Author: TELO Admin

In a significant revelation, Sri Lanka has emerged as one of the world’s least miserable nations, according to the 2023 Mental State of the World Report by Sapien Labs. The report, which analyzes mental health metrics globally, sheds light on Sri Lanka’s remarkable standing in terms of mental well-being.

Topping the charts in the Mental Health Quotient (MHQ) category, Sri Lanka secured the second-highest position worldwide with an impressive score of 88. Only surpassed by the Dominican Republic, which clinched the top spot with a score of 91, Sri Lanka’s performance highlights its citizens’ overall positive mental health.

A striking finding from the report is that merely 14% of Sri Lanka’s population reports feeling distressed or struggling, marking the lowest percentage globally. This stark comparison contrasts with other nations such as Brazil, South Africa, and the UK, where up to 35% of the population faces mental health challenges.

This remarkable achievement underscores Sri Lanka’s commitment to prioritizing mental well-being and implementing effective measures to support its citizens’ mental health. It also reflects positively on the country’s social and cultural fabric, indicating a strong support system and resilience among its populace.

ITAK leader S. Sritharan’s agreement to meet the IMF is an indication that incumbent Ranil Wickremesinghe stands to gain Tamil votes at a future presidential election, claims a political analyst.

This is especially so in view of forecasts that none of the candidates will be able to poll 50 per cent of votes, said Vipula Karunatilake.

According to him, both the SJB and the NPP have failed to gain trust from the three million decisive votes, which could most likely favour Wickremesinghe.

Karunatilake and Samabima Party leader Deepthi Kumara Gunaratne take a look at how Tamil votes will decide the outcome.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) is reported to have reiterated its concerns with President Ranil Wickremesinghe over his direct dealings with individuals of the party bypassing its hierarchy.

It was communicated to the President when he met with SLPP leaders Mahinda Rajapaksa and Basil Rajapaksa last week.

Such concerns were reiterated in the wake up of some MPs and electoral organizers siding with the President.

Currently, a sediment of SLPP MPs remain loyal to the President. Most of them hold ministerial positions in the government. SLPP MP Chief Government Whip Prasanna Ranatunga openly advocates candidacy to the President at the upcoming presidential election. However, the SLPP is yet to take any formal decision although all indications point to its support to the President.

The SLPP raised similar concerns on a previous occasion too in this regard

Thirty MPs of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna are in talks with the main opposition Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) about joining forces, SJB legislator Ashok Abeysinghe said.

Speaking to reporters at an event in Kurunegala on Sunday March 10, Abeysinghe said five out of 11 SLPP parliamentarians that were elected from the Kurunegala district will team up with the SJB for the upcoming elections.

“We don’t intend to accept any MP from the SLPP. We only plan to take MPs without corruption charges and don’t have any court cases. Even now about 30 MPs are talking to us about forming an alliance with us,” the MP said.

“In the next few weeks, the media and the country will know who that is,” he added.

The SJB has been harshly critical of President Ranil Wickremesinghe for working with the SLPP, on whose support he has had to rely on since assuming office. Wickremesinghe has extended repeated invitations to opposition parties including the SJB to assist him in his economics reform agenda, but the SJB has refused citing his alliance with the SLPP.

Meanwhile, State Minister Arundika Fernando said on Wednesday March 06 that a large majority of the parliamentary group of the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) believe that President Ranil Wickremesinghe should run for president.

Fernando claimed the SLPP’s parliamentary group overwhelmingly believes that President Wickremesinghe should be the one to govern the country going forward.

That same day, amid speculation over the possibility of an early dissolution of parliament, President Wickremesinghe joked to SJB legislator Harsha de Silva that the chairmanship of a parliamentary committee the latter heads may not last much longer.

Sri Lanka is supposed to hold its next presidential election between September 17 and October 17. President Wickremesinghe has said the presidential election will be held first, followed by a parliamentary election next year. However, he has remained largely noncommital about his candidacy.

Spokespersons for the government have also made remarks about the possibility of abolishing the executive presidency, which would effectively render the need for a presidential election moot.

There is also some speculation that Wickremesinghe might dissolve parliament sooner than anticipated, but this has yet to be confirmed.

US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung has asserted that the United States will continue to monitor legislative developments in Sri Lanka that could challenge its progress on human rights, reconciliation, and civic space.

Taking to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), the diplomat highlighted that the joint statement issued by the Core Group earlier this month at the 55th Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), along with other statements made by local and international organizations, underscore shared concerns, notably that Sri Lanka’s much-disputed Online Safety Act could be used to criminalize a wide range of expression, suppress dissent, and undermine Sri Lanka’s digital economy.

Speaking in this vein, Ambassador Chung urged for comprehensive consultations to be made between the Government of Sri Lanka and other stakeholders, including civil society, prior to the enactment of any legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and civic space in the future, and that the due legislative process be followed in this regard.

On 04 March, the Core Group on Sri Lanka, at the 55th Session of the UHRC raised concerns with regards to several legislative developments regarding human rights, reconciliation and civic space.

In a joint statement, the Core Group, comprising of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, noted that certain legislative developments imposed recently have given cause for concern.

As such, they noted that the Online Safety Act has “the potential to severely restrict online communication, and could potentially criminalise nearly all forms of expression, creating an environment that has a chilling effect on freedom of expression”.

Thus, the Core Group urged the Sri Lankan Government to enact amendments to align the Act with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and commitments.

Speaking further, the Group reiterated their concerns surrounding the controversial Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), continuing to call for it to be replaced with legislation that is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations.

Attached below is the full statement issued by the Core Group at the 55th Session of the UNHRC:

Thank you, Mr President.

This statement is on behalf of the Sri Lanka Core Group comprising Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

High Commissioner,

There have been several important legislative developments regarding human rights, reconciliation and civic space. Unfortunately, some of these developments give cause for concern.

The Online Safety Act has the potential to severely restrict online communication, and could potentially criminalise nearly all forms of expression, creating an environment that has a chilling effect on freedom of expression. We urge the Government to enact amendments to align the Act with Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations and commitments.

We continue to call for the Prevention of Terrorism Act to be replaced with legislation that is consistent with Sri Lanka’s international obligations. We acknowledge the recent release of nine Tamil leaders detained last November. We encourage the release of unjustly held long-term PTA detainees and for Sri Lanka to maintain a moratorium on its use.

While we note the Government’s efforts to establish a Commission on Truth, Unity and Reconciliation we stress the importance of an inclusive participatory process to build trust in advance of any legislation. Any future Commission must be independent, inclusive, meaningful, and transparent, meet the expectations of affected communities, build upon previous transitional justice processes, and provide pathways for accountability.

As the Government brings forward other legislation with potentially serious implications for fundamental freedoms and civic space, we encourage comprehensive consultations with stakeholders, including civil society, and due legislative process.

We welcome the Government’s stated commitments on land releases but note with concern reports of increased tensions around land seizures in the North and, particularly, the East of the country.

High Commissioner, we urge the Government to engage with you and your office to address these and other challenges, and we remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.

Thank you.