Sri Lanka rejects UN resolutions whilst admitting thousands of missing still unaccounted for

Sri Lanka reiterated its rejection of UN resolutions on accountability for mass atrocities this week, but admitted that thousands of forcibly disappeared remain unaccounted for despite years of failed domestic mechanisms.

New Indian Consul assures support for economic recovery in Eelam

The new Consul General for India Sai Murali called on the Governor of the Northern Province P.S.M Charles upon assuming duties at the Consulate in Jaffna this week. During the initial meeting, they held a wide-ranging discussion on Indian assistance as well as connectivity between Eelam and India. The governor briefed the new consul on the development projects that are taking place in the North-East and the urgent needs of the communities. The consul while offering the support of the Indian government said they will continue to support the many projects that are ongoing in the homeland...

Lyca petitions sale of Telecom and Lanka Hospital shares

The Sri Lankan Court of Appeal has issued an interim order that will see the suspension of further steps in the divesture of sales in both the state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom and Lanka Hospitals until the next court date. The Petitioners are the owners of Lycamobile who had submitted its bid to buy 50% shares in the Telco earlier this year. Lyca was barred from qualifying, which dealt a blow to the management headed by Subaskaran Allirajah who has shown interest in several business entities in the country. Lyca was one of the three investors who had expressed interest in the sale of Sri Lanka...

Sri Lankan army allows access to temples within High Security Zone after 34 years

30 Tamils were allowed access to temples located within a High Security Zone (HSZ) in Jaffna after 34 years but under close watch by Sri Lanka’s military. Devotees were escorted in buses by Sri Lanka’s army to Sri Muthumariyamman temple and Manampirai Pillaiyar temple over the weekend. The soldiers conducted checks before the Tamils entered the bus and dropped them back at a checkpoint at the border of the security zone. One of the devotees said that they last worshipped at the temple on Deepavali in 1990 after which the military occupied the area declaring it a HSZ and obstructed people from...

Sri Lankan police obstruct Santhan's funeral procession

A tense situation unfolded earlier today at Vavuniya Old Bus Station when Sri Lankan police stopped the vehicle carrying the remains of Santhan. Santhan's body was brought to Vavuniya this morning, and the vehicle carrying it entered Vavuniya Old Bus Station in order to allow the public to pay tribute. However, as the vehicle attempted to park, police intervened, stating that it couldn't stop there. They threatened to arrest the driver if the vehicle stopped, further instructing the driver to exit the vehicle. Locals accused the police of creating a hostile atmosphere during a time of...

Santhan’s final journey marked by tributes to his life and sacrifice

The final journey of T Suthendraraja, known as Santhan (55), one of the seven convicts freed in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, began in the town of Vavuniya this morning. The casket bearing his remains was transported from the Poraalihal Welfare Association in Vavuniya on Sunday morning amidst a sombre atmosphere filled with farewells and floral tributes.

Rewarding authoritarianism

After yet another week of political turmoil in Sri Lanka, with the president accused of overriding the constitution and appointing a man the Supreme Court found personally participated in torture as the head of police, one might have imagined the authoritarian path the regime is trudging down was clear to all. Not so in Washington. One of the US State Department’s most senior officials flew into the island last week and declared that, despite the ramping up of repression, they would be looking to send yet another vessel to the Sri Lankan navy. The move sends a troubling message across the island and around the world. At a time when US foreign policy is coming under intense scrutiny, it seems as if authoritarianism is being rewarded in Sri Lanka once more.

Sri Lanka seeks five month-hold on bondholder suit

Sri Lanka is seeking a five-month hold on a lawsuit filed by a bondholder over the country’s historic debt default, telling a New York federal judge that it wants more time to negotiate with private creditors. The island nation was sued in July 2022 by Hamilton Reserve Bank Ltd., which sought full payment on more than $250 million of Sri Lanka’s dollar bond that was due that month. The bank says it holds more than 25% of the bonds, which would likely enable it to block any modification of the notes. On Friday, Sri Lanka sought an extension of a delay of the lawsuit that was granted in...

Sri Lanka rejects UNHRC resolution once more, but calls for action on Gaza

Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry told the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) his government once again rejected a resolution that calls for a hybrid accountability mechanism to prosecute for war crimes committed against Tamils, but also called for action on the “existential threat to the people in Gaza”. Delivering his oral statement at the 5th Meeting of the 55th regular sessions of the UNHRC, Sabry said “Sri Lanka rejects extensive external evidence gathering measures established following the resolution 46/1 and 62/1," which he claimed "will have wide-ranging...

'Address root causes of conflict in Sri Lanka and ensure accountability' - UN High Commissioner

UN High Commissioner Volker Türk told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) that it is only through addressing the “root causes” of the conflict and ensuring accountability for rights abuses, that Sri Lanka will see “genuine reconciliation and sustainable peace and development”. In his oral update at the 55th session yesterday, Türk said sustainable peace and reconciliation will not be achieved in Sri Lanka "with regressive laws and authoritarian approaches". "It is only through addressing the root causes of the country’s conflict and economic crisis, and ensuring accountability, that Sri Lanka...

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