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Core Group ready to help Sri Lanka prosecute corrupt public officials

Published

4 years ago

2022/09/15

The Core Group on Sri Lanka has, in a draft resolution that is to be presented to the 51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), called upon the government of Sri Lanka to address the ongoing economic crisis and help ensure it does not happen again by investigating and prosecuting corruption including by public and former public officials. It has stated that it is ready to assist and support independent, impartial, and transparent efforts in this regard.

The Core Group consists of the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Canada, Malawi, North Macedonia and Montenegro.The Core Group has expressed concern about the human rights impact of the economic crisis such as increased food insecurity, severe shortages of fuel and essential medicines, and reductions in household incomes.The group has also stressed the need to promote and protect the rights of the most marginalised and disadvantaged individuals including daily wage earners,

children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. They also “express concern over other human rights developments, since April 2022, including violence against and arrests of peaceful protesters, as well as violence against Government supporters, resulting in deaths, injuries, destruction and damage to houses of members of Parliament and stresses the importance of independent investigations into all attacks and for those found responsible to be held to account.”

The Core Group also said that they are concerned about the militarization of civilian government functions, the erosion of the independence of the judiciary and key institutions responsible for the promotion and protection of human rights; lack of progress in addressing longstanding grievances and demands of Tamil and Muslim populations; surveillance, intimidation and harassment of journalists, human rights defenders, families of the disappeared and persons involved in memorialization initiatives, and sexual and gender-based violence.

Given below are excerpts from the draft: “Stresses the importance of a comprehensive accountability process for all violations and abuses of human rights committed in Sri Lanka by all parties, including those abuses by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam; (46/1 OP4)

“Notes the persistent lack of independence, impartiality, and transparency of domestic mechanisms, and that emblematic human rights cases have been undermined through delays and the granting of Presidential pardon to those accused or convicted of crimes relating to grave violations of human rights; (New)

“Recognizes the importance of preserving and analysing evidence relating to violations and abuses of human rights and related crimes in Sri Lanka with a view to advancing accountability, and decides to extend and reinforce the capacity of the Office of the High Commissioner to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka, to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in Member States, with competent jurisdiction; (46/1 OP6, slightly revised)

“Also expresses concern that the initial response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic had an impact on freedom of religion or belief and exacerbated the prevailing marginalization of and discrimination against the Muslim community, while acknowledging that cremations for those deceased from COVID-19 are no longer compulsory, urges for Muslims and members of other religions to be able to continue to practice their own burial religious rites; (46/1 OP8 updated)

“Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to ensure the prompt, thorough and impartial investigation and, if warranted, prosecution of all alleged crimes relating to human rights violations and serious violations of international humanitarian law, including for longstanding emblematic cases; (46/1 OP9)

“Calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to address the ongoing economic crisis and help ensure it does not happen again, including by investigating and, where warranted, prosecuting corruption, including by public and former public officials, and stands ready to assist and support independent, impartial, and transparent efforts in this regard; (New)

“Stresses the importance of re-energising the Office on Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations, while noting that the tangible results expected by victims and other stakeholders are yet to be achieved, including resolving the many cases of enforced disappearances so that the families of disappeared persons can know their fate and whereabouts, as well as the importance of the effective and independent functioning of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka; (46/1 OP3 and OP10 –modified)

“Further calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to protect civil society actors, including human rights defenders, to investigate any attacks and to ensure a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance, surveillance, insecurity and threat of reprisals; (46/1 OP11)

“Takes note of the introduction of amendments to the Prevention of Terrorism Act in March 2022, that detentions under this legislation continue to occur, and the Government’s expressed intention in this regard to introduce new legislation on combating terrorism, and encourages the Government to engage in consultations with civil society, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and relevant UN Special Procedure Mandate holders in the preparation of new legislation, in order to ensure that any legislation on combating terrorism complies fully with the State’s international human rights law and international humanitarian law obligations; (46/1 OP12, updated)

“Urges the Government of Sri Lanka to foster freedom of religion or belief and pluralism by promoting the ability of all religious communities to manifest their religion, and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society; (46/1 OP13)

“Encourages the Government of Sri Lanka to continue to cooperate with the special procedures of the Human Rights Council, including by responding formally to outstanding requests from them; (46/1 OP14)

“Encourages the Office of the High Commissioner and relevant special procedure mandate holders to provide, in consultation with and with the concurrence of the Government of Sri Lanka, advice and technical assistance on implementing the abovementioned steps; (46/1 OP15)

“Requests the Office of the High Commissioner to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka, including on progress in reconciliation and accountability, and on the human rights impact of the economic crisis and corruption, and to present oral updates to the Human Rights Council at its fifty-third session and fifty-fifths sessions, and a written update at its fifty-fourth session and a comprehensive report that includes further options for advancing accountability at its fifty-seventh session, both to be discussed in the context of an interactive dialogue. (46/1 OP16)”

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Advisory for Severe Lightning issued for Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts

Published

4 hours ago

2026/03/21

Priyan

Advisory for Severe Lightning Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre Issued at 12.30 p.m. 21 March 2026, valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 21 March 2026

Thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Galle, Matara, Kaluthara and Rathnapura districts after 1.00 p.m.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers. General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

ACTION REQUIRED:

The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:

 Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.

 Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

 Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.