The British based NGO Freedom from Torture has revealed that Sri Lanka was the top country of origin for those referred to the organisation for clinical services.

In a statement on its website, the group said that its annual review showed that out of 1,301 people, 228 were from Sri Lanka, with the vast majority being Tamil. The individuals were referred to the group by concerned GPs or solicitors dealing with their asylum applications.

The spokesperson for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Father Benedict Joseph has said that Pope Francis will visit Sri Lanka.

State radio SLBC claimed that the dates will be announced soon.

Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapakse extended an invitation to Pope Francis last month.

A UN spokesperson has stressed that the work done by Navi Pillay while she was in Sri Lanka has the full support of the United Nations.

Associate Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, was responding to a question about the intimidation of witnesses that spoke to the UN Human Rights Commissioner, during a press briefing.

The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry has released a statement expressing concern over the “alleged use of chemical weapons” in Syria.

The statement calls for an “impartial and professional investigation” into the allegations and says the Sri Lankan government “abhors the production, stockpiling and use of chemical weapons”.

See full statement below:

Complaining about Pillay’s refusal to accept an army investigation as independent, Muzammil said:

OUR STAND ON A POLITICAL SOLUTION

The principles and specific constitutional provisions that the TNA considers to be paramount to the resolution of the national question relates mainly to the sharing of the powers of governance through a shared sovereignty amongst the Peoples who inhabit this island. The following salient features of power sharing are fundamental to achieving genuine reconciliation, lasting peace and development for all the Peoples of Sri Lanka:

•     The Tamils are a distinct People and from time immemorial have inhabited this island together with the Sinhalese People and others

•     The contiguous preponderantly Tamil Speaking Northern and Eastern provinces is the historical habitation of the Tamil Speaking Peoples

•     The Tamil People are entitled to the right to self-determination

•     Power sharing arrangements must be established in a unit of a merged Northern and Eastern Provinces based on a Federal structure, in a manner also acceptable to the Tamil Speaking Muslim people

•     Devolution of power on the basis of shared sovereignty shall necessarily be over land, law and order, socio-economic development including health and education, resources and fiscal powers.