The European Union’s ban on imports of fish caught in Sri Lanka has caused losses in revenue totalling $75m since January, according to foreign ministry spokesperson Mahishini Colonne. The EU, which is the largest export market for the island’s fisheries industry, brought in the ban for the government’s failure to crack down on illegal fishing. Ms Colonne said on Wednesday, the government has been taking steps to address the issues, including are fitting vessel monitoring systems on high sea fishing vessels, maintaining and updating a register of high sea fishing licenses, banning vessels using harmful fishing methods and prosecuting those found to be fishing illegally.
Bodu Bala Sena CEO Dilanthe Withanage claimed Sri Lankan Muslims linked to the Islamic State were behind the riots in Aluthgam, in which Muslims were attacked by Sinhala mobs. Speaking to media on the reported death of a Sri Lankan member of the Islamic State group, Mr Withanage said the BBS had warned about the dangers of Sri Lankans being recruited to join the group in Iraq and Syria six months ago, but it was ridiculed as racist at the time. “Several Sri Lankan Muslim communities have requested the BBS to help free them from this extremism and they said that they would support silently,” he said. “We can clearly say the Sri Lankans, who worked for ISIS, have involvement in the Aluthgama incident. Sri Lankan authorities are afraid of investigating in to the ISIS related incident in the country,” Mr. Withanage said. BBS General Secretary Galagodaathe Gnanasara said the government should investigate and publish how “Muslim extremists” are being funded in Sri Lanka.
The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) held its first press conference in Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, the Chief Observer, Cristian Preda, said that the mission would be using the world’s best election observation and assessment methodology to monitor the parliamentary elections on August 17. Mr Preda said that the 70 member team consisted of experts in various fields, adding that they were not there “to teach democracy or to teach electoral process but to see if Sri Lankan laws and the declared norms are adhered to.” The EUEOM will produce...
Six years since the end of the armed conflict, 257 families in the Muhamalai region of Kilinochchi district remain displaced said the Divisional Secretariat. According to the Secretariat the delay is due to the failure to clear the area of land mines and unexploded bombs. The resettlement in Kilinochchi district had been taking place in stages since December 2009.
The Sri Lankan army is engaged in fortifying the Valikaamam North High Security Zone, despite previous government statements that the area of land would be released back to the local civilian population. The existing wooden perimeter fence has been strengthened by the army with a concrete pillar fence.
The presidential manifesto clearly says an international investigation will not be allowed, said Sri Lanka’s foreign minister responding to questions on the upcoming UN report into mass atrocities. Responding to questions on BBC Sinhala, Mangala Samaraweera said , “The presidential election manifesto clearly says an international investigation will not be allowed. A local mechanism will be considered to investigate allegations of human rights violations. Action will be taken pursuant to the release of the Geneva report in September.” Mr Samraweera also said that the domestic investigation would take into account the UN investigation into Sri Lanka's atrocities. UNP rules out federalism (27 Jul 2015) Sri Lanka’s foreign minister announces delay in domestic investigation (24 Jun 2015) Sri Lanka will lead any investigation says foreign minister (19 Jun 2015) Sri Lanka's foreign minister reiterates rejection of OISL, points to domestic investigation in July (24 Jul 2015)
Switzerland received 11,873 asylum seekers between January and June this year, with Sri Lanka the second most common country of origin, after Eritrea, ahead of conflict hotbeds such as Syria and Somalia. A total of 840 refugees from Sri Lanka, most of whom are thought to be Tamil, sought asylum in Switzerland, compared to 781 Syrians and 3,800 Eritreans. The number represents an increase of 76.5% compared to the equivalent period in 2014, when 364 refugees from Sri Lanka claimed asylum in the country. 54.7% asylum applications from Sri Lanka were granted in the first 6 months of 2015, one of...
The former Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa accused the new government of failing to prioritise national security and stability in Sri Lanka. Speaking at a United Peoples Freedom Alliance (UPFA) election rally, Rajapaksa said, “When we stabilized the security in the country, we were charged to be war fanatics. We can clearly see how national security deteriorated during this short period.” Refuting claims that the former president was a dictator, Gotabhaya said , “Mahinda Rajapaksa has identified who committed wrong doings. We are ready to rectify our mistakes.” Gotabhaya further added...
Photographs Tamil Guardian The Northern Provincial Council is to provide financial assistance to the families of Tamil political prisoners, said the NPC's development minister, P Deniswaran said on Monday. Meeting with families of political prisoners in Mannar on Monday, Mr Deniswaran said that Rs 50,000 would be allocated to around 324 families in view of encouraging the development of livelihoods.
Photograph: Tamil Guardian United and coordinated action between the homeland and Tamil diaspora is needed to achieve the Tamil nation’s aspirations of redeveloping the North-East, seeking justice for genocide and finding a political solution based on the Thimphu principles , said the Chief Minister of the Northern Province during a visit to the UK last week. A full English translation of his statement made on Friday can be read here . Addressing a full auditorium at the annual lecture of the International Association of Tamil journalists (IATAJ), CV Wigneswaran said, “Offering the humanitarian support to rebuild our land is a short term goal. For this your support is needed. Ensuring justice for the genocide that was committed is a medium term goal – for this too your support is needed. Finding a political solution based on the Thimbu principles is a long term goal – that too must take place with your support. I end my talk trusting that you will give your understanding and support for all of us to work together with dedication for this.”