TNA raises concerns about safety and security of Sampanthan

The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) realised concerns about the safety and security of the opposition leader R Sampanthan in parliament today. Speaking in Parliament MP E Saravanabavan said the opposition leader had been given vehicles that were not secure enough and called on the government to take immediate action to address the concerns. In response, the Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayakee said that he will look in to the concerns raised by the MP, reprots Colombo Gazette.

Sumanthiran says constitutional sub-committee reports are positive for Tamils

Speaking at the Raviraj Memorial in Chavachcheri yesterday, TNA Spokesperson and MP, M.A. Sumanthiran, said that while the constitutional sub-committee reports don't have everything the Tamils asked for, if asked whether the Tamils got what they need from them, the only answer can be yes. Also speaking at the event, Opposition Leader and Leader of the TNA, R. Sampanthan, said that after a very long time, the Tamils finally have an opportunity with the new constitutional process. He said that they'll see what the government is going to actually agree to when the report comes out on December...

Sri Lanka must compensate Tamil Canadian torture survivor rules UN Human Rights Committee

The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled the Sri Lankan government must "provide adequate compensation" to a Tamil man currently living in Canada, reported National Post. Mr Roy Samathanam filed a complaint with the Committee three years ago after he was accused of being a "Canadian Tiger" by the Sri Lankan security forces during a visit in 2007 to Sri Lanka and later imprisoned and tortured. “We are thrilled with the committee’s conclusions,” Matt Eisenbrandt, legal director of the CCIJ, told the National Post. See here for full article on the National Post.

Statue of assassinated Tamil MP Raviraj unveiled

A statue of the former Tamil MP and human rights lawyer, N Raviraj who was assassinated 10 years ago this month was unveiled in Chavakachcheri on Sunday. The official unveiling ceremony was attended by a number of Tamil politicians including the leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan, and other TNA MPs.

Arrest all who incite racism says Sirisena

The Sri Lankan president issued an order to the security forces and police chief to arrest all who incite racism, the Daily Mirror reported. The statement was made at a meeting at the president's official residence in Colombo this week. The justice minister, Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe reportedly added that "steps had already been taken to draft the law and pointed out that even under the existing provisions of the Penal Code, inciters of racism were liable for one year imprisonment."

Sinhala Buddhist monks take to the streets in anti-Muslim protest

Hundreds of Sri Lankans joined Sinhala Buddhist monks in an anti-Muslim protest in Kandy on Saturday.

Sri Lanka's Prime Minister assures no changes of religion clause in constitution

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil Wickrmesinghe assured the Constitutional Assembly that the clause on religion in Sri Lanka’s constitution would not be changed, reports Colombo Page. Mr Wickermesinghe was speaking at the submission of the constitutional sub-committee reports to the Constitution Assembly on Saturday. Sri Lanka’s current constitution places “foremost place” to Buddhism and pledges to “protect and foster the Buddha Sasana.” The Prime Minister added that a preliminary debate on the reports and recommendations of the sub-committees will be held on the 9th, 10th and 11th of January...

Sri Lankan justice minister says 32 Muslims in IS

Sri Lanka's justice minister on Friday told parliament that 32 Muslims had joined Islamic State in Syria. "All these [Muslims] are not from ordinary families. These people are from the families which are considered as well-educated and elite," Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said. "There is a greater fear among the public about ISIS," he added. "If somebody tries to spread extremism in this country, we will not allow for that from today. The law of this country is no different to Buddhist monks or ordinary people." Mr Rajapakshe's statement was condemned by the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka...

IMF approves US $162.6 million disbursement

The International Monetary Fund on Friday announced it had completed its first review of the Extended Fund Facility granted to Sri Lanka, and would approve US $162.6 million disbursement. The three year program was approved in June, allowing US $1.45 billion. "The government’s reform program, supported by the IMF, aims to reduce the fiscal deficit, rebuild foreign exchange reserves, and introduce a simpler, more equitable tax system to restore macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive growth," the IMF said in a statement. "Going forward, there is a need to strengthen the supervisory and...

TNA reiterate call from proper houses for displaced

In a letter to the Sri Lankan president and prime minister the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) reiterated its rejection of pre-fabricated steel homes, and called for proper houses for Tamils displaced in the North-East. "The Parliamentary Group of TNA Which met yesterday, 11.11.16, unanimously decided to address this communication to you, so that you will become aware that all of us are totally opposed to pre-fabricated steel houses and that people be provided with the traditional brick houses in keeping with their culture and way of life," the TNA said in a statement signed by the leader, R...

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