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Sri Lanka again abstains from voting on resolution against Russia

Posted on February 24, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka once again abstained from voting on a resolution against Russia at the UN General Assembly, despite appeals made last week to back the new document.

The UN General Assembly called for ending the war in Ukraine and demanded Russia’s immediate withdrawal from the country, in line with the UN Charter.

At its resumed eleventh emergency special session yesterday (Thursday), the world body adopted a new resolution calling for an end to the war, only hours before the conflict enters its second year on Friday.

The results were 141 Member States in favour and seven against – Belarus, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Eritrea, Mali, Nicaragua, Russia and Syria. Among the 32 abstentions were Sri Lanka, China, India and Pakistan.

Sri Lanka has so far abstained from voting on successive resolutions presented against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Last week Germany appealed to Sri Lanka to support the new resolution on Russia.

By the terms of the new 11-paragraph resolution, the Assembly reiterated its demand that Russia “immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw all of its military forces from the territory of Ukraine and called for a cessation of hostilities”.

The Assembly, through the resolution, urged Member States to cooperate in the spirit of solidarity to address the global impacts of the war on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear security and safety. Underscoring that arrangements for a lasting peace should consider these factors, the Assembly also called upon all nations to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to address these impacts.

The resumed session had met on Wednesday to begin debating the resolution, with the General Assembly President, Csaba Kőrösi, saying that for a full year, the 193-member Assembly, the Secretary-General, and the international community “have been consistent and vocal in our calls to end this war, and to adhere to the UN Charter and international law”.

The Assembly also reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters.

The resolution also emphasized the need to ensure accountability for the most serious crimes under international law committed in Ukraine through independent national or international investigations and prosecutions to ensure justice for all victims and the prevention of future crimes.

The world body on Thursday also rejected two amendments proposed by Belarus. The first proposal would have altered several of the resolution’s provisions, and the second would have had the Assembly call on Member States to, among other things, refrain from sending weapons to the zone of conflict.

At the outset of the resumed session on Wednesday, the Assembly President said that in this “new chapter of history”, the world is facing “stark choices about who we are as an international community. These choices will either set us on a path of solidarity and collective resolve to uphold the tenets of the UN Charter,” he said, “or a path of aggression, war, normalized violations of international law and collapsed global action.”

Days after the 24 February 2022 invasion, UN Security Council members had voted to allow the General Assembly to convene the eleventh emergency special session after Russia had vetoed a resolution that would have condemned the invasion of Ukraine.

In line with resolution 377A(V), adopted in 1950, the Assembly is able to take up international peace and security matters when the Council fails to do.

Withholding funds for LG polls will have far-reaching consequences: Church of Ceylon

Posted on February 24, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The decision by the government to withhold funding for the Local Government Election is an unreasonable and arbitrary course of action that will have far-reaching consequences, the Church of Ceylon said.

It said in a statement that they were deeply concerned with the deteriorating situation in the country with regard to governance and the erosion of public confidence in the democratic process.

“We are all aware that the country was rendered bankrupt due to policy blunders, corruption, waste and mismanagement by those who have entrusted the task of governing the country. The people have now been burdened with very painful economic measures which could have been averted if the right thing was done at the right time.

Needless to say, the vast majority of this country who are made up of intelligent and hardworking people are now facing hardships due to the negligence and arrogance of a select group of politicians and public officials,” the Church said in a statement.

“The decision by the government to withhold funding for the Local Government Election is an unreasonable and arbitrary course of action which will have far-reaching consequences. The government which sponsored a tamasha at state expense on account of Independence Day nearly a fortnight ago has no moral right to withhold funding of an election. It has been nearly a year since the government announced its decision to default on external creditors. Any government which claims that it is unable to fund an election even after defaulting on its obligations to the outside world has no legitimate authority to continue in Office. We call on the government to take immediate measures to provide the resources to the Election Commission and other state agencies to hold free and fair elections as provided for in the Budget that was passed by Parliament.

