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Acquit Duminda Silva - Presidential Commission on Political Victimization recommends ?
Ukrainian tourists test positive for Covid-19
Sri Lanka welcomed its first batch of foreign tourists since March, a group comprising 180 Ukrainian nationals, as part of a pilot project aimed at reviving the tourism industry.
The three tourists who were diagnosed with the coronavirus have been referred for treatment.
The tourists were directed to their respective hotels after undergoing PCR tests.
The second batch of 204 Ukrainian tourists arrived in Sri Lanka yesterday (29).
SLFP ready to go solo if treated unfairly - Maithripala Sirisena
In an interview with The Hindu, former President Sirisena said if there is no fair treatment, the SLFP will decide on a solo journey and it is ready for both options.
He said the ruling party organised political attacks on Sri Lanka Freedom Party candidates who had been nominated for the General Election in August 2020.
“We are bound to a platform of democracy and we want to strengthen it. Whenever we come into a coalition, we insist that democracy and human rights be respected. The Buddhist doctrine offers ample guidance on how to run a State,” said Sirisena.
Commenting on the provincial councils in the country, Sirisena said the provincial council system has been in existence for over 30 years and Sri Lanka hasn’t seriously evaluated if they have been successful in serving the purpose they were supposed to.
“One of the main problems is that of the total allocations to the provincial councils annually, only 25 % or so goes into the actual development of the provinces. Nearly 75 % goes towards salaries, vehicles, telephone and electricity bills. There is an excessive number of employees in the provincial councils,” he remarked.
“When the central government pumps in money into the provincial councils, it is done as an investment for the development of the country. However, the return on such investment has been less. So we need to reduce wasteful expenditure, perhaps by reducing the number of councillors and employees, in order to increase the return on investment, he added”
Former President Sirisena said the 30 year-experience of running provincial councils has not yielded the desired results in terms of developing all parts of the country.
Adding the creation of the provincial councils was an investment, Sirisena said Sri Lanka has been keeping them going for 30 years, and when they don’t yield the benefits that were expected in terms of development, people and the government should take a fair decision.
“The 13th Amendment is a product of the Indo-Lanka Accord of 1987. The Provincial Councils Act is a product of the 13th Amendment. So, I know it is not that easy to abolish provincial councils. India could get a little upset with us if we completely do away with the 13th Amendment,” he said.
Former President Sirisena said in the region, the friendship with India is very important to Sri Lanka adding the friendship between the two countries is of utmost importance and should be strengthened by all governments.
Abolishing provincial councils is like playing with fire, said Sirisena.
Commenting on the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, the Former Head of State said he did not like the fact that the 19th Amendment has been abolished.
“Had I been the President, I would have made changes to the 19th Amendment to strengthen it. There were some drawbacks in it, I would have addressed those,” he said.
Speaking further to The Hindu, Sirisena said it is a fact that in Sri Lanka the Sinhalese are the majority and Sri Lanka must ensure Tamils, Muslims, and Burghers have equal rights as minorities.
“For example, take the issue of mandatory cremation of victims of Covid-19. Muslims must be given the right to bury their relatives who succumbed to it. The WHO [World Health Organization] says it is possible to bury. As a former Minister of Health, I stand by the opinion of the WHO,” he stressed.
He said one cannot develop the country when the sentiments of minority communities are hurt and stressed one has to ensure that democracy and economic development are shared equally by all ethnic groups in this country.
“I am happy with everything I did. I did everything with good intentions. My time in office is historic for the fact that no government-owned rifle ever shot at a citizen,” said the former President.
“During my time, there were protests every day on the streets, by students, by workers. I had ordered the police and army not to ever resort to shooting. I told them they could take legal action later, but should never fire a single shot, even though the protests gave me a lot of mental agony. That is one of my greatest achievements as a leader,” he noted.
