News

(Xinhua) - China on Wednesday donated a batch of security equipment to the Sri Lankan Parliament to ensure the safety of the public and legislators following the recent terror attacks in the country.

The security equipment, which is worth Rs. 33 million (187,000 USD), including three state-of-the-art portable X-Ray machines and five walk-through metal detectors, were handed over to Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya by Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Cheng Xueyuan.

Karu Jayasuriya, while thanking the Chinese government and its people, said the donation of the security equipment to the Sri Lankan Parliament was "very valuable" following the terror attacks.

"During the time of any natural or tragic calamity, China has been one of the first countries who has always stood ready to help Sri Lanka. We are grateful to the Chinese government and its people," Jayasuriya said.

Ambassador Cheng said after the brutal terrorist attacks on April 21 in Sri Lanka, the Chinese government and its people have been standing together with the Sri Lankan side and firmly supported Sri Lanka to safeguard its national security and stability.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka also issued a statement on Wednesday, saying that the urgently needed security equipment provided by China will better secure the safety of the MPs from all political parties, as well as the Parliament staff, journalists and visitors.

"Currently, the Chinese government is studying implementing the requests raised by the Sri Lankan government case by case according to the priority," the statement added

"Shakthika Sathkumara has never ordered assailants in white vans to abduct innocents. Neither has he ever ordered for their stomachs to be gutted and thrown in the sea or the crematorium of the Borella cemetery. He has not either directly or indirectly had a hand in the bond scam. According to our knowledge, Shakthika has never engaged in anything which can be deemed as anti-social.

He is only responsible for ‘creating’. Reading this ‘creation’ written by Shakthika, a few robed individuals have been left offended. Taking it as an insult to the Buddha Sasana and themselves they have decided to initiate legal action against the author. As a result, a man whom we have never met and only known to us by name is languishing in prison.

Through his work, he has only sought to re-create a notion that many have guessed to be true. He has merely changed the angles of a well-known story to re-create yet another version of it. Perhaps he could have done it better. However, we have decided to stand for him and oppose this unjust imprisonment as creativity and re-creating a story is Shakthika’s right as an author. When I say ‘we’ I am referring to a group of ordinary citizens who merely wants to see justice done.

The remanding of Shakthika even for a day and separating him from his loved ones for merely writing something is truly a punishment. We are against this punishment meted out by the government who has joined hands with the religious authorities of this country. This punishment can never be justified. It is a punishment that may come in search for you next after having dealt with Shakthika. A majority who understood this joined us on April 4. I must thank those who supported us on the day. Your conscience which awoke at this necessary moment is the light which guides us to eventual human freedom."

Let us march forward against those who seek to strip us of our right to write, speak and think! Join us today (17) at 3.00 pm in front of the Fort Railway Station!!!

(Extracted from the Facebook page of Poet and Author Wimal Katipearachchi): https://www.facebook.com/wimal.ketipearachchi

Shakthika Sathkumara, the award-winning, Sri Lankan novelist,was arrested in April over a story about homosexuality and child abuse in the Buddhist clergy in Sri Lanka.

He was charged by a local magistrate with inciting religious hatred and breaching the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a multilateral treaty adopted by the U.N. General Assembly.

U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo is unable to visit Sri Lanka as previously announced due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts during his upcoming visit to the Indo-Pacific region that includes accompanying President Donald J. Trump to the G20 Summit in Japan, US embassy in Colombo said

The embassy statement added that Secretary Pompeo regrets that he is no longer able to visit Colombo at this time. He hopes to travel to Sri Lanka at a later date to underscore our strong partnership with Sri Lanka, which is rooted in a commitment to democracy, economic growth and a free, open Indo-Pacific region.

The United States remains committed to these objectives and looks forward to building on our longstanding partnership.

The Sri Lankan government must immediately halt plans to forcibly return asylum-seekers to their countries of origin in violation of international law, international human rights watchdog Amnesty International said.

Individuals from Pakistani religious minority groups, in particular Christians and Shi’as who sought sanctuary in Sri Lanka over recent years and were displaced by the Easter Sunday attacks, have been detained and could be deported by the authorities in a move that would breach the customary international law principle of non-refoulement by putting them at risk of serious human rights violations, Amnesty International said.

