By Norman Palihawadane

Colombo Archbishop Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith says that the masterminds and the “dark forces” behind the Easter Sunday terror attacks would come to light very soon.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of a Daham Pasala building at St. Anne’s Church in Kurana, Negombo, last week, the Cardinal expressed confidence that the ongoing investigations led by the new authorities would yield results. He emphasized that the Church believes the new probe is free from political influence or interference.

“It is now being revealed what corrupt, dreadful, vicious, and shocking activities the former leaders engaged in, solely to secure and cling to power, while neglecting the honest and genuine services they were supposed to provide to the people as leaders. However much they try to hide the truth behind the Easter Sunday attacks, the dark forces behind this brutal tragedy will be exposed very soon,” the Cardinal said.

He added, “For the past 76 years, a dirty, corrupt, and vicious political culture has been growing and consuming our society. Countless lives have been destroyed, lost, or disappeared due to this culture. Realizing this, the people rejected the former leaders. It is the responsibility of all citizens to work towards building our nation to ensure such situations are not repeated in the future.”

The event was organized by Rev. Fr. Terry Ranjith and attended by Kurana Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Anton Eumal Perera, Rev. Fr. Tharanga Sampath Perera, Rev. Fr. Ranjith Silva, Rev. Fr. Mahendra Gunatilake, and devotees from Kurana and Bolawalana.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), on Friday (31), called for urgent measures to address the conditions of 116 Rohingya asylum seekers, including 57 children, currently detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp.

The group arrived on December 19, 2024 after a multi-day journey on a trawler that drifted towards the coast near Mullivaikkal. Several asylum seekers had perished during the journey before local fishermen provided humanitarian aid and the Sri Lanka Navy escorted the vessel to Trincomalee. The survivors were later detained following an order by the Trincomalee Magistrate.

Following a visit to the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp on January 9, the HRCSL issued a report highlighting legal obligations under both domestic and international law to protect the asylum seekers. It emphasised the principle of non-refoulement, which prevents the return of individuals to a country where they may face grave risks, such as enforced disappearance.

The HRCSL referred to the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which documented the dangers faced by the Rohingya community, urging the government to meaningfully consider these risks when making decisions about potential repatriation.

The report cited section 5(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act, No. 56 of 2007, which mandates that the best interests of the child must be prioritised in all matters involving children, regardless of their nationality. The HRCSL stressed that this protection must extend to the Rohingya children currently detained in Sri Lanka. It recommended that state authorities grant regular access to child protection experts to ensure the children’s welfare is safeguarded.

The commission also recommended that the Department of Immigration and Emigration, along with the Sri Lanka Air Force, appoint focal points to ensure the timely delivery of essential aid such as clothing, sanitary products, and food for the asylum seekers, especially for children. Additionally, it urged the authorities to provide access to specialised UN agencies, including UNHCR, to properly vet and register the asylum seekers as needed.

Concerns over the treatment of female asylum seekers were also raised, with the HRCSL calling for adequate sanitary facilities and security provided by trained women police officers. The commission further recommended transferring the asylum seekers to a more appropriate facility equipped to meet the needs of men, women, and children.

Any detention, it stated, should be strictly temporary and limited to the time required to make informed decisions on their status. Those registered as asylum seekers should be promptly released from custody.

The HRCSL expressed alarm over reports that human rights defenders (HRDs) advocating for the Rohingya had been subjected to harassment by law enforcement officials. Complaints forwarded to the commission highlighted intimidation of HRDs engaged in legitimate activities, including organising peaceful protests against government policy on repatriation. The HRCSL urged state institutions to respect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from threatening or harassing activists. It warned that it would summon relevant parties for inquiries if these issues persist.

The commission also recommended that Sri Lanka ratify key international conventions, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. These conventions, it noted, would help establish comprehensive legal protections for refugees and stateless individuals within the country’s domestic legal framework.

The HRCSL’s report underscored the need for immediate action and long-term reforms, stressing that Sri Lanka’s obligations under international law demand a compassionate and lawful response to those fleeing persecution and seeking refuge on its shores.

By Jagath Kanaherarachchi

Senior environmental lawyer Dr. Jagath Gunawardena has called for immediate diplomatic action between Sri Lanka and India to address the recurring issue of trans-boundary air pollution affecting Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the annual general meeting of the Environmental Justice Centre at Waters Edge Hotel in Colombo on Friday (31), Dr. Gunawardena highlighted that air pollution, caused by post-harvest stubble burning and annual fire festivals in India, has become a persistent regional problem.

He proposed four key measures to mitigate the issue: Sri Lanka should formally request India to prevent air-polluting activities; diplomatic efforts should be made to seek compensation from the polluter, involving other affected countries; Sri Lanka should initiate regional discussions and provide leadership; and diplomatic agreements should be established to ensure no country harms another through such practices. He emphasized that Sri Lanka must act swiftly on the first two measures.

Meanwhile, polluted air from India, carried by wind flows, has caused haze in areas like Bandarawela and Badulla. Environmentalists explained that the wind flow from New Delhi travels in a circular motion, entering Sri Lanka from the east via the Bay of Bengal. While some moisture is expected to bring rain and reduce the haze, further airflow from India is anticipated by the end of the month.

The event, attended by environmental advocates and stakeholders, underscored the urgency of addressing this cross-border environmental challenge. Dr. Gunawardena stressed the need for proactive measures to protect Sri Lanka from the adverse effects of trans-boundary air pollution.