News

In an apparent rejection of international scrutiny, Sri Lanka has failed to answer questions raised by the United Nations more than a year ago on the role of the country’s spy chief on torture allegations during the bloody civil war and its aftermath.

Chief of State Intelligence Sisira Mendis came under the heavy questioning by the UN committee against torture (UNCAT), when he represented Sri Lanka in Geneva, at its 59th session.

He doggedly sat through two days of grilling without giving any answer to a series of crucial questions on being involved in torture and abuse of detainees by police units under his administration.

At the conclusion of the meeting in December 2016, Sri Lanka was requested to provide detailed information on Sisira Mendis’s role and responsibilities with regard to allegations of torture while he was head of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Deadline

The UN informed JDS that Sri Lanka has not provided the requested information almost a month past the deadline.

“The Committee’s concluding observations (CAT/C/LKA/CO/5, para. 49) requested the State party to provide by 7 December 2017 further information on specific areas of concern identified in paragraphs 14(b), 16 and 18,” UN Human Rights Officer Javier Leoz Invernón told JDS in response to a request.

“However, the Committee has not received yet any follow-up report from Sri Lanka.”

In the "specific areas of concern" referred to by the UN Human Rights Officer, Sri Lanka was requested to provide "information on follow-up to the Committee’s recommendations on the role and responsibilities of Mr. Mendis when he was Deputy Inspector General of the Criminal Investigations Department from March 2008 to June 2009 with regard to torture that allegedly occurred during his mandate".

In 2016, organisations including JDS provided UNCAT with details of torture and abuse of detainees under DIG Mendis.

Judicial mechanism

The UN committee had also requested information on the establishment of a judicial mechanism with a special counsel to investigate allegations of torture, enforced disappearances and other serious human rights violations; and the establishment of an independent, effective, confidential and accessible complaints mechanism for victims of torture and the revision of the Assistance to and Protection of Victims of Crimes and Witnesses Act.

To date, Sri Lanka has not provided any information requested by UNCAT in 2016.

Four persons were killed in an accident involving a train and a lorry in Angulana yesterday (5) evening, Sri Lanka Police said.

The victims were travelling on the footboard of the train from Maradana to Kalutara, when it had collided with a lorry parked on the side of the tracks.

According to Police, the accident had taken place around 4:45 p.m. and the injured were admitted to the Kalubowila hospital.

President Maithripala Sirisena said yesterday that the AB-21 road joins Kankesanthurai to Point Pedro, will be opened for the first time since June 20, 1990, for the public.

The President made these remarks addressing a public rally held in Jaffna.

‘Opening this road will help to reduce the 50-kilometre distance people have to travel’ the President said, adding that as the President, he will fulfil his responsibilities irrespective of differences to deliver the benefits of the development in a fair manner to people in Jaffna too.

President Sirisena emphasized that he is committed to building national reconciliation and peace in the country and further said that he is ready to do whatever sacrifice to achieve this objective.

‘The people in the North as well as in the South elected him as the President of this country with the aspiration of creating a free and democratic society,’ the President said. He added that during the past three years he has done significant work in this regard.

Already 75% of the process of releasing the lands to the displaced persons in Jaffna has been completed and the remaining lands will also be released to the people shortly, he said.

Addressing the gathering, the President recalled the voices raised by people about the missing persons said that he is committed to bringing about justice in this regard.

The President further said that he is ready to provide assistance to family members of the missing persons to ensure their wellbeing and assured that upon their requests he is ready to hold discussions at any time.

Bouyed by growing number of tourists from India, Sri Lanka has now kept a target of 440,000 travelers from the country this year, officials said here.

Describing itself as ‘a destination for all seasons’, officials of Sri Lanka Tourism, at a press conference here, also announced that a record 384,628 tourists arrived from India last year.

“Understanding the unique offerings for Indian travelers, destination Sri Lanka now targets for 440,000 Indian arrivals, this year,” the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau said in a statement.

The Sri Lanka Tourism has recently been awarded as the ‘Emerging Destination of the Year’ by Conde Nast Traveller India and ‘Asia’s leading Adventure Tourism Destination of the Year’ in 2017, it said.

