By Nisthar Cassim Dissent over the deal on East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Colombo Port has erupted, triggering likely economic, political and diplomatic fallout for Sri Lanka as the Government and officials were busy devising an amicable way out of the crisis. Trade unions have refused to give up their demand that the Government …

Continue reading ‘Crisis Caused by Opposition to tripartite govts-to-govts deal involving Sri Lanka, India and Japan Regarding East Container Terminal (ECT) in the Colombo Port is likely to result in economic, political and diplomatic fallout for Sri Lanka’ »

(Excerpts from the Political Column By the Political Editor in the “Sunday Times” of January 31st 2021) A head-on confrontation between the Government and the UN system has become inevitable, judging from the latest report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. The UNHRC Report calls upon member states to refer the …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Angered by “Unprecedented and Unconventional” Report on Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights High Commissioner: Strong Reply Sent to UNHRC Through Envoy in Geneva C.A. Chandraprema;Gota to Personally Speak to Leaders of 47 UNHRC Member States and Explain Position.’ »

The first consignment of 500,000 doses of COVID–19 vaccines donated by the Government of India was officially received by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa yesterday, marking a breakthrough in the country’s fight against the pandemic that has gripped the world. The handover, following the arrival of the air freighted vaccine at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA), was …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa receives first batch of the 500,000 doses of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVISHELD vaccine donated by India from Indian High Commissioner Dr.Gopal Baglay in “VaccineMaithri” Handover Ceremony at Katunayake airport’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the Human Rights Watch on January 29, 2021) The United Nations Human Rights Council, at its upcoming session, should act on the recommendations of the UN high commissioner for human rights, Human Rights Watch said today. The council should adopt a new resolution to enhance scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s …

Continue reading ‘“The UN High Commissioner’s report highlights Sri Lanka’s egregious record of complete impunity for appalling crimes, and very disturbing developments under the Rajapaksa administration” -Human Rights Watch’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by the Canadian Tamil Congress on January 2(th 2021) The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) strongly welcomes the report by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Sri Lanka and calls for immediate and effective actions from the Canadian government to address its recommendations. …

Continue reading ‘Canadian Tamil Congress welcomes the OHCHR Report on Sri Lanka and calls for timely response from the Canadian Government.’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on January 27th Regarding the UN Report on Sri Lanka by UN Human Rights High Commissioner Ms. Michele Bachelet Titled “Sri Lanka on alarming path towards recurrence of grave human rights violations”) A new UN report published on …

Continue reading ‘“Given the demonstrated inability and unwillingness of the (Sri Lankan) Government to advance accountability at the national level, it is time for international action to ensure justice for international crimes” States UN Human Rights High Commissioner Michele Bachelet in UN Report on Sri Lanka Released to Public’ »

By Kelum Bandara U.S. Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz, who commented on the development of the East Container Terminal of Colombo Port, said the involvement of an Indian company in this exercise was essential for Sri Lanka’s maritime future, obviously with India being the beneficiary of Sri Lanka’s port facilities or rather transshipment activities. She said …

Continue reading ‘US Ambassador Alaina B.Teplitz Urges Sri Lankan Govt to Come Up come up with a meaningful plan at the next session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)’ »

(Text of a Press Release Issued by the International Human Rights Organization Amnesty International) The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) must take urgent steps to address the worsening human rights situation in Sri Lanka Amnesty International said today, following the release of a damning UN report on the country’s efforts to ensure accountability for crimes …

Continue reading ‘Amnesty International Wants UK to Take Lead in Getting the UNHRC to Pass a Strong Resolution Against Sri Lanka Urging Full Implementation of Key Proposals in UN Human Rights Commissioner Michele Bachelet’s Report’ »

By Asiri Fernando A level playing field and working with diverse partners could see more beneficial foreign investment come in to Sri Lanka, US Ambassador for Sri Lanka and Maldives Alaina B. Teplitz said yesterday. The US Ambassador made the comments at a roundtable discussion held online, the first such discussion since the Biden administration …

