Category: News

The Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has urged Sri Lankan authorities to protect freedoms of expression and association.

Led by the United Kingdom, the Core Group comprises Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia and the United States.

In a joint statement issued by UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French, said the Core Group remains concerned by the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).

While acknowledging the ongoing efforts to replace the PTA, the Core Group urged the Sri Lankan government to ensure that terrorism legislation is consistent with the country’s international obligations.

The Core Group’s statement also stressed the importance of transparency, accountability, inclusivity and of building meaningfully on past work and recommendations that address the root causes of conflict and impunity.

Sri Lanka should safeguard its representative democracy by maintaining voters’ confidence in the country’s electoral systems and ensuring the independence of its institutions and commissions, the statement read further.

Welcoming Sri Lanka’s initial steps towards addressing concerns around land returns, long-term detentions and corruption, the Core Group said these steps can provide a basis to begin a process to protect the rights of all Sri Lankans, from all ethnic and religious communities.

Further, the Core Group called on Sri Lanka to work with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and his office and remain ready to support Sri Lanka in addressing HRC resolution 51/1.

The French Naval Ship Dupuy de Lôme arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (21 June).

The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval tradition, the Sri Lanka Navy said.

Dupuy de Lôme, a 102.40m-long electromagnetic research vessel, docked with a crew of 107 aboard the ship, commanded by Commander Augustin Blanchet.

During their stay in the country, the crew of the French vessel will visit some of the tourist attractions in Sri Lanka, while the ship is scheduled to depart the island on Tuesday (27 June).

The Navy has been providing assistance to devotees who are taking part in Pada Yathra, the age-old annual pilgrimage on foot from Jaffna to Katragama.

The Navy has been taking care of the needs of the pilgrims walking from the entrance of Kumana National Park to Kumbukkan Oya.

On a directive of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, and under the supervision of the Commander Southeastern Naval Area, the Navy will continue to help pilgrims until the end of ‘Pada Yathra’ on 27 June.

Retired Navy Commander and Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, former Commander Southeastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and newly appointed Area Commander Rear Admiral Nalin Navarathne also joined this year’s ‘Paada Yaathra’.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has met the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, during his visit to the United Kingdom.

The President’s Media Division said President Wickremesinghe shared his strategies for addressing climate change and explored the potential involvement of the Commonwealth in these efforts.

The Head of State has also discussed the digitisation programs within the Commonwealth during his meeting with the Secretary General.

British Tamils gathered at One George Street in central London to protest the Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s visit to London this week.

The protesters chanted “Ranil, Ranil – go home” after he arrived in London over the weekend to attend the 40th anniversary of the International Democratic Union before heading to Paris.

In Paris, Wickremesinghe is reportedly scheduled to meet the creditor countries of the Paris Club to discuss Sri Lanka’s debt restructuring process.