Sri Lanka’s Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa has snubbed the United States, stating that China would be there to help replace any losses, reported Colombo Telegraph . Speaking at a presentation ceremony by the National Chamber of Commerce, Rajapaksa stated that US Ambassador Sison questioned him “each time” he met her over the inaction in punishing Sri Lankan soldiers for alleged war crimes. Rajapaksa rebuffed her comments, stating “The biggest threat the US can pose to Sri Lanka’s military is to take away their defence scholarships… We can send our soldiers to China for training” He went...
Leader of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), R Sampanthan, spoke at his home on Saturday about the reassignment of local council borders and the 'current' political situation. Sampanthan claimed that resolving Tamil grievances was not a government priority and that he hoped for a meaningful action at the UN Human Rights Council in March. Uthayan reports that Sampanthan further stated: "No-one can deny the Tamils our birth rights. Authority must be handed back to us. In order for Tamils to live as equal citizens, it is essential that power is in our own hands."
The leader of the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, Rauff Hakeem, has claimed that an increase in anti-Muslim incidents could be due to an international conspiracy against Sri Lanka. The Justice Minister urged the government to put a stop to the “hate campaign”, which included protests against halal meat, organised by Buddhist monks. The Buddhist Power Force, better known as Bodu Bala Sena, claims that the island’s Muslims are a threat to Buddhism and their way of life and that they will “strengthen and defend the Buddhist religion and its heritage,” using all options. Hakeem said in a statement...
The body of a young woman was found in Visuvamadu, Kilinochchi, reports Tamilwin. The body, found badly burnt, was discovered by a passerby in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police state that they have no further details on the identity or circumstances of the corpse.
The Chinese government has donated $50million worth of sports equipment to the government, for distribution amongst children in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi. An agreement was signed by China's Ambassador to Sri Lanka Wu Jianghao and External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris at an event in Temple Trees, reported ColomboPage. The Chinese Ambassador said at the function that he toured several areas in the North, including Jaffna, some time ago and observed the change that has taken place in the areas affected by the conflict. Mr Jianghao stressed his government's support to uplift civilian life...
Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister GL Peiris has criticised the raising of the impeachment of the former Chief Justice by countries like the UK, US and Canada, reported The Island . "We have the situation in which, for example, the prime minister of one country is specifically calling for the reinstatement of former CJ, "On no basis can one justify that. How can the Prime Minister of one country call for the reinstatement of the CJ in another country? That is almost impertinent." Peiris said that the hosting of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting by Sri Lanka was decided in 2009...
The body of a young woman was found today washed up on the shore by the Kalmunai Vihara, reports Tamilwin. The body, found at 6am this morning, is that of 34 year old Muslim woman called Aathampaavaa Risaanaa. She was reported missing three days prior.
A former member of the Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group from 2010 to 2011, Sir Ronald Sanders, argues "it is time for the Commonwealth of Nations to suspend Sri Lanka from its councils", in an op-ed published in the Huntington News on Thursday. See here for his full piece. Extracts published below: "The Sri Lanka government has now seriously and persistently violated the principles to which every Commonwealth country has declared itself to be committed, and, according to the Commonwealth’s rules this is ground for suspension from its councils as a first step."
A US State Department delegation is set to visit Sri Lanka in the coming weeks to prepare for the United Nations Human Rights Council Session in March, reported Ceylon Today. The delegation will reportedly consist of three deputy assistant secretaries in good governance, democracy and human rights working under r Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, Robert O. Blake. Ceylon Today quoted embassy sources as saying, “Though it could not be pinpointed the visit instigated solely because of the impeachment, the latter played a bigger role in their basic needs expected...
A central committee member of the Tamil National People's Front (TNPF), Kandeepan Thangarajah, has been threatened by Sri Lankan security forces and paramilitary group EPDP over his presence at protests against sand mining. Speaking to local residents at the protest whilst Thangarajah was not present, Point Pedro police and members of the paramilitary group, EPDP, accused Thangarajah of instigating the protests and warned protesters that he would be arrested if the protests did not stop. Meanwhile, Thangarajah's wife has reportedly been receiving several phone calls from a Sri Lankan Army...