“Sri Lanka must halt plans to forcibly return these people and put their lives in harm’s way. They have been forced from their homes twice now, first in their own countries and now in the country where they sought safety and shelter. By sending them back to face the threats they first fled, the authorities would be violating international law,” said Biraj Patnaik, South Asia Director at Amnesty International.

Refugees and asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka became a target of reprisal attacks in the wake of the Easter Sunday massacre that claimed the lives of more than 250 people when three churches and three hotels were bombed by an armed group claiming links to the so-called “Islamic State”. Wielding sticks and other weapons, mobs gathered outside the homes of refugees and asylum seekers, demanding they leave immediately. Grabbing the few possessions they could, they sought refuge in nearby police stations and community centres.

The people at risk of deportation have had their asylum claims rejected by the UN refugee agency. Under customary international law, however, the principle of non-refoulement applies to all people, regardless of their asylum status. No one can be sent to a risk of irreparable harm.

There are more than 1,200 refugees and asylum seekers who have been displaced by the violence in the aftermath of the 21 April 2019 attacks. They include more than 1,000 Pakistani Ahmadi Muslims, while the remaining 200 are mostly from religious minorities from Pakistan and Afghanistan, including Pakistani Christians, Pakistan Shi’as, and Afghan Shi’a Hazaras. The people at risk of deportation include Pakistani Christians and Pakistani Shi’as, religious minorities that have faced violence at the hands of armed groups and accusations of “blasphemy”, an offence that carries a maximum punishment of the death penalty.

“Sri Lanka has for years welcomed people fleeing persecution in their own countries. It should build on this positive record, not reverse it. There has to be a fair process, and no one should be deported to face serious human rights violations, whatever their status of their asylum claims,” said Biraj Patnaik.

Growth in Sri Lanka’s economy picked up to 3.5% in the first quarter from 1.8% in the previous three-month period, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said yesterday.

Economic growth in the island nation’s 2018 fourth quarter had slowed to a nearly four-year low as a 51-day political crisis took a toll on the industrial sector.

The political crisis created panic and uncertainty among investors, who dumped Sri Lankan government bonds and other assets, sending the rupee currency to record lows.

The industrial sector, accounting for more than a quarter of the economy, had contracted 3.6% in the fourth quarter of 2018.

“Under our government, we took the real growth to the villages ... the economy in the first quarter grew at 3.5% against 1.8% last quarter, which was hit due to the political crisis,” Samaraweera told Parliament.

The sluggish quarterly growth dragged the country’s annual expansion to a 17-year low of 3.2% in 2018, compared with 3.4% in the previous year.

Last month, central bank Governor Indrajit Coomaraswamy said he expected the economy to grow by 3% or less this year, dented by the impact of the Easter Sunday bombings.

The central bank was preparing a downward revision to its earlier projection of 4% growth.

Sri Lanka’s economic growth is expected to slump to a nearly two-decade low this year, a Reuters poll showed, as tourism, foreign investment and overall business activity eased sharply in the wake of the bombings.

Security in Sri Lanka has been ramped up since the April 21 attacks by Islamic militants, who killed over 250 people including 42 foreign nationals in churches and hotels across the country. Tourism, which accounts for 5% of the country’s gross domestic product, has suffered as travellers from around the globe cancelled hotel and flight bookings.

Rs. 48000 million through 'Gamperaliya' for rural development projects

Minister Samaraweera said that the government has taken the real development to the village through the Gamperaliya rapid rural development programme and Rs. 48000 million worth of development projects are being implemented throughout the island.

"Human development is given priority in a modern market economy. Under our Government, true development is carried out in the villages. The country has become a workplace. The village's small-scale contractors, businessmen and village unions and associations have the opportunity to earn an income while developing their own areas and their own development."

The Deputy Leader of the United National Party (UNP) Sajith Premadasa called on UNP Chairman and former Minister Kabir Hashim to rejoin the Cabinet as soon as possible and take his place in the journey to chart a new political future for all Sri Lankans.

Issuing a statement yesterday, the Minister of Housing, Construction and Cultural Affairs said that both the country and the people need leaders of the calibre of Hashim, who set an example to leaders across the political spectrum when he sacrificed his cabinet portfolio in solidarity with the Muslim community.

Full text of statement by Minister Sajith Premadasa:

"At a time when the people of Sri Lanka see politicians as self-serving and power hungry, UNP Chairman Kabir Hashim set an example to leaders across the political spectrum when he sacrificed his cabinet ministry in solidarity with the Muslim community. I believe this act of courage by a senior cabinet minister who has not been accused of extremism or any wrongdoing has set a high bar for integrity and solidarity.