Sri Lanka embraces first batch of foreign tourists since March
The batch of foreign tourists, who arrived on board a SkyUp Airlines flight, will be staying in the country for around 10-14 days, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
They are the first group of tourists to arrive in the island since March this year when airports were closed owing to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sri Lanka has reopened its airspace for commercial flights as the island nation looks to once again kick start the tourism industry which was on hold due to the coronavirus contagion.
Accordingly, the charter flight with 185 passengers from Ukraine which arrived yesterday, marked the first flight to arrive under the pilot project aiming to bring back foreign tourists to Sri Lanka.
Deputy Chairman of Airport and Aviation Sri Lanka Ltd, Rajiv Sooriyarachchi said that after this group of tourists reached the airport, they were subjected to all quarantine procedures.
The Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) had announced earlier that it will resume international flights operations from December 26, eight months after they were closed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.
However, a decision was taken to postpone the resumption of flights in the wake of the new coronavirus strain, which is spreading fast in the UK.
Due to the postponement, a flight carrying Russian tourists which was scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka on Sunday had been cancelled.
Several countries across the world have already closed their land and sea borders and suspended commercial flights over fears about the new coronavirus strain.
Government trying to conceal their failures through misinformation - Former Speaker
He made this statement at a press briefing convened by the National Movement for a Just Society in Colombo today (31).
He pointed out that the murder of a group of inmates at the Mahara Prison is one such example.
"An official government statement said that none of the inmates had been shot. But what did the investigations reveal later on? It was clear that all 8 inmates that died had been shot," Jayasuriya said.
Although the government had officially stated that no inmate was shot, the probe into the Mahara prison riots revealed that all 8 inmates who had died that day had been shot, the former Speaker said.
"Such situations are not only tragic but also extremely dangerous. At the same time, the government must realise that it could have a very negative impact on our country including our standing in the international community.
However, in the end, the truth will prevail. Therefore, they need to understand that truth cannot be permanently suppressed by force. We also like to commend all the members of the committee appointed to investigate the deaths of the inmates for revealing the truth to the country. They have set a good example for other commissions of inquiry in this country," he said.
Our intention is not only to educate our fellow citizens for the benefit of our country but also to apprise the relevant government authorities. Our intentions are very sincere.
We know that the people of this country are facing many difficulties today, not only due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but also due to the incompetence of the government authorities. However, we aren't pointing out these facts to embarrass the government. We hope that the government will act in the best interests of the people of this country, taking into account the facts and constructive criticisms that we have made over the course of these few months.
However, it is unfortunate that we still have to point out that the government is using the unfettered power obtained through the passage of the 20th Amendment, to enforce arbitrary actions that are completely contrary to democratic principles. Therefore, we can't turn a blind eye to such actions.
Today, it is quite apparent to us that this government is not only destroying the pillars of democracy of the country but the freedoms of the public, placing their welfare in jeopardy. They are also shamelessly trying to cover up their failures by presenting false and misleading information.
The murder of a group of inmates at the Mahara Prison is one such example. An official government statement said that none of the inmates had been shot. But what did the investigations reveal later on? It was clear that all 8 inmates that died had been shot. Such situations are not only tragic but also extremely dangerous. At the same time, the government must realise that it could have a very negative impact on our country including our standing in the international community.
However, in the end, the truth will prevail. Therefore, they need to understand that truth cannot be permanently suppressed by force. We also like to commend all the members of the committee appointed to investigate the deaths of the inmates for revealing the truth to the country. They have set a good example for other commissions of inquiry in this country.
The most important aspect of public administration is to follow a consistent policy as well as to present accurate data and information in reporting its progress. However, in recent times, we have seen that the data has been subjected to many changes at various times. We need to understand that such incidents are detrimental to the government and the relevant institutions.
