera Srinivasan Sri Lanka police’s Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) on Friday arrested the Mayor of Jaffna for allegedly promoting the LTTE’s ideology, in the choice of uniforms for an environment task force of the local municipal council. The move has drawn wide condemnation, including from the country’s Tamil polity and civil society. Late on …
Mrs. World Caroline Jurie, today said she was ready to hand over her crown stating that she stood by her values even if she has to stand alone. In a video statement, Jurie said as a woman, a mother and the crowned Mrs. World, she was aware that she held a great responsibility towards protecting …
The United National Party (UNP) yesterday condemned the arrest of Jaffna Mayor Visvalingam Manivannan under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and called for the official to be treated with dignity and respect. Issuing a statement, the UNP said the arrest allegedly took place due to concerns raised regarding the uniforms worn by members of …
By Asiri Fernando Jaffna Mayor Visvalingam Manivannan who was arrested for allegedly promoting pro-LTTE symbols yesterday was later granted bail by the Jaffna Magistrate’s Court. He was moved to Vavuniya for questioning and to record a statement, according to Public Security Minister Rear Admiral (Retd.) Sarath Weerasekara. Manivannan was arrested by the Jaffna Police and …
By Chaturanga Samarawickrama The winner of Mrs Sri Lanka for Mrs. World Pushpika De Silva yesterday said that she may enter politics in the future. This may be possible now that Pushpika has received widespread publicity following the brawl on Sunday evening, with her even landing in tears in front of cameras yesterday. While answering …
By JAMILA HUSAIN The Mrs.world International pageant will go ahead in Sri Lanka as scheduled in December and the recent incident where the reigning Mrs World, Caroline Jurie uncrowned Mrs Sri Lanka, attracting international attention will not have any impact, national Director for Mrs.sri Lanka for Mrs.world, Chandimal Jayasinghe said yesterday. After returning the Mrs …
Attorney General Dappula De Livera has authorized the Proscription of eleven Islamic Organisations connected to extremist activities, AG’s Coordinating Officer State Counsel Nishara Jayaratne. The 11 organisations to be banned are as follows:
By P.K.Balachandran The Gotabaya Rajapaksa Presidency, which is in its second year, is facing multiple problems, both domestic and external, economic as well as political. Divisions have arisen in the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) and also with alliance partners. There is difficulty in kick-starting the economy derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, mainly due …
By Jamila Husain Following the brawl which erupted at the Mrs. Sri Lanka pageant in Colombo on Sunday night where the winner, Pushpika De Silva, was uncrowned by reigning Mrs World Caroline Jurie over allegations that she was a divorcee, the Mrs. World Organization yesterday responded saying delegates sent by Mrs. Sri Lanka-world to compete …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj ‘Is Sri Lanka fighting a lost battle in Geneva?’ was the heading of the article by this writer in these columns a fortnight ago. The answer became known conclusively as events unfolded at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 23 March. In spite of Sri Lanka’s strong opposition, the resolution titled …
Continue reading ‘Setback in Geneva For Sri Lanka at UNHRC Despite Strong Fightback’ »
By Radhika Coomaraswamy (Radhika Coomaraswamy is former Under Secretary General and Special Representative of the Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflic)t “Hey Geneva” laments Ajith Kumarasiri (musician, songwriter, and composer in Sri Lanka) in powerful Sinhala rhythm and blues. “We no longer kill.” “We don’t shoot anymore.” “Give us our island back.” Geneva as …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The final version of the proposed resolution to promote “reconciliation, accountability and human rights” in Sri Lanka was tabled on 12 March at the 46th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. It was sponsored by the United Kingdom (UK) and co-sponsored by Germany, Canada, Malawi, Montenegro and North …
Continue reading ‘Is Sri Lanka Fighting a Lost Battle at the UNHRC in Geneva?’ »
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The ‘Great Game’ in Geneva involving Sri Lanka is now underway at the UNHRC! The 46th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that commenced on 22 February at the Palais des Nations in Geneva is scheduled to end after 30 days on 23 March. The current membership (2021) of …
Continue reading ‘UNHRC, Gotabaya Government and the Great Game in Geneva’ »
The Indian Coast Guard has seized a Sri Lankan fishing vessel carrying 300 kilograms of heroin and firearms and arrested six Sri Lankans during a raid carried out in the waters off the coast of Vizhinjam in Kerala, South India. According to Indian media, on the intelligence received by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of …
By Meera Srinivasan Former Roman Catholic Bishop of Mannar Rt. Rev. Rayappu Joseph, an untiring advocate of Tamil rights and justice during Sri Lanka’s civil war and post-war years, passed away on Thursday. He was 80. The Bishop was a vocal critic of the state, periodically taking up allegations of war-time killings and disappearances in …
Former Bishop of Mannar, Rayappu Joseph, passed away at the age of 81 on Thursday (01), while receiving treatment at a private hospital in Jaffna. The late Right Reverend Rayappu Joseph had rendered a great service to the Roman Catholic Community in Sri Lanka, said Rt. Rev Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, Bishop of Mannar. >Courtesy:News 1st
