Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe accused the UN Special Rapporteur on Independence of Judges and Lawyers of violating “the country’s sovereignty.”

Rejecting the findings of the Rapporteurs report, Mr Rajapakshe said, “we are surprised by the allegations made by her who was in Sri Lanka for only seven days."

"Her knowledge on the judicial systems of various countries is questionable. This report will tarnish Sri Lanka’s image and violate the country’s sovereignty. Ms Pinto in her report alleged that the Constitutional Council is no independent as all appointments are made by the president.”

Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi's Northern Provincial Council members took back the letter of no-confidence against Chief Minister Wigneswaran from Governor Reginald Cooray today.

The use of the word ‘Eelam’ on the pedestal of a Thiruvalluvar statue in Kilinochchi is being investigated by Sri Lankan terrorism police.

Tamils in the UK protested against state repression and the detention of Thirumurugan Gandhi, leader of the Tamil Nadu based May 17 movement.

The Sri Lankan government should immediately repudiate statements by the country’s justice minister threatening to disbar a prominent lawyer for speaking out against attacks on religious minorities, said Human Rights Watch.

In a statement released on Monday, Human Rights Watch director Brad Adams said,

“Government inaction in the face of the justice minister’s threat to revoke the license of a prominent rights lawyer for speaking out on behalf of an embattled community will have reverberations beyond Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka’s friends should be clear they are watching the government’s response clearly.”

The UK’s Department for International Trade has updated its Overseas Business Risk Guidance on Sri Lanka, stating that “doing business in Sri Lanka is not without risks, but lots of companies successfully export to and invest and operate in Sri Lanka.”

Under business and human rights advice, the guidance states that there “is concern for minority rights including those of ethnic groups, LGBT and disabled groups.”

However the guidance makes no reference to internationally recognised  human rights issues which remain unresolved, such as militarisation of the North-East, especially of the economy, and state and military occupation of civilian land.

The leader of the Tamil National Alliance, R Sampanthan confirmed that the no-confidence motion against the Chief Minister of the Northern Province would be withdrawn.

In a letter to Chief Minister CV WIgneswaran, Mr Sampanthan said,

“I have just informed the Hon Governor Northern Province by telephone that the Motion of No _ Confidence will be withdrawn. I am communicating with relevan persons.”

Mr Sampanthan also added that he noted the request of the Chief Minister that northern provincial council ministers under investigation for corruption should not impede in any independent legal inquiry.

Sri Lanka’s cabinet has decided to summon Sri Lankan airlines managerial officials to discuss circumstances leading to a Rs 22bln loss to the company.

During a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Sri Lankan ministers accused the airline of not carrying out government instruction that would have strengthened the company’s position.

The government attempted to save the airline provider by entering into a Private Public Partnership agreement to bolster the airline.

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Kilinochchi locals protested at the town's market this morning, against attempts to oust C. V. Wigneswaran from his position as the Northern Province's Chief Minister.

Businesses across the Jaffna district remained shut today, observing a Hartal in protest of the attempts to overthrow Northern Province Chief Minister, C. V. Wigneswaran, from his position.