Branita, Author at ரெலோ - தமிழ் ஈழ விடுதலை இயக்கம்

Sri Lanka agrees to further changes to terror law to save GSP plus ahead of UNHRC

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka has expressed its willingness to amend the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), a move that analysts and diplomats are calling a bid to evade criticism at the upcoming United Nations human rights session and to prevent the loss of a lucrative European Union trade concession.

The island nation is under pressure to prove its sincerity in addressing alleged past human rights violations and to change the PTA, the country’s four-decades-plus-old anti terror law. Both local and international rights groups have claimed successive governments have used the PTA to muzzle ethnic minorities and political rivals.

The ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) coalition government’s Foreign Minister G L Peiris tabled the “Prevention of Terrorism Temporary Provision Act of 48 of 1979” in parliament on Thursday as per standard procedure.

The amendment came a day after Foreign Ministry in a joint statement with the EU said the European bloc has noted that “important elements had not been included in the Amendment Bill gazetted”.

“Sri Lanka took note of the views expressed by the EU to take further steps to make the PTA fully compliant with international norms,” the EU-Sri Lanka joint statement said.

“In the interim, while taking note of the administrative steps taken in the form of directives issued by the Inspector General of Police, the EU urged Sri Lanka to continue reducing the use of the PTA, and to undertake further practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges.”

The incumbent government used the PTA to detain Hejaaz Hizbullah, a lawyer who was accused of being linked to the 2019 Easter bombers sans evidence. Hizbullah was released on bail this week after 667 days in detention.

Hejaaz was released two months after the authorities granted bail to Ahnaf Jazeem, a poet who was detained for 19 months over concerns that his poems and teachings had caused ‘communal disharmony’.

The EU and global human rights groups had requested the previous government to repeal the PTA in exchange for continued access to the EU’s Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) plus, a lucrative trade concession annually worth over 500 million US dollars.

GSP+ hanging in balance

The SLPP had earlier resisted reforms to the terror law, but is now forced to amend it after EU has demanded the PTA’s repeal it in return for GSP+, diplomats say. The renewal of the GSP+ is due this year and some diplomats say the EU is likely to be tough on its stance.

Sri Lanka under the previous government had agreed to repeal the PTA in compliance with 27 international conventions related to human rights, labour rights, protection of the environment and good governance covered by the GSP+ scheme.

“Sri Lanka reiterated its commitment to effective implementation of the 27 conventions, and noted its adherence to the principle of non-discrimination, and the removal of any further impediments in the exercise of labour rights and fundamental freedoms,” the joint statement said.

However, international rights groups said Sri Lanka has been targeting people’s basic rights through the PTA.

“Sri Lankan authorities continue to use the Prevention of Terrorism Act to sweep away targeted people’s basic rights, reneging on past government promises to repeal the law,” Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch said in a statement this week.

“Proposed government changes to the PTA appear aimed to assuage the concerns of the EU and other governments, without ending abuses.”

Ahead of UN session

The government’s move to table the PTA amendments in parliament also comes just days ahead of the upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) session where the island nation is likely to be criticised for the various alleged rights abuses under the current government and the continued use of the PTA.

Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Ali Sabry has said the amendments to the PTA are temporary until the government comes up with an internationally accepted anti-terrorism law.

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) this week said the EU is unlikely to be satisfied with the amendments the government has presented to parliament and that “may mean trouble for the government”.

“The proposed amendments were an attempt to salvage Sri Lanka’s tariff-free access to the EU market under the bloc’s GSP+ trading scheme, which is conditioned on respect for international human rights,’ the HRW said in a statement.

“Some detainees were released or bailed over recent weeks, but many more remain in arbitrary detention, often held for months or years.”

Rights groups have campaigned against the PTA and called for its repeal claiming that its provisions are used for arbitrary detention and torture, particularly targeting minority Tamil and Muslim communities and suppressing civil society.

“The Sri Lankan authorities must ensure that all those still detained under the PTA have access to fair bail hearings and release those who have not been charged with recognisable crimes under international law,” the New York-based Amnesty International said in a statement after Hizbullah’s release.

