Category: News

On the International Day of the Disappeared, 30 August, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has called our attention to a deeply-human crisis that persists in Sri Lanka, despite the passing of time and the hope for resolution.

This reminder, coupled with the peaceful protest by the Unity of Families of Missing Persons on Thursday (31 August), serves as a stark wake-up call. It is a call to action, urging us to acknowledge the plight of those who continue to live in the shadows of uncertainty and to demand answers and justice for those who have disappeared.

In Sri Lanka, the issue of missing persons is a heartbreaking reality that transcends ethnicity, community, and time. The ICRC’s message reminds us that families across the country are still grappling with the painful ambiguity of not knowing what has happened to their loved ones. The disappeared individuals were not just numbers; they were fathers, mothers, siblings, and breadwinners and their absence has left a void that cannot be filled.

A recent report, titled ‘Mass Graves in Sri Lanka: History and Legal Framework,’ authored by Sophie Bisping, sheds light on a troubling discovery. Between the years 1992 and 2022, a total of 32 mass grave sites have been identified in Sri Lanka. However, it is disheartening to note that only seven of these sites have undergone excavation thus far. Among the excavated sites are those located in Sooriyakanda, Chemmani, Jaffna, Matale, Kalavanchikudy, as well as two sites in Mannar.

Sri Lanka is sadly renowned for having the world’s second-highest number of cases registered with the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances. Shockingly, it is estimated that between 60,000 and 100,000 people have suffered the harrowing experience of enforced disappearances since the commencement of the war in 1983.

The pain of enforced disappearances is an indescribable anguish that transcends words. It is a wound that festers deep within the hearts and minds of families who have been thrust into a nightmarish journey of uncertainty, fear, and despair.

The pain is not just emotional; it’s economic, social and psychological. The disappeared often play vital roles in their families, serving as breadwinners, caregivers and emotional pillars. Their absence leaves a gaping void that cannot be filled. Families are left to grapple with financial instability, legal complications and the stigma associated with having a missing relative.

The pain extends to the broader community and society as well. Enforced disappearances undermine trust in institutions, erode the rule of law and breed a culture of fear. They perpetuate a cycle of violence and impunity that reverberates through generations.

International humanitarian law is clear on this matter: people have the right to know what happened to their missing relatives, and authorities have an obligation to provide information and assist in ascertaining the fate and whereabouts of missing persons. This is not just a legal mandate; it’s a moral imperative that transcends borders.

The search for missing persons should be continuous and their families deserve individualised answers. Strengthening national frameworks, improving medico -legal processes and enhancing mechanisms dedicated to establishing the fate and whereabouts of missing persons are crucial steps in this journey. Equally important is the collection and processing of information on missing persons and related events, as well as sites containing human remains or possible remains.

As we reflect on the International Day of the Disappeared, let us not forget that behind every statistic, every protest, and every call for justice, there are individuals with stories that deserve to be heard. Let us honour the memory of those who have disappeared by redoubling our efforts to uncover the truth, provide answers and ensure that the families left behind can finally find closure and live in dignity.

As September has dawned, let it be a reminder that the search for answers and justice for the disappeared in Sri Lanka should never end until every family finds the closure and solace they so desperately seek.

The Indian Naval Ship (INS) ‘Delhi’ arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning (01st September 2023). The visiting ship was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval tradition.

INS ‘Delhi’ is a 163.2m long Destroyer manned by a crew of 450 and the ship is commanded by Captain Abhishek Kumar.

The Commanding Officer of the ship called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva at the Western Naval Command Headquarters this morning.

During the ship’s stay, the crew will take part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, with a view to promoting cooperation and goodwill between two navies. They are also expected to visit some of the tourist attractions in the country.

In addition, INS ‘Delhi’ has made arrangements to open the ship for the visit of school children. Further, training exchanges are scheduled to be held aboard, involving naval personnel from both navies.

The ship is expected to depart the island on 03rd September and she will conduct a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a ship of Sri Lanka Navy, off Colombo.

At the same time, the Defence Minister of India, Shri Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit Sri Lanka on 02-03 September 2023 to review bilateral defence ties.

During the visit, Shri Rajnath Singh will hold talks with President and Defence Minister of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe and Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena.

The entire gamut of India’s defence ties with Sri Lanka will be reviewed during these meetings. The Defence Minister will also visit Nuwara Eliya and Trincomalee.

​This visit of Shri Rajnath Singh reiterates India’s continued commitment in furthering the existing warm and friendly relations with Sri Lanka. The visit is an important landmark in deepening the enduring bonds of friendship between the two countries in the defence sphere.

The Sri Lanka Freedom Party (SLFP) invites MPs from all parties to form a common alliance, former president and SLFP chairman Maithripala Sirisena said, also suggesting that he is open to running for president again.

