News
Acting Canadian HC summoned over sanctions on ex-Presidents, others
Major move after acceptance of genocide charge
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, yesterday (11) summoned Acting Canadian High Commissioner Daniel Bood over the imposition of sanctions on two former Presidents, Mahinda Rajapaksa and Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayaka, and Lt. Commander P. Hettiarachchi over what Ottawa called ‘gross and systematic violations of human rights’ during the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).
Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009 during Mahinda Rajapaksa’s first term (2005-2010).
Canada announced sanctions on Tuesday (10), just weeks ahead of the next Geneva sessions.
Canadian High Commission spokesperson confirmed the development. The official said that Charge d’affaires Bood would continue as the Acting HC until the new HC presents his credentials. High Commissioner designate Eric Walsh is here. Walsh succeeds David McKinnon, who completed his term late last year.
Sri Lanka’s former Ambassador in Iran, M.M. Zuhair, PC, who had served one term as the People’s Alliance National List MP, told The Island that the latest Canadian declaration should be examined against the backdrop of recognition of May 18 as Tamil Genocide Day by the Canadian Parliament, in May last year. The one-time senior State Counsel asserted that for want of a cohesive strategy to address accountability issues the situation has deteriorated. Declaration of sanctions against two former Presidents reflected, what the President’s Counsel called, the overall mood of the Western powers.
“The Special Economic Measures (Sri Lanka) Regulations impose on listed persons a prohibition on any transaction (effectively, an asset freeze) by prohibiting persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada from engaging in any activity related to any property of these listed persons or providing financial or related services to them,” the Canadian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
“The individuals listed in the Schedule to the Regulations are also rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act,” the statement added.
Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner in Canada, Harsha Kumara Navaratne, on Tuesday, told The Island that his mission was in the process of addressing the issue at hand.
The Canadian action was the first since the US issued travel ban on General Shavendra Silva, the then Commander of the Army, and his immediate family, in February, 2020.
During a recent informal meeting with President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, as well as the Defence Minister, The Island raised the possibility of seeking an end to the continuing measures against the war-winning military, in return for amnesty for ex-LTTE cadres and the abolition of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). President Wickremesinghe pointed out that such measures were meant to address concerns of the Tamil Diaspora. Therefore, the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) couldn’t be expected to respond to amnesty to ex-LTTE cadres or abolition of the PTA, the President said.
The Canadian declaration came ahead of FM Sabry’s first briefing of the Colomb-based diplomatic community, yesterday (11), for 2023. The Foreign Ministry statement, that dealt with the briefing, didn’t refer to the Canadian declaration.
Minister Sabry has provided an update regarding the key measures undertaken by the Government in the recent months, including the All-Party Conference (APC), convened by President Wickremesinghe, in December, 2022, with the participation of all political parties, setting up of Cabinet Sub-Committee on reconciliation and the establishment of a Special Unit on solving issues of people in the Northern Province, under the Presidential Secretariat. The statement also quoted Minister Sabry as having said that the Government has made serious efforts towards setting up a Truth and Reconciliation mechanism and the operationalization of the Office of Overseas Sri Lankan Affairs.
Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakse, PC, has explained the progress in drafting a comprehensive legislation on counter terrorism to replace the PTA, update on anti-corruption law, progress on matters related to reconciliation processes coming under the purview of the Ministry of Justice, including the progress made by the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations (OR) and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR).
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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