“They must also repeal the PTA and issue an immediate moratorium on its use, as repeated attempts to amend the law have proved futile.”

In December, UN experts said people apprehended under the PTA continue to remain in arbitrary detention, often held for months or years under its provisions.

SL envoy meets Indian finance minister to discuss USD 1 billion credit line

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Indian Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Sri Lankan high commissioner Milinda Moragoda on Friday discussed the finalisation of a USD 1 billion line of credit to be provided by India to the island nation to purchase essential items to tide over an economic crisis.

Moragoda met Sitharaman and conveyed Sri Lanka’s appreciation for the support provided so far by India. He thanked her for the personal interest she has taken in supporting Sri Lanka at this “critical time”, according to a statement from the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi.

“The high commissioner also followed up with minister Sitharaman on the early finalisation of the USD 1 billion line of credit to purchase essential items, which is part of the four-pillar bilateral economic cooperation concept,” the statement said.

As part of the four-pillar package decided during Sri Lankan finance minister Basil Rajapaksa’s visit to New Delhi last year, the Indian side has so far provided a USD 500-million line of credit for purchasing fuel and a currency swap of USD 400 million under the SAARC facility. The Indian side has also deferred the payment of USD 515 million that was due to the Asian Clearing Union.

Progress in finalising the USD 1 billion line of credit was last reviewed at a virtual meeting between Rajapaksa and external affairs minister S Jaishankar on January 18.

Moragoda also thanked Sitharaman for the assistance provided by India to Sri Lanka as envisaged under the four pillars of cooperation, and discussed arrangements for Rajapaksa’s forthcoming visit to New Delhi.

The four-pillar package envisages India supporting Sri Lanka in terms of food and health security, energy security, a currency swap to address the balance of payment issue and facilitating Indian investments in different sectors. The $1-billion line of credit will allow Sri Lanka to make emergency purchases of food, medicines and other essential items.

“Collective for Consensus” suggests amendments to Lankan anti-terror law

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

The Sri Lanka Collective for Consensus (SLCC), a group of concerned citizens from various walks of life, has made some suggestions to amend the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

The PTA amendment Bill, prepared by the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government, is now before parliament in anticipation of the issue coming up in the February-March session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The SLCC says that the Prevention of Terrorism Act was introduced to the Sri Lankan legal system as a temporary law to deal with a growing armed insurrection. The PTA is being amended today in a time of peace and circumstances very different from when it was first introduced.

As pointed out by the government, the PTA is being amended for the first time in 43 years. SLCC recognizes some positive measures in the proposed revisions. These include: 1) Provision for detainees to apply for bail to the Appeal Court after one year of being detained 2) Ensuring that the magistrate looks into the conditions of detention periodically and 3) Obtaining a medical health check at the time of detention.

While welcoming these, and other improvements, the SLCC notes that the amendments do not touch the objectionable features such as the following: 1) The overbroad definition of terrorism 2) Detention orders given without supervision of the judiciary 3) Confessions to police continue to be admissible 4) Despite the release on bail of some PTA detainees, lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah and journalist Keerthi Ratnayake, among many others, remain in detention for long periods.

At SLCC’s meeting with the ministerial subcommittee under the chairmanship of Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris on 27 November 2021, it presented our position on the reform process.

SLCC wishes to reiterate the main elements again: a) Clarify the law; Define what terrorism is; b) Avoid extrajudicial actions: Limit all detentions and punishments to the courts of law; c) Ensure compatibility with the Constitution through vetting by the Supreme Court.

First, the term “terrorism” needs to be defined and not left open to arbitrary and subjective interpretations of political and administrative authorities and the security forces. Second, the powers of arrest and detention should be confined to the judiciary. The extrajudicial powers vested at present with political and administrative authorities and with the security forces need to be subject to judicial review. The powers to grant bail need to be vested with the more accessible magistrate courts as per criminal procedure code. Third, the legislation pertaining to the revised PTA needs to be vetted by the Supreme Court. Finally, natural justice principles and rights of individuals need to be honoured countrywide at every stage and should be parallel to the criminal procedure code.