A survey conducted by the Sri Lanka Tourism, highlights that, 63.7 per cent of Indians opt for sightseeing excursions and nearly 50 per cent go for shopping.

“37.01 per cent Indian travelers visit the historical sites in Sri Lanka, while wildlife remains the choice for 21 per cent only,” it said.

Witnessing the growth and potential from India, the Sri Lanka Tourism will be participating at the SATTE 2018 (South Asia’s travel and tourism exhibition), with 52 travel agents and hoteliers.

“While the pristine beaches and cultural aspect of Sri Lanka, is already being explored by Indian guests, however, key area of focus for this years’ participation would be to promote film tourism, destination wedding, religious and pilgrimage tourism (Ramayana Trail).

“A tea bar representing Ceylon Tea will be located at the Sri Lanka pavilion 2018 at the SATTE,” the statement said.

Sutheash Balasubramaniam, managing director, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, said, “India continues to be our top source market.”

“We believe that the potential of the Indian travel market is yet to realize in terms of attracting longer stay and higher spending travelers. It is our fervent hope to make Sri Lanka the most preferred destination in Asia for Indian travelers,” he said.

Sri Lanka, an island nation, is home to eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, and is renowned for the ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress, and its rich colonial legacy.-

(PTI)

The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) yesterday argued against the initiation of criminal proceedings against former Chief Justice Mohan Peiris PC and Court of Appeal Judge A.H.M.D Nawaz.

Addressing a press conference at the BASL Auditorium its Secretary Amal Randeniya said the Executive Committee and the Bar Council of the BASL unanimously resolved to “view with grave concern” the initiation of criminal proceedings against former CJ, Mohan Peiris and Justice Nawaz.

The BASL was of the opinion that criminal proceedings against the former CJ and Justice Nawaz on the basis of professional advice given by them in their former capacities as the Attorney General and Deputy Solicitor General affects the "independence of Judiciary, rule of Law and the interests of the public at large”.

The Bribery Commission on January 18 filed a corruption case in the Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court against former CJ, Peiris and Justice Nawaz over an allegation that they conferred a wrongful or unlawful benefit, and favour or advantage on the perpetrators who had been accused of misappropriating funds belonging to Lanka Electricity Company (Private) Limited (LECO).

Responding to questions by journalists, Randeniya said the BASL has decided to make a submission at the Magistrate's Court, when the case is taken up again on March 8, to voice their concerns.

However, Randeniya took special pains to emphasize that the BASL “do not intend to obstruct or interfere with the course of justice or the right of law enforcement institutions to carry out their functions”.

“Our concern stems not from the stand point of the individuals concerned. The AG and Solicitor General are duty bound to give advice and their opinion on legal matters.An opinion could either be right or wrong. The professional advice given by the AG and Solicitor General or their deputies should not be a cause to initiate criminal proceedings. If not, the individuals holding such office would hesitate to discharge their functions.It would not set a good example,” he commented.

Source : Daily News

The Parliamentary debate on the Bond Commission report and PRECIFAC report will be held at 10.30 a.m. today.

Speaker Karu Jayasuriya convened the special sitting on the request of Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. The debate will possibly continue on another day after the Local Government elections.

The reports of the Bond Commission and the PRECIFAC were presented in Parliament on January 23. The two reports, which were handed over to President Maithripala Sirisena on December 30, 2017, and January 2, 2018, respectively were sent to the Speaker’s Office on January 17. The two reports were presented in Parliament on January 23.

Brigadier Priyankara Fernando, the Minister Counsellor (Defence) attached to the Sri Lanka High Commission in London has been reinstated in his position after the Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was forced to do so by a high-level politician in the country.

He was suspended from his position yesterday pending an inquiry after he was filmed making ‘throat-cutting gestures’ to alleged LTTE supporters who were protesting outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London, on Sunday 4 February.

Sources say the Secretary of Foreign Affairs has been given an ultimatum by the politician who has asked the Secretary to either resign from his position or reinstate the Brigadier today. The Foreign Ministry is currently said to be working on the letter to reverse the suspension of the Brigadier.

