Reconciliation TV channel underway in Sri Lanka

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Ministry of National Integration and Reconciliation and the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) to create a television channel that will showcase reconciliation programming. The project is budgeted at 180 million rupees and was initiated with the aim of improving peace and harmony between the different ethnic groups in Sri Lanka. The launch took place during the first “National Integration and Reconciliation Week” – taking place from January 8th to the 14th. Read more on Asian Tribune .

Sri Lanka committed to implementing HRC resolution, but consensus only for domestic mechanism - Mangala Samaraweera speaks in London

Sri Lanka is committed to implementing the most recent Human Rights Council resolution according to the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, although there is only consensus for establishing a credible domestic mechanism. The foreign minister, Managala Samaraweera, gave a talk about Sri Lanka’s reconciliation process at Chatham House in London on Wednesday night. The minister’s speech was followed by a question and answer session with the audience. The minister spoke of the “considerable strides” made by his government, in the two years since “the people of Sri Lanka courageously turned out...

HRW urges Sri Lanka to implement resolution 'promptly and transparently'

Human Rights Watch urged Sri Lanka not to back-track on the commitments made by the government at the UN Human Rights Council regarding accountability and justice. Calling for the consensus UNHRC resolution to be adopted "promptly and transparently", HRW in is 2017 World Report released on Thursday said "the president and other senior officials have downplayed the government’s commitment to international involvement in key transitional justice mechanisms, and need to make justice a top priority." In a statement , HRW noted: "The government disregarded inclusive decision-making by announcing...

Temporary resident visas to foreign investors

Sri Lanka would issue a temporary resident visa to foreigners who would be investing over US $300,000 in the country, the finance minister, Ravi Karunanayake was quoted by the Daily Mirror as saying. The decision comes following a proposal in the 2016 Budget which said that visas would be granted to foreign investers who were bringing a significant amount of foreign exchange.

Relatives of disappeared express frustration in Vavuniya protest

Relatives of the disappeared held a protest in Vavuniya today expressing frustration with Minister Sathiyalingam and the TNA leadership. The protestors voiced their disappointment at the lack of progress in having their missing loved ones accounted for. They held banners criticising the TNA, in particular the leader R Sampanthan, and P. Sathiyalingam, the NPC representative for Vavuniya.

Ratings upgrades depend on Sri Lanka’s IMF compliance – Fitch

Any potential improvement in Sri Lanka’s credit profile will depend on how closely the government complies with conditions laid out by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said Fitch Ratings. Noting that Sri Lanka was one of five countries that Fitch took negative rating action against in the two years leading up to IMF loads – the others being Iraq, Kenya, Suriname and Tunisia – the ratings agency added that Sri Lanka “ran down foreign-exchange reserves at unsustainable rates trying to resist currency depreciation in a global environment of US dollar strength”. “IMF loans should alleviate...

European Commission proposes restoring GSP+ for Sri Lanka

The European Commission has proposed the granting of trade concessions to Sri Lanka under the GSP+ scheme, in exchange for the government’s “commitment” on human rights and labour conditions. The restoration of GSP+, which was stripped during the previous Sri Lankan government’s rule, would mean the government benefits from the full removal of duties on 66% of tariff lines, including in industries such as textiles and fisheries. The move has been proposed alongside “rigorous monitoring” by the European Commission. A press release this morning said the commissioned would restore the trade...

Mangala meets Boris Johnson on UK visit

Sri Lanka's foreign affairs minister, Mangala Samaraweera met with the UK's Secretary of State for Foreign & Commonwealth Affairs, Boris Johnson in London this week. Mr Samaraweera is currently on an official visit to the UK in an effort to foster greater relations between the two countries. His visit comes as Sri Lanka's unity government faces criticism over its failure to acheive the vision and commitments it set out when it was elected to power two years ago.

Adopt CTF recommendations urges HRW

Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged the Sri Lankan government to "promptly implement" recommendations on transitional justice made by the Consultation Task Force. "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," HRW noted in a statement . HRW's Asia director, Brad Adams said, “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...

North must be declared drought-affected says NPC

The North must be declared drought affected and farmers and agricultural workers be given compensation to prevent starvation, the Northern Provincial Council has urged. In the NPC’s 82 nd sitting, members called for emergency action to be taken to prevent starvation and also to provide clean water to the people of the North. Extreme drought in the region has caused widespread failure of rice crop cultivation, the council stated.

Pages