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GSP Plus vital for SL to fight competition – EU Ambassador

Posted on September 7, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

After 2010 Sri Lanka’s exports to the European Union (EU) have increased by 60% but half of it is through the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus, stated EU Ambassador to Sri Lanka Denis Chaibi, speaking at a virtual conference organised by Colombo-based think-tank Advocata Institute.

Vietnam increased by 400% and Bangladesh by 150% during the period from 2010 to 2019, thus to stay ahead of competition, GSP plus is significant for Sri Lanka, stated Chaibi. Ambassador further noted that retaining GSP Plus would give a positive image for Sri Lanka that it is committed to human rights obligations. “The EU market is competitive as it is a superpower in terms of product quality standards.

For a Sri Lankan exporter to export to the EU would give the exporter recognition in any other market as the EU only accepts products with certain standards. Sri Lanka is already in a forex crisis. Increasing exports is a way out of the current crises. COVID-19 has created a resilient supply chain but without preferential access it is difficult for Sri Lanka to increase its exports to EU markets.

GSP plus was granted in 2005, withdrawn in 2010, and then reinstated in 2017 with some conditions. Among these conditions was the commitment of the government to review the Prevention of Terrorism Act. “GSP Plus is an advantage to Sri Lanka as there are only eight countries which enjoy the facility. It provides zero tariffs or reduced tariffs to two thirds of the tariff lines.”

stated the EU ambassador to Sri Lanka. In June 2021 the EU parliament passed a resolution calling for the repeal of Sri Lanka’s Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and inviting the European Union (EU) Commission to consider temporarily withdrawing Sri Lanka’s access to the GSP+ concession. It urged the commission to use the GSP+ as leverage to push for advancement on Sri Lanka’s human rights obligations, thereby pressurising Sri Lanka to fully align its counterterrorism legislation with international human rights conventions.

Elderly father arrested for distributing Rs. 20 million to Jaffna residents

Posted on September 7, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Nelli Adi police yesterday (06) have arrested three persons who were donating Rs. 20 million in cash to the residents in the area at a house on Udupidi Wadiriyan Road in Jaffna on a charge of violating quarantine laws.

A son in a foreign country has sent Rs. 20 million to his father and instructed him to give Rs. 2000 each to the needy families.

When the elderly father started distributing the money along with two other members of the family, more than 2,000 residents of Jaffna hearing the news had come to the house and formed a long queue to collect money disregarding the quarantine curfew.

Most of them had not even worn face masks, the police said.

The elderly father and his two relatives have been arrested and taken to the police station for gathering a large number of people in one place in violation of the quarantine law at a time when the curfew is being enforced.

At that time about 500 persons had received Rs. 2000 each and the rest had been warned by the police and chased away, police said.

Reports on non-acceptance of Milinda’s credentials, untrue – Indian HC

Posted on September 6, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Indian High Commission of India has clarified that there is no truth in reports about non-acceptance of ‘credentials’ of High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India by Government of India.

“High Commission of India has noticed that there have been several media reports regarding ‘credentials’ of H.E Asoka Milinda Moragoda, High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India, who has arrived in New Delhi. It is clarified that there is no truth in reports about non-acceptance of ‘credentials’ of High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India by Government of India,” a statement by a High Commission spokesperson said.

A few days back, media reported that India has reportedly declined to accept certain provisions of the ‘Cabinet rank’ status of Milinda Moragoda – the High Commissioner-designate of Sri Lanka to India.

The present government appointed Moragoda as a High Commissioner enjoying “Cabinet rank,”, and he is the first diplomat receiving such an appointment.

Reports further said that India’s External Affairs Ministry has said an agrément (or a set of credentials) where Moragoda was referred to as High Commissioner holding “Cabinet rank,” cannot be forwarded to the President’s Office and asked for a fresh set of documents with no reference to “Cabinet rank” status.

As China tightens grip, Sri Lanka looks to boost India defence ties -TOI

Posted on September 6, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Amid concerns over growing Chinese footprints in Sri Lanka, the neighbouring island nation is looking to boost defence and security ties with India.

An integrated country strategy paper drafted under new high commissioner Milinda Moragoda, who finally took charge here on August 30, calls for frequent joint military exercises, more high-level military exchanges, utilisation of India’s $ 50 million counter-terrorism Line of Credit and for increasing the staff strength of defence advisor’s office.

