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CHOGM 2022: Prof. Peiris holds bilateral discussions with Commonwealth Foreign Ministers
In a series of bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2022 (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda from 24–25 June 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prof. G.L. Peiris met the Foreign Ministers and Heads of delegations of Commonwealth Member States to discuss a range of issues of political and economic significance, overcoming the current economic crisis faced by Sri Lanka, and enhancing cooperation through multilateral fora including through the Commonwealth.
In a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Diaspora Relations of Dominica Kenneth Melchoir Darroux, Foreign Minister Peiris discussed developments related to tourism which is critical to the economies of both nations. The two Ministers shared experiences of increasing resilience in the tourism industry to cope with COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing global crises.
Minister Peiris met with Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism of the Republic of Seychelles Sylvestre Radegonde and discussed the status of several promising ventures such as medical tourism and enhancing cooperation in ocean related issues. Minister Peiris stated that Sri Lanka was focused on Seychelles as a gateway to enhancing trade and bilateral relations with the African Continent. Minister Radegonde thanked Sri Lanka for the donation of 2 patrol boats for maritime surveillance, following a request made by Seychelles.
In a bilateral meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh A.K. Abdul Momen, the Bangladesh side briefed Minister Peiris on steps being taken by Bangladesh to assist Sri Lanka during the current economic crisis including through provision of food, medical assistance and the extension of a credit line. Minister Peiris thanked Minister Momen for the assistance at this critical stage. The two Ministers also discussed avenues of increasing bilateral trade. Minister Momen noted Sri Lanka’s successful hosting of the Fifth Summit of Heads of State/ Government of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in March 2022 in virtual format.
Minister Peiris briefed Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kenya Raychelle Omamo on the several steps taken by Sri Lanka to address reconciliation related issues and added that Sri Lanka was keen to learn from African countries regarding their reconciliation experiences. Cabinet Secretary Omano shared the experiences related to reconciliation efforts in Kenya and added that each country has to devise a template that promotes healing. Noting that several Sri Lankan companies had invested in the garment sector in Kenya, Cabinet Secretary Omano encouraged Sri Lanka to explore joint ventures with Kenyan companies in other industries.
In a bilateral meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade of the Republic of Mauritius Alan Ganoo, Minister Peiris encouraged greater cooperation between the two countries in ocean affairs issues, including in regional and international fora. The two Ministers also discussed the effect of climate change on island nations, cooperation in tourism industry and addressing the impact of soaring food prices in the world market.
Minister Peiris’s bilateral meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus Ioannis Kasoulides, focused on employment opportunities and consular assistance to the Sri Lankan workers in Cyprus. Minister Peiris appreciated the employment opportunities provided by Cyprus and added that Sri Lanka was keen to increase foreign employment opportunities. Minister Kasoulides briefed Minister Peiris on steps that the Cyprus government was taking to enhance welfare measures to Sri Lankan workers. Sharing their experiences in dealing with the IMF to address economic challenges, Minister Kasoulides said that Cyprus experienced an economic turnaround after implementing critical economic reforms on an expeditious basis.
Several issues related to enhancing multi-faceted bilateral relations was discussed in a bilateral meeting between Minister Peiris and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Malaysia Saifuddin Abdullah. Minister Abdullah stated that many Sri Lankan origin Malaysians have contributed to the growth of Malaysia. Noting that the Malaysian government was focused on developing a digital economy, Minister Abdullah suggested that Sri Lanka explore the job market for IT workers in Malaysia. The also Ministers discussed close cooperation between the two countries on ocean related issues at multilateral fora.
Minister Peiris concluded his visit to Rwanda with a meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda Vincent Biruta. Minister Peiris congratulated Minister Biruta for the Rwandan government’s successful hosting of the CHOGM meeting adding that the meeting strengthened the Commonwealth at a critical time. Noting that Rwanda has made impressive progress in recent times, particularly on economic and reconciliation spheres, Minister Peiris encouraged closer relations between the two countries. Minister Biruta thanked Minister Peiris and observed that African countries are gaining confidence to forge their own paths towards economic and political resilience. Minister Biruta also expressed a desire to explore potential areas to strengthen political and trade relations with Sri Lanka.
