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Britain express concern over UN report on human rights and accountability in SL

Published

5 years ago

2021/03/14

By Sujeeva Nivunhella in London

State Minister for Asia in Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Nigel Adams responded to a series of questions by Labour MPs on the situation in Sri Lanka, in the British Parliament last week.

Replying to a question by Fleur Anderson, MP, he said the UK is very concerned by the recent UN report on human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka.

“As I have said previously, we have made our concerns about the human rights situation clear. The Foreign Secretary has confirmed that the United Kingdom would lead a new resolution on post-conflict reconciliation, accountability and human rights”, the State Minister noted.

He said further said: “The Minister for South Asia, Lord Ahmad, set out our serious concerns about human rights in Sri Lanka in a statement at the UN Human Rights Council on February 25. On February 22, the Foreign Secretary confirmed that the UK would lead a new resolution on post-conflict reconciliation, accountability and human rights.

“We continue to engage with Sri Lanka on these issues and on climate change, trade and the covid-19 response. UK-funded programs in Sri Lanka support, resettlement, police reform and demining”.

Fielding to another question from Sam Tarry, he said: “Our engagement with the military in Sri Lanka is designed to support the development of a modern, effective and human rights-compliant military. Engagement with the police is focused on community police”.

Labour MP for Harrow West, Gareth Thomas, said the UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet produced a particularly devastating report on Sri Lanka. She said the progress on human rights continues to be very poor in Sri Lanka.

Indeed there has been very little progress bringing to justice those responsible for terrible war crimes at the end of the conflict in 2009. UN in general has been good at highlighting just how barbaric the events in 2009 were. There was systematic shelling of areas where Tamil civilians were living and the bombing of hospitals, the MP claimed.

He said there were extra judicial executions of surrendering LTTE cadres. Since 2009, things have not got much better. Human rights abuses have continued. Independent defenders of human rights such as the Judiciary, and other crucial human rights organisations have found their independence gradually stifled by the current government.

“I hope the British Government will play a much bigger role in trying to hold the current government in Sri Lanka to account”, Gareth added.

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Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) donates LKR 25 million to the “Rebuilding Sri Lanka” Fund

Published

2 hours ago

2026/01/24

Priyan

The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.

The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.

News

Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Karu Jayasuriya

Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.

In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.

He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.

Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.

He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.

News

Johnston, two sons and two others further remanded over alleged misuse of vehicle

Published

11 hours ago

2026/01/24

Thilina Walpola

Former Minister Johnston Fernando and others being escorted out of the Wattala Magistrate Court premises yesterday

Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.

The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.

Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.

In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during

Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.

After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.