Sri Lanka will be celebrating its 70th Independence Day on a grand scale, “having regained its world image” according to the Home Affairs Minister.

Sri Lanka, which was relegated to the background, will proudly celebrate this year’s Independence Day after winning over the international world and regaining its world image, said Home Affairs Minister Vajira Abeywardena in a press release, reports dailynews.lk.

The European Union discussed the implementation of the cosponsored UN Human Rights Council resolution with Sri Lanka, meeting in Colombo for the 21st meeting of the EU-Sri Lanka Joint Commission today. 

The ongoing use of torture, the lack of accountability and justice, as well as the failure to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act were highlighted in a joint statement issued following the meeting. 

The Sri Lankan government has "stalled on its key pledges to provice justice for conflict-related violations and strengthen human rights protections", Human Rights Watch said in its World Report 2018, published today. 

“Victims of abuses who struggled for years seeking justice finally had a moment of hope two years ago when Sri Lanka pledged to the UN to take action,” HRW's South Asia director, Meenakshi Ganguly said.

In an op-ed marking Sri Lanka's unity government's 3rd anniversary in power, The Economist said the president was 'struggling to keep his promises of reform', nothing that the 'economy is weak and the opposition strong'. 

Read full op-ed here. 

Extract reproduced below: 

The UK leader of the opposition, Jeremy Corbyn in his Thai Pongal address this week, highlighted the ongoing persecution faced by Tamils and called on the UK government to take a lead in ensuring Sri Lanka works towards justice for Tamils. 

"The Tamil people have made huge sacrifices in their struggle for human rights in Sri Lanka - and still face persecution today. As we approach the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka's independence, our Government must take a lead in ensuring the Sri Lankan government takes active steps to support justice for Tamils in Sri Lanka and commit to serious post-conflict reconciliation."

The Asian Development Bank approved an additional $75 million on Tuesday to fund the development of small and medium sized enterprises in Sri Lanka. 

"SMEs have the potential to reduce regional inequalities in Sri Lanka given that SMEs are more widespread throughout the country than larger enterprises, which are mainly based in the capital Colombo," the ADB's principal finance specialist, Don Lambert said. 

"The additional support will ensure that more SMEs have wider access to credit," he added. 

SMEs, which are considered essential to the development of Sri Lanka's economy continue to find access to finance difficult. 

Sri Lanka's prime minister and UNP leader, Ranil Wickremesinghe ordered UNP ministers to curtail criticism of the president, Maithripala Sirisena. 

Speaking to the UNP Working Committee meeting on Wednesday morning, Mr Wickremesinghe was quoted by the Daily Mirror telling UNP ministers "not to make controversial statements dragging President Maithripala Sirisena anymore". 

He also told his party ministers to settle any issues that they may have with the SLFP within the unity government. 

Read more here. 
 

The LTTE's former Jaffna commander, Col. Kittu was remembered in Puthukudiyiruppu 25 years after he and nine other Maaveerar committed suicide after being surrounded by Indian navy warships in 1993. 

The event was addressed by the local representatives for Crusaders for Democracy and the Tamil National Alliance (TNA). 

Sri Lankan authorities have remanded two individuals for allegedly 'promoting the LTTE' over the New Year period. 

The two individuals were accused of posting a New Year greetings containing 'LTTE symbols' in a social media post. 

The Colombo Additional Magistrate, Lakmali Jayasinghe on Wednesday remanded the pair till January 24, the Sunday Leader reported. 

Sri Lanka's Cabinet unanimously decided to revoke a gazette allowing alcohol sales to women after the president, Maithripala Sirisena overruled the proposal. 

Responding to pressure from senior Buddhist clergy, Mr Sirisena said a move to lift the ban on women purchasing and selling alcohol would endanger 'Sri Lankan family' culture. 

The Cabinet's decision, communicated by the Minister for Ports and Shipping also revoked the gazette to allow liquor shops to extend their opening hours.