For example, we saw a report that said that the chairman of a leading state institution in the country was removed from office on the orders of His Excellency the President due to allegations of corruption. The next day, the same media reported that the chairman had resigned due to time constraints. Subsequent reports told a different story. The person in question, who was functioning as the chairman of two institutions, had only resigned from the post of chairman of just one institution. What is more important here is what transpired after. It is now reported that His Excellency the President has appointed the same person as the new chairman of the Sri Lanka Standards Institute.
How should we comprehend such events? We don't need to interpret this any differently than to realise that these acts are done to deceive the public. Today, the people of the country are well aware of what is happening. However, due to such contradictory actions, the reputation of the President will be ruined in the end.
If we take into account what has transpired this year, we need to be further vigilant about the adverse effects the 20th Amendment has had on the country. The 20th Amendment has deprived the rights of 21 million people and handed them over to one person.
The government must now realise that the vast majority of the Sri Lankan intelligentsia, as well as the majority of the religious leadership, do not approve of the current situation. Understanding the true opinions of the people can lead to the future prosperity of the government.
The 20th Amendment abolished the existing Constitutional Council and transformed the Independent Commissions into institutions that could be turned into mere political pawns. Institutions such as the Public Utilities Commission have been deactivated and their political allies have been given the green light to misuse public funds. The public looks on with disgust at such wrongdoings. No civilised country would go down such a road.
We do not wish to comment further at this time. A group of members of the intelligence council will present the views of our organisation in relation to their respective areas.
Finally, we would like to make one prediction. We presume that the future generations of this country will not pardon them for the destruction they have caused to democracy and the rights of the people by the 20th Amendment. We may not be alive then, but the future generations will regard the founders of the 20th Amendment as traitors.
However, we are all optimistic about the coming new year.
We wholeheartedly wish that 2021 will be a year that will benefit the country, fulfill the aspirations of the people while taking decisions for the benefit of future generations."
Forced cremations: Peaceful march by father-son duo blocked by Police
Protesting against the forced cremation of covid-19 victims the father, Mohammed Fowze and his son clad in white carrying placards with slogans seeking burial of the dead Muslims started their protest walk from Kalmunai to Akkaraipattu which was stopped at Sainthamaruthu.
Based on a petition from Kalmunai police citing Covid-19 restrictions, potential damage to private and public property and disruption of traffic, the local magistrate issued a restraining order valid till first November next year.
The march was subsequently suspended and a petition urging the government to honour their civil and religious rights, which was read out in public before handing it over to the authorities.
The planned peace march started after rendering of Muslim religious prayers for the dead who were cremated and for the recovery of those who are infected.
On the same day, police provided security to Sinhala Buddhist hardliners led by monks who opposed the burial rights of Muslim COVID-19 victims.
The Sri Lankan government has ordered the cremation of all those dead due to the Corona virus which has been criticised by a section of senior Buddhist monks and political leaders. But an unrelenting government under President Gotabaya Rajapaksa went to the extent of requesting the Maldives to accept the remains of Muslims and bury them in their soil.
Human Rights organisations have condemned the government of brutally suppressing the religious rights of the minorities, in particular the Muslims, during the global pandemic crisis.
Final report on Mahara Prison riot hands over to Justice Minister
The committee appointed to investigate the Mahara Prison riot handed over its final report to Justice Minister Ali Sabry, a short while ago.
The chair of the committee, retired High Court judge Sarojini Kusala Weerawardena, handed over the report to the minister at the ministry premises today in the presence of other committee members.
Chief Legal advisor to the Ministry of Justice U. R. De Silva, Additional Secretary of the Justice Ministry Rohana Hapugaswatte, retired Senior DIG D.R.L. Ranaweera and former Prisons Commissioner Gamini Jayasinghe were the other members of the committee.
The committee appointed on November 30 was tasked with preparing a report on the facts underlying the incident, the parties responsible, actions to be taken and recommendations to be taken to prevent such incidents.
The committee members had visited the prison premises on several occasions over the past few weeks to record evidence.
Its interim report was handed over to the Justice Minister on December 07.
