The budget for the year 2022 of the Valvettithurai Urban Council in Jaffna has been defeated by one vote.
Accordingly, eight members voted in favour while nine voted against.
Four Independent party members, two EPDP members and two SLFP members voted in favour of the budget while seven TNA members, two Tamil National People’s Front members voted against it.
Therefore, the budget requires to be amended and presented in 14 days.
Members of British and Scottish parliament, from across the political spectrum, have called on Police Scotland to end its police training program with Sri Lanka and for the British High Commission to heed the “voices of human rights campaigners and those who have either fled from or are still suffering state-driven violence in Sri Lanka”.
In a joint letter addressed to Sarah Hulton, the parliamentarians note that Police Scotland’s training contract with Sri Lanka is due for renewal at the end of March 2022, subject to approval from the British High Commission. The contract has been temporarily suspended pending a human rights assessment. The letter highlights growing concern over the human rights abuses committed by Sri Lankan police officers citing the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights report in January which detailed “the persistence of longstanding and endemic patterns of custodial deaths, use of torture and other ill-treatment, and extrajudicial killings by law enforcement officials with impunity, [as well as] credible allegations through well-known human rights organisations of abductions, torture and sexual violence by Sri Lankan security forces”.
The parliamentarians further warned against Police Scotland’s training being used as “political cover, unwarranted legitimacy, and a smokescreen for human rights abuses which are occurring in the country”.
The letter further chided the Scottish Government and Police Scotland for a lack of transparency noting that since their engagement with Sri Lankan police in 2006, “there has been little clarity about the content of the training, the units and individuals who are being trained, and its effectiveness in improving human rights”.
They further note that whilst the Scottish Government and Police Scotland had claimed that “training with Sri Lankan Police had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic”, they have not clarified that a review of the OSJA had been underway since May 2021.
“They have failed to engage with campaigners or the victims of past violations and have not demonstrated any willingness to ensure that their concerns about human rights are heard as part of the OSJA review process” the letter adds.
The parliamentarians stress the need for clarity on whether submissions can be made to the review and the time frame of the review process.
“Victims of police atrocities, human rights campaigners, and elected MSPs and MPs should be able to make their opposition to continued engagement with Sri Lankan Police on justice and security issues clear to the British High Commission” the letter maintains.
The letter concludes by stating:
“Despite years of training and engagement by Police Scotland the human rights record of the Sri Lanka Police has not improved. On the contrary, under the current government of Gotabaya Rajapaksa, it is deteriorating. There has been no accountability for past abuses, and the Sri Lankan government has repeatedly made its opposition to accountability very clear. Given both Scotland and the UK’s commitments to being champions of international human rights, we are concerned that Police Scotland’s continued links to the Sri Lanka Police are inherently incompatible with these commitments”.
Read the full letter below.
The MPs and MSP who have signed the letter are listed below.
This letter was coordinated by a dedicated team of lawyers who have also taken on the cases of Tamil victims who are seeking legal recourse and reparations from Police Scotland. These lawyers are currently in briefings with these victims.
Sri Lanka wants to reclaim its ancient glory by conducting a detailed scientific research into its aviation past. Many Sri Lankans believe that King Ravana was the world’s first seasoned aviator and that during his days, the island had aircraft and airports. Dismissing the argument that these are mythological beliefs with no scientific backing, some enthusiasts have gone ahead researching on their own.
Two years ago, a conference of civil aviation experts, historians, archaeologists, scientists and geologists was held in Colombo to give a push to the idea. The conference had concluded that Ravana first flew his aircraft from Sri Lanka to India and back.
After the conference, the then Sri Lankan government had sanctioned an initial grant of 5 million Sri Lankan Rupee (SLR) to start the research. “The research was stopped due to Covid-19 lockdowns. The current government of the Rajapaksas is also interested in it. They have agreed to continue the project as an initiative of national importance. I expect the researchers to resume work by early next year,” said Shashi Danatunge, former vice chairman of the Sri Lankan Civil Aviation Authority.
Shashi, a history buff and also former CEO of Sri Lanka Cricket Board, has travelled across the island looking for traces and evidences of the country’s civil aviation past.
“I am convinced that Ravana is not a mythological figure. He was a real king and he indeed had aircraft and airports. They may not be today’s aircraft and airports. Certainly, the ancient Sri Lankans and Indians had access to superior technologies. We need to conduct an objective research into it,” Danatugne said.
He has also requested the Government of India to join the project believing it to be an important research for both countries to assert their ancient achievements.
Shashi is not alone in advocating for a research on this. Sunela Jayewardene, Sri Lanka’s leading environmental architect, in her book The Line of Lanka – Myths & Memories of An Island writes passionately about Ravana’s aviation.
“In the adult world, Ravana’s flight is fictitious, as any educated adult knows that the American Wright brothers invented flight as recently as the last century. But that belief stems from a few centuries of mental conditioning that the West has the most sophisticated technology,” she said.