Five days ahead of the Tamil Nadu poll, the Narendra Modi government on Thursday announced the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Rajinikanth for his contributions as an actor, a producer and screenwriter. The honour is considered India’s highest award in cinema Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar made the announcement at his Delhi residence. “Happy to …
( Remarks on the UNHRC Resolution on Sri Lanka made by former Foreign Minister Minister Mr. Mangala Samaraweera at the Press Conference held at the Solis Hotel on 31.03.2021.) During the last few weeks, much has been talked about the Geneva resolution which was presented on March 23. I felt it as my duty to …
By Saman Indrajith The government yesterday told Parliament that the recently ratified UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka was illegal. Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena said that the resolution was an attempt to interfere in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs. “Sri Lanka considers the resolution unwarranted. This resolution against Sri Lanka is illegal.” Minister Gunawardena said that Sri …
Exclusive by investigative reporter Josh Robertson The Adani Group is paying up to $US52 million ($68.1 million) to a Myanmar military-controlled company that has just been slapped with sanctions by the United States over human rights violations. Leaked documents in a report by human rights lawyers and activists obtained by the ABC reveal the scale …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The final report of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) into the Easter Sunday attacks was handed over to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa by the Chairman of the Commission Supreme Court judge Janak de Silva at the Presidential Secretariat on February 1st 2021. Former President Maithripala Sirisena appointed the Commission of Inquiry on September …
Continue reading ‘Zahran Hashim, Kattankudy and the Islamic State in Sri Lanka.’ »
By P.K.Balachandran As early as 2002, the UN correspondent of the Los Angeles Times, Maggie Farley, noted that more than a hundred UN resolutions were being violated, and that in many cases, enforcement of resolutions was blocked by the US or its allies. She made this observation based on a 15-year review of compliance with …
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday told Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that China is willing to work with Sri Lanka to enhance Belt and Road Cooperation and contribute to the economic revival of Sri Lanka in post-pandemic era. Xi said China will continue to provide necessary assistance to Sri Lanka, conduct cooperation in areas …
(The following is the text of the statement issued by M M. Zuhair PC, former MP, Latheef Farook, Journalist and Author, Mass L Usuf, Attorney-at-Law and Advocacy Columnist and Mansoor Dahlan, Theology Scholar) “We as a country may not be happy about the outcome of the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution adopted on 23rd …
(Views expressed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa addressing the gathering at the 16th “Discussion with the Village” programme held at the Derangala Maha Vidyalaya premises in the Kiriwelkele North Grama Niladhari Division 3, of Pitabeddara Divisional Secretariat Division in the Matara District on 2021-03-27) We are conducting the “Discussion with the Village” programme at the district …
(Text of Editorial Appearing in “The Hindu”of March 25th 2021 Under the Heading “Tactical abstention: On the U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka”) By abstaining from the vote on the U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka, India has signalled its unwillingness to upset its neighbour. At the same time, it does …
By Meera Srinivasan Yazhpanam P.S. Balamurugan had to cancel nearly a dozen performances in India last year, after the pandemic made it impossible to travel from Jaffna, where he lives, in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province. “I participated in some online events, and in another instance recorded a performance here and shared it with organisers there, …
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Saturday (Mar 27) said Sri Lanka will face the aftermath of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) without fear and insisted the Government would never succumb to international pressure as it represents a free nation, the President’s Media Division (PMD) said. The President also said Sri Lanka will not be …
s By S. Rubatheesan Parliament has refused to disclose educational qualifications of ministers and Parliamentarians (MPs) on the basis it would be an ‘invasion of privacy’. Responding to a Right to Information (RTI) application filed by the Sunday Times, Parliament’s Assistant Secretary General and Information Officer Tikiri Jayatilleke said: “Educational qualifications relate to personal information, …
By Krishantha Prasad Cooray In 1978, J.R. Jayawardena ushered in the executive presidential system in Sri Lanka as a panacea for all the nation’s woes. By 1991, his co-architects in this venture, Gamini Dissanayake and Lalith Athulathmudali, had realized the dangers inherent in the executive presidency. They formed the DUNF not only as an opposition …
The United National Party (UNP) yesterday blamed the Government for a colossal failure during the recent UNHRC sessions in Geneva. UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena, speaking to media at Sirikotha, stated that it was the Government’s decision to withdraw from the previous resolution, which was co-sponsored by Sri Lanka that resulted in the fresh resolution. Under …