The hallmark of any democracy is the opportunity it affords citizens to choose their own elected representatives at the due time. Denying that opportunity to our people will only affirm the fact that we are now under a dictatorship. Deploying thousands of police officers to disperse demonstrations with water cannons and tear gas is simply not the solution. Any government in power which remains blind to the ground realities will not be able to command support from any quarter to steer the country out of this economic mess. The country needs unity and democracy to face the political and economic challenges ahead,” the statement further said.

LG Polls will not be held on March 9 New LG election dates to be announced next week

Posted on February 24, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The new dates for the 2023 Local Government polls will be announced on March 03, 2023, the Election Commission announced in a media release today.

Thereby, the LG election will not be held on March 09 as scheduled due to matters beyond the control of the election body, the communiqué read further.

The decision was taken at a meeting held at the Election Commission this morning (Feb 24) to decide whether the LG polls would be held on March 09.

It was attended by the chairman of the election body, Attorney-at-Law Nimal G. Punchihewa and its members, M.M. Mohammed, S.B. Diwaratne and P.P. Pathirana.

At this meeting, it was also decided to submit a written request to the Speaker of Parliament to intervene to urge the Treasury to make available the funds required to conduct the LG polls, the election body said further.

Meanwhile, a report compiled on the constitutional actions taken by the Election Commission with regard to the LG polls which was initially slated to be held on March 09 will also be handed over to the Speaker, along with the aforementioned request.

Yellen to press China on Sri Lanka debt

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen stressed that committing to specific and credible financing assurances for Sri Lanka is “most urgent”.

The United States will continue to push for all bilateral official creditors including China to participate in what she called “meaningful” debt treatment for developing countries and emerging markets in distress, Yellen said, joining a press conference at the G20 meeting in Bengaluru.

Speaking on tackling building a stronger and more resilient global economy, Yellen noted that it is imperative to work together to ease the debt overhang that is holding back too many countries.

“The IMF estimates that around 55% of low-income countries are close to or in debt distress.”

Yellen said she looks forward to robust talks later this week about the Common Framework process to help countries like Ghana.

The US Treasury Secretary will also be engaging in discussions pertaining to international coordination on debt restructuring for middle-income countries.

Yellen was speaking to reporters in the southern Indian city before a two-day G-20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors kicks off today.

“We need to work together to ease the debt overhang that is holding back too many countries,” she said. Debt distress is expected to be a hot topic at the meeting, after a year that saw three South Asian countries – Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Bangladesh – turn to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for help.

Yellen noted that the IMF said about 55% of low-income countries are close to or in debt distress. “I will continue to push for all bilateral official creditors, including China, to participate in meaningful debt treatments for developing countries and emerging markets in distress,” she said.

Most urgent, Yellen said, “is the need to provide debt treatment to Zambia and to commit to specific and credible financing assurances for Sri Lanka.”

China last month offered Sri Lanka a moratorium, but its reluctance to provide more significant assurances is seen as a key obstacle hindering Colombo’s efforts to unlock a $ 2.9 billion IMF bailout.

“I will also be discussing international coordination on debt restructuring for middle-income countries,” she said, while listing other topics she intends to bring up, including climate change and the evolution of the multilateral development banks.

With respect to debt, she was optimistic that China would be constructive and understand the needs of distressed countries. “It’s important for China to cooperate” and “come to the table” for nations like Sri Lanka and Zambia, she said.

“The conversations that I have had with my Chinese counterparts have been constructive,” she said. “And I’m hopeful that we’ll see progress in the coming months.”

Election was announced legally as per the constitution, and election law – Elections Chief

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Chairman of the National Election Attorney Nimal Punchihewa said the Local Government Election was called for legally as per the country’s constitutions and the election law.

He told News 1st on Thursday (23) that all members of the National Election Commission consented to the Local Government Election Process.

