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Transparency International Sri Lanka said today in a statement that TISL is alarmed by the continued blocking of social media and other communication tools on the orders of the government and called on the government to immediately reinstate access.

Speaking on the subject TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere noted, "the government must act immediately to remove the ban on social media and instead focus on holding those responsible for hate speech and inciting violence to account under the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights (ICCPR) Act. Instead of blocking social media, the government should be using it as a communication tool", he added.

Furthermore, TISL stated that moves to regulate social media are contradictory to the government's stated commitment to the freedom of expression. They drew attention to the 100 Days manifesto of His Excellency President Maithripala Sirisena, who pledged then that "The Right to Freedom of Thought and Expression will be strengthened".

TISL said that any future steps that can be perceived as 'thought policing' would weaken the freedom of expression and should not be pursued.

The Chairman of the newly appointed Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Saliya Peiris PC, said that the OMP will address the missing and disappeared cases of both civilians and combatants, including several thousand members of the Armed Forces, Police and Civil Defence Force who have been identified as missing in action, in addition to members of various armed groups who were party to Sri Lanka's conflict.

 Main purpose of the OMP is to address the suffering of the many thousands of families living in all parts of the country whose loved ones have gone missing or disappeared during multiple conflicts in Sri Lanka.

 In a statement, Peiris added that the key tasks of the OMP will consist of (i) tracing missing and disappeared persons, clarifying the circumstances in which the act took place (ii) protecting the rights and interests of those missing/disappeared and their next of kin (iii) identifying avenues of redress for those affected and (iv) making recommendations to the relevant authorities in order to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.

 Given the magnitude of the problem and the complexity with respect to the multiple tasks required to search for the missing and the disappeared, the OMP will function as a permanent office, as legislated. In its design the OMP is distinct from previous state mechanisms to deal with disappearances, which were temporary in duration, and served largely to document and recommend, as opposed to being a permanent institution tasked with investigation and tracing. lt will be the task of the present members to establish a credible, efficient and strong institution, which over a period of time will be able to provide relief to the many affected persons and communities.

In doing so, the OMP will ensure that the efforts of previous commissions to examine and investigate disappearances will inform the design of processes and structures of the OMP. In addition, the OMP will employ a consultative approach, speaking to victims and other stakeholders, whilst carefully considering key recommendations made to the Consultation Task Force on Reconciliation Mechanisms (CTF). Victim-centeredness will be a guiding principle for the operationalisation of the OMP. lt is, however, important to recognise that the OMP is one of four institutions and of multiple measures envisaged by the Government to ensure reconciliation and lasting peace within our nation.

The Chairman also stated that the seven members of the OMP represent a cross-section of society, comprising individuals who are experienced in the field of human rights as activists, public servants and professionals, including a family member of a disappeared individual and a retired legal advisor to the Sri Lanka Army. He reiterated that they are deeply committed to the welfare of all the victims of Sri Lanka's conflicts and conscious of the duties entrusted to them by Parliament.

"We are also mindful of the need to perform our functions impartially and objectively. Moreover, our obligations to the disappeared, the missing and their families are paramount in this endeavour", the Chairman added.

The new Mission Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for Sri Lanka and Maldives, Reed J. Aeschliman, who assumed duties on March 5, 2018 arrived in Sri Lanka today, the US Embassy said.

Mr. Aeschliman's arrival corresponds with the start-up of several new initiatives and more than 4.5 billion Sri Lankan rupees in programs that advance youth employability, rule of law, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

"We are fortunate to have Mr. Aeschliman join the U.S. Embassy team as we celebrate 70 years of partnership between the United States and Sri Lanka," said U.S. Ambassador Atul Keshap.

Since 1956, the United States Government has provided more than $2 billion (approximately 300 billion LKR) in development and humanitarian assistance that has benefited Sri Lankans across the country. This assistance has made meaningful impact on inclusive economic growth, good governance reforms, and recovery from humanitarian crises.

"I am honored to work in partnership with the Government and people of Sri Lanka and Maldives to be more effective with U.S. development assistance, expand the assistance to the people who need it the most, and strengthen partnerships and cooperation with the United States," said Mr. Aeschliman.

Mr. Aeschliman has worked at USAID since 2000 and has served in the Philippines and Pacific Islands, Afghanistan, Cambodia, and India, managing the design and implementation of a full range of economic, democratic governance, environment, education, and infrastructure programs. His most recent prior assignment was in Washington where he served as Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Asia.

Details are emerging of Sri Lanka security forces and public officials collaborating with ultra-nationalist Sinhala Buddhist mobs in a riot against Muslims.

