Karu

Sri Lanka’s grim record is under scrutiny at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, so the government of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has announced yet another internal inquiry. Foreign governments should not be swayed by this disingenuous attempt to avert urgently needed international action. There have been at least a dozen domestic commissions of inquiry during the decades of …

Sri Lanka Seeks Diversion, Not Justice, Over Wartime Abuses Read More »

Last week we wrote that it’s time for the Geneva Circus and that it would come with molehills and mountains. Well, now we have it all in a single document. The report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on Sri Lanka is now in the public domain. A dismissing observation frequently used by high …

Government by, for and with the UNHRC or the people? Read More »

No ex- president, prime minister, defence secretary or other Cabinet Minister of Sri Lanka has been prosecuted after his side lost an election – or maybe there were just one or two, forgive my ageing memory. Do you recall the blood curdling threats that the 2015 winners issued about crucifying oodles of thieves and gangsters …

Why Are Political Blackguards So Often Not Prosecuted? Read More »

The apolitical National Movement for Social Justice (NMSJ) Chairman Karu Jayasuriya said yesterday that the failure on the part of the Government to explain the massive fraud of Rs. 10 billion that had allegedly taken place due to the cut in the sugar tax was a serious blow to the confidence that the people of …

Allegations About a Massive 10 Billion Rupee Sugar Tax Cut Fraud and the Govt’s Failure to Offer an Explanation Read More »

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has expressed strong criticism of the prevailing human rights situation in Sri Lanka and urged member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council to consider imposing punitive measures on the country including a referral to the International Criminal Court. The UN Human Rights Commissioner …

UNHRC;Proposes Referral to International Criminal Court, Invocation of Universal Jurisdiction for Crimes and Targeted Sanctions Such as Asset Freezes and Travel Bans Against Alleged Human Rights Violators Read More »

Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Minister Douglas Devananda said that the people in the Trincomalee District should receive dividends of the development projects and thousands of jobs that are being provided under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. The Minister was speaking at the Local Industries Promotion Committee Progress Review Meeting at the Trincomalee Secretariat …

All should get opportunities equally – Cries Tamil Minister Devananda Read More »

Archbishop of Colombo Rt. Rev. Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith yesterday (20) said that destruction of public property couldn’t be condoned under any circumstances. Taking part in the annual celebrations at the St. Sebastian’s church, Katuwapitiya, the scene of Easter Sunday carnage, two years ago, the Cardinal said he couldn’t be silenced by any power. Declaring that …

Government supporter Cardinal now says he cannot be silenced Read More »

An LTTE suspect accused of a deadly bombing in Sri Lanka is to go on trial in Germany. The suspect is to appear in court in Düsseldorf, Germany after he claimed to have detonated a bomb when he was a teen, killing six people. The Düsseldorf Public Prosecutor’s Office in their indictment said that the …

LTTE suspect accused of deadly bombing in Sri Lanka to face trial in Germany Read More »

India wants the 13th. Fine. If it is believed that repealing the 13th is out of order, then we could keep it but under a different provincial map The LLRC recommended devolution but interjected the important caveat, ‘agreeable to all communities,’ a caveat which those who gaily quote this element of the LLRC report happily …

Let’s go for 13 Plus Read More »

Muslims have become reluctant to go to hospital as they are being cremated if they succumb to COVID-19, MP Rishad Bathiudeen told Parliament today. “Muslims are scared to go to hospital as they are afraid that they will be cremated if they succumb to COVID-19,” Mr. Bathiudeen said. “Some Government MPs are misinterpreting the holy …

Muslims reluctant to go to hospital – Rishad Read More »

By P.K.Balachandran/Daily Mirror   Colombo, January 19: In the run-up to the March session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Sri Lankan Tamil parties and civil society groups have jointly presented a radical set of demands. On its part, the Sri Lankan government has resolved to stick to its stand that there is no …

Clashing demands from Sri Lanka pose a serious challenge to UNHRC Read More »

Washington, January 20 (BBC): Kamala Devi Harris, born to a Jamaican Economist and an Indian Tamil cancer researcher, will make history when she takes the oath of office on Wednesday, becoming the first woman and first black and South Asian American to serve as US vice-president. Harris’ Domestic Policy Advisor is Rohini Kosoglu, daughter of …

Kamala and Rohini: The Indo-Lankan combo in the US Vice President’s Office Read More »

Indian High Commissioner voices concern to Premier Rajapaksa Monday’s hartal paralyses Jaffna peninsula Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan to visit Sri Lanka SJB invites disappointed UNP group to join it Ranil to remain as UNP leader Vice Chancellor of the University of Jaffna, Prof. Sivakolunthu Srisatkunarajah with the students in front of a makeshift foundation …

The story behind the 60 hours that shook Jaffna Read More »

Shortsighted moves like Sinhala only The shortsighted moves like Sinhala only paved way for reactions that distanced people. It was the discriminatory historical developments that saw more Tamil people in Government offices and in professions like doctors, engineers, and teachers but a very few would understand that it was the only option young Tamil people …

Indo-Sri Lanka Accord and 13-A Read More »

SJB MP Harin Fernando today announced that he will wear a black Shawl (Sataka) against the jailing of former MP Ranjan Ramanayake who was convicted for Contempt of Court. “I will be wearing a black sataka to protest against the jailing of MP Ramanayake ,” he said while putting the sataka on in Parliament today. …

MP Harin wears a black ’Satakaya’ in Parliament Read More »

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan An empty Ukrainian SkyUP Airlines aircraft had arrived yesterday (19) to fly back around 170 Ukrainian tourists who are irritated over the new health guidelines set by Sri Lanka Tourism. The health guidelines suggest 3 PCR tests in addition to the one they obtain prior to their departure in Ukraine. They …

Empty Ukrainian SkyUP Aircraft to the rescue in Sri Lanka Read More »

“If you don’t deal with China, you’re better off with us” ECONOMYNEXT – If all goes well – not a small ‘if’, given recent events – Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States later this evening, Sri Lanka time. Outgoing President Donald Trump is boycotting the inauguration, and …

Biden-Harris: What’s in store for Sri Lanka? Read More »

While saying that US stand with all families who have lost loved ones to this Covid-19 pandemic, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz said their rights and dignity should be respected by permitting the observance of their faith in accordance with international public health guidelines. “Ratified by Sri Lanka in 1955, UDHR Article …

Respect religious beliefs of COVID victims: US envoy Read More »

By Easwaran Rutnam  The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is expected to table a damning report on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva next month, Daily Mirror learns. UN sources told Daily Mirror an advanced copy of the report is expected to be published well ahead of the Geneva session …

UN rights chief sends critical report on Sri Lanka to Government Read More »

The sentence of 4 years’ rigorous imprisonment is unprecedented and exceptionally severe, says M.A. Sumanthiran PC. M.A. Sumanthiran PC Speaking in Parliament today re. Ranjan Ramanayake, Sumanthiran said: “I want to flag one or two issues concerning the responsibility of the parliament in this regard. But before I do that I am bound by law and tradition to disclose …

Sentence Of 4 Years RI For Contempt Of Court Is Unprecedented: Sumanthiran Read More »