News
Tamil diaspora groups in Britain pressing for new resolution against SL
At forthcoming UNHRC sessions in Geneva
By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London
Politicians in Western countries backed by Tamil diaspora groups are exerting pressure on their respective governments to adopt a tougher line on Sri Lanka by introducing a new resolution on alleged human rights violations, at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions scheduled to be held in Geneva from February 22 to March 19, political observers in London warned.
The Tamil diaspora in other parts of Europe could possibly team up to pressure their governments to pursue this line of action for a firmer stand on Sri Lanka through a new resolution, they further cautioned.
“The Sri Lankan government should be well prepared to counter the possible new human rights allegations at the sessions”, they said in the backdrop of Siobhain McDonagh, Labour member of parliament for Mitcham and Morden urging the British government to bring a resolution that would maintain human rights monitoring by the Office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Speaking during the last week’s Global Britain Debate in the British parliament, she asked the UK government to use the UNHRC sessions to introduce a resolution that would mandate a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyze evidence for future investigations and prosecutions that build on the work of previous UN investigators.
She said the resolution should call upon the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on options for international action for the promotion and protection of human rights, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
“The measure of success for global Britain comes not just in rhetoric but in the actions that we take on the international stage particularly in the face of international injustices. So, I use my time today to draw the minister’s attention to the situation in Sri Lanka and particularly to the vital upcoming UN Human Rights Council meeting”, she noted.
McDonagh said the challenges in Sri Lanka are well documented with its president and his brother, the prime minister, facing accusations of crimes against humanity for their role in killing thousands of their own people, Tamil civilians at the end of the civil war. They have placed their closest allies in senior government positions including military commanders accused of war crimes and politicians accused of corruption, violence and common criminality.
“I received thousands of emails from shocked and frightened members of the Tamil community following the destruction of the Mullavaikkal Tamil genocide memorial monument at the Jaffna University. It was an act that completely undermined the process of Truth, Justice and Accountability that would set Sri Lanka on a path to lasting peace”, she continued.
She further said: “It’s how the UK responds to the ongoing injustices in Sri Lanka and in support for democracy, human rights and the rule of law that would speak volumes for our leadership role on the international stage. The 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council will take place in March. So, I ask the minister what preparations the government is making to ensure a new resolution is agreed on this issue?
“A resolution that would maintain human rights monitoring by the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a resolution that would mandate a mechanism to gather, preserve and analyze evidence for future investigations and prosecutions that build on the work on previous UN investigators and a resolution that would call upon the office for the High Commissioner for Human Rights to prepare a report on options for international action for the promotion and protection of human rights, justice and accountability in Sri Lanka.
“I urge the minister in the strongest terms to ensure that we use the unique opportunity that March provides to continue the global leadership we have previously demonstrated on this issue and show on the international stage that we are truly global Britain.
“While British parliamentarians put pressure on their government to bring a resolution against Sri Lanka at the upcoming UNHRC session, parliamentarians in Canada too are saying that the Sri Lankan army committed genocide. Canadian education minister Stephen Lecce, parliamentarians Natalia Kusendova, Kaleed Rasheed, Paul Calandra, Gurratan Singh, Doley Begum, Suze Morrison, Rima Berns-Mcgown and Mitzie Hunter said the perpetrators should be held accountable for the crimes committed and the Tamil survivors of the war deserve justice”.
Latest News
Level III landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale extended
The landslide early warning center of the National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has extended the Level III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Districts of Kandy, Kegalle, Kurunegala and Matale until 1600hrs on 11th December 2025.
Accordingly,
The LEVEL III RED landslide warnings issued to the the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Kundasale, Pasbage Korale, Medadumbara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Pathadumbara, Doluwa, Panvila, Gangawata Korale, Ududumbara, Akurana, Yatinuwara, Harispattuwa, Deltota, Thumpane, Poojapitiya, Udapalatha, Udunuwara, Minipe and Pathahewaheta in the Kandy district, Aranayaka, Yatiyanthota, Rambukkana, Bulathkohupitiya and Mawanella in the Kegalle district, Mallawapitiya, Mawathagama and Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, and Rattota, Laggala Pallegama, Ukuwela, Matale, Wilgamuwa, Pallepola, Naula, Yatawatta and Ambanganga Korale in the Matale district have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Hali_Ela, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Kandeketiya, Bandarawela, Soranathota, Ella, Haputhale, Lunugala, Welimada, Haldummulla and Passara in the Badulla district, Warakapola, Galigamuwa, Kegalle, Dehiowita, Ruwanwella and Deraniyagala in the Kegalle district, Polgahawela and Alawwa in the Kurunegala district, Kothmale East, Walapane, Thalawakele, Nuwara Eliya, Kothmale West, Nildandahinna, Mathurata, Ambagamuwa Korale, Hanguranketha and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district. and Kolonna, Godakawela and Kahawaththa in the Ratnapura district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Divulapitiya, Attanagalla and Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Narammala in the Kurunegala district, and Kiriella, Eheliyagoda, Balangoda, Kaltota, Openayake, Nivithigala, Imbulpe, Ayagama, Kuruwita, Kalawana, Elapatha, Pelmadulla and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.
News
“We cannot allow flooding to become a part of the daily lives of the people in the Colombo District” – PM
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that unauthorized constructions within the Colombo District, nor any form of residential developments that endanger the public carried out under the guise of development agenda will not be allowed.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing the media at the conclusion of the Colombo District Disaster Management Committee meeting held on Tuesday [December 09] at the Colombo District Secretariat.
Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated:
“The Colombo District has become vulnerable to this extent due to the constructions carried out without any proper planning or understanding of regulations, along with personal and politically motivated decisions that have placed both the district and its people at risk.
Compared to the districts that suffered severe loss of life and property due to the recent cyclone, the damage to the Colombo District has been relatively lower. However, special intervention is being carried out together with the relevant institutions to manage the potential future flood risks in the district.
This matter was also given special attention during today’s District Disaster Management Committee meeting. We cannot allow the flooding to become a regular part of the lives of the people in Colombo. All relevant institutions will come together to put forward a common plan for flood control in the district.”
The Prime Minister further stated that discussions are already underway to provide sustainable solutions for the people living in high-risk areas within the Colombo District.
The discussion was attended by the Deputy Minister of Urban Development Eranga Gunasekara, Deputy Minister of Mass Media Kaushalya Ariyaratne, and Colombo District Members of Parliament Aruna Panagoda and Chandana Suriyarachchi.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The handover of 35 tonnes of Russian Humanitarian Aid to Sri Lanka, recently affected by the cyclone «Ditwah», took place at Katunayake today (10th December)
The shipment was welcomed at the Katunayake airport by Ambassador of Russia Levan Dzhagaryan, Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Anura Karunathilaka and Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd).
Ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan: said “This delivery is a reflection of long-term friendly relations between Russia and Sri Lanka and reaffirms Moscow’s commitment to support countries in a difficult humanitarian situation.”
The supplies brought by the EMERCOM (Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations) aircraft comprised a movable 60 kW electric power station, Pumping equipment for water drainage, Summer tents (10-person capacity) and Food supplies (sugar, vegetable oil, rice)
The total cargo weight is 35 metric tonnes. The aid will be distributed among the most affected regions.
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