I understand why Hon. Kabir Hashim took this course of action. Seeing his cabinet colleagues falling victim to hate speech and a mob mentality, it was natural for a moral man, a decent man and a principled man like Kabir Hashim, to stand up to xenophobia and stand firmly between his colleagues and those who preach hatred and division along ethnic and religious lines.

Mr. Hashim is a leader who has been elected several times by voters of all communities, whether Sinhalese or Tamil, and of all religions, Buddhists, Hindus and Christians, in the Kegalle District. Even in 2010, when only 60 UNP MPs were elected to Parliament, Kabir Hashim was one of those who held the confidence of his electorate and did the party proud.

Yesterday’s protests in the Kegalle District calling upon Kabir Hashim to reenter the Cabinet of Ministers and reclaim his portfolio demonstrate that the people still have confidence in Kabir Hashim. Now, more than ever, this country needs experienced, educated professionals like Kabir Hashim to develop this country and unite our people across artificial cultural boundaries. As the Deputy Leader of the UNP, I believe the party too needs people of Kabir Hashim’s caliber at the frontlines of our mission to lead Sri Lanka into the future.

Now is not the time for people of his caliber to remain in the shadows. Now is the time for leaders to come forward, step up and play their part in charting the future of the UNP and the future of the country. I formally call upon Hon. Kabir Hashim to rejoin the cabinet as soon as possible and take his place in our journey to chart a new political future for all Sri Lankans.”

In a startling turn of events delivering a hateful sermon recently, the Maha Nayaka of the Asgiriya chapter Warakagoda Gnanarathana Thera claimed that while the law is useless, Muslim medical practitioner Dr. Shafi Sahabdeen should be stoned to death.

The monk did not name the doctor, but said Buddhist women devotees wanted him stoned.

"Such traitors should not be allowed to stay free. Some 'upasaka ammas' said he should be stoned to death. I don’t say that, but that is what should be done."

By making such statements, one can only question if Gnanarathana Thera is advocating a Taliban form of Buddhism.

Furthermore, Gnanarathana Thera urged his faithful not to patronize Muslim-owned restaurants saying they were systematically working to reduce the population of Sinhala-Buddhists by making them sterile.

"Don’t eat from those (Muslim) shops," the monk said. "Those who ate from those shops will not have children in the future. In another 10 to 15 years we will know the consequence.

At a socially sensitive time, statements which can incite racial tensions are serious in nature. Therefore, Gnanarathana Thera should be arrested. Gnanarathana Thera who represents one section of a casteist sangha society made these statements right after the revered Poson Poya. His comments not only harms racial harmony in the country but directly contravenes the teachings of the Lord Buddha.

This is clearly explained by Galkande Dhammananda Thera, a senior lecturer of the University of Kelaniya.

It also must be questioned if the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Act not applicable to Gnanarathana Thera? Can the Mahanayaka Theras be above the law? Is this not a country of civilized people? If not is it a hell where the law does not apply to hateful extremists?

The proposal made by Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in his budget 2019 to remove the pensioners’ salary anomalies will be implemented effective from next month, the Ministry of Finance said.

Accordingly, over 500,000 public servants who retired before December 31, 2015, will be benefited by the removal of this salary anomaly.

The monthly salary of the public servants who retired before 31.12.2015 will be increased by minimum of Rs.2,800 and the maximum of Rs.20,000. These pensioners will receive this monetary benefit based on the removal of the anomaly that existed in the pension of those who retired before December 2015.

This salary anomaly was created as a result of those who retired before December 31, 2015 and others who retired thereafter were were considered under two different circulars, a Finance Ministry spokesperson said.

Pensions were paid to the public servants who retired before December 31, 2015 under Circular 05/2015 and their counterparts who retired thereafter were paid pensions under Circular 03/2016. The salary amendments are made systematically until 2020 for the pensioners coming under 03/2016 and their basic salary will be increased by 107 per cent in 2020 when compared with that of 2016.

Accordingly, the salary of a retired KKS Grade I who retired before 31.12.2015 has been increased by Rs.2800. The salary of a retired Management Assistant Grade I has been increased by Rs.5,200 under the proposed new pension scheme.

Pension of Teacher in Grade one service I will be increased by Rs.9,200 and the salary of a retired Nursing Officer will be increased by Rs.9,200.

