Sri Lanka's latest draft of the Counter Terrorism Act was approved by cabinet last week, despite continuing concerns about serious restrictions to fundamental rights.
A widely criticised early draft was amended in another version, however the draft apprived by the cabinet last Tuesday saw some of the controversial sections re-introduced.
Sri Lanka must fully and rapidly implement its commitments to accountability as laid out in UN Human Rights Council resolutions, the Tamil National Alliance said at its May Day rally.
Media freedom in Sri Lanka remains in a “difficult situation” according to Reporters Without Borders’ 2017 World Press Freedom Index, with the island ranking 141st in the world in their annual listing.
The ranking leaves Sri Lanka in the exact same position as last year, behind countries such as Afghanistan, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.
After ten years of displacement and over a month of protest, the people of Mullikulam in Mannar set foot again in their lands for the first time on Sunday.
The Sri Lankan military celebrated the refurbishment of a military base in Vanni this month, which includes the renovation of a badminton court at the 62 Division headquarters.
A bus carrying military personnel was targeted by unidentified individuals throwing rocks, causing damage to the vehicle.
Army Spokesman Brigadier Roshan Seneviratne said on Friday that the bus was travelling to Vavuniya via Mullaithivu on Thursday, during the North-East-wide shutdown, when it was targeted.
Mullaithivu police has launched an investigation to catch those responsible. No arrests have been made.
The motion to deny Sri Lanka access to GSP+ on the grounds of delayed human rights reforms was quashed by a vote in Brussels – where 436 voted against the motion and 119 voted in favor.
