Human rights groups have criticised the British government’s stance on Sri Lanka and called for a Rolls Royce engine deal with Sri Lankan Airlines not to influence their position, in light of British Prime Minister David Cameron’s decision to attend the upcoming Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting. The Guardian reported Amnesty's UK head of policy and government affairs, Allan Hogarth, said, "This must not detract from raising human rights issues. It must not be a condition on Britain remaining silent". Brad Adams, of Human Rights Watch, also commented on the deal, stating, "The UN estimates that 40,000 civilians were killed by the Sri Lankan army. Although the British economy is in trouble, it would be a serious outrage and betrayal of basic principles to sell the attendance of the Queen or prime minister at CHOGM for the purchase of some Rolls-Royce engines. These decisions should be made independently and on the merits." The British Foreign Office meanwhile responded by saying, "The decision to hold the meeting in Sri Lanka was taken by the Commonwealth as a whole in 2009 and reaffirmed in 2011. We respect the collective will of the Commonwealth". "Obviously, you have to separate the bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka from CHOGM. They are aligned but our decision on CHOGM will be a result ultimately of what our objectives are for that meeting. Our relationship with Sri Lanka is not defined by one meeting." See more from The Guardian here .
The Jathika Hela Urumaya (JHU) - a constituent of the ruling UPFA coalition, warned yesterday that it would quit the coalition, if the Northern Provincial Council election, was to take place. The National Organizer of the JHU, Nishantha Sri Warnasinghe, said he was confidence the government would consider their concerns. Warnasinghe said if elections must be held then the gazette notification announcing the polls should only be issued after altering the Provincial Council Act and reviewing the granting of land and police powers. He also confirmed the government is actively engaging in...
Officials have confirmed the UK Prime Minister David Cameron will attend CHOGM despite increasing calls to boycott the event, reports the Telegraph . A government spokesperson said: “We do not think that turning away from the problem is the best way to make progress in Sri Lanka. There’s nothing to suggest that not going will convince Rajapaksa he must do more,” “Instead, we should make very clear that as the incoming chair of Chogm they need to live up the values of the Commonwealth. We believe that the attendance of many world leaders and the global media will help to shine a light on what is going on the country, what has been achieved and what more needs to be done. “And the PM will use his visit to see the situation in the country for himself and be clear on what progress is needed.”
Thailand and Sri Lanka have agreed to double trade between the two countries to $1bn over the next three to five years. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul agreed the increase while in Colombo at the the 3rd Sri Lanka-Thailand Joint Commission meeting, alongside Sri Lankan External Affairs Minister GL Peiris. "With a population of 20 million and high potential of economic expansion, I believe Sri Lanka presents an opportunity for Thailand," Surapong said, adding that trade currently was valued at around $500mn. The Foreign Minister said that the Sri Lankan government wants Thai...
The Sri Lankan government has begun to appropriate over 400 acres of land belonging to Tamil families in Veerapuram, Vavuniya, and transferring it to Sinhala families from Ulukullam, reports Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian, Sivasakthi Anandan. This newest case of land appropriation comes as, in a similar move, the private lands of Tamils of the North, were appropriated to increase the militarisation of the North-East by constructing a new Sri Lankan army brigade headquarter. See our latest editorial on land appropriation. Grounding the struggle (02 May 2013)
Australia's Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connorhas once again reiterated his country's support for Sri Lanka hosting the Commonwealth Heads Of Government Meeting in Colombo later this year, whilst visiting the island. The Minister also stated that Australia had made it "very, very clear" that Sri Lanka had to do more to pursue reconciliation, as the summit approaches. He told reporters in Colombo, "The Sri Lankan government is serious about responding to these concerns in a practical way," "We made it very very clear. We want to see progress on the recommendations of the LLRC report," "We...
The Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Canada has slammed the Canadian government's threat to boycott the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Sri Lanka later this year, accusing Canada was strengthening " evil forces ". In a statement published on Thursday, the High Commissioner, Chitranganee Wagiswara, said it was “ appalling and unprecedented for certain quarters to express views ," that went against a decision made by the heads of state on who would host the upcoming event. Wagiswara added , “Notably certain separatist elements within the diaspora i ncluding in Canada, still continue...
Brendan O'Connor, the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, reported commended the Sri Lankan Navy for their efforts in preventing those seeking asylum from fleeing from the country, according to government sources. O’Connor is currently visiting Sri Lanka and held talks with Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, with the Sri Lankan Navy website reporting, “The Minister conveyed his appreciation for the SLN’s efforts in countering irregular migration and commended the commitment shown by SLN personnel in rescuing of persons coerced to take on the...
A workshop for media in Sri Lanka was held by the government to mark World Press Freedom Day, under the title “Patriotism and the role of media”. Minister of Mass Media and Information Keheliya Rambukwella said at the event that Sri Lanka’s media has to act responsibly and with self-constraint. “The media which is a trustworthy and powerful tool in moulding people’s opinion and understanding is playing an important and powerful assignment similar to the legislature, the executive and the judiciary. “As it has been acknowledged in the constitution the right of the people for their freedom of...
Marking World Press Day, the Jaffna Press Club called for action to stop the on-going "violence unleashed again on the media in the Northern part of Sri Lanka". In a statement released on Friday, the JPC called on the international community and Sri Lanka, 1) To create an environment conducive to journalists and media personnel; 2) For perpetrators of violence against journalists, media personnel and media establishments to be brought to justice; 3) For the fate of the all disappeared journalists to be made public; 4) Appropriate compensations to be granted to the next-of- kin of killed and...