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Sri Lanka faces tough questions from UN Human Rights Committee

Oct 6, 2014

The UN Human Rights Committee’s review of Sri Lanka’s adherence to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) commenced with tough questions by the experts on the committee earlier on Tuesday at the Palais Wilson in Geneva.

The experts went through the issue list, compiled by the committee and asked for further clarification from Sri Lanka.

One of the Committee's experts, Yuwi Iwasawa, a professor of international law, began with issues focused on the legal framework under which the covenant is implemented.

Iwasawa said the Committee was very concerned about Sri Lanka’s adherence to the treaty, asking the government to provide an explanation for reports which indicate that ex-cadres remain in detention and are subject to lengthy interrogations, while surveillance restricted their movements. He pointed out that this was contrary to Sri Lanka’s claim that 97% of approximately 12,000 former cadres had been rehabilitated and released.

Sinhalese Buddhists should be recognised as national race says BBS

Oct 5, 2014

Sri Lanka should be renamed “Sinhale” with Sinhalese Buddhists being recognised as the historical and national race of the country said the Buddhist organisation Bodu Bala Senha (BBS).

Teachers in Jaffna protest against military influence in North-East schools

Oct 5, 2014

Teachers in Jaffna demonstrated in a protest, coinciding with International Teachers Day on Monday, against military and government influence in their schools and universities.

Photograph: Tamil Guardian

The protestors were met by pro-government individuals that attempted to disrupt the protest adds the Uthayan. The pro-government individuals dispersed after the protesting teachers voiced their condemnation of attempts to disrupt the demonstration.

Government denies saying US policy was 'softening'

Oct 5, 2014

Distancing itself from Sri Lankan media reports, the Sri Lankan government said it had never said US stance on Sri Lanka was softening, in a statement released Monday.

The Ministry of External Affairs said it "wishes to clarify that the Government of Sri Lanka did not issue a press statement or comment on the meeting which took place between President Mahinda Rajapaksa and the US Secretary of State John Kerry on the margins of the on-going UNGA."

UNHCR condemns continued deportation of asylum seekers

Oct 5, 2014

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has spoken out against the deportation of asylum seekers by the Sri Lankan government, which has continued after a Supreme Court ruling allowed their forcible return.

At least 312 people, mainly from Pakistan and Afghanistan, have been deported from ` August until the 3 October. A further 61 remain in detention.

The UNHCR office in Colombo commented,

“As you are aware, UNHCR continuously advocated against deportations and for the release of asylum-seeker and refugees that have been arrested and detained since June and will continue to do so. UNHCR has on numerous occasions, in different forums- both nationally and internationally, advocated for the cessation of arrests, detention and deportations.”

Presidential Commission chair dismisses CPA criticism

Oct 4, 2014

The chair of the Presidential Commission into missing persons, Maxwell Parakrama Paranagama, has dismissed criticism by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) of translators used, as "not matters to make such a big issue about".

“My translator is a retired parliament translator and the other person is from the Legal Aid Commission, and both of them were translating. Of course they might have missed certain words but I don’t think that would make such a huge impact. These translators work from morning till evening and even if there are a few errors, these could be corrected and these are not matters to make such a big issue about. We are so transparent and as these parties cannot find any other mistake or shortcoming, they now have brought up the minor issues in the translators,” Paranagama told the Sunday Leader.

Sajith's appointment raises questions about Ranil's sincerity says GTF

Oct 4, 2014

The appointment of Sajith Premadasa to the position of deputy leader of the opposition UNP party calls into question UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe's "judgement and sincerity" in building links with the Tamil people, said the Global Tamil Forum (GTF).

Stating that the GTF had declined an invitation to meet with Wickremesinghe in the UK last week, the group's spokesperson Suren Surendiran told Sri Lanka's Sunday Times newspaper that it was "due to his recent appointment of Sajith Premadasa as Deputy Leader".

"We politely declined an invitation to meet the UNP leader. We did not want to meet him in private. It is due to his recent appointment of Sajith Premadasa as Deputy Leader. He is a racist," Surendiran said.

"This appointment has raised questions about the judgement and sincerity of Wickremesinghe. We wanted to meet him openly and tell the people what was discussed."

Gopi's' wife prevented from leaving Sri Lanka

Oct 4, 2014

The wife of Selvanayagam Kajeepan, also known as 'Gopi', who was killed by Sri Lankan forces earlier this year, has been prevented from leaving Sri Lanka by officials at Colombo airport, reported the Daily Mirror.

Kajeepan Sarmila intended to travel to Switzerland for a relative's wedding and is in possession of a valid Swiss visa. Officials from the Swiss embassy arrived at the airport, and requested Sri Lankan immigration officials to release her, but the officials said an investigation was ongoing in relation to her husband and she would not be allowed to leave the country.

An official from the Terrorism Investigation Department took a statement from Ms Sarmila and allowed her to return home. Sri Lankan authorities have initiated an investigation into how she was able to obtain a visa, while the inquiry into Gopi's activities were ongoing.

NPC officials highlight land grabs

Oct 4, 2014

Officials from the Northern Provincial Council have pointed out that 28,316 acres of land belonging to Tamils has been appropriated in just three districts in the province, reported the Uthayan.

The TNA councillors said a special meeting will be convened on October 9 to inquire into land grabs and that nformation revealed was gained from preliminary investigations.

Jaya conviction will not affect Tamil Nadu's support for Eelam Tamil struggle - TNPF

Oct 4, 2014

The conviction of the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, is a clear message to those parties in India that wish to take an independent line on Tamil affairs in Sri Lanka, however her conviction will not affect Tamil Nadu's support for the Eelam Tamil struggle, said the leader of the Tamil National People’s Front (TNPF).

“Tamil Nadu politics is different from New Delhi’s politics. Tamil Nadu is very supportive of the Tamil national struggle here and I suspect Madam Jayalalitha’s conviction will not change that. Although New Delhi’s hope will be that the timing of Jayalalitha’s conviction will send a clear message to all those parties that wish to take an independent line on Sri Lankan affairs, particularly to do with the Tamil people here,” said Gajen Ponnambalam in an interview with the Sunday Leader.

Commenting on his opinion on India’s involvement in Tamil affairs in Sri Lanka, he further added,

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Sri Lanka faces tough questions from UN Human Rights Committee

Sinhalese Buddhists should be recognised as national race says BBS

Teachers in Jaffna protest against military influence in North-East schools

Government denies saying US policy was 'softening'

UNHCR condemns continued deportation of asylum seekers

Presidential Commission chair dismisses CPA criticism

Sajith's appointment raises questions about Ranil's sincerity says GTF

Gopi's' wife prevented from leaving Sri Lanka

NPC officials highlight land grabs

Jaya conviction will not affect Tamil Nadu's support for Eelam Tamil struggle - TNPF

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