Marcia V. J. Kran, Canadian lawyer and expert member of the UN Human Rights Committee, pressed Sri Lanka delegate Major General Kulatunga about his role in overseeing the Joseph Camp in Vavuniya, plagued with allegations of torture, and the Army Court’s denial of war crimes. Kulatunga served as Commander of the notorious Wanni Security Force Headquarters in Vavuniya, commonly referred to as the Joseph Camp, from 2016-2017. The camp has been marked by repeated accounts of torture and sexual violence throughout the armed conflict, with more recent accounts of torture dated as late as 2017.

“The Office of the High Commissioner for human rights found these allegations credible so could you also provide information on steps towards accountability for violations during the final stages of the conflict that have been taken in practice de facto? Major General Kulatanga is a member of the state party delegation to this dialogue.

Could he perhaps comment on these issues? We are aware that he was a member of the Army Court of Inquiry which I mentioned and as well that in 2016 and 2017, he was commander at the Joseph Military Camp. I look forward to the state party’s response to these questions," Kran stated. In March 2017, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) released a report documenting accounts of torture.

“Witnesses provided ITJP with searing testimony of torture in Joseph Camp that included rape with objects such as cricket wickets and glass bottles, as well as in two cases barbed wire inserted inside a pipe and then withdrawn to tear the flesh of the rectum. All of the women and 18 of the men described being raped and sexually violated”, the report reads.

Kulatunga played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s war efforts and served for over 25 years in the North and East. During this time the military faced severe criticism for its dire human rights record.

Individuals over the age of 40 who have not obtained their National Identity Cards (NIC) due to the lack of their birth certificates can still apply for their NICs, Commissioner General of the Department for Registration of Persons, Pradeep Saputantri said.

The Constitutional Council has rejected President Ranil Wickremesinghe's proposal to extend the term of office for Attorney General Sanjay Rajaratnam (PC) by another six months.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe officially inaugurated the long-awaited Clinical Training and Research Block at the Jaffna University Faculty of Medicine this morning.

Former Parliamentarian Sajin de Vass Gunawardena has been appointed as the Chief Organiser for the Ambalangoda Electorate and District Leader by the Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP).

Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs and Former Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the US and to the UN Office in Geneva, Jayantha Dhanapala passed away at the age of 85, while receiving treatment at the Kandy National Hospital. The Director of the Kandy National Hospital confirmed that the former diplomat had passed away after suffering a heart attack

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Vadivel Suresh who is on a collision course with the party is to decide on his political fate tomorrow after meeting a representative of President Ranil Wickremesinghe and also Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Mr. Suresh told the Daily Mirror he will be attending two meetings tomorrow, one with a representative of the President and the other with Mr. Premadasa.

Chief Prelate of the Asgiri Chapter, Most Ven. Warakagoda Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera said every time an election approaches, the Government brings up an unnecessary issue and this time around it was the 13th Amendment to the Constitution. This was at a time when the majority of citizens were going hungry. He said no politician in this country truly serves the country or the people.

The body of a female, suspected to be murdered was found at the Race Course Ground in Colombo 7 a short while ago. Police said the body was found near the scoreboard at the Ground. The cinnamon garden Police has commenced the investigation. Police said the victim was aged 23 years and was a resident of Homagama.

Sri Lanka President and the finance Minister Ranil Wickeremesinghe said military personnel will be given the opportunity to retire early after completing 18 years of service.

Sri Lanka is unikely to get an International Monetary Fund deal in December as originally expected with delays in dealing with China and India which are out of the Paris Club as well as ‘bilateral issues’, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has said. Sri Lanka has to get ‘creditor assurances’ on debt restructuring from bilateral lenders before the IMF’s executive board endorses a reform program formally.