Sri Lanka’s garment industry is losing market share in its key export destinations, the US and the EU, to its competitors from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam and Cambodia, according to a report by the Colombo-based Institute of Policy Studies.

"Despite considerable increases in absolute export earnings to both and US and EU markets, it is of concern to note that Sri Lanka’s relative market share in garment exports has been losing ground. The increase in export earnings over the years has been due largely to a shift in Sri Lankan garment exports from the US to EU," the IPS said in its report, ‘Sri Lanka: State of the Economy 2012’.

"Sri Lanka has been seeing a steady decline in its market share in the US from 2.3 percent in 2005 to 1.8 percent in 2011. Sri Lanka has been losing out to countries such as Pakistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Indonesia and Cambodia. Pakistan’s share in the US apparel market was significantly below that of Sri Lanka in 2005 at 1.8 percent, but is now ahead at 2.1 percent. Diversification of its product range, marketing and large investments in value-added sectors including sewing machines, stitching, knitting, finishing and knitting processing have contributed towards Pakistan’s progress,"

"While Sri Lanka has been successful in penetrating the EU market, 2010 and 2011 have seen a marginal decline in the share compared to 2009. Moreover, Sri Lanka is bound to lose its foothold further as the EU GSP Plus concessions eroded. Sri Lanka garment exports will face higher tariffs under the new reforms that would come into effect from 2014. Whereas China and Turkey still account for over half of the garment export share in the EU, Sri Lanka has been losing its market share to competitor countries such as Bangladesh, India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Cambodia. Bangladesh has been particularly successful in penetrating the EU market, with an increase of 6.2 percent in 2009 to 11.2 percent in 2011.”

Industry sources said the country was losing around US$ 1 billion each year due to the withdrawal of GSP Plus, said The Island.

The International Bar Associations Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) expressed serious concern over the visa rejections of its four delegation members who had intended on visiting Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan parliament produced a draft bill that looks to revise the current legislation on ‘terrorist’ financing, reported Colombo Page.

The Sri Lankan government claimed  that revisions of the Terrorist Financing Act No 25 of 2005 needed revision to combat the threat of active ‘terrorists’ oversees.

The Act was amended in 2011, resulting in several terms being redefined.

"Yes. Still believe that although progress been made, much remains to be done. Hope SL gov will work constructively."

"Essential that human rights defenders are free to speak out as we continue to make clear to SL authorities"

"there is freedom of speech but too many comments about intimidation to be ignored"

The Sri Lankan government will reject the US-sponsored resolution at the 22nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, said a member of the cabinet.

Chief Government Whip and Water Supply and Drainage Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told the Daily News that Sri Lanka has fulfilled its obligations as a member of the UN.

"We will explain our human right standards and progress achieved in the sphere of national reconciliation in terms of the previous UN resolution,"

The opposition immigration spokesperson, Scott Morrison, said that if in power they would provide more data on asylum seekers arriving by boat to Sri Lanka.

Morrison said that "generic" information would be supplied, including location of where the boats departed from, where the asylum seekers are from and the name of the smuggler, reports The Australian.

He added that they would not disclose the names of aslyum seekers.

The increasing number of sexual assaults is causing concern amongst tourists, with rapes in Sri Lanka reported to occur 5 times each day.

Last week, a 25-year old German was attacked in broad daylight while sunbathing on a beach in Chilaw. She managed to escape after kicking the would-be rapist and fleeing into a hotel. A 28-year old suspect was arrested.

Dismissing Sri Lanka's celebration of Independence day on 4th February an act that sanctioned the state's genocide of Tamils, Australian Tamils came together in condemnation at the 65 years of genocide that has ensued.

Together with trade union activists, members of the Tamil Coordinating Committee - Australia, raised the Eelam Tamil flag in Geelong, Australia, to protest against what they described as the "international lie of independence in Sri Lanka".

Speaking to Tamil Guardian, Dominic Santhiapillai of the TCC-Australia said:

"Since Feb 4th, 1948 successive Sri Lankan governments have attempted to wipe out the Tamil nation through various pogroms and acts of genocide... The citizenship act in 1948, the Sinhala Only Act in 1956, the republican constitution of 1972 and the burning of Jaffna public library in 1981 are just a few key examples of the steps taken by the state towards this genocide."

Addressing the island for Sri Lanka's celebration of Independence Day from Trincomalee, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa, rejected the possibility of Tamil autonomy, once again.

Despite mounting international pressure to ensure a political solution to the conflict is found that respects the rights of Tamils in the North-East centred around mere devolution of powers, Rajapaksa dismissed any notion of Tamil autonomy or devolution.