She also argues that descriptions in the ancient texts of the Vimana or aircraft are too detailed and technical to be labelled as myth. Her uncle, the late Ray Wijewardene, a Sri Lankan pioneering modern pilot, had also backed this theory, she says.
“If I had doubts about ancient flights, they were swept away in a gust of excitement when he told me that he believed the Mayuranga kings (Ravana’s dynasty) had aircraft and even airports. They would have had gliders he said, and look for water nearby, not necessarily runways,” she writes.
According to her, there are places associated with aircraft landing such as Thotupolakandha and Ussangoda, Weheranganthota, Rumassala and Lakegala in Sri Lanka.
There is a renewed interest in Sri Lanka about Ravana and his kingdom. The island nation has also sent a satellite called Ravana to the outer space to honour him.
Many Economic Centres across the island are experiencing a drastic drop in fruit and vegetable produce, and available crops are being sold at higher prices. However, according to our correspondents, the Manning Market in Colombo saw a reduction in prices when compared to the past few days.
Stocks of fruit were limited due to the shortage of fertiliser, but there was an excess of bananas and the prices are extremely low, said the Chairman of the Manning United Progressive Union Priyantha Wijesundara.
In the hill country, the Menikkumbura Economic Centre usually with a daily turnout of a Million kilos of Vegetables is experiencing a drop to 100,000 Kg per day.
A complete stoppage of goods might be expected in the next 2-3 weeks because vegetables are unconsumable due to inclement weather, fertiliser problem on the other hand, as well as the shortage of diesel, will stop transportation, said the Chairman of the Katugastota Menikkumbura Economic Centre D.N.A Silva.
” We will have to close down our shops, go home and send our employees home too. The burden of this will fall onto the general public”, said Silva.
Meanwhile, the Thabutthegama Economic Centre reported a 60% drop in vegetable stock and a lower turnout of farmers and buyers when compared to normal days. The Dambulla Dedicated Economic Centre too saw a massive drop in supplies reaching the premises.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) staged a protest inside Parliament today against the harassment faced at the hands of the Police yesterday.
The SJB accused the Police of preventing a large number of protesters from reaching Colombo yesterday (Tuesday) to take part in a rally against the Government.
SJB General Secretary Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the Police was used yesterday to do politics.
He told Parliament that the Police blocked buses transporting protesters to Colombo.
The MP said that the court had not banned the protest but the Police decided to act on their own.
Ranjith Madduma Bandara alleged that a youth who was to attend the protest had also died after being assaulted by the Police.
The protest was staged against the Government and was conducted on the main road at Galle Face.
Ranjith Madduma Bandara said that the SJB will stage more protests against the Government.
Ahead of the protest the Police had also closed most public parking spaces in Colombo to prevent vehicles used by the protesters from being parked at those locations.
A public commission under the concept of “One Country, One Nation, One Law” was launched by a group of civil society members yesterday (17) with the initiative being led by former Bodu Bala Sena (BBS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dilantha Withanage and incumbent National Movement for the Protection of Consumer Rights Chairman Ranjith Vithanage.
“The law is implemented differently in Sri Lanka for different people, based on caste, race, and class. Laws are implemented depending on the language you speak, how you dress, and what vehicle you drive. We want to challenge this and implement a civilian-led public commission where the public can submit their complaints to this commission which will then offer support – both legal and otherwise – in order to ensure that justice is served,” said Dilantha Withanage, who is a lecturer by profession, at a press conference held yesterday.
He added that the need for this arose when members of the public approached them with incidents of injustice.
“We are all responsible for this corrupt culture,” he observed.
Meanwhile, Ranjith Vithanage said that the commission will include representatives from all sectors and will reach the grassroots level through representatives from each grama niladhari division.
Recently, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed a Task Force to formulate a conceptual framework for the concept of “One Country, One Law” chaired by BBS General Secretary Ven. Galagodaaththe Gnanasara Thera, who has been accused of inciting hate and violence towards the Muslim community. The Task Force garnered criticism from various quarters, including the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL). The concept of “One Country, One Law” has also received criticism with several prominent figures who speculated on how this would unfairly affect minority communities.
Dilantha Withanage, in a recent media interview, has stated that although he has not left the BBS, he is not actively involved in its operations anymore.
A special notice was issued on informal parking during the day and night on both sides of the A9 main road in the Northern Province.
The notice was issued by Northern Province Senior DIG Jagath Palihakkara
Accordingly, the Wanni, Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Mannar districts and divisions, with the assistance of the Road Development Authority (RDA) have been asked to identify suitable parking areas and enlighten drivers about this.
The Senior DIG advised the police officer in charge of the division to deploy traffic Policemen to carry out this task properly and advised to display sign boards in the relevant areas without disturbing the drivers until the work is completed.
Some 128 fatal road accidents have been reported in the Northern Province during the period from January to October 31, 2021.
There were 134 fatalities, 23 serious injuries, and 308 minor injuries.
The Senior DIG requested that people have the right mindset before driving their vehicles, and requested that they always wear seat belts and follow safety procedures while ensuring proper lane speed limits and minimizing road accidents.