Speaking to reporters in Colombo on Thursday August 31 after a party meeting, Sirisena said there is a chance he might be asked to contest a presidential election in 2024.

Asked if he would accept a call to run for president once again, Sirisena said, with a hearty laugh: “There is a chance it might happen.”

His entourage, too, appeared to find his response amusing.

“Can’t I work as president? I have shown that I can.

“Let’s see how it goes. We’re ready for anything,” he said, getting into his official vehicle.

At a press conference held earlier Thursday, the former president said the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) does not pose any challenge to his SLFP.

“The SLPP is now in shambles. No one knows what even happened to the president [Gotabaya Rajapaksa] in the end,” he said.

“The SLPP Is barely a party. It has no formal structure, no one even knows what their constitution is,” he added.

Asked if members of the SLPP offered to work together with the SLFP, Sirisena said: “We invite everyone, not the SLPP but all parties and MPs to come together to form an alliance for a good government.”

“We won’t give nominations to anyone with corruption allegations,” he said.

Sirisena went on to say that there is speculation that a provincial council election will be held first to test the waters.

“We’re ready for any election,” he said.

Meanwhile, SLFP general secretary Dayasiri Jayasekara responded to reports that sections of the party are conspiring to have him removed from the position. This is following a last-minute decision to shift the SLFP’s 72nd anniversary celebrations from Kurunegala, his electorate, to Colombo.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday evening’s party meeting, Jayasekara said he only learnt Thursday evening about the decision. Asked if it is true that the party’s general secretary doesn’t know what’s going on in his own party, he said: “I didn’t know before. But I know today.”

If Sirisena and the SLFP central committee no longer wishes to have him on board, Jayasekara said, he is happy to leave.

“I’ll remain in the party, though,” he said.

“There is no pushback against me from the bottom. It’s a few at the top level who want me out so they can go and plug this party to [President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s United National Party (UNP)],” he said.

Notable among the attendees at the party meeting on Thursday ahead of the anniversary event was Agriculture Minister Mahinda Amaraweera whom, among others in the SLFP who had joined President Wickremesinghe’s cabinet of ministers, had been on the receiving end of criticism from the party for going against a party decision to not accept President Wickremesinghe’s invitation to support the government.

Party leader Sirisena denied that there is any rift in the party. He explained the decision was made taking into account the rainy weather now prevailing in the country, despite heavy rains in Colombo.

“We have all been like brothers. I have no idea where you’re finding these false reports,” he said to reporters questioning him.

Asked if there were attempts to remove Jayasekara as general secretary, Sirisena said: “Says who? That’s an absolute lie.”

Responding to rapid changes in the economic landscape of Sri Lanka, the Government of India has increased the financial allocation for various grant projects being implemented across the island.

Accordingly, financial allocation has been increased by upto 50% for nine ongoing projects which are currently being executed under the India-Sri Lanka High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP) framework.

The overall financial commitment for these nine projects currently stands close to LKR 3 billion, after the increase. These projects cut across sectors ranging from education and health to agriculture, among others, the Indian High Commission in Colombo revealed.

The Government of India has completed more than 60 grant projects under the HICDP framework, covering all the 25 Districts of Sri Lanka, while 20 other projects are under different stages of implementation.

The HICDP framework was signed between the two countries in 2005 and subsequently renewed thrice, for a period of five years each time.

India’s overall development cooperation partnership portfolio in Sri Lanka is currently around USD 5 billion, of which USD 600 million is grant.

Demand-driven and people-centric projects carried out by the Indian Government span across areas such as infrastructure development, housing, livelihood assistance etc.

As such, the 1990 Emergency Ambulance Service, Railway Track rehabilitation, Integrated Water Plants, Indian Housing Project and Jaffna Cultural Center are among

Since Archbishop of Colombo, Cardinal Malclom Ranjith had slammed the government authorities to name the group which supported the Easter Sunday bombers, Minister of Public security Tiran Allas invited him and the Church to go through the investigations and outline any shortcomings.

“We have already informed the Church authorities to go through the investigations into the Easter Sunday attacks. The Church is welcome to show any shortcomings with regard to the investigations which are almost completed. The Church should cooperate with us and should go through the investigations and show us if there are any shortcomings,” he said.

“Let us finish this ongoing confrontation over the Easter Sunday attacks,” he added.

Cardinal Ranjith who was speaking during a service at the Katuwapitiya Church said the present government had failed to reveal the truth on the Easter Sunday attacks.

“The present government has not kept its promise to reveal the truth on the Easter Sunday attacks. Neither the President nor the Attorney General or any Member of Parliament had done their duty. No member of Parliament had called for an impartial investigation into the Easter Sunday attacks,” the Cardinal said.

“We want the government to name the group which had supported the Easter Sunday bombers,” he added.