The salary of a retired Police Sergeant will be increased by Rs.4200.
A retired senior executive officer will get an increase by Rs.16,000 and the salary of a ministry secretary who retired before 31.12.2015 will be increased by Rs.20,000.

Following is the sample Salary Increment criterion for retired pensioners of different designations.

Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera in his Budget – 2019 had announced the removal of this pension anomaly of over 500,000 pensioners and had allocated Rs.12,000 million in the budget to pay these salary increments to pensioners.

President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to give a 6-month service extension to the Army's second in command and Chief of Staff, Major General Shavendra Silva, as he is due to retire from active service on June 21, upon reaching the age of 55, sources from the Presidential Secretariat say.

Sources added that Shavendra Silva will receive his extension in the same manner as the former Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Dampath Fernando. Accordingly, Silva has received approval to continue in his current position until November 21.

The extension given to Army chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake by President Sirisena will also expire on the 18th of August, this year.

Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, the person who is generally viewed as the successor to current Army chief Senanayake, is also scheduled to retire on November 21, upon reaching the age of 55.

The last person to receive a service extension after reaching the age of 55 was Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, during his tenure as the Army commander.

Sri Lanka Free Media Movement has condemned the use of a UN backed ICCPR law to suppress media, journalists and free expression and called on all stakeholders to intervene.

Sri Lanka's Free Media Movements, a media rights group said police organized crime division is trying to prosecute Kusal Perera, a senior journalist who wrote a column in Sri Lanka's Daily Mirror newspaper over recent anti-Muslim violence.

"Kusal Perera, has been engaged in journalism for a long time in both the Sinhala and English media and has been recognized as a socially responsible professional journalist both locally and internationally," the Free Media Movement said in a statement.

"The Free media Movement points out that this effort by the Police is a serious threat to the freedom of expression and media and the pursuance of legal action under the ICCPR Act which includes provision to disallow bail, based on a complaint of an individual regarding the article published by a veteran journalist in a recognized print media, is a dangerous precedent.

"The Free Media Movement urges all relevant stakeholders to intervene in averting this situation and for everyone who respect human rights to come forward to defeat such actions against the Freedom of expression and media freedoms.

•     SL Muslims have the highest population growth rates
•     SL Muslims have large families
•     SL Muslims do not practice family planning
•     The percentage of SL Muslims in the total population is steadily increasing
•     SL Muslims are wealthy
•     Muslim Males can have four wives simultaneously
•     Muslims have high fertility rates
•     Islam is the fastest growing religion in the World

Although many Muslims have attempted to address this issue and allay such fears, it continues to  persist and is made use of by various racist elements and groups to foment and aggravate anti-Muslim sentiments to achieve their own political, economic and social goals.

The size of the gap between the numbers of Buddhists and Muslims in Sri Lanka has continued to increase steadily since 1881. This is illustrated more clearly in the chart below.

A secret mission to save Former Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa from a civil suit filed against him at a California District Court is being reported. According to sources, the move has been launched from within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where attempts are being made to absolve him from the case by requesting the US government to grant Rajapaksa diplomatic immunity.

The only way to save him now appears to be providing him diplomatic immunity by the Sri Lankan government and informing the US counterparts through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. However, this is in spite of the fact that Rajapaksa now holds no official post in the Sri Lankan government.

But if such a move is taken, it will eventually be up to the Judge to decide if to proceed with the case. Sources say the move to save Rajapaksa from the allegations have been launched with the blessings of both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Lasantha Assassination

Justice and Respondents Contribution is providing legal aid to one of the cases filed by Ahimsa Wickrematunge in April 2019. She is the daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge.

The case alleges that Rajapaksa is responsible for the death of Lasantha Wickrematunge and violence being perpetrated against other journalists who were critical of the former government.

It was Justice and Respondents Contribution that assisted the family of Singer Victor Jara who was killed by the dictatorship of Chile’s Augusto Pinochet and the families of Bishop Oscar Romero and other Salvadoran citizens killed by Salvador government forces to obtain justice.

Second case against Gota

Another case was also filed by Canadian Tamil Roy Samadanam. He is being supported by the International Justice and Truth Project based in South Africa. He claims he was held for three years illegally after being arrested in 2017.

Samadanam is being represented by Lawyer Scott Gilmore from leading international legal firm Hausfeld.