Continue reading ‘“The US believes partnerships between countries should be open, transparent and mutually beneficial. And, if this is what embodies Sri Lanka’s relationship with China, we continue to encourage it,” – US Ambassador Alaina B. Teplitz’ »

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed strong criticism of the prevailing human rights situation in Sri Lanka and urged member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to consider imposing punitive measures on the country including a referral to the International Criminal Court. The UN Human Rights Commissioner …

Continue reading ‘UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet Comes Down Hard on Sri Lanka in Report to the UNHRC; Proposes Referral to International Criminal Court, Invocation of Universal Jurisdiction for Crimes and Targeted Sanctions Such as Asset Freezes and Travel Bans Against Alleged Human Rights Violators’ »

(Text of Press Statement issued on January 21st 2021 in New Delhi by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs Regarding the incident involving loss of lives of Indian fishermen) We are shocked at the unfortunate loss of lives of three Indian fishermen and one Sri Lankan national following a collision between their vessel and a …

Continue reading ‘Four Persons Aboard Indian Fishing Boat Killed in Mid Sea Collision with Sri Lankan Navy Vessel: Strong Demarche Issued by External Affairs Ministry to Sri Lankan Acting High Commissioner in New Delhi; Indian Envoy Lodges Strong Protest to Sri Lankan Foreign Minister in Colombo’ »

The apolitical National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that the failure on the part of the Government to explain the massive fraud of Rs. 10 billion that had allegedly taken place due to the cut in the sugar tax was a serious blow to the confidence that the people of …

Continue reading ‘Allegations About a Massive 10 Billion Rupee Sugar Tax Cut Fraud and the Govt’s Failure to Offer an Explanation Could Tarnish the Reputation of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Says Former Speaker Karu Jayasuriya’ »

By Chandani Kirinde President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed a three-member commission to identify the findings of the preceding Commissions and Committees that probed human rights violations and what progress has been made in the implementation of their recommendations in terms of the existing law and what further steps need to be taken in line with …

Continue reading ‘President Gotabaya Rajapaksa Appoints three-member commission to Probe findings of the preceding Commissions and Committees that probed human rights violations and identify what progress has been made in the implementation of their recommendations in terms of the existing law.’ »

(Text of Inaugural Address by US President Joe R Biden on January 20th 2021) Chief Justice Roberts, Vice-President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice-President Pence. My distinguished guests, my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for …

Continue reading ‘“And I pledge this to you. I will be a President for all Americans, all Americans. And I promise you I will fight for those who did not support me as for those who did.”-46th US President Joe R. Biden jnr’ »

(Text of Intervention made in Parliament by TNA Jaffna District Parliamentarian MA Sumanthiran regarding Ranjan Ramanayake MP) ……..I want to flag one or two issues concerning the responsibility of the parliament in this regard. But before I do that I am bound by law and tradition to disclose my interest in the matter. I am …

Continue reading ‘“I am the counsel who appeared for Hon. Ranjan Ramanayake in the supreme court.I was privileged to appear for a clean, honest politician in a court and I am proud of that”- M. A. Sumanthiran MP’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by the High Commission of India in Colombo on January 19th 2021) 1. The Government of India has received several requests for the supply of Indian manufactured vaccines from neighbouring and key partner countries. In response to these requests, and in keeping with India’s stated commitment to use India’s vaccine …

Continue reading ‘India to Begin Supplying COVID-19 Vaccines from Jan 20th to Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Seychelles While Awaiting Confirmation of Necessary Regulatory Clearances to do so from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Mauritius.’ »

(Text of Letter sent to all heads of missions of 47 Member states represented in the United Nations Human Rights Council(UNHRC) by leaders of Tamil national political parties, members of the Tamil victim communities and Tamil civil society organizations) 15 January 2021 Heads of Missions Missions of the 47 Member States represented in the UN …

Continue reading ‘Tamil political parties, members of the Tamil victim communities and Tamil civil society organizations write Joint Letter to 47 Member States of UN Human Rights Council Requesting a new Course of Action Regarding Sri Lanka Including the setting up of an International Independent Investigatory Mechanism’ »

