The human rights situation in Sri Lanka continued to improve between January and June 2016 but much remains to be done for the island nation to fulfil the commitments made in the October 2015 UN Resolution, the United Kingdom said in its human rights report. The UK welcomed the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein's assessment of Sri Lanka's progress against Resolution 30/1 and the Sri Lankan government's continuing determination to address the legacy of conflict.

Human Rights Priority Country update report: January to June 2016 released on July 21 by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office said the past 6 months have seen an improved environment for civil society and human rights defenders and the passing of the Right To Information Bill in June was a positive step towards more transparent and accountable government.

Progress has also been made in historic high-profile cases of murder and disappearances, including journalist Prageeth Eknaligoda, although concerns remain that proceedings continue to be hampered by some elements of the authorities. Four soldiers have gone on trial for the murder of 26 Tamil civilians in 1996. The UK welcomed the ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances by Sri Lanka in May and urged the government to implement legislation to ensure non-recurrence. Also in the same month, the government approved draft legislation which would allow certificates of absence to be issued for about 65,000 people who disappeared during the conflict and the UK welcomed this move, which should allow families access to inheritance rights, compensation, social welfare payments and pensions.

The report said a process of constitutional reform began in March, with the government targeting the passing of a new constitution by the end of this year. "This represents an important opportunity for Sri Lanka to introduce improved human rights protections," it said. The UK raised concerns with the government on an increase in nationalist campaigns (such as "Sinhale") over recent months, which have targeted religious minorities and LGB&T groups, and also joined an EU statement in May calling for an end to all forms of discrimination.

Addressing the issue of torture, the UK has urged the government to act on recommendations made by the UN Special Rapporteur on torture, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, Juan Mendez, who visited Sri Lanka in April. The UK said it continued to provide support to Sri Lankan government efforts to develop a more capable, professional and accountable police force, with the aim of reducing the risk of serious human rights violations, including torture, and improving public confidence in the rule of law.

"We have encouraged the government to tackle high levels of sexual and gender-based violence, and funded project work documenting cases and advocating for government action," the report noted. "Challenges still remain, particularly in the north and the east," the report said observing that the government announced further land releases in January and June, and there have been signs the military have started to disengage from civilian life in some areas.

The UK has consistently called for land releases and demilitarization of the north to be accelerated. The UK continued to urge Sri Lanka to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and replace it with legislation that meets international standards, including protections against arbitrary arrest, absolute individual prohibitions on torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, and provisions for access to legal counsel.

The military have a crucial role to play in addressing the legacy of Sri Lanka's long conflict, and to fulfil its commitments on reconciliation, including on human rights, the report says. Earlier this year the UK started providing strategic leadership training to the military, including on understanding and complying with international law and human rights.

The UK expects the "positive trajectory" to continue for the remainder of 2016, and the government to take steps to address areas of concern. "The UK will continue to encourage and support the government of Sri Lanka in fulfilling its commitments to improve human rights and democracy, and to address the legacies of the past. We will continue funding our project work to improve human rights, including on the prevention of torture and ending sexual and gender-based violence, transitional justice, and interfaith work," the report said.

Sri Lanka took minimal steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses, the 2023 report issued by the US State Department's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labour on Sri Lanka's Human Rights Practices has alleged.

A top delegation of the Chinese Communist Party headed by Vice Minister of the International Department, Sun Haiyan met National People's Power (NPP) leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the JVP head office today. The delegation included head of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party Liu Jianchao and Political Counsellor of the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka Chen Xiang Yuan.

The head of one of Canada’s largest police forces met with a Sri Lankan inspector general of police who two weeks earlier had been found by the South Asian country’s highest court to have “participated in the torture” of an arrested man.

The Colombo District Court issued an interim injunction preventing former President Maithripala Sirisena from functioning as the chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

The President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Dr. Ebrahim Raisi and President Ranil Wickremesinghe jointly inaugurated the Uma Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UOMDP) a short while ago. This project is one of the largest irrigation projects in Sri Lanka following the Mahaweli Development Project

The three-day adournment debate on the Easter Sunday attacks commenced in Parliament today. The adournment debate was moved by SJB MP Niroshan Perera and seconded by SJB MP Kavinda Jayawardane. The debate will be held for three days.

The Sri Lanka Army has decided to appoint a special investigation committee consisting of 07 senior officers chaired by a Major General to probe the accident that occurred during the Diyatalawa Fox Hill Supercross.

Vice Minister of the International Department of the Chinese Communist Party, Sun Haiyan, is set to arrive in Sri Lanka today for a two-day official visit, as reported by The Thinakaran Newspaper.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that their Consular Affairs Division will be relocated to the new premises at the 16th floor of “Suhurupaya”, Sri Subhuthipura Road, Battaramulla with effect from May 02, 2024.

Two persons have died after police fired at a three-wheeler that was driving in defiance of orders to halt at Millawa in Moragahahena.

A 78-year-old man, Gopal Rao, of Bengaluru, Karnataka, died of a heart attack while he was swimming from Thalaimannar in Sri Lanka to the Dhanushkodi islet in Rameswaram, T.N., on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

The National People's Power (NPP) has officially notified the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) yesterday that they are prepared to hold the proposed debate between NPP leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and SJB leader Sajith Premadasa on one of the following days: May 7, 9, 13, or 14.

The Catholic Church is planning to present a proposal to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) through several foreign governments and international organizations to initiate an international investigation into the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks with a view to mete out justice to the victims of those attacks.

Seven individuals, including a child, lost their lives, and 23 others sustained injuries in a tragic accident at the “Fox Hill Super Cross 2024” racing event in Diyatalawa on Sunday (21). The casualties included four racing event officials serving as flag marshals and civilians who were spectators.

The latest iteration of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) training exercise – CARAT Sri Lanka 2024 will commence with participation by the United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and Sri Lanka Navy in Trincomalee today (22).

Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe, who took up the position as the Acting Chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) could lose his parliamentary seat, according to the party constitution of the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP), SLPP MP Tissa Kuttiarachchi said today.

Two racing drivers who participated in yesterday's Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event have been arrested by the police over the accident which killed seven people. The arrested are a 36-year-old racer from Matara and 47-year-old from Mahakanda, Peradeniya.

Fmr Sri Lankan High Commissioner to India, Milinda Moragoda met with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval last Friday (19) in New Delhi. Moragoda, the founder of the Pathfinder Foundation, was on a short visit to India and has had discussions with several senior government leaders and heads of think tanks

The Fox Hill Super Cross 2024 racing event, held in Diyatalawa, turned tragic as a race car veered off the track, resulting in the deaths of five individuals and leaving 21 others hospitalized with injuries.

There is a total shortage of 40,000 teachers in schools in the country, General Secretary of the Ceylon Teachers' Union, Joseph Stalin said. Addressing the media, he said the shortage of teachers in schools is reported in the Western, Eastern, North-Central, Southern and Uva Provinces.