(Text of Special statement made by Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena in Parliament on March 25th 2021 on the UN Human Rights Council Resolution Regarding Sri Lanka) The United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva adopted by a vote, the draft Resolution titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability, and human rights in Sri Lanka’ (A/HRC/46/L.1/Rev.1) tabled by …
(Text of Statement Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on the apprehension of 54 fishermen and 5 boats from India) High Commission has been informed about the apprehension of 54 fishermen and five boats from India by Sri Lanka Navy on the night of 24 March 2021. We reiterate that issues associated …
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday called on the proponents of the UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka to divert millions of dollars it is seeking for the implementation of the proposal to improve the lives of the people affected by the conflict. “This huge amount of funds is sufficient to build thousands of houses in the …
(Text of Media Release Issued by the Canadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs) The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: “Canada welcomes the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. “Today’s resolution represents the international community’s continued support …
By D.B.S.Jeyaraj The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva on Tuesday March 23rd 2021 adopted a resolution titled ‘Promotion of Reconciliation Accountability and Human Rights in Sri Lanka’ with Twenty-two member states out of Forty -Seven voting in favour of it. Eleven members voted against the resolution while fourteen countries abstained from voting. …
UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet has expressed hope that Sri Lanka would “change course” from current policies as she welcomed the decision of the Human Rights Council to ramp up monitoring of human rights and war-time abuses in the island. On Tuesday, 22 member states of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) voted to …
By Meera Srinivasan . India on Tuesday abstained from a crucial vote on Sri Lanka’s rights record at the UN Human Rights Council. The resolution on ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka’ was however adopted after 22 member states of the 47-member Council voted in its favour. Both, the Government of Sri …
By Anbarasan Ethirajan, BBC World Service South Asia Regional Editor> Despite weeks of intense behind-the-scenes diplomatic campaigning, the UN Human Rights Council resolution has gone against the Sri Lankan government. The new resolution gives more powers to the UN human rights chief to ensure accountability for the alleged war crimes during the conflict with the …
The United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet has been authorised to collect and preserve evidence of alleged war crimes during Sri Lanka’s long civil war, which ended in 2009. The UN believes 80,000-100,000 people died in the 26-year conflict with the Tamil Tiger rebel group. A resolution passed by the UN Human Rights Council …
Forty-seven member states of the Geneva-based UN Human Rights Council will cast their votes on a resolution that will keep the international spotlight on human rights violations in Sri Lanka, and establish a central database of evidence to future prosecutions against perpetrators of war-time abuses. The database which will be managed by the Office of …
By Meera Srinivasan The Tamil National Alliance’s (TNA) “hopes are high” that India will vote for the UN resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka next week, according to its spokesman and Jaffna legislator M.A. Sumanthiran. Whether India votes for the resolution or abstains is “entirely a matter that they will …
By P.K.Balachandran In his recent telephone conversation with the Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapakasa, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has assured that India “will not do any injustice to Sri Lanka,” says the Sri Lankan Foreign Secretary Adm.Prof.Jayanath Colombage. He denied a report in the State-owned Daily News which quoted him as saying that India …
By Chandani Kirinde Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday hit out at the resolution pending before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Sri Lanka, calling it a political move by the core group of countries and not one put forward to assist the country in its efforts to address accountability and human rights-related issues. …
By FRONTIER “Don’t be afraid of them,” The Hakha Times CEO Ya Lalawmpuia, also known as Pa Pui, advised his newsroom on March 3. “If we are afraid, we will not be able to reveal the truth about what they [police and soldiers] are doing.” Less than a week earlier, on February 27, Pa Pui, …
By Dharisha Bastians Terror tore through me when I heard that my friend and editor of the Nation newspaper, Keith Noyahr, had been abducted. It was May 2008; the civil war was raging and Sri Lankan troops were chalking up victories against Tamil Tiger separatists in the north. In the fog of war, government critics …
Sri Lanka has announced plans to ban the wearing of burqas and said it would close more than 1,000 Islamic schools known as madrassas, citing national security. The minister of public security Sarath Weerasekara, said he had signed a paper on Friday seeking the approval of the cabinet of ministers to ban burkas – outer …
By P.K.Balachandran Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has said that security will be beefed up in the Eastern Province to stem separatist terrorism and Islamic extremism. Tamils and Muslims together outnumber the Sinhalese in the Eastern Province. The province had been the base of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and also Jehadists who …