The office of the Lankan high commissioner had remained vacant since January, 2020. While Moragoda was named high commissioner last year, it’s only now that he has assumed his official duty. This period coincided with some serious turbulence in bilateral ties following Sri Lanka’s decision to unilaterally banish India and Japan from the Colombo port’s East Container Terminal project that the 3 countries had agreed to jointly develop in a tripartite agreement. India was then forced to publicly remind Sri Lanka of the need to adhere to international commitments.

The Rajapaksa family’s apparent proximity to China further fuelled the ‘’trust deficit’’ in recent times. Moragoda is now seeking to address the same through the strategy proposal before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Outlining key tasks for Lankan missions in India, the proposal seeks to enhance the partnership to a strategic level by expanding bilateral cooperation in defence and Indian Ocean maritime security and says this would safeguard Sri Lanka’s strategic interests.
India had in 2019 announced a $ 50 million special Line of Credit for counter-terrorism activities which, as the paper notes, Sri Lanka is yet to utilize. “Seeking useful ways to utilize this special Line of Credit would be important. It is understood that more Lines of Credit in the defence sector are in the pipeline,’’ it says.

Among the key implementation tasks for the Lankan missions are securing and fully utilising all training berths offered by India’s defence ministry and seeking new training opportunities with Indian paramilitary forces and police.

Admitting that there is growing trust deficit because of ’’the changes in the geo-political equilibrium’’, the paper calls for transcending the transactional approach that has dominated the bilateral relationship. One of the objectives is to strengthen the bilateral relationship through regular high-level political visits between the 2 countries and enhance cooperation with India at multilateral and regional level.

Another objective mentioned is to resolve the contentious issue of externally displaced persons. ”The presence of Tamil externally displaced persons from Sri Lanka in India, particularly in the state of Tamil Nadu gives rise to complications in bilateral relations. Vested interests have exploited the sentiments associated with the externally displaced persons to give credence to their theories for political gains,’’ says the paper.

Proposal to impose emergency regulations passed by a majority of 81 votes in parliament

Posted on September 6, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The proposal to impose emergency regulations was passed by a majority of 81 votes in parliament, today.

The proposal received 132 votes in favor while 51 opposed the proposal. Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Tamil National Alliance and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna voted against the proposal.

Taking part in the debate, Minister Douglas Devananda said that even powerful countries are facing challenges due to the pandemic. Therefore, he said that government’s program to control Covid should be supported without trying to get narrow political gains.

Parliamentarian S.M. Marikkar said that introducing emergency regulations to control food, is an obstacle to the tourism industry. He said that their party would stand up for the democratic rights of the people.

Taking part in the debate, Minister Vasudeva Nanayakkara said it is suitable to use emergency regulations to defeat trade terrorism.

M.P. Anura Kumara Dissanayake said if consumer protection laws are not strong, they should be made stronger. He said that he opposes bringing in emergency laws under the pretext of protecting the public.

Sri Lanka reports 180 Covid-19 deaths on Monday, toll rises to 10,320

Posted on September 6, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka Monday reported that 180 deaths due to COVID-19 confirmed for Sunday, September 05, 2021.

The Director General of Health Services has confirmed 180 deaths due to the COVID-19 for Sunday, September 05.

Among the Sunday’s deaths, 97 are of males and 83 of females. The majority of the deaths numbering 133 are of elderly people in the 60 years and above age group. Five males and two females below 30 years of age also succumbed to the disease.

According to the data reported by the Government Information Department, the total deaths due to Covid-19 since the pandemic began has now risen to 10,320 including Sunday’s reported deaths.

Bathiudeen remanded till Sept.17 over the death of 16-year-old girl

Posted on September 6, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen who had been named as the fifth suspect over the death of a 16-year-old domestic aide at his residence was today ordered to be remanded till September 17, after being produced before Colombo Chief Magistrate’s Court.

Ayesha Sihabdeen, the spouse of Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and her father were also ordered to be further remanded till September 17 by Colombo Additional Magistrate Rajindra Jayasuriya.

However, the brother-in-law of Parliamentarian Rishad Bathiudeen and the broker who brought the deceased girl to Bathiudeen’s house were ordered to be released on bail taking into account separate bail applications filed on behalf of them.

Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen was named as the fifth suspect for allegedly aiding and abetting to commit this crime.

Bathiudeen is also currently held in remand custody in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks.

The Court was informed that there are several discrepancies between the first and second post mortem reports about the girl’s death. The second post mortem report has reportedly given an open verdict regarding the death creating uncertainty whether the death was a murder or suicide.

On July 26, the Court had issued an order to exhume the body of the 16-year-old girl who died at the house of MP Rishad Bathiudeen, to perform a fresh post mortem.

