The Sri Lankan president, Maithripala Sirisena on Friday reiterated that his government was not under any foreign influence. Speaking at the opening of a concrete factory in Balangoda, Mr Sirisena was quoted by Colombo Page as saying his "government is not under any foreign influence as some politicians claim," stressing that the government "will not enter into any agreement that can endanger the local economy and the culture of the country." "Even though some political leaders, states through various newspapers that there are foreign influences on Sri Lanka, there is no any type of influence...
Volunteer teachers in Vanni called for permanent appointments to be made as promised months ago by the provincial council. Gathering outside the Chief Minister's Office in Jaffna, volunteer teachers demanded permanent appointments to be made, saying they had worked for years without any progress or remuneration. The Northern Provincial Council's education minister had said last year that 700 volunteer teachers would be given permanent positions. However the NPC's education spokesperson responded to the protest saying currently the central government held the authority on appointing permanent...
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Al Hussein said victims of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict must feel that justice is done, no matter the form of accountability mechanism enacted. Speaking to reporters at the end of his visit to the island earlier this week, Mr Al Hussein reiterated his office’s support for international involvement in accountability, stating: “The suggestion of having an impartial and independent court is fundamental because it must address the needs of victims on all sides. And we thought by having international participation this can be guaranteed.” With reporters reminding the human rights chief of comments from Sri Lankan leaders , who have repeatedly rejected foreign involvement, the High Commissioner noted that there “may be other views”. However, he added that “certainly the victims views have to be brought into this discussion – and that’s why the consultation that the government has begun is all the more important that their views be taken into account”. He continued to say: “ There has to be set in motion a process to establish the truth, to establish a mechanism which will confirm or not whether there were systemic violations of a planned and organised manner and whether those thresholds then merit prosecution. All of this requires a step by step approach.” “However in the end… whatever you do will be for nought if the victims themselves do not feel that justice is being done.”
Over 30,000 people in Jaffna alone were still internally displaced found a report by the Northern resettlement and rehabilitation committee. The report which was handed over to the UN human Rights Chief during his visit to the North-East further found that over 5000 acres of land remained occupied by Sri Lanka’s army in Valikamam North. According to the report at least 22 divisions in the Valikamam area had continuously been occupied by Sri Lanka’s army with a total of 45 being occupied since 1990.
The US Department of State has announced funding for the strengthening of investigative journalism in Sri Lanka. The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour (DRL) said in the announcement that there will be an open competition for the funds, worth approximately $500,000. A key outcome of the successful project should include "increased coverage on reconciliation and transitional justice activities in the country." "Strong consideration will be given to proposals that work to facilitate interaction among journalists and media institutions in the north/east and south as well as proposals that include an emphasis on women journalists," the announcement said.
The appointment of former army commander Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka as a member of parliament sends “worrying signals on accountability” from both the Sri Lankan president and prime minister, said Human Rights Watch (HRW) in a statement released on Wednesday. “Fonseka’s appointment signals that the government may protect senior military leaders suspected of widespread abuses,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The government should meaningfully demonstrate to the Sri Lankan people and the UN that it’s serious about accountability and not on the road to a whitewash.” HRW also noted that the current government, which came into power last year, promoted Sri Lankan Maj. Gen. Jagath Dias, who headed the 57th division of the Sri Lankan army during the final stages of the armed conflict and is accused of overseeing major violations of international humanitarian law. He was made Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan army last year, a move slammed by international NGOs and called a " a slap in the face for victims ” by HRW. Similarly, “Fonseka’s appointment is a breach of trust for victims and families who believed in this government’s commitment to deliver justice for war crimes,” Mr Adams said.
The Sri Lankan government called on North Korea to “abide by its international obligations” following the launch of long range rocket into space last week. Sri Lanka “condemned” the launch and called on North Korea to “desist from any action that would adversely impact on the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula”.
The Sri Lankan government declared that it has “completely changed” its stance towards China, as it looks for investment in economic projects on the south of the island. The current Sri Lankan government, which came into power last year, had initially halted a Chinese port project in Colombo, due to concerns on how the project was agreed on by the previous Rajapaksa regime. The suspension of work was costing $380,000 a day said the state-owned China Communications Construction Co Ltd (CCCC), before “the new Sri Lankan government understood the reality and also the fact that they were legally bound by the contract," said an official at CHEC Port City Colombo (Pvt) Ltd. Now Sri Lanka’s cabinet spokesman Rajitha Senaratne told Reuters "the stance on China has completely changed" . His comments come as Sri Lanka’s finances deteriorated the government looked to the IMF for an emergency loan to avoid a balance-of-payments crisis. "Who else is going to bring us money, given tight conditions in the West?" said Mr Senaratne.
File photo: Relatives of the disappeared met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Jaffna last week, as Special Rapporteur Pablo de Greiff reiterated the importance victim participation in an accountability mechanism.
The Sri Lankan government is set to have formal discussions with India over the purchase of India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas fighter jets, reports India Today . Sources reportedly confirmed with the news channel that Colombo has expressed interest in the deal and formal discussions will take place between the two sides in the coming months. The jet, which still has not attained final operational clearance (FOC), was recently showcased at the Bahrain International Air Show and has begun test firing of a beyond visual range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM). The...