Best Option: Repeal PTA

In the absence of the above the revision of a new draft would fall short of expectations by national and international standards of preventing terrorism. In this eventuality, SLCC believes the best option is for the PTA to be repealed and replaced with a new law that conforms to international standards.

SLCC observes that the powers of arbitrary arrest and detention given by the PTA to political and administrative authorities and to the security forces are frequently misused. They have impacted most severely on ethnic and religious minorities and also on political opponents of incumbent governments. The indemnity clauses that protect public officials need to be removed in cases of egregious abuse as decision makers should be responsible for their actions.

With the aim of protecting the human rights of citizens, meeting the expectations of the international community and securing the GSP Plus tariff concession, SLCC calls on the Government to further amend the PTA on the lines proposed or repeal it. This can be a part of the structural transformation in the country essential to sustainable peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lankan Collective for Consensus is a group of individuals drawn from multiple sectors of society, religion, academia, and non-governmental organisations. They are committed to a Sri Lanka that is founded on ideals of pluralistic coexistence, human rights, and justice.

HRW calls for Moratorium

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday said the Sri Lankan government needs to uphold its human rights obligations starting with genuine reform of the draconian PTA, accompanied by a moratorium on its use and the release of those unjustly jailed in its application.

“Cosmetic interventions won’t suffice,” the HRW said in a statement after the Sri Lankan Government Thursday tabled a bill in parliament to amend the PTA. The HRW noted that although the Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry is hailing it as a “most progressive step” towards bringing the notorious law in line with “international best practice”, the European Union is not buying it and that may mean trouble for the government.

But in a meeting in Brussels with their Sri Lankan counterparts, EU officials made it clear that “important elements had not been included in the Amendment Bill” and urged “further steps to make the PTA fully compliant with international norms”.

The EU also called for “practical and administrative steps to release on bail those detained under the PTA without charges”. Some detainees were released or bailed over recent weeks but many more remain in arbitrary detention, often held for months or years as a recent Human Rights Watch report shows.

“Sri Lankan activists, lawyers, and victims of past abuses and their families have campaigned for decades urging the repeal of the PTA, which is used to enable arbitrary detention and torture, targeting the minority Tamil and Muslim communities and suppressing civil society. The previous Government had promised to repeal the law, but failed to deliver,” the HRW noted.

The New York-based human rights organization said at risk of losing their GSP+ benefits, the administration of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa published in January the flimsy set of proposed amendments, only a few days ahead of a key meeting with the EU. Prior to the meeting, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry issued a grossly inaccurate and threatening statement against recent testimony by a prominent human rights lawyer Ambika Satkunanathan to the European Parliament, HRW pointed out.

In December, UN experts identified five “necessary prerequisites” for Sri Lanka’s counterterrorism legislation to comply with international standards. The HRW said the EU should continue to insist that those benchmarks be met: the freedom of countless Sri Lankans hangs in the balance, as does the country’s GSP+ status, which is vital to the economy.

“To safeguard it, the Rajapaksa government needs to uphold its human rights obligations, starting with genuine reform of the PTA, accompanied by a moratorium on its use and the release of those unjustly jailed in its application. Cosmetic interventions won’t suffice.”

Sri Lanka’s fertilizer sell out to China – Analysis

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka teeters on the edge of a grim economic precipice, entering 2022 with foreign currency reserves sufficient only for a single month of imports.

Domestic inflation rose to a decade-high record in 2021 following a surge in food prices triggered by import restrictions, a significant drop in the Sri Lankan rupee value and the government’s decision to print more money.

Sri Lanka is saddled with annual foreign debt settlements of US$4.5 billion for the foreseeable future. Notions of an investment friendly hub are satirised by the reality on the ground, with people standing in long queues waiting for daily essentials like milk powder and gas cylinders for cooking. These developments come amid an economic slowdown brought about by COVID-19, poor fiscal and monetary policies, and an abrupt decision to ban the importation of chemical fertiliser which gravely impacted local harvests.

