Successive governments, opposition leaders, the religious establishment and the media have failed the victims of Sri Lanka’s there-decade-long war and the people at large, Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said.

“This is a significant year for Sri Lanka, marking 15 years since the end of the three-decade long internal armed conflict that left tens of thousands of people injured, dead, displaced, or forcibly disappeared. But it is not just successive governments that have failed the victims and the people of Sri Lanka. All those in positions of leadership, from elected officials to opposition leaders, the religious establishment and the national media, have failed to hold the line on the fight against impunity,” a statement quoted Callamard as saying at the conclusion of a five-day visit to Sri Lanka.

Legislation such as the Online Safety Act and a proposed nongovernmental organisation (NGO) law are worrying evidence of the dangers currently confronting Sri Lankas’s vibrant civil society, she said.

“We are further concerned about the crackdown on freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, including through the use of ICCPR Act provisions, to make arbitrary arrests, These are often carried out under multiple accusations without formal charge or evidence and has led to lives being lived in limbo. This must end,”

Callamard said her visit provided insights into various challenges Sri Lanka is confronting 15 years after the end of the war that has “fractured and polarised Sri Lankan society”.

“I am deeply grateful to all those who engaged with us, recounting their pain and grief, sharing their views and concerns, and voicing their hopes, fears and demands for the present and the future. Amnesty International stands ready to support all genuine efforts and commitments to confront long-standing impunity, address the violations and grievances of the past and present, and put an end to discrimination and the repression of fundamental freedoms,” she said.

Callamard thanked President Ranil Wickremesinghe for the opportunity to engage in a “constructive dialogue over the human rights challenges facing Sri Lanka”.

“As the home of our South Asia Regional Office, Sri Lanka is vital to our work and we appreciate the government’s continued support and commitment to our cause,” she said.

Following the meeting with President Wickremesinghe on Thursday May 16, an Amnesty International delegation travelled to Mullaithivu on Friday to meet families whose loved ones were forcibly disappeared during the war. Callamard took part in the commemoration on May 18 at Mullivaikkal marking the 15th anniversary of the end of war and the “suffering endured by the Tamils in the lead up to 18 May, before returning to Colombo to meet representatives of the Malaiyaha Tamil community, human rights defenders, protestors, members of civil society organizations, members of the international community and government representatives.”

She also commented on the upcoming elections.

“The elections slated in the coming months will also have a major impact on the future of Sri Lanka and human rights considerations for years to come. The political leadership of the country must implement trust building measures that will address divisions, encourage inter-ethnic solidarity, and provide avenues for meaningful healing. It is imperative to address past wrongs; and make a conscious effort to create an enabling environment for redress while the government considers the establishment of a new Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

“A seemingly lack of political will, along with complacency in delivering justice, prevents reconciliation, feeds grievances, and promotes instability. There should be no room for complacency. We urge the international community to work with the national authorities to secure truth and justice for all victims of the war and of on-going human rights violations and lay the foundations for a freer and fairer Sri Lanka,” she said.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed his first gazette, summoning the Army, Navy, and Air Force for the maintenance of public order in specific areas.

The Gazette Extraordinary detailing the division of institutions and responsibilities under the new Ministries has been published, the President's Media Division said.

Former Kalutara districtMP and Minister Kumara Welgama passed away at the age of 74. He passed away while receiving treatment in a private hospital in Colombo.

The government is to launch a probe into the controversial "e-visa" fraud, in outsourcing visa processing to a foreign company. The government restored the online visa application platform, leaving out the foreign consortium following a ruling by the Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya has instructed an immediate internal audit regarding the progress of expenditure allocations within the Sports Ministry. This directive was given during a meeting held yesterday, with heads of institutions operating under the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs.

The majority of MPs who supported Ranil Wickremesinghe in the Presidential Election have now decided to back Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) leader Sajith Premadasa’s candidacy for Prime Minister in the upcoming General Election, former Governor Navin Dissanayake told journalists on Friday (27).

While congratulating President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on his victory, US President Joe Biden said he looks forward to working with President Dissanayake to advance peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Supreme Court today initiated contempt of court proceedings against former State Intelligence Service (SIS) Director Nilantha Jayawardena for failing to pay the full compensation owed to the victims of the Easter Sunday bomb attacks.

Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Priyantha Weerasooriya has been appointed as the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect.

All police security personnel assigned to former Parliamentarians and Ministers have been recalled, police said. However, Senior DIG (Administration) Lalith Pathinayake told the Daily Mirror that police security personnel provided for the former Speaker, former Deputy Speaker and the Opposition Leader will remain in place.

The government will begin negotiations with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) immediately and proceed with activities related to the extended credit facility, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said today.

All Ceylon Makkal Congress leader Rishad Bathiudeen has requested President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to cancel the permit for a liquor bar which was newly established on Main Road, Mannar.

India does not seek to control every political move of neighbours, and does not expect that the political dynamics within neighbouring countries will adhere to what India may think is desirable, but Delhi is confident that fundamental realities of interdependence will ensure that relationships with neighbours remains constructive and positive, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has said.

Muditha Peiris has resigned as Chairman of Litro Gas Company, effective from tomorrow (27). Peiris, who took up the position on 13 June, 2022, had previously served as Managing Director of both Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Litro Gas Terminal Lanka (Pvt) Ltd.

Officials of the Ministry of Power and Energy have informed President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves to meet consumption needs.

Former Parliamentarian and Minister Dilum Amunugama has joined the Mawbima Janatha Party (MJP). Party leader Dilith Jayaweera said in a message posted on X that Amunugama has been appointed as the National Organiser of the Mawbima Janatha Party.

The Supreme Court today ordered that Controller General of Immigration and Emigration, Harsha Ilukpitiya be kept in prison custody within the Supreme Court premises till court proceedings resume in the evening.

The People's Action for Free and Fair Elections (PAFFREL) today urged the public to maintain peace both before and after the general elections, just as they did during the Presidential election.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has signed an Extraordinary Gazette notification to dissolve the Parliament of Sri Lanka, effective from tonight (24). According to reports, the Gazette notification has been sent to the Government Printer for immediate publication.

New governors were sworn in by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today, the President's Media Division (PMD) said.