Military hampering Northern economy - EU delegation

A European Parliamentary Delegation, expressed concern over the Sri Lankan military's economic activities in the North, during a visit to the Northern province this week. Jean Lambert, head of the Delegation for Relations with Countries of South Asia, comprised six members from the European Parliament, said : “We feel that the role of the military in economic activities has hampered the growth of the economy in the North and this would have direct implications on Sri Lanka from a trade perspective, due to military involvements in civilian economic activities,” “There has been much growth in...

SL minister calls for TNA Wigneswaran's former rulings to be reviewed

Commenting on the TNA's choice for chief minister candidate in the Northern Provincial, former Supreme Court judge, C.V. Wigneswaran, the Economic Development Deputy Minister S.M.Chandrasena, called for Wigneswaran's forming judgments to be examined. Chandrasena said , "Former High Court Judge P B Warawewa is also expected to contest the Central Provincial Council Elections from the United National Party (UNP)." "This shows that these former Judges have been engaged in politics even when they were judges. So, it is doubtful whether they did their duty properly. Therefore, we request from the...

Sri Lankan army to create profit-making entities

The Sri Lankan army is planning to create business ventures to make profit, according to Army Commander Jagath Jeyasuriya. The commander told the DailyMirror that the army business could bid for government tenders and said the army was involved in almost all available services and professions. “We are involved in development projects right now and are supporting them. This is a service we provide. Manpower and equipment will be available once these projects are completed, that is why we are planning to form such an entity,” he said. “Once such an entity is formed we will be able to undertake...

Police powers creates risk of parallel army - Basil

Minister for Economic Development, Basil Rajapaksa told the Hindu that the Sri Lankan government could not risk a provincial government forming its own army through devolved police powers. Dismissing arguments that Tamil armed struggle was now a thing of the past, Rajapaksa said: “If [the NPC] form another army, can we afford another war now?” He also claimed that the Rajapaksa government had given the Tamils "everything" and that the TNA were whipping up other "emotional issues" as they had nothing else left to promise.

Protests against Flying Fish

A crowd of Sri Lankans was protesting outside the French Embassy in Colombo against the movie Flying Fish, which was screened at a French festival on the island. The protestors objected to the depiction of the military in the movie. Representatives of Ranaviru Sevana, politicians and members of the public shouted slogans condemning the movie, reported Ceylon Today. According to the website, some protestors believed the movie was linked to the Bodh Gaya bombings in India earlier this month. One protestor said he believed it was part of a world-wide conspiracy against Sri Lanka. “The whole film...

Rajapaksa brothers act as marriage witnesses

The Sri Lankan cricket captain, Angelo Mathews and Heshani Silva wedded today at the Temple Trees establishment in Sri Lanka, reported Colombo Page . Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary, Gotobahya Rajapaksa signed as witnesses of the marriage at the wedding ceremony.

CHOGM will enhance Sri Lanka's stature in the world: G.L Peiris

Addressing a press conference held at the External Affairs Ministry in Sri Lanka yesterday, External Affairs Minister G.L Peiris, reiterated that, "CHOGM will enhance the country's stature in the world." Outlining the 'benefits' that Sri Lanka could derive from hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), Peiris suggested that Sri Lanka would be able to present a case of 'political stability and tranquillity' to combat elements that looked to discredit the country with 'false propaganda'. After outlining the close ties the country had with the Commonwealth Secretary General...

Parliamentary committee questions UK arms exports to Sri Lanka

A report by a parliamentary committee has criticised exports of arms to countries that the Foreign Office has expressed human rights concerns about. The House of Commons Committees on Arms Export Controls concluded in their 2013 report that over 3,000 export licenses, worth over £12bn, were approved by the UK to the 27 countries in question, including Sri Lanka. The report says the sales to Sri Lanka, worth over £8mn raised “very serious questions”. The committee’s chairman, Conservative MP Sir John Stanley, said he was astonished at the scale of the exports, to countries including China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sudan and Zimbabwe.

Peiris delights in victory over human rights campaigners

External Affairs Minister G L Peiris boasted of Rajapaksa's imminent chairmanship of the Commonwealth at an External Affairs Ministry press conference on Wednesday. Peiris said that chairing the Commonwealth would be a "major victory by the country against its detractors, who have been trying to prevent Sri Lanka playing host to this all important biennial summit meeting." He also said that CHOGM "will be a big blow to the credibility of those misinformation campaigners that have been trying to bring the country into disrepute by using various human rights allegations as their principal...

EU delegation will travel to North

An EU Parliamentary Delegation, currently in Sri Lanka to observe EU funded development projects in the North, will reportedly be travelling to the North to see their progress. The delegation is also expecting to hold meetings with civil society activists as well as politicians and international agencies.

Pages