Meanwhile, the Army Spokesman confirmed the reinstatement saying that he is now back to work. However, he also said an inquiry into the incident will be carried out.

However, inside sources claim that this situation could now become a diplomatic nightmare for Sri Lanka as the reinstatement of a suspended diplomat prior to the close of an investigation goes against diplomatic protocol.

British Parliamentarians Joan Ryan and Siobhain McDonagh had already lodged a formal complaint with UK's Secretary of State Boris Johnson calling to “withdraw Brigadier Priyanka Fernando’s diplomatic papers and expel him” from the United Kingdom.

Meanwhile, another video has also now surfaced on social media where the Brigadier can be seen engaging with the crowd prior to this incident. The group in the video is seen accusing the Sri Lankan government of settling Sinhalese people in Tamil areas while also saying Tamil Nadu fishermen are shot and killed by the country's forces. One protestor continues to harangue the Brigadier claiming that Sri Lanka has killed 500 Indian Fishermen while the Defence Attache is seen denying all the charges while inviting the protestors to visit the country and see the real situation.

The license of W.M.Mendis Company has been withdrawn due to the non-payment of taxes, the Department of Excise has announced.

 Accordingly, the production activities of the distillery had halted since last week, it is reported.

The company belongs to Arjun Aloysius; the owner of Perpetual Treasuries Limited who was named as one of the main suspects in the Central Bank bond scam.

Accordingly, the production in the Arrack distillery located in Welisara has come to stand still.

All temporary workers who had been recruited from manpower companies have been relieved of their employment.

However, the routine office work and the delivery of stocks of earlier products are taking place at present, according to company sources.

Source : Ada Derana

The Program for the Protection of Public Resources (PPPR), the election monitoring arm of Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL), said that 55% of all complaints referred to the PPPR relate to the misuse of fixed and movable assets, human resources and media belonging to the State. A further 15% relate to illegitimate inducements being offered to voters, PPPR noted.

“Due to many local authorities not being constituted for over two years, the political grip on local government authority resources appears to have weakened. However, abuse of central government resources, such as the use of ministerial vehicles at campaigns continues to prevail”, TISL Executive Director Asoka Obeyesekere added.

Despite such abuses, Transparency International said that they commend the authorities including the Elections Commission of Sri Lanka for taking swift action in the case of several incidents reported to TISL by their district observers and members of the public.

Beleaguered Maldivian President Abdulla Yameen has declared a 15-day state of emergency, his aide Azima Shukoor announced on state television Monday.

The move gives sweeping powers to security forces to arrest and detain suspects and comes amid a deepening political crisis in the Indian Ocean nation as Yameen refuses to comply with a Supreme Court order to release political prisoners

Source : The Hindustan Times

Sri Lanka has suspended the Minister Counsellor (Defence) of the High Commission in London with immediate effect after a video surfaced on social media, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

The video shows Defence Attaché Brigadier Priyanka Fernando miming a throat slitting gesture towards a group of protesters who had gathered outside Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in London.

In a statement, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said that the authorities in Sri Lanka have taken serious note of the video circulating on social media and that the relevant authorities in Sri Lanka including the Sri Lanka Army will initiate inquiries on the incident immediately.

British Parliamentarians Joan Ryan and Siobhain McDonagh had already lodged a formal complaint with UK's Secretary of State Boris Johnson calling to “withdraw Brigadier Priyanka Fernando’s diplomatic papers and expel him” from the United Kingdom after a video surfaced that portrays the Defence Attaché miming throat-slitting gestures to Tamils protesting outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London.

Police have now commenced investigations into an incident where a female candidate contesting in the upcoming local government elections is alleged to have been sexually assaulted by an individual. According to the Police, the incident had occurred on Friday around 5 PM in the Kuda Pokuna area in Welikanda following which a complaint was lodged with the Welikanda Police by the aggrieved party.

The Police say the suspect has been identified as a political supporter and has now fled the area. According to Police Spokesperson SP Gunasekara, the victim in the meantime has been admitted to the hospital.

“Welikada Police are conducting investigations to apprehend the suspect” SP Gunasekara confirmed.