(Text of Press Release Issued by Amnesty International on 13 January 2021) Responding to the acquittal today of MP Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan and four others in the 2005 assassination of Tamil MP Joseph Pararajasingham, following an announcement by the Attorney General’s Office that it would be dropping the charges against the suspects, David Griffiths, Director of …

Continue reading ‘“Collapse of Joseph Pararajasingham murder case is a failure of justice in Sri Lanka” States Amnesty International.’ »

(Text of Chapter about Sri Lanka in Country Reports Section titled “Sri Lanka:Events of 2020″in the annual “Human Rights Watch” 2021 World Report 2021) Fundamental human rights protections in Sri Lanka came under serious jeopardy following Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s election as president in November 2019. In February 2020, Sri Lanka withdrew its commitments to truth seeking, …

Continue reading ‘Sri Lanka’s Human Rights Situation has Seriously Deteriorated under the Administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaks States “Human Rights Watch” in its World Report 2021.’ »

(Text of a Statement issued by Jaffna District MP and Tamil National Alliance Spokesperson Mathiaparanan Abraham Sumanthiran PC on the demolition of the memorial monument at the University of Jaffna ) The demolition of the memorial monument in the University of Jaffna is an act of savagery that cannot be condoned by any right thinking …

Continue reading ‘” We insist that all those responsible for the destruction of the monument apologize unreservedly and that it be reconstructed immediately.”- M.A.Sumanthiran MP’ »

A three-member bench of the Supreme Court yesterday sentenced Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake to four years rigorous imprisonment after finding him guilty to a charge of contempt of court. The Bench comprised Justice Sisira J. de Abrew, Vijith K. Malagoda and Padman Surasena. “We convict him for the offence of …

Continue reading ‘Three-member bench of the Supreme Court Sentences Samagi Jana Balawegaya Gampaha District MP Ranjan Ramanayake to four years rigorous imprisonment Finding him guilty to a charge of contempt of court.’ »

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed an eight-member Presidential Task Force for National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 vaccine which will be headed by Principal Adviser to the President Lalith Weeratunga. Its other members are Secretary, Health Ministry Secretary Major General Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, State Ministry of Primary Health Care, Epidemics and COVID Disease Control …

Continue reading ‘President Rajapaksa Appoints eight-member Presidential Task Force Headed by Presidential adviser Lalith Weeratunga to Implement the National Deployment and Vaccination Plan for COVID-19 vaccine .’ »

(Text of Press Release No 21-29 Issued by the US Department of Justice,Office of Public Affairs on January 8th 2021) The Justice Department announced today that three Sri Lankan citizens have been charged with terrorism offenses, including conspiring to provide material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization (ISIS). The men were part of a …

Continue reading ‘US Justice Dept Charges Three Sri Lankan Nationals With Suspected ISIS Links For Alleged Involvement in Terrorist Attacks on April 21st 2019 that Killed 268 Persons Including 5 US Citizens and Injured Over 500.’ »

(Text of Press Release issued by the Center for Jutice and Accountability on January 8, 2021) The Center for Justice and Accountability (CJA) and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP—acting on behalf of Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of acclaimed Sri Lankan journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge—filed a complaint today against the Government of Sri Lanka with the United Nations …

Continue reading ‘Ahimsa ,Daughter of Slain Sri Lankan Journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge Files Complaint against the Government of Sri Lanka with the United Nations Human Rights Committee on 12th Anniversary of her Father’s Assassination’ »

(Text of Remarks made by Indian External Affairs Minister Dr.Subrahmanyam Jaishankar at the Joint Press Conference held in Colombo with his Sri Lankan minister of Foreign relations Mr.Dinesh Gunawardena on January 6th 2021) My esteemed colleague and friend the Honourable Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunawardenaji, Senior officials, Friends from media, Good afternoon. Let …

Continue reading ‘“It is in Sri Lanka’s own interest that the expectations of the Tamil people for equality, justice, peace and dignity within a united Sri Lanka are fulfilled. That applies equally to the commitments made by the Sri Lankan Government on meaningful devolution, including the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.” -Indian Foreign Minister Dr.S.Jaishankar’ »