Consensus reached on power devolution in constitution claims Sri Lanka's prime minister

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Ranil WIckremesinghe said that a consensus has been reached on devolution of power under the new constitution within new constitution, reports Colombo Page. Mr Wickremesinghe added that a consensus had been reached within parties like the United National Party (UNP) and United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA). Speaking at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute on Tuesday, he said, “We have reached consensus to a great extent on power devolution.” The prime minister added that the issue had also been discussed with the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and that sub...

Sri Lanka's foreign minister Mangala Samaraweeran and the TNA MP M A Sumanthiran travelled to Delhi this weekend, to meet with Indian government officials and discuss the long disputed fishermen issue. A statement released at the end of the meeting on Saturday said that both governments agreed to set up a Joint Working Group on Fisheries to meet every three months and a meeting between the Ministers for Fisheries every six months. The meeting came as Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena prepared to visit India.

Sri Lanka plans Tourism Development Zones in controversial Eastern site

Sri Lanka announced plans to launch at least five tourism development zones estimated to extend over more than 1500 acres of state-owned land, including in an area in the Eastern Province which has seen a spread in Buddhist sites. This public-private initiative includes the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Tourism and the Sri Lanka Tourism Club – a group of government recognised industry leaders. Tourism Minister John Amaratunga, said that the first zone is the controversial Lanka Patuna site . With construction already underway, it is estimated to have capacity for 25-30 luxury hotels...

Sri Lankan military uses resettlement funds to build school hall

The Sri Lankan military has used funds from the Department of Resettlement to build an auditorium at a Tamil school in Mullaitivu. The 592 Brigade built the auditorium “following a request” from the school's principal reported an official military website . The auditorium, built in Keppapilavu, was declared open by the commander of the Sri Lankan security forces in Mullaitivu in a ceremony last month.

New dental surgery opened up in Jaffna... for Sri Lankan soldiers

The Sri Lankan military opened up a new dental surgery in Jaffna on Monday at a military base inside a High Security Zone. The dental surgery was a “long-felt need for tri-service and Police personnel serving the peninsula,” according to an official military website . Constructed at a cost of Rs 5 million, the dental surgery is attached to the Palali Army Base, which they Sri Lankan military continues to maintain in the peninsula's High Security Zone.

Sri Lankan commission finds 'routine' use of torture at secret sites

A Sri Lankan government appointed commission has admitted that the use of torture remains “routine”, with reports of undocumented sites across the island. In a report submitted to the UN Committee Against Torture, which is due to discuss Sri Lanka this month, the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission (SLHRC) recognised that there was a “routine” use of torture by Sri Lankan authorities. It went on to highlight the presence of undocumented torture sites in addition to those that have been “gazetted” by the Sri Lankan government in Colombo, Boosa and Vavuniya. The sites are reported to be run by...

Protesters in Batticaloa demand military release land

Locals in Batticaloa on Friday protested demanding the release of their land currently occupied by the Sri Lankan military. The protest is today on its third day with demonstrators on strike as an expression of their anger with the continued military occupation.

Spat between China and Sri Lanka over 'expensive' loans continues

Sri Lanka's finance minister responded to comments from China's ambassador over Chinese loans to the island, as the spat between the two figures deepened this week. China's Ambassador Yi Xianliang lashed out at minister Ravi Karunanayake after he criticised Chinese funding as "expensive loans". “We have regular, or fixed interest ratio for any developing country – 2%, not only for Sri Lanka... If you have some comparison with the commercial loan, commercial loan at least 5%.” “I talked with Ravi,” he continued . “You know Ravi criticises this issue many times, publicly. I ask him... If you...

Former defence secretary created gangs in Jaffna – Sri Lankan minister

Sri Lanka's Health Minister stated that former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapksa masterminded the creation of Tamil gangs in Jaffna, in a press conference earlier this week. Speaking to the media Rajitha Senaratne said the gang was created by Mr Rajapaksa during the armed conflict in order to battle against the LTTE. He went on to state that the group had acted with the full knowledge of the Sri Lankan military. “Why it is active in the peace time?,” he questioned . “What they expect by creating a fear psychosis among the civilians in the North?” Mr Rajapaksa meanwhile dismissed the...

Sri Lankan defence secretary tapped murdered journalist's phone

Leaked Sri Lankan State Intelligence Service documents have allegedly revealed former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ordered the tapping of journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge's phone, just weeks before he was gunned down in Colombo. The documents, reportedly obtained by Colombo Telegraph, identified the Sunday Leader editor as a 'national security risk' and ordered tapping of his mobile phone on the 10th of September 2008. A number of other phone numbers were reportedly placed under surveillance, including current prime minister Ranil Wickremasinghe, however Wickrematunge was the only...

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