The decision was made in April 2021 by an ‘out of touch with reality’ President Gotabaya Rajapaksa who believed that a prohibition on chemical fertiliser would increase his popularity as a promoter of organic farming and save much needed US dollars flowing out of the country. His attempt to proverbially ‘kill two birds with one stone’ backfired dramatically. Protests erupted throughout the country as farmers took to the streets demanding the continued importation of chemical fertilisers or the provision of a substitute organic fertiliser.

The Gotabaya regime reached out to China and imported organic fertiliser from Qingdao Seawin Biotech. Initial tests on samples carried out in Sri Lanka confirmed that Qingdao’s fertiliser contained a microorganism identified as ‘Erwinia’ which could cause crop failure. The Ceylon Fertilizer Company halted payments to Qingdao Seawin Biotech for the organic fertiliser. The Colombo High Court promptly ordered Sri Lanka’s People’s Bank to freeze the disbursement. The ship carrying the consignment of Chinese fertiliser was also denied entry into Sri Lankan ports.

Qingdao Seawin Biotech responded by demanding a US$8 million compensation from Sri Lanka’s National Plant Quarantine Services, asserting that failure to pay the sum in three days would result in legal action. The Chinese Embassy in Colombo tweeted that Sri Lanka’s People’s Bank would be blacklisted for freezing payments, despite the bank simply adhering to the High Court’s ruling. A local journalist observed that, ‘by slapping sanctions on People’s Bank, China could be showing disregard for domestic legal procedures, despite consistently maintaining internationally that it respects each country’s local processes, independence and sovereignty’.

The ship did not return to China after being blocked from entry to Sri Lanka. Instead, it left for Singapore and reportedly changed its name. Vessel tracking technology helped reporters locate the ship in Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka where China currently manages a port under a 99 year lease.

China’s heavy-handed approach forced the Sri Lankan government to back down. A government spokesperson stated that 75 per cent of the US$8 million will be paid out as compensation to Qingdao Seawin Biotech, despite Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange crisis. Sri Lankan Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage admitted that, ‘we cannot afford to damage diplomatic relations over this issue’. This highlighted the degree of leverage that China exercised.

Recent reports indicate that Sri Lanka plans to order a new consignment of organic fertiliser from Qingdao Biotech even though the company doubled the price of fertiliser that was initially agreed upon by the two parties. The Agriculture Minister also designated a committee to alter quality standards to enable Qingdao Biotech’s fertiliser to be imported and, in a move to conform to Qingdao’s demands, fertiliser samples will be tested in a laboratory recommended by China. The incident reflects Beijing’s ability to arm-twist small states when they challenge a Chinese firm or the Chinese government’s stance.

Sri Lanka’s weak economic position, coupled with the Rajapaksa family’s past connections with Chinese President Xi Jinping, undermines Sri Lanka’s ability to exercise independent agency and autonomy. The fertiliser debacle also demonstrates the likelihood that small states — particularly ones facing economic hardships relating to debt repayment — will be forced to swallow China’s ‘bitter pill’ regardless of whether it is in the national interest of the country.

*About the author: Shakthi De Silva is a Visiting Lecturer at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies and is currently pursuing his postgraduate studies at the National University of Singapore.

Hands Off EPF, ETF

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Several Cabinet Ministers are planning to express their strong opposition, during the next Cabinet meeting on 14 February, against the decision taken by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to impose a Surcharge Tax on the EPF and ETF.

Although the Finance Minister said the tax would be imposed on companies which earn colossal profits, a situation has been created where a majority of the Rs 100 billion revenue that is expected to be collected by imposing the Surcharge Tax, could be earned from the EPF and ETF, and the ministers are concerned about that, a senior Minister said adding most of the Ministers have expressed their vehement objection to it.

He stated that if the Government were to tap into the EPF and the ETF, it will be to the detriment of the Government and warned that the Government should then be ready to face the adverse consequences too.

The Minister opined that with the move made to impose the Surcharge Tax on EPF, the annual interest that is earned by employees through it could also get seriously hampered, thus dealing a crippling blow to the country’s workforce.

He pointed out that the explanation given by the Finance Minister, with regard to the Tax levied by banks, via the Surcharge Tax on EPF and ETF, has also not been clear and hence they were still in the dark about it.