Doctors on duty in a government hospital denied treatment to injuries from a severe beating by members of the island's elite police combat unit, alleges a Muslim official from the central hills.

A Sinhala doctor at the Theldeniya hospital had turned down the request to treat bleeding head wounds received at the hands of the Special Task Force (STF), Abdul Saleel Mohamed Fazil told JDS by phone.

'Muslim terrorist'

The doctor had repeatedly referred to the wounded man as 'Thambi', a derogatory Sinhala term widely used against Muslims, while other medical officers looked on.

"The doctor accused me of being a 'Thambi' terrorist," said the 43 year local councillor who says that the STF tried to frame him and two others for racial hatred when Muslims were under attack by Sinhala extremist mobs on 5 March.

"I was with my friend Faizal, when the STF broke into the house. The women and children started screaming as they were terrified. We were dragged down the steps by the STF members, thrust plastic bags filled with petrol on us and bound our hands and feet. They beat us with wooden poles, forcing to admit that we were plotting to attack Sinhala shops."

Nightmares

Mohamed Masood Faizal (40) and a student of Madawala Medina Central College were also mercilessly beaten up alongside Councillor Fazil by more than a dozen of STF personnel.

Mohamed Fazil received head injuries and the police had to take him to the hospital.

“The doctors accused me of a Muslim terrorist who is destroying the country and asked the police officer to go and dump me in a cell.”

Released on bail by court the next day and admitted to the Kandy district hospital, Fazil’s head wound had to be sutured.

They had not been given an opportunity by Theldeniya District Judge MH Fariqdeen to explain the circumstances surrounding their presence in court.

"Since the day of that incident, my kids wake up every night screaming" said Masood Faizal.

"They ask whether the armed troops would come and beat us again. Now I am scared for my family's safety" he added.

"Lost faith on security forces"

Five days after anti Muslim riots hit the central hills, Army Commander Mahesh Senanayake visiting the area announced that thousands of troops have been deployed in the Kandy district as the "police were unable to bring the situation under control".

However, addressing a top level meeting in Kandy the minister of Muslim affairs detailed incidents where the military was also assisting rioters.

“Muslims have lost faith on the security forces," said a visibly frustrated Minister Abdul Haleem, who hails from the area.

"They know who attacked them. But, they are afraid to complain. All this happened when the military, police and STF looked on."

He went on to describe an attack where the STF chased away Muslims who gathered to safeguard a mosque and allowed a Sinhala mob to "finish their job within an hour".

Abdul Latif, an elderly Muslim from Endarutenna, Katugastota broke down in front of the meeting when he went on to describe how telephone calls to three military commanders for help was ignored.

"None of them even bothered to answer the phones. We have nothing left now. The mobs have destroyed everything" he said.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe visiting the riot torn area thanked the security forces for "bringing the situation under control".

He placed the number of damaged places of worship, buildings and vehicles at 465.

In a public appeal for relief, officials of the Masjidul al Akbar Jumma mosque in Rajawella, Digana say that over 4000 families in many Muslim neighbourhoods have been affected by the violence.

Source : JDS

President Maithripala Sirisena, who is on a state visit to Japan, made an observation tour of a modern waste management centre in Shinagawa, Tokyo today (14), the Presidential Media Unit said.

President Sirisena also said that he would inquire about such projects in order to solve the garbage disposal problem in Sri Lanka and would seek the possibility of obtaining assistance from Japan.

Parliamentarian Keheliya Rambukwella son, Ramith Rambukewella’s driving license was temporarily suspended by the Colombo Additional Magistrate today.

He was arrested by the Narahenpita Police on Friday for driving while intoxicated.

Sources from the Police say Rambukwella had almost run over two under graduates of the Open University in Nawala and had then gone on to attack another student during a confrontation with bystanders following the accident. The students involved in the accident had only sustained minor injuries according to the Police. However the individual attacked by Rambukwella had also lodged a complaint against him with the Police regarding the assault.

Days after India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrested one of the five suspected administrators of a Whats App group for allegedly circulating pornographic videos and photographs of children, the agency on Tuesday revealed that the group had 119 members from 40 countries involved in the racket.

Foreign nationals from Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Nigeria, USA and China are also involved in this racket, the CBI said.

In February, The Central Bureau of Investigation busted a global child pornography racket that was operated via a Whats App group named ‘KidsXXX’. The CBI had conducted searches in Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh in connection with the case and arrested one 20-year-old. The agency also noted that they have sought the assistance of Interpol to track down those involved in the racket.

The ban on social media imposed by the government may be lifted on Friday this week Minister Harin Fernando said.

