Untitled Document
March 29, 2024 [GMT]
Human Rights Watch asks Sri Lanka to adopt Task Force justice proposals
[Wednesday 2017-01-11 18:00]

The New York-based global human rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Sri Lankan government to adopt recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on including foreign judges in a domestic mechanism on accountability as stated in the consensus resolution the country sponsored with the United Nations Human Right Council. Sri Lanka's government should promptly implement recommendations on transitional justice proposed by the Consultation Task Force (CTF) in a report released on January 3, 2017, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

The New York-based global human rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) urged the Sri Lankan government to adopt recommendations of the Consultation Task Force on including foreign judges in a domestic mechanism on accountability as stated in the consensus resolution the country sponsored with the United Nations Human Right Council. Sri Lanka's government should promptly implement recommendations on transitional justice proposed by the Consultation Task Force (CTF) in a report released on January 3, 2017, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday.

  

The report reflects the first broad survey of Sri Lankan citizens on their aspirations for truth and justice, as called for by the October 2015 resolution of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). Key among the task force's recommendations is the creation of a war crimes court comprised of both international and national judges and other officials, with no time limit on its jurisdiction.

"The task force report is remarkably comprehensive and clear in setting out the concerns and needs expressed by Sri Lankans across all communities on the transitional justice process," said Brad Adams, Asia director. "The government should now own the report's recommendations and set out a framework for putting them into action, in line with its pledges at the Human Rights Council." The Consultation Task Force appointed by the Prime Minister in February 2016 received 7,306 submissions on disappearances from the Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim, and other communities, as well as the security services during the course of their hearings. The CTF which concluded its consultations in August 2016 reported that there had been no government interference or attempts to impede their work, and that the report reflected the views of all 11 members.

In a news conference held after the report's release, CTF members noted that concerns about justice and accountability were raised both in the country's north and south by many in all communities. The new government undertook a more conciliatory approach to domestic and international efforts to address the wartime accountability, and in October 2015 agreed at the UN Human Rights Council to establish at least four mechanisms on transitional justice, of which the consultations were part, the HRW said. Sri Lanka is on the March 2017 agenda of the Human Rights Council, where High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein is expected to report on Sri Lanka's compliance with the resolution. This will include the government's willingness to promptly implement the CTF report recommendations. However, the HRW said the immediate response by senior officials has been disappointing.

Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapaksha and Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne both separately ruled out the participation of foreign nationals on the special court, while Finance Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena said that President Maithripala Sirisena rejected the inclusion of foreign judges and would not allow the government to prosecute "war heroes."

The cabinet spokesperson, Minister Senaratne claimed that Al Hussein had agreed that there should be no foreign involvement in the court during a previous meeting - a claim that Al Hussein himself immediately rejected, according to the Human Rights Watch. HRW pointed out that the report recommendations also contain important confidence-building measures that the government could adopt immediately. These include a robust victim-witness protection law, meaningful outreach by the government across all communities, symbolic gestures to allow public grieving and memorialization, and a minority rights commission.

"The Sri Lankan government took the bold step of agreeing to a multi-ethnic task force for broad consultations on transitional justice," Adams said. "Now that the task force has listened to the country, it's crucial that the government doesn't drop its key recommendations. The government should recognize that its commitments were not only to concerned governments in Geneva, but to its own citizens seeking justice and reconciliation after a terrible war."

  
   Bookmark and Share Seithy.com



Gnanasara Thera sentenced to 4 years in prison for defaming Islam
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) General Secretary Ven. Galaboda Atte Gnanasara Thera was today sentenced to four-year-rigorous imprisonment for making a hate speech against the Islamic religion on Kuragala Temple.



Mullaitivu Health Services Director killed in road accident in Omanthai
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

The Director of Health Services in Mullaitivu Dr. K. Akilendran died in a fatal road accident in Omanthai yesterday.



Bribery Commission files legal action against former CB Governor and four others
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption has taken legal action against former Governor of the Central Bank Ajith Nivard Cabraal and four others for causing a loss of Rs. 1,843.3 million to the government through the purchase of Treasury Bills.



No suitable presidential candidate for SLPP now; Namal has another 5 to 10 years: Prasanna
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

Claiming that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) has no suitable Presidential candidate at the moment, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said Namal Rajapaksa can contest for Presidency only after another five to ten years’ time.



Catholic Bishops Conference calls for change of governing system
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

The Catholic Bishops Conference in its Easter message called for a change of the governing system in Sri Lanka in order to find solutions to the social, economic and political crisis faced by the nation.



MPs rally for snap general election amidst President’s push for Presidential poll
[Thursday 2024-03-28 16:00]

Following the exclusive revelation by the Daily Mirror on Tuesday that the presidential election will be conducted in the first week of October, MPs from across the divide - except those from the National People’s Power (NPP) - have ramped up efforts to prevail upon President Ranil Wickremesinghe to declare a snap general election as early as possible.



