Keppapilavu villagers threatened by Sri Lankan army ahead of presidential visit

The Sri Lankan army has been intimidating Mullaitivu villagers ahead of a presidential visit. Soldiers threatened Keppapilavu villagers against holding protests over land-returns during President Sirisena’s visit. The villagers were told that if they protested and demanded their own lands back - instead of accepting the alternative lands or monetary compensation currently promised - they would be forced to remain in their displaced situations. Keppapilavu villagers, currently living in temporary settlements, were expecting their lands to be returned during the upcoming presidential visit on...

Sri Lankan army denies Omanthai camp closure

Sri Lanka’s military said that it will continue to occupy a military camp in Omanthai, contrary to earlier reports that the camp was to be dismantled and the land it occupied returned to its private landowners. Sri Lankan military spokesperson Roshan Seneviratne was quoted by the Daily Mirror as stating the checkpoint would not be completely removed and the army was only releasing lands to the west of the camp. “The army personnel there will be deployed at the army camp on the other side of the road,” he added. “It is not a sudden decision to vacate the land. The process of vacating the land...

UN human rights chief discusses human rights with Sri Lankan PM

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein met with Sri Lanka’s prime minister in Switzerland, to discuss the island’s human rights situation. Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe met with the UN human rights chief on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos on Thursday . ColomboPage reported the high commissioner told Mr Wickremesinghe “that it was the hope of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to see Sri Lanka take forward its program to establish and protect all rights of Sri Lankans in a sustainable manner” and to “pay special...

China's Alibaba keen to invest says Sri Lanka

China's Alibaba company is keen to invest in Sri Lanka said the finance minister on Thursday. The finance minister, Ravi Karunanayake met with the online company's chairman, Jack Ma at the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland this week, the Colombo Page reported. "Jack Ma has said that he will take immediate action to start investment in Sri Lanka. He has also pointed out that his proposed investment will generate hundreds of employment opportunities to the youth in the island," the finance minister was quoted as saying.

Implementation of 27 international conventions only criteria for GSP+ - EU

The European Union in a statement reiterated that the only criteria by which Sri Lanka will be assessed to rejoin the GSP+ trade concessions are its ratification and implementation of 27 international conventions it has signed in the past. "These conventions relate to international human rights, labour rights, environmental standards and good governance. Benefitting from GSP+ requires the government to undertake to make further progress in implementing the conventions and to cooperate with the EU to monitor implementation and address shortcomings," the statement published on Wednesday said. "...

Government confirms it won't decriminalise homosexuality

The Sri Lankan government has dropped its own proposal to decriminalise homosexuality, which was included in its national human rights plan put forward to help regain the European Union’s GSP+ concession, reported the Deutsche Presse Agentur . Homosexuality is currently a criminal offence under Sri Lankan law. "In view of the protests by members of the cabinet of ministers, as well as other groups, we have decided to drop the proposal," government spokesperson and Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senaratne said on Wednesday. Sri Lankan LGBT groups criticised the government’s u-turn. “This move only...

Human rights lawyer questioned by Sri Lankan army after speaking to IDPs

A human rights lawyer and activist was questioned by the Sri Lankan army after speaking to refugees at a Jaffna camp. Mr Ainkaran was questioned by military personnel from the Kankesanthurai division, after speaking to internally displaced people living in Konappulam camp in Mallakam, Jaffna. The soldiers also questioned the refugees Mr Ainkaran had spoken to, enquiring about his identity and what he had talked about.

Sri Lankan government does not listen to Northern Provincial Council says CM

The Sri Lankan government in Colombo does not listen to the views of the Northern Provincial Council, the Chief Minister has said. “The central government does as it pleases in the Northern Province, but does not consider our opinions when engaging in activities,” NPC Chief Minister C. V. Wigneswaran told journalists. The chief minister spoke to press following the presentation of a ferry by Australian emissaries, for a ferry service running to Neduntheevu, a project supported by the World Bank and the Australian government.

Sri Lanka heavily burdened by Chinese projects - Fonseka

Chinese infrastructure projects have heavily burdened Sri Lanka, according to former military chief, Sarath Fonseka. “Our experience [with the Chinese] on Hambantota has not been very beneficial as we are facing a heavy debt burden due to the work done in that port,” Mr Fonseka, currently Minister for Regional Development, told The Hindu . “The problems and corruption in the project prompted us to review our policy on infrastructural development. We have currently given the port to a private entity so that some of the more immediate issues are resolved. This arrangement will also address...

Buddhist monk leads mob to destroy church

A group of Buddhists headed by a monk destroyed a Christian church in the North West Province of Sri Lanka earlier this month, leaving worshippers to now conduct their prayers under a tree. The Kithu Sevana prayer centre in Paharaiya was attacked by the mob on January 5, said a leader of the Christian community in the region, Kamal Wasantha. "First, they threatened us verbally,” he said. “Then they came with wooden sticks, iron bars and knives and destroyed everything." "The Lord's house was pulled down in front of our eyes, as we asked God to forgive them," he added. Though over 200...

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