He said that given that funds were not being provided to continue with the election process, the National Election Commission will meet on Friday (24) to reach a final decision on the Local Government Election 2023.

The statement came from the Elections Chief after Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday (23) that the country’s National Election Commission has not legally called for an election, and there are no funds to conduct an election.

Commenting on the debate requested by the opposition on postponing the election, the President said there is no election for one to be postponed.

The President said the proposed Parliament Select Committee must be appointed to inquire into the Election Commission and the Local Government Election.

In the meantime, the petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M. R. Wijesundara seeking an order to invalidate the preparations being made for the Local Government Election, was postponed to the 11th of May for further consideration, by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka.

The application was taken up in the presence of Supreme Court Justices S. Thurairaja, A. H. M. D. Nawaz, and Shiran Gunaratne on Thursday (23).

President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris appearing for the National Election Commission noted that No decision was reached to delay the election.

He noted that there was no division among the members of the National Election Commission with regard to holding the election.

However, he told the court that there were obstacles in holding the election due to the treasury not releasing funds for the election.

The Treasury Secretary had provided an affidavit to the Supreme Court with regard to the matter, and he was represented by Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle in court on Thursday (23).

Elaborating on the provision of funds, the Additional Solicitor General noted that it is not possible to provide more funds as requested.

When the court questioned when the funds can be provided, the Additional Solicitor General informed that advice should be sought to make such an announcement.

President’s Counsel Saliya Pieris appearing for the National Election pointed out to the Supreme Court that the petition had failed to name the important factions, including the political parties.

The President’s Counsel noted that it is important to respond to the affidavit made by the Treasury Secretary, and requested the court to take up the application again, soon.

President’s Counsel Romesh De Silva appearing for Professor G. L. Peiris requested the Supreme Court to summon the Treasury Secretary and the Government Printer for obstructing the election.

However, as the consideration of the applications filed by Professor G. L. Peiris and other factions had already been concluded, the Supreme Court rejected the request.

Following the consideration of facts submitted to the court, the petition filed by Retired Sri Lanka Army Colonel W. M. R. Wijesundara was postponed to the 11th of May 2023.

UN Human Rights Committee to review Sri Lanka

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The UN Human Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from 27 February to 24 March, during which it will review Egypt, Turkmenistan, Zambia, Peru, Sri Lanka and Panama.

The six parties are among the 173 members of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

They are required to undergo regular reviews by the Committee of 18 independent international experts on how they are implementing the Covenant as well as the Committee’s previous recommendations.

The Human Rights Committee, which has received the respective country reports and other submissions from non-governmental organisations, will discuss a range of issues with the six delegations through public dialogues on the following dates:

Sri Lanka will be reviewed on 8, 9 March. Dialogues with Peru, Sri Lanka and Panama will be conducted in a hybrid format.

Election Commission to decide on date for 2023 LG polls tomorrow

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka is scheduled to meet tomorrow (24 Feb.) in order to make a decision as to whether or not the 2023 Local Government (LG) election can be held on 09 March as scheduled.

Chairman of the Commission, Attorney-at-Law Nimal. G. Punchihewa assured, however, that a unanimous decision has already been taken by the members of the Commission that the LG polls will be held.

He stated that this was announced at a press conference held recently, with the participation of all five of the Commission’s members, adding that the five of them have already signed all necessary gazette notifications pertaining to the election.

SJB backs full implementation of 13A: Kiriella

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

The main Opposition in Parliament, the Samagi Jana Balawegaya yesterday (22) stated that the Party supports the full implementation of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, noting that National Land and Police Commissions would control related provincial commissions so that no issues would arise.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Chief Opposition Whip and SJB Parliamentarian, Attorney Lakshman Kiriella said: “We are for the 13th Amendment. It was former President and incumbent Government Parliamentarian Mahinda Rajapaksa who said that the 13th Amendment is not enough, and that he is for going beyond it. When he was conducting the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in 2010, he was worried that India might intervene to satisfy them, and therefore, he said that he will give ‘13th Amendment plus’. The 13th Amendment passed by the Parliament is the law now.”