Previously, Minister Peiris held bilateral discussions with India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Local Government of New Zealand Nanaia Mahuta, on the sidelines of CHOGM.
The Frontline Socialist Party (FSP) yesterday accused the government of seeking to use the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Act (PSTA) to suppress popular political activity, claiming that some of its provisions were more repressive than those of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
FSP Education Secretary Pubudu Jayagoda told a media briefing, in Nugegoda, that the definition of terrorism in the Bill was so broad that it could be used to label almost any form of popular political activity as terrorism.
He said the Bill’s approach to defining terrorism was based largely on attempts to compel a government, or an international organisation, to do, or refrain from doing something, rather than on internationally recognised criteria, such as killings, causing serious bodily harm, kidnapping or acts intended to spread terror among the public.
Jayagoda also alleged that the Bill transferred substantial powers from the judiciary to the executive, while extending powers of arrest, investigation and detention to the armed forces, in addition to the police.
He claimed that the government had sought to portray the Bill as a replacement for the PTA while retaining or introducing provisions that could facilitate political victimisation and repression.
The FSP also questioned the government’s decision to proceed with the Bill, despite having previously sought public views on an earlier draft.
Jayagoda said a draft had been published earlier this year, with the period for public submissions ending on February 28, but the Bill subsequently gazetted was essentially the same draft with some provisions rearranged.
Jayagoda also referred to a letter reportedly sent by Attorney-at-Law Saliya Peiris, a member of a Committee, chaired by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsecularatne, that had been appointed to draft the legislation. He said Peiris had stated, in the October 06 letter, that changes had been made to the draft prepared by the Committee.
“This means that even the Committee, appointed to prepare the Bill, was a deception,” Jayagoda alleged.
He said that the PSTA was fundamentally similar to the Anti-Terrorism Bill introduced by the previous government, in 2023, which the National People’s Power (NPP) opposed and challenged in court.
“If the NPP opposed that Bill then and is now bringing the same legislation before Parliament, the government must explain its position,” he said.
Jayagoda called on NPP MPs to oppose the PSTA in Parliament and urged trade unions and other groups to build a broad public movement against the legislation.
He challenged the government to an open debate on the Bill.
Former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa was yesterday remanded until 13 October after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following her arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Shiranthi, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, was arrested at her residence on Poorwarama Road, Kirulapone, after CIABOC officers recorded a statement from her for nearly two hours.
According to the CIABOC, the arrest was made over allegations that Rs. 10 million obtained from the National Savings Bank through the Siriliya Saviya organisation was misappropriated.
The money was allegedly obtained to provide a Computed Tomography (CT) scanner to the children’s hospital. Investigators allege that the scanner was not provided and that the funds were instead unlawfully used.
CIABOC is investigating alleged offences under the Public Property Act and corruption-related provisions in connection with the transaction and other financial activities involving Siriliya Saviya, which was headed by Rajapaksa.
Rajapaksa returned to Sri Lanka on Monday night on a flight from Malaysia after travelling overseas for medical treatment. She left for Singapore on 16 September after being admitted to a private hospital in Colombo on 15 September following an illness.
She had been due to appear before the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID) on 13 October in connection with its investigation into the financial affairs of Siriliya Saviya.
Meanwhile, her lawyers filed an anticipatory bail application before the Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court on Monday, seeking an order preventing her arrest in connection with the FCID investigation.
Former National Savings Bank (NSB) Chairman Pradeep Kariyawasam was yesterday granted bail by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court following his arrest by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).
Kariyawasam, husband of former Chief Justice Shirani Bandaranayake, was arrested in connection with the Bribery Commission’s investigation into the ‘Siriliya Saviya’ account linked to former First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa.
The investigation concerns financial activities involving the Siriliya Saviya initiative, which was headed by Rajapaksa, wife of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.
CIABOC is continuing investigations into the alleged financial irregularities relating to the account.
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