A total of 11 inmates had died while 106 others and 02 prison officials sustained injuries in the Mahara Prison riot on November 29.
A tense situation was reported at the prison when a group of inmates allegedly attempted to escape the facility following a conflict with prison officials.
Prison authorities had opened fire to control the situation and a team of Police Special Task Force (STF) personnel was deployed to assist prison authorities.
Subsequently, a massive fire had broken out at the prison after several inmates set fire to the health office, a storage area, and several other places within the prison.
The fire had raged on until 3.00 am on November 30 and was completely extinguished with help of 06 fire trucks.
Two prison officials were also held hostage by protesting inmates; however, they were later rescued by the authorities.
Authorities later revealed that the rioting inmates had also broken into the prison’s medical section and consumed the stored pharmaceuticals including the ones used to treat mental illnesses. According to them, this resulted in more violent conduct among the inmates.
US imposes strict anti-China and HR conditions on Sri Lanka
US financial support will be dependent on Sri Lanka asserting its sovereignty “against influence by China,” and improving human rights and promoting inter religious and ethnic reconciliation, a USD 900 billion spending bill before the congress stipulated.
The bill as amended by the US Senate mainly involves Coronavirus relief but also assistance to a number of foreign countries and other spending.
It was also revealed that future financial support for Sri Lanka will be available after the secretary of state certifies, among other things, that Sri Lanka acts to “assert its sovereignty against influence by the People’s Republic of China.”
The bill further stated that Sri Lanka should also promote reconciliation between ethnic and religious groups, increase transparency and accountability in governance, respect and uphold the rights and freedoms of the people of Sri Lanka regardless of ethnicity and religious belief” and bring perpetrators to justice.
US and Western interests have warned that China is getting developing countries into a ‘debt trap’ by giving loans without adequate feasibility to generate returns, unlike more seasoned multilateral lending agencies.
However, these conditions don't apply to any humanitarian or disaster relief, support to identify missing persons, improve human rights, promote fiscal transparency and sovereignty and international military education and training.
The US said it was also giving USD 15 million to refurbish a coast guard cutter and another half a million dollars to for programs to support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, instruction in human rights and related curricula development, and maritime security and domain awareness, including professionalization and training for the navy and coast guard.
EPF’s investment growth up in present market conditions
Forced cremation is unfair: Amarapura and Samagri Ramanna Sangha Sabha tells President
In a letter today (28) to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Chief Secretary of the Sanga Sabha of the Amarapura Maha Nikaya, Pallekande Ratanasara Anunayake Thero and the Chief Secretary of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, Aththangane Sasanarathne Thero said Muslims and Christians follow the ritual of burying their dead, and noted that this is enshrined in the Constitution in Article 14 (1) as a fundamental right.
They further noted that though cremation of COVID-19 victims was made mandatory via a gazette notification on April 11, considerable research on the matter had been carried out over the past eight months.
The Amarapura and Ramanna Samagri Maha Sangha Sabha said that the burial of COVID-19 victims should be carried out subject to conditions and with research.
They urged President Rajapaksa to convene an emergency meeting with doctors, virologists, public health inspectors, religious leaders, and other stakeholders to discuss the matter.
Govt. has taken measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from tourists - Tourism Minister
This is aimed at expediting the repatriation of Sri Lankans and ensuring that tourists entering the country are not infected with the COVID-19 virus.
The decision was taken during a meeting with Tourism Development Authority and Health Ministry officials and representatives from private hospitals held at the Tourism Ministry yesterday. The Minister requested health officials to take measures to increase the number of PCR tests conducted daily as the country is now open for tourists and was repatriating more Sri Lankans stranded abroad due to the pandemic.
The Health Ministry is currently conducting around 15,000 PCR tests a day while around 3,000 PCR tests are being conducted by private hospitals daily.
Nushad Perera to head Sri Lanka Standards Institution
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