The Court had ordered the health authorities to appoint a panel of medical experts to perform a fresh post mortem into the death of the girl, to ascertain whether the death was a murder or suicide.

Tamil National Parties Joint statement to UNHRC

Posted on September 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Commissioner for Human Rights’ oral report on Resolution 46/1 is due to be tabled at the next session of the Human Rights Council in September. The Government of Sri Lanka has rejected Resolution 46/1. The Human Rights Council had in the last session given the office of the Commissioner for Human Rights the power to gather primarily evidence.

The Human Rights Commission has stated that it is preparing to mobilize resources for this purpose with the allocation of funds and the appointment of officers. It is expected that measures for the justice mechanism will make significant progress in the forthcoming session of the Human Rights Council, which is considered important on its basis.

It was now decided by the consensus of the Tamil National Parties to report on the government’s unleashed anti-Tamil activities in the Tamil homeland after Resolution 46/1.

Accordingly, the Secretary General of the Tamil People’s Alliance(TPA), Justice CV Vigneswaran MP, Leader of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), Selvam Adikalanath MP, Leader of the Democratic People’s Liberation Front(PLOTE) Siddharthan MP, Leader of the Eelam People’s Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) Suresh Premachandran, Leader of the Tamil National Party (TNP) Srikantha and Secretary General of the Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO) Govindan Karunakaram MP and TELO Member of Parliament Vino Nokarathalingam. A detailed statement signed by Member of Parliamentarians was Submitted to the Commissioner for Human Rights.

Full Letter attached Below

New Zealand tried to deport Sri Lankan for years after he arrived as refugee

Posted on September 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

New Zealand had tried for years to deport the knife-wielding militant from Sri Lanka, accused of wounding seven people at a mall in Auckland last week, the New Zealand Government said after it released more details on the suspect following the lifting of a court suppression order.

Court documents made public on Sunday identified the suspect as Ahamed Aathil Mohamed Samsudeen, 32, an ethnic Tamil Muslim from Sri Lanka. He had arrived in New Zealand 10 years ago on a student visa seeking refugee status, which was granted in 2013, the Reuters news agency reported.

Police were following Samsudeen and said they shot him dead about a minute after he launched his attack Friday after picking up a knife from a supermarket display. He had been convicted and imprisoned for about three years before being released in July.

Samsudeen’s family issued a statement to the New Zealand media describing their shock at the “terrible event.”

Samsudeen was inspired by the Islamic State militant group and was being monitored constantly but he could not be kept in prison by law any longer, the government has said.

He came to the attention of the police and security services in 2016 after he expressed sympathy on Facebook for militant attacks, violent war-related videos and comments advocating violent extremism.

It was subsequently discovered that his refugee status was fraudulently obtained, and the government moved to cancel his visa and issued deportation notices.

But Samsudeen appealed against the deportation, and since he was in prison, his appeal could not proceed until his criminal trial ended in May this year.

The attack has led to questions about a loophole in counterterrorism laws that allowed Samsudeen to remain free despite authorities being aware of the threat he posed.

The government has promised to tighten the law, in particular to criminalize planning a militant attack.

“We will continue to review our immigration laws alongside the terrorist suppression law and I’m sure if there are ways we can improve it, we will,” Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson told a news conference.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a statement on Saturday that unsuccessful attempts to deport Samsudeen was a “frustrating process” for the government.

Of the seven people wounded in the attack, three are in critical condition. One person has been released from hospital. Samsudeen’s family said in the statement they were heartbroken.

“We hope to find out with you all, what happened in Aathil’s case and what we all could have done to prevent this,” the family said in the statement, released by his brother Aroos.

The family said Samsudeen was suffering from some mental health problems and his condition got worse over the past 10 years as he spent more time in prison and dealing with court cases.

“He wanted to share the sufferings and injustices. He saw himself as someone fighting those injustices,” the family said.

Sri Lanka’s COVID death toll hits 10,000

Posted on September 5, 2021 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 death toll surpassed the grim milestone of 10,000 with 189 more victims confirmed by the Director-General of Health Services for Saturday (September 04).

The new development has pushed the official death toll from the virus outbreak in Sri Lanka to 10,040.

According to the data released by the Department of Government Information, the latest victims confirmed today include 96 males and 93 females.

As many as 154 deaths have been reported among elderly people who are aged above 60 years. In addition, 34 people aged between 30-59 years and one male below 30 years have also succumbed to the virus infection.

The last 5,000 coronavirus deaths in Sri Lanka were reported within a time period as short as a month.