The European Commission has proposed the granting of trade concessions to Sri Lanka under the GSP+ scheme, in exchange for the government’s “commitment” on human rights and labour conditions. The restoration of GSP+, which was stripped during the previous Sri Lankan government’s rule, would mean the government benefits from the full removal of duties on 66% of tariff lines, including in industries such as textiles and fisheries. The move has been proposed alongside “rigorous monitoring” by the European Commission. A press release this morning said the commissioned would restore the trade...
Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera met with the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson in London this week. Mr Samaraweera is currently on an official visit to the UK in an effort to foster greater relations between the two countries. His visit comes as Sri Lanka's unity government faces criticism over its failure to acheive the vision and commitments it set out when it was elected to power two years ago.
Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged the Sri Lankan government to "promptly implement" recommendations on transitional justice made by the Consultation Task Force. "Key among the task force’s recommendations is the creation of a war crimes court comprised of both international and national judges and other officials, with no time limit on its jurisdiction," HRW noted in a statement . HRW's Asia director, Brad Adams said, “the task force report is remarkably comprehensive and clear in setting out the concerns and needs expressed by Sri Lankans across all communities on the transitional...
The North must be declared drought affected and farmers and agricultural workers be given compensation to prevent starvation, the Northern Provincial Council has urged. In the NPC’s 82 nd sitting, members called for emergency action to be taken to prevent starvation and also to provide clean water to the people of the North. Extreme drought in the region has caused widespread failure of rice crop cultivation, the council stated.
USAID has implemented a project to provide clean water to communities that are impacted by disasters and chronic kidney disease in southern Sri Lanka and in the North-East. The $1 million program builds on the previous USAID projects that have provided access to drinking water in communities that are especially prone to droughts and floods, as well as communities and hospitals that are impacted by chronic kidney disease. “The United States is committed to helping all Sri Lankan families have access to reliable sources of clean drinking water,” said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Atul Keshap. The...
Sri Lanka’s president attended a ceremony that marked the Uva - Wellassa rebellion today, an uprising by Kandyan chiefs against British rule. The ceremony was held after Maithripala Sirisena annulled an 1818 British gazette notification that branded the Sinhala chiefs who led the uprising as traitors. During the ceremony , plaques engraved with the names of the chiefs were presented to the heads of museums and to the chief lay custodian of the Buddhist Temple of the Tooth in Kandy,
The Sri Lankan army handed out packets of milk to female former fighters, at a military arranged ceremony in Jaffna last week. The programme was organised by the Sri Lanka Army 7th Battalion (7 SLAWC) and headed by Major Geetha Rankothge Commanding Officer. The ceremony saw female Sri Lankan soldiers hand out packets of milk to the Tamil former cadres, who were present alongside their children. The Sri Lankan military said the initiative was organised with the “sheer intention of enhancing mutuality among civilians”. The official military website went on to post pictures of the ceremony, held...
A project is underway to create a cultural center for the Tamil community in the city of Toronto, reports Tamilculture.com . The aim is, “To create a cultural landmark for the Tamil Canadian community and serve as a state-of-the-art community hub for the residents of the City of Toronto,” said organizers. The cultural center is to be managed by Ideal Developments and is expected to cost $20 million. The 50 000 square foot facility is to include an auditorium, general purpose hall, pre-school education, childcare facility, cultural museum, library, multipurpose rooms and more.
Victims of the massacre by Sri Lankan police at the 1974 World Tamil Conference, held in Jaffna, were remembered today. Nine civilians including a teacher, three students and a doctor were killed when police violently attempted to break up a cultural event at the conference. A memorial service was held at the massacre’s remembrance monument in Jaffna.
The Sri Lanka Freedom Party called for the retention of the island’s executive presidency, alongside the continued demerger of the Northern and Eastern provinces and the foremost place on the island to be granted to Buddhism, in a series of decisions regarding constitutional reform, at a meeting of minister last week. The Sunday Times reported that during the meeting, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva briefed his colleagues on the latest developments regarding the constitution, after which it was decided, "The unitary status of Sri Lanka should be protected and no changes should be made to...