Dismissing criticism of his willingness to stand as a witness against the former Sri Lankan military general who has been accused of war crimes, Field Marshal and former army commander, Sarath Fonseka told the government, "don't betray people by protecting so called war heroes". “We are aware that the soldiers who committed rapes and murders were punished. Those who were accused of murder and rape of Manamperi and the murder of Embilipitiya students were hanged to death. Then the leaders of the government took decisions in favour of the people," Mr Fonseka was quoted by the Daily Mirror as...
Palaly airbase can be developed into a regional airport without further appropriation of land, an Indian government research team has recommended to the Sri Lankan government. Opportunities for developing Palaly were studied by an Indian government-sponsored team, led by Chennai Airport director Deepak Shastri, in March last year. Presenting its findings this week, the team recommended that the existing runway and terminal facilities could be improved to accommodate civilian aircraft carrying up to 100 passengers from regional destinations. Mindful of local opposition to further land-grabs,...
A Chief Buddhist prelate commended Sri Lanka President Sirisena’s pledge to protect former army commander Jagath Jayasuriya from any war crimes prosecution, reports dailymirror.lk. Ven Ella Gunawansa Thera further condemned statements by Field Marshal Minister Sarath Fonseka accusing Jayasuriya of being responsible for war crimes. Dismissing findings of the UN investigation into Sri Lanka's atrocities, he said, “I condemn the statement made by Field Marshal and I’m disappointed he made such a derogatory statement. This should not be allowed to proceed. Even the allegations levelled against...
Sri Lanka's proposed New Inland Revenue Act will stop ministers from being able to grant discretionary tax concessions, the country's finance minister was quoted by LBO as saying. The move is aimed at ensuring the system of tax concessions is not subject to abuse. Under the new Act, there will be 8 concessionary loan schemes for specific workers, including small and medium scale industrialists, farmers, journalists and entrepreneurs. Criticising claims made by the MP Bandula Gunawardena that the new Act seeks to favour foreigners, the finance minister, Mangala Samaraweera said, "he seems to...
Sri Lanka's State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene on Saturday attempted to distance the government from statements made by the minister and Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka, stating that Mr Fonseka had been expressing his "own personal view. Mr Fonseka last week said he was prepared to stand as a witness against the former military general Jagath Jayasuriya who had to flee Brazil after human rights organisations filed law suits in Brazil, Peru and Chile over allegations of war crimes. Mr Wijewardene said "that the bad blood between the two parties had been the reason behind the statement...
Sri Lanka's prime minister on Saturday announced the draft 20th Amendment to the constitution would be amended to ensure that the provincial council elections would take place by the end of next year. The proposed Amendment seeks to hold all nine PC elections on the same day. Mr Wickremesinghe's comment came after the proposed Amendment faced widespread criticism from local bodies to election monitors who condemned the postponement of elections. “We are ready to introduce a fresh clause to the 20th Amendment to the Constitution compelling the government to hold the provincial council...
The Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) this week called for the Field Marshall Sarath Fonseka to be arrested "for withholding evidence in connection with the war crime charges levelled against former army commander (Rtd) General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Daily Mirror reported. "Mr Fonseka betrayed the Army for the second time and therefore could be known as the biggest traitor in the world," the PHU leader Udaya Gammanpila told the paper. “The first time he betrayed the army was the events related to the white flag case. He has tarnished the image of the country and the army by his statement." "If Mr...
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to the United Nations maintained that security forces “never” deployed cluster munitions during the island’s armed conflict, whilst stating his government was currently reviewing the process of acceding to the convention banning their use in Geneva today.
The Sri Lankan Army has released a school being used as an army base in the Kankensanthurai area, although the lands surrounding the school remain occupied by the army.
The granting of GSP+ trade concessions and the lifting of a ban on Sri Lanka’s fishing exports by the European Union has opened up access to a market worth Rs. 7 billion claims a Sri Lankan minister. Sri Lanka’s Minister of Primary Industries Daya Gamage made the claim whilst speaking to shrimp farmers in Puttalam who have come under pressure due to ongoing dry weather. Last week, Sri Lanka’s president boasted of how the moves by the EU were a result of his government’s ability to defuse pressure over war crimes and a sign that “the entire international community is friendly and respects Sri...