Sri Lanka's ambassador to Geneva, Ravinatha Aryasinha today asserted that the government would ensure progress on key areas outlined in the UPR as it was adopted by the Council on Monday. Highlighting the attacks against Muslims in Kandy earlier this month, Mr Aryasinha said those responsible would be held to account. "We are determined to take action against all perpetrators of these incidents in accordance with the due process of the law. Victim compensation processes have already commenced; and arrests have been made as well," he told the Council. Read full statement here. Extract...
The United States today expressed concern at ongoing human rights violations and abuses by Sri Lankan security forces, as well as the targetting of Muslims earlier this month. "Although we are pleased with the Government’s support for these recommendations, we are concerned by ongoing reports of human rights violations and abuses by members of the security services, and recent attacks targeting members of religious minority communities," the US mission to Geneva said in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council as the Sri Lanka's 3rd review cycle was adopted. "We urge the government to hold accountable all those responsible for human rights abuses and violations and to protect religious minorities and their places of worship. We further urge the government to take additional steps to fully implement the commitments it made in HRC resolution 30/1 and reaffirmed in HRC resolution 34/1."
The UK today reiterated its call on the Sri Lankan government to ensure the cosponsored resolutions at the UN Human Rights Council 30/1 and 34/1 were fully implemented. "We continue to urge Sri Lanka to fully implement the commitments made in resolutions 30/1 and 34/1, as the best way to ensure human rights and reconciliation and the long term peace and prosperity that is in the interests of all Sri Lankans," the UK said in a statement on Monday as the Sri Lanka's UPR was adopted at the Council. "We call upon Sri Lanka to introduce legislation requiring businesses to report publicly on...
Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe congratulated Chinese President Xi Jinping on his re-election, reports Colombo Gazette. Mt Wickremeisinghe said Sri Lanka-China relations have made tremendous progress adding that multiple sectors had benefited from such progress. “I look forward to work with you closely in deepening our bilateral relations, “ he said Xi Jinping was re-elected on Saturday following a constitutional amendment made a week earlier which lifted presidential term limits.
A Tamil man was killed and another seriously injured when a military vehicle crashed into their motorcycle in Palai, Kilinochchi on Sunday morning. The victim was identified as Gunaseelan Jesinthan, a 29-year-old father of one. His 27-year-old passenger was admitted to Jaffna Teaching Hospital with severe injuries. Palai police said they were investigating the crash.
Sri Lanka is to introduce key changes to the income tax system aimed at reducing evasion and achieving the Rs 800 billion a year target, the Sunday Times reported. The changes which are set to come into force on April 1, will see increased jail terms, fines and penalties to those who evade income tax, make false statements or make late payments. Sri Lanka's Inland Revenue Department is aiming to increase direct taxes from 20% to 40% by 2020, decreasing indirect tax revenue by an equal measure from 80% to 60%.
Sri Lanka's foreign minister, Tilak Marapana is to leave tomorrow for Geneva to participate in the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council. Mr Marapana will be accompanied by the Senior Advisor to Finance and Media Minister Mano Tittawella, Deputy Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, Advisor to Prime Minister Prashanthi Mahindaratne, Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry A.L.A. Aziz and Director General UN Division, Mahishini Colonne, Colombo Page reports. "The delegation will attempt to show progress on its human rights commitments, amid mounting calls for more political will to...
The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday issued an order revoking the state of emergency, which was imposed following attacks against Muslims in Kandy. "Returned from a very successful tour of Japan, that brings many short and long terms benefits to us. Upon assessing the public safety situation, I instructed to revoke the State of Emergency from midnight yesterday," Mr Sirisena tweeted.
The Sri Lankan diaspora group, GSLF Australia, condemned the government's decision to set up the Office of Missing Persons (OMP), saying it was set up to appease LTTE supporters. In a letter to the Sri Lankan president, the GSLF spokesperson, urged politicians to lodge their protest against the commencement of the OMP. "One of the most disgusting features of the OMP is its definition of the Missing Persons when it refers to 'missing in the course of conflict which took place in the Northern and Eastern Provinces'. It is very clear that the OMP was set up to please the LTTE supporters and the...
MPs of the Joint Opposition began collecting signatures this week towards a no confidence motion against the Sri Lankan prime minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe. The motion criticises Mr Wickremesinghe over his management of the treasury bond scam and the recent violence in Kandy. Signatories so far include: Dinesh Gunawardena, Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Chamal Rajapaksa, Wimal Weerawansa, Udaya Gammanpila, Dullas Alahapperuma, Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Salinda Dissanayake, Rajith de Soysa, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Janaka Wakkumbura, Tharaka Balasuriya, Indika Anuruddha, Wimalaweera Dissanayake,...