He warned that if this imposition of tax is continued it will most probably politically boomerang on the Government before long. Minister of Labour Nimal Siripala de Silva said if the proposal put forth by the Finance Ministry is ratified the Government will be able to accrue a sum of Rs. 108.5 billion from the EPF alone.

He said in such a scenario the 7 per cent interest that is paid to those members of the EPF could decline even further.

The Minister of Labour said he has already proposed to the Government to defer the imposition of the Surcharge Tax on EPF and ETF till such time a solution could be found.

In the meantime, it is said that Ministers Vasudeva Nanayakkara, Wimal Weerawansa and Udaya Gammanpila are already planning to make submissions opposed to the imposition of the Surcharge Tax on EPF and ETF at the next Cabinet meeting. Already, the SLFP, including its Senior Vice President Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, too has expressed their vehement opposition to it, while Minister Mahinda Amaraweera has also reportedly held talks in this regard with his party leadership.

When contacted, Minister Nanayakkara said that he too agrees with the sentiments expressed by the Labour Minister.

The Minister of Water Supply said that no recourse should be provided for the Government to levy taxes on the EPF which solely concerns the hard earned cash of the working class.

In the meantime, several trade unions have also decided to launch protest campaigns in this connection by taking to the road on a broad platform shortly.

Meanwhile, the JVP threatened to take legal actions against the Government’s move to impose a 25 per cent Surcharge Tax on the EPF through a new Bill, JVP Leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake said.

He stated the Government has no right whatsoever to pilfer monies from the EPF which belongs to the working class.

“The Government has the responsibility to only manage and supervise it; they do not have any right to squander the EPF to suit their wishes,” Dissanayake stressed.

Finance Ministry admits scarcity of four essential items

Posted on February 13, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

While saying that there is a minor shortage in four essential commodities, the Finance Ministry said there is an urgent need of setting up an effective mechanism where imported goods reach the general public in a more transparent manner.

The matter was discussed in the maiden meeting of the committee appointed by the President headed by Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa to ensure that there is no shortage of essential commodities.

The Ministry said though there is a minor shortage of four essential goods such as milk powder, LP gas, wheat flour and cement at present, sufficient stocks of all other items are in hand.

Moreover, Finance Minister Basil Rajapaksa raised the importance of displaying the prices of products clearly in shops as there is a tendency among shop owners to decide the prices as they wish.

He also highlighted that the Consumer Affairs Authority should carry out surveillance and compile report on essential food items on a daily basis and thereby, the disparity in the distribution of the imported goods could be identified.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister said the existing forex crisis is a temporary situation.

Colombo and Delhi get closer, but failure to move on the Tamil question will dampen the enthusiasm

Posted on February 11, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Sri-Lanka-India relations have reached a “high point”, according to Sri Lankan foreign minister G L Peiris, who was in Delhi earlier this week. It is true that the tensions of the past do seem to have dissipated to a great extent. Colombo appears more welcoming of collaborations with India than it has been seen to in the past, especially during Rajapaksa governments.

Its economic crisis, which has led to dire shortages of essential commodities, fuel and medicines may have been a turning point in this respect. Colombo had appealed to several friendly countries for help, including India. In doing so, it also finally delivered on the Trincomalee storage tanks deal that had been held up for nearly two decades. Delhi’s financial assistance was timely. So great is the bonhomie that Sri Lanka is now talking about a closer integration of the Indian and Sri Lankan economies with more Indian investment in several sectors including ports, power, energy and tourism. In keeping with its policy since the turn of the century of supplying non-lethal military hardware, also under discussion is a proposal for Sri Lanka’s procurement of two Dornier aircraft, which will likely be deployed for maritime surveillance. India had earlier given offshore patrol vessels to the Sri Lankan coast guard. It will also help Sri Lanka launch a digital identity project along the lines of Aadhaar.