When queried as to whether the SJB supports the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, Kiriella said: “Exactly. There will be a National Land Commission and under it, there will be a Provincial Land Commission, and the National Commission would oversee the work of the Provincial Commission so that there would not be any problem. Also, there would be a National Police Commission, and a Provincial Police Commission. Therefore, the Provincial Commissions would be under the National Commissions. Everything can be controlled. This is how it happens in India. The National Commissions cover the whole country, and they have oversight over the Provincial Commissions.”

When queried as to whether the ethnic issue could be resolved via the full implementation of the 13th Amendment, he said: “Definitely, it can.”

Meanwhile, the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna’s (JVP) former MP Sunil Handunnetti stated in a recent interview that his Party (represented in Parliament as the National People’s Power [NPP]) is not in agreement with the 13th Amendment. Speaking during an interview with Ada Derana, Handunnetti revealed that the NPP does not accept the said Amendment to any extent, adding that the JVP too is vehemently against the said piece of legislation.

“The difference between the current state of the provincial councils, and that are following the implementation of the 13th Amendment, is the devolving of Police and land powers. Where are these Police and land powers now? They are within the Constitution, but cannot be implemented as the people do not want this,” he added.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe recently stated at the all-party conference that he is bound to implement the existing law in accordance with the Executive powers of the President. He also stated that the 13th Amendment should be implemented accordingly, or that the Parliament should abolish it. The President further stressed that he is not ready to divide the country at all and that he would not betray the Sinhalese population either.

Sri Lanka Supreme Court postpones writ petition on local elections to May 11

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court has ordered that a writ petition seeking an order delaying the local government elections be taken up again on May 11.

The petition was filed by a retired army colonel who sought the local government polls that were scheduled for March 09 be delayed due to Sri Lanka’s prevailing economic situation.

However, an undertaking by the election commission in a previous petition hearing to hold the election still stands, according to lawyers.

Parliamentarian G L Peiris, who had filed one of two earlier petitions seeking an order that the election be held, said that one government official deciding that an election cannot be held on ground that it couldn’t be funded would set a bad precedence.

Informed sources had previously told EconomyNext that Treasury Secretary Mahinda Siriwardene’s hands might be tied under the island’s spending laws and cabinet directions, because tax revenues, though improving, were still below target.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe told parliament on February 23 that the election commission was due to inform the Supreme Court that day that it could not go ahead with the polls as planned.

Wickremesinghe also claimed that there was no election to postpone as no date for the election had been legally declared.

Criticism has been mounting against President Wickremesinghe’s administration for what opposition MPs claim is its relentless attempts to stifle democracy and delay the local government elections.

Opposition parties claim that the ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Party (SLPP) does not want the election to go ahead fearing a humiliating defeat.

“The election has not been postponed. There is no election to be postponed in the first place,” said Wickremesinghe, inviting laughter from the government benches.

“As far as we know, a date for the election still hasn’t been announced. Some people are talking about March 09. I cannot comment on that date. To my knowledge, there has been no official decision made to hold the election,” he said.

LG polls not legally declared: President

Posted on February 23, 2023 | by TELO Admin | Leave a Comment

Local government election has not been declared legally and therefore, there is no question of a postponement, President Ranil Wickremesinghe stated today.

“An election has not been declared legally as there has not been a quorum when the election commission members decided on the date.

“There has been only two members present when the decision has been made on the date while the two members present had decided on the date and then inquired the view of the remaining members who were not present. The quorum of the election commission meeting is three legally therefore no official declaration of the local government elections legally,” the President said.

“Also the funds for the local polls has not been requested from the election commission. The request letter has been signed by the accountant at Elections Department.