According to him a meeting is to be held in this regard today.

The United National Party has decided to oppose the cabinet paper put forward by the President to abolish the economic council headed by the Prime Minister, according to political sources.

The cabinet did not meet this week as the president is currently on a foreign tour. At the next cabinet meeting, UNP ministers are prepared to make public their objections, the sources further said.

According to sources the UNP MP’s beleive the Prsident is acting in a manner disadvantageous to the UNP with the intention of contesting at the 2020 Presidenttial election. Therefore the MP’s have suggested these acts should be curtailed.

The MP’s are said to be annoyed at the fact that the President has opposed to cabinet paper to provide school students with tablet computers while also blocking the appointment of a Minister for Law and Order that the UNP was favourable to.

JO support for the President

However meanwhile the Joint opposition has claimed that the President is incapable to putting a halt to the destruction of the country’s economy.

Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena made this statement while addressing a media briefing held yesterday (13).

“The whole state apparatus have broken down and the government cannot function further” he said.

“No progress was made because the Economic Policy Committee chaired by the Prime Minister last three years is taking these decisions” he said.

Therefore, the President has decided to abolish the Economic Development Committee the MP pointed out adding that however the Economic Management Committee met last week and that the cabinet paper was postponed.

“Accordingly, it is clear that the President is unable to stop the process of devastating the economy. " he said.

The United National Party has decided to oppose the cabinet paper put forward by the President to abolish the economic council headed by the Prime Minister, according to political sources.

The cabinet did not meet this week as the president is currently on a foreign tour. At the next cabinet meeting, UNP ministers are prepared to make public their objections, the sources further said.

According to sources the UNP MP’s beleive the Prsident is acting in a manner disadvantageous to the UNP with the intention of contesting at the 2020 Presidenttial election. Therefore the MP’s have suggested these acts should be curtailed.

The MP’s are said to be annoyed at the fact that the President has opposed to cabinet paper to provide school students with tablet computers while also blocking the appointment of a Minister for Law and Order that the UNP was favourable to.

JO support for the President

However meanwhile the Joint opposition has claimed that the President is incapable to putting a halt to the destruction of the country’s economy.

Parliamentarian Bandula Gunawardena made this statement while addressing a media briefing held yesterday (13).

“The whole state apparatus have broken down and the government cannot function further” he said.

“No progress was made because the Economic Policy Committee chaired by the Prime Minister last three years is taking these decisions” he said.

Therefore, the President has decided to abolish the Economic Development Committee the MP pointed out adding that however the Economic Management Committee met last week and that the cabinet paper was postponed.

“Accordingly, it is clear that the President is unable to stop the process of devastating the economy. " he said.

Government is attempting to curb anti government websites under the guise of working against racism, sources say. The main target of the ban is reportedly the ‘Lanka e News’ site.

While the website is currently blocked without any court order, however it continues to thrive due to its facebook account.

According to sources the government is said to have informed the facebook company that if the ban on facebook is to be lifted then it must block accounts as informed by the TRC and CERT organizations.

While Lanka e news is known to be anti government, at no time has it incited racial violence in the country.

The Professional Web Journalists Association (PWJA) said during a press conference yesterday that the blocking of social media sites by the government was a bad and ill timed decision and that it failed to address the real issue of racism.

Convener of the PWJA, Freddie Gamage said the government could have used existing laws to prevent the propagation of hate speech and punished those instigating violence, instead of blocking social media. Gamage called the shutdown a move toward a censorship of the media.

“The real racists are not hiding on Facebook, they are out in the open,” one of the members said. They stressed the importance of Facebook and social media for many people including online businesses. “Many businesses operate on social media,” they said. “How can these people carry out their operations now?”

Although the Sri Lankan government said that they would only keep the ban for a 72 hour period, there are no signs of the ban being lifted even though that period has long passed. Under these circumstances, the PWJA requested the government to lift the ban immediately without inconveniencing the public further.

President Maithripala Sirisena met with Japanese Emperor Akihito in order to strengthen ties between the two countries in Tokyo earlier today.

The President and first lady Jayanthi Sirisena were warmly welcomed by the Emperor and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

President Sirisena and the Emperor engaged in a cordial discussion and at the meeting, the Emperor assured that this meeting will further strengthen the long-standing ties between the two countries.

Furthermore, the President said that he intends to strengthen ties between the two countries in all aspects.

President Maithripala Sirisena arrived in Japan on a state visit at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe yesterday and will hold bilateral discussions with the Japanese Premier during his stay.

He will also be accorded an honorary welcome of the Japanese government at the Prime Minister’s office tomorrow.

Source : Daily News