What remains troubling, however, is the continued reluctance of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to engage with the Sri Lankan Tamil polity. He has not met Tamil parliamentarians even once since he was voted to office in November 2019. On the other hand, the government says a new draft Constitution written by a “committee of experts” could be submitted to Parliament soon. There is understandable concern in the Tamil political leadership about its contents given recent centralising tendencies, and voices demanding the abolition of the only provision that speaks of devolution of political power, namely the 13th amendment, introduced during the Indian intervention in 1987. The Sri Lankan foreign minister has said that the rivalry between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen in the Palk Strait was the only “flashpoint” in India-Sri Lanka ties, Colombo’s foot dragging on a political settlement of the Tamil question has its own impact. A letter from Tamil parliamentarians to Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeking his intervention in the implementation of the 13th amendment, but also highlighting that provision was insufficient by the standards of “co-operative federalism” that he spoke about during his visit to Colombo, captures some of the anxiety. The upcoming United Nations Human Rights Council session may shed some light on the view from Delhi.

CPA files petition before SC over PTA amendment Bill

Posted on February 11, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

The Centre for Policy Alternative (CPA) and its Executive Director, Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu has filed a Petition in the Supreme Court (SC SD 13/2022) challenging the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) (Amendment) Bill which was placed on the Order Paper of Parliament on the 10th February 2022, The Morning learns.

The Bill to amend the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 was tabled in parliament on the 10th of February by Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.

Pursuant to the relevant amendments, the aggregate period of detention of a person under a detention order will be reduced from 18 months to 12 months.

The amendments will enable magistrates to visit the place of detention to ensure that the suspect is protected to the extent provided for in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act, No. 22 of 1994,

Meanwhile, a detainee will be allowed to apply for a remedy guaranteed under Article 126 or 140 of the Constitution.

In addition, the amendments will enable the suspect to be produced before a judicial medical officer to ensure that such person has not been subjected to torture and provide for holding trials on a day-to-day basis to ensure the expeditious disposal of cases.

Further, provisions will be made by the amendments for granting of bail to persons in remand or in detention and to question an Order made or direction given under the principal enactment despite the protection afforded to officers for any act or thing done or purported to be done in good faith.

Safeguarding Human Rights and GSP Plus

Posted on February 11, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

The National Peace Council (NPC)in a release condemns the manner in which The Foreign Ministry has contradicted the views expressed by the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust Chairperson Ambika Satkunanathan on freedom of speech and expression and by doing so the NPC states that the Government underscores it has its limits on legitimate public criticism of the state’s policies and actions. Full statement follows;

Freedom of speech and expression is a constitutionally protected right. The Foreign Ministry statement contradicting the views expressed by the Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust, Ambika Satkunanathan, brings up issues of the limits of legitimate public criticism of government policies and actions. We do not agree with its content and tone or with the personal targeting of Ms Sathkunananthan.

In a submission to the European Parliament’s subcommittee on Human Rights on January 27, Ms Satkunanathan made a critical assessment of the human rights situation in the country and provided recommendations in that regard. Much of what she said is also contained in statements made by the political parties representing the people of the North and East, and by civil society members including the National Peace Council.

The National Peace Council believes that as a representative of the civil society, Ms Satkunanathan has the same rights and freedoms with regard to speech and expression even if her views are not in line with government thinking and priorities. We particularly regret the paragraph in the ministry statement that draws a parallel to LTTE propaganda as a method of discrediting or silencing a critic.

The National Peace Council appreciates the Foreign Ministry and government’s willingness to engage in dialogue with different sectors in civil society which has led to positive outcomes and can be further built upon and expanded. We also wish to reiterate that just as much as the government, we in civil society want the best for our country, including retaining the GSP Plus by upholding the 27 international human rights covenants that successive governments, including our present government, have pledged to live by.

Julie Chung sworn in as new US Ambassador to SL

Posted on February 11, 2022 | by Branita | Leave a Comment

Deputy Secretary of State of the United States Wendy R. Sherman swore in Julie Chung as Ambassador to Sri Lanka yesterday.

Taking to twitter, Sherman said, “Ambassador Chung’s distinguished State Department career & exceptional leadership make her the perfect choice to represent the American people & advance the U.S.-Sri Lanka partnership. I look forward to continuing our work together,”

Chung is from Huntington Beach, California and joined the Foreign Service in 1996. She received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California San Diego and an M.A. in International Affairs from Columbia University. Her foreign languages include Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Khmer.