A Sri Lankan parliamentarian has urged the government to legalize cannabis cultivation amid protests by religious leaders.
Diana Gamage, a government lawmaker, said cannabis cultivation can solve the foreign exchange crisis by bringing in billions of dollars to the country.
“The country can be freed from debt through the legalization and export of cannabis cultivation,” she said in parliament on Nov.16. “We do not have to beg or borrow money from anyone. This resource given by nature should be legalized and exported with state patronage to earn foreign exchange.”
Gamage pointed out how various products such as beauty creams, toothpaste and toothbrushes are produced using cannabis around the world and said it presented “a great opportunity” in an environment where tea, rubber and coconut have lost their former place in the international market.
Some political parties like the Social Democratic Party (SDP) along with indigenous doctors had urged President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to legalize cannabis for self-immunization.
SDP secretary Thusitha Balasuriya had said it would be an important and revolutionary decision to be taken for the betterment of Sri Lankans.
We learned through the media that some businessmen and leaders of the underworld who deal with drugs have a good rapport with even religious leaders
Religious leaders criticized the government move last year. Ven. Ittapana Dhammalankara Thera, the chief prelate of Kotte Sri Kalayani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha of Siyam Maha Nikaya, called for immediate action to stop the promotion of cannabis.
Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith issued a pastoral letter in April 2019 urging all parishes and church institutions to denounce drug peddlers. Catholic priests, nuns and laypeople organized several protest marches and rallies against the increasing abuse of illegal drugs across the island nation.
Cannabis cultivation is banned in Sri Lanka even though it is allowed to be grown in sufficient quantities for use as an Ayurvedic traditional medicine.
About 40,000 people die every year in the country due to drug abuse, alcohol consumption and smoking.
A Catholic priest who did not want to be named said cannabis was being widely promoted on social media. “We learned through the media that some businessmen and leaders of the underworld who deal with drugs have a good rapport with even religious leaders,” he said.
Nimal Fernando, an activist who organizes anti-drug activities for schoolchildren, said: “We must protect people, especially children, from drug abuse. Sixty people die every day due to smoking. Fifty die because of alcohol abuse.”
Source: UCA News
Tens of thousands of supporters of Sri Lanka’s main opposition party rallied in the capital Colombo to protest the nation’s economic struggles, the first major campaign against President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s government since it swept to power last August.
Defying heavy sporadic rains, tightened Covid-19 guidelines and court orders, supporters of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya — led by party head Sajith Premadasa and other leaders — marched toward the president’s office in Colombo on Tuesday, carrying placards and shouting slogans against spiraling prices and shortages worsened by a foreign exchange crisis that’s led to import controls. Those converging to the capital from other provinces were turned back by police.
Participants included farmers, a key vote bank for the ruling party and opposition, who have been protesting a government decision to ban imported chemical fertilizers as key crops, including tea and paddy, start to fail.
The protests pose no immediate threat to Rajapaksa, whose government commands a two-thirds majority in parliament. His government last week said the opposition’s decision to call for street protests may lead to an increase in coronavirus infections and the country could “be shut down again.”
Sri Lanka this week halted crude processing at its only refinery to conserve its foreign exchange reserves — which are at the lowest since 2009 — for importing essential goods. The South Asian nation faces $1.5 billion of debt maturities next year even as efforts to shore up the pile through foreign investment haven’t yet succeeded and earnings from sectors such as tourism and remittances have been hit by the pandemic.
“This is a serious crisis, people are not sure what is going to happen,” said Jehan Perera, executive director at the National Peace Council of Sri Lanka. “It shows that people are willing to come out to show their displeasure even knowing that this government has three more years.”
The government, which has curbed imports from milk powder, sugar and cement to conserve foreign exchange, leading to shortages, has said it’s working on other measures to increase dollar inflows.
Sri Lanka is not likely to experience a V shape economic recovery given the global issues and local issues which Sri Lanka has created by its own self, UNP MP Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament today.
“The supply chain in Europe and Japan is expected to fall. Japan’s GDP has been reduced by one percent while China is facing an energy crisis. There are other local issues which Sri Lanka has created on its own. Sri Lanka’s economy is dependent largely on imports whether we like it or not. Economy has fallen as a result of import curtailment. Foreign reserves have come down to US$ 2 billion out of which gold reserves account to US$ 300 million. One cannot go along with a foreign reserves which is US$ 1.7 billion. Local banks are functioning with complete non-performing loans. Total non performing loans in Sri Lankan banks accounts are between Rs. 4,000 billion to Rs. 6,000 billion. Just remember Sri Lanka’s GDP is averagely 18,000 billion,” he said
“Sri Lanka faces an annual foreign debt service of US$ 500 million annually,” he added whilst highlighting that Sri Lanka will face a great economic crisis,” he added.
Also he questioned why the allocation for the health sector from this year’s budget.
Mr. Wickremesinghe further questioned as to how the Central Bank Governor took a unilateral decision to secutrice Sri Lanka’s foreign reserves. ” It is the cabinet and Parliament which have the power to make such decisions,” he said.
