Human rights activists that helped set up the screening of the ‘No Fire Zone’ documentary were detained by the Home Ministry in Malaysia today. The event was organised by the human rights group Pusat Komas, in an attempt to raise awareness about the war crimes and atrocities that happened at the end of 2009 in Sri Lanka. The Programme co-ordinator, Lena Hendry, said that officers entered the hall just as the screening was ending, and forced attendees to produce their identity cards. Three members of the rights group Pusat Komas were taken to Dang Wangi police station and detained, whilst...
The Sri Lankan government has called upon the US to lift warnings about travelling to the island, after an update to the travel advisory by the State Department. The US ambassador to Colombo, Michelle Sison, was summoned to a meeting with the Ministry of External Affairs, where they requested the US to withdraw the advisory. The update includes warnings about increased targeting of foreigners in crimes and sexual violence, and anti-US demonstrations.
Residents of Oddamavady, Batticaloa have been disturbed by the appearance of a Buddha statue in the middle of the playground of a Muslim faith school reports BBC Tamil. While the district is home to a mainly Muslim population, the school is located close to a Buddhist vihara, with which it has reportedly experienced many years of dispute regarding land rights.
The July 1st issue of Time magazine has been banned in Sri Lanka, due to its cover sotry - "The Face of Buddhist Terror". According to the AFP, the spokesperson for the Customs Department Lesley Gamini said the issue was banned as it 'could raise religious tensions in the country'. Gamini said : "By operation of law these magazines will be confiscated," "We did not allow this issue to be distributed in Sri Lanka because we felt it could hurt the religious sentiments of the people," See also: Time magazine stopped by Sri Lankan customs (09 Jul 2013)
A former MP and member of President Rajapakse’s SLFP has slammed the Tamil newspaper Uthayan’s content, saying it is attempting to sow communal hatred. The paper had recently carried comments by a catholic priest and a former judge, who had criticised the oppression and militarisation in the Tamil homeland. The Daily News reported that they said that Tamils remained oppressed by the government and still lived in fear across the island, although the war had ended. S Kanakaratne, Mullaitivu District member of the SLFP said their views were “biased”. "They are telling that the government has...
Sri Lanka and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to facilitate vocational training for Sri Lankan nuclear scientists in Russia, reports Colombo Page . The agreement includes managing nuclear and radiation safety issues and development of nuclear technology infrastructure in Sri Lanka. The Russian government has also agreed to provide support in the areas of managing nuclear waste, nuclear research and nuclear substances.
The attack on Tamil ‘Boycott Sri Lankan Cricket’ campaigners by Sri Lankan cricket fans at the Oval on June 17th was truly shocking. What began as Sri Lankan fans shouting and spitting at activists, swelled into anti-Tamil taunting followed by physical assaults, where Tamil activists were punched and kicked by a mob. This attack was not alcohol fuelled sporting hooliganism; nor was it pro-government Sri Lankans attacking anti-government activists - as the attackers’ taunting made clear, the activists were targeted solely because of their Eelam Tamil identity, not for their campaigning. The attack was racially motivated violence by ordinary Sri Lankans against Eelam Tamils on the streets of London.
A Buddhist monk has been remanded in prison for the killing of a man. Saman Kumara Tillakaratne died during a visit to a temple, after the monk allegedly attacked him with a cricket bat and a brick. The victim died the day after he was admitted to hospital. Police are reported to have recovered the bat and brick, used in the attack, and a bloodied robe, from the monk’s home.
Recent bilateral discussions between Sri Lanka and the Seychelles have resulted in three new signed agreements that look to bolster air links, defence cooperation and vocational training, reported Colombo Page . Several other issues were also discussed by the two nations, including the continued ‘efforts and progress’ made with regards to the national reconciliation progress in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka's Ministry of External Affairs has summoned Michele Sison, the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, to seek clarification about a US State Department travel note on Sri Lanka. An official from the ministry said that Sison would be asked why the note, which warns of crimes including sexual harrassment and assault against foreigners, was issued.