Presidential Election in October first week
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has informed his close associates and hinted to his cabinet that the Presidential Election will be held as scheduled, indicating Basil Rajapaksa's failure in convincing the President to hold the Parliamentary Polls first, the Daily Mirror learns.



Cabinet Paper to reduce electricity charges for Northern Province farmers
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

A Cabinet Paper will be submitted to reduce the electricity charges of farmers in the Northern Province who use electricity for agricultural purposes, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said.



Special security measures in place for Good Friday, Easter Sunday
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

Special security measures have been implemented at churches across the country in view of the upcoming Good Friday and Easter Sunday, police said.



Higher passenger and aircraft movements at airports
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

By the end of February 2024, Sri Lanka airports had recorded 1,602,417 international passenger movements and 8,946 international aircraft movements, Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) (Pvt) Limited (AASL) Chairman Eng. Athula Galketiya said.



CB governor vows not to resign over salary increase
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

The Governor of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL), Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe today that he will not step down from the post of Governor due to the issues caused by the salary increase.



Sri Lanka’s official USD buying rate remains below Rs. 300
[Tuesday 2024-03-26 17:00]

The buying rate of the US Dollar remains below Rs. 300 today (Mar 26), according to the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the buying rate of the US Dollar is Rs. 297.63, while the selling rate is Rs. 307.33. Last week (Mar 19), the buying rate of the US Dollar dropped below Rs. 300 for the first time since July 2023, dropping to Rs. 299.29, and has remained so for nearly one week.



CID to question former president on Easter Sunday massacre
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

Former President Maithripala Sirisena will be questioned by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) over his statement that he was aware of who was responsible for the Easter Sunday terrorist attack that claimed 263 lives five years ago.



Maithripala now contradicting his remark, launch immediate probe: NPP
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

Claiming that former President Maithripala Sirisena is now contradicting his recent statement that he was well aware of the true perpetrators of the Easter Sunday bombings, NPP MP Vijitha Herath today urged the government to launch an immediate probe over the remark as it is a serious statement to have been made by the then Head of State and Minister of Defence.



Heavy Navy and Police guard at CBSL, but only four protesters
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

Four people were seen holding placards outside the Central Bank of Sri Lanka this week. They demanded that salaries for other state employees, too, be increased.



Received crucial information on Easter attacks three weeks ago: Maithripala
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

In the wake of his controversial statement on the Easter Sunday bomb attacks, former President Maithripala Sirisena said he made that statement based on information he had received only three weeks ago.



Price of imported milk powder slashed
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

Minister of Trade Nalin Fernando announced a significant reduction in the price of imported milk powder, aimed at alleviating the financial burdens on consumers.



Namal sideshow in no-faith motion on Speaker
[Sunday 2024-03-24 17:00]

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna parliamentarian Namal Rajapaksa was among the 31 members who were absent when the voting on the no-confidence motion against Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena took place on Thursday evening.



Sri Lanka vigilant on Canada’s genocide allegation while having double-standard on Gaza
[Saturday 2024-03-23 18:00]

Sri Lanka remains alert whether the Canadian government leaders will repeat what it calls ‘unsubstantiated genocide allegations’ against Sri Lanka this year too while taking an ambivalent position on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a top source said.



Arrest Maithri: Opposition MPs
[Saturday 2024-03-23 18:00]

Opposition MPs Mano Ganesan and Kavinda Jayawardene today called for the immediate arrest of former President Maithripala Sirisena and to interrogate him regarding the remark he made on Friday, stating that he is aware of the mastermind behind the Easter Sunday attacks.


Ambikajewellers-01-08-2021-seithy
NKS-Ketha-04-11-2021
Mahesan-Remax-169515-Seithy
Karan Remax-2010
Kugeenthiran-200-2022-seithy
Airlinktravel-2020-01-01
 gloriousprinters.com 2021
Rajeef sebarasha 2023/04/19
Logan-Kumaresh-Homelife-02-02-2021
Asayan-Salon-2022-seithy
Vaheesan-Remax-2016
<b> Sep 11 2021 அன்று கனடா  ரொரன்டோவில் நடைபெற்ற Toronto Tamils Food Fest நிகழ்வின் படத்தொகுப்பு.</b> படங்கள் - குணா
<b> Sep 05 2020 அன்று கனடா  ரொரன்டோவில் நடைபெற்ற Majestic City திறப்புவிழா நிகழ்வின் படத்தொகுப்பு.</b> படங்கள் - குணா
<b> 12 10 2019 அன்று கனடா  ரொரன்டோவில் நடைபெற்ற Skanda Nite 2019 125th Anniversary நிகழ்வின் படத்தொகுப்பு.</b> படங்கள் - குணா