Category: Local News

The new Sri Lankan government has “a very strong intent” in addressing rights concerns, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Biswal said, calling for a “credible domestic” probe with “substantial involvement” from the international community to address justice and accountability.

Media spokesperson of the United National Party (UNP), Education Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam says that despite various criticisms levelled by some groups, the new government does not provide protection or immunity to criminals and anybody who are involved in corruption.

Democratic Party founder and former SLA Commander Sarath Fonseka on Saturday, offered himself to face a domestic court of law on allegations against military operations during the Eelam War.

Two persons have been arrested in connection to the death of the Kotadeniyawa child, Seya Sadewmi.

The United National Front Government yesterday set the record straight over the final report of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), released earlier this week, saying the heavily toned down document and recommended measures were a “major victory” for Sri Lanka though challenges remain to be addressed.

The gazette allocating Cabinet, State and Deputy Ministers their respective subjects, ministries and institutes is yet to be issued, despite it being over two weeks since the majority of Cabinet Ministers were sworn in.

President Maithripala Sirisena said today the Death Penalty would be introduced from next year with the approval of Parliament.

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa yesterday alleged that the Maithripala Sirisena-Wickremesinghe coalition would make an attempt to bring in far reaching changes to the country’s legal framework to pave the way for a hybrid special court to try to hear war crime accusations.

Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera yesterday said that the disscussions on setting up of a domestic mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations will be finalised by January 2016.

Former Army Chief Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, welcoming the new report released by the United Nations Human Rights Commissioner and its recommendation to set up a special court to investigate alleged human rights violations

Chennai – Tamil Nadu on Wednesday urged the central government to move a resolution in the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international enquiry against those who committed war crimes against Tamils in Sri Lanka.

Several residents in Galle and suburbs have challenged the election of Geetha Kumarasinghe as a member of parliament by way of a petition filed in the Court of Appeal.

GENEVA – Sri Lankan government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels “most likely” committed war crimes including mass killings of civilians during their long conflict that should be prosecuted by a special court with international judges, the United Nations said on Wednesday.

NEW DELHI: India on Wednesday took up the issue of constructing a sea-bridge and an underwater tunnel for both road and rail transport that would connect Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu with Sri Lanka through the Palk Strait, with Colombo on Tuesday.

An Act seeking indemnity will be presented in Parliament to protect soldiers if allegations are raised at the United Nations against the soldiers indicating that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) General Secretary MP Udaya Gammanpila said.

New Delhi: Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Tuesday said economic cooperation between India and Sri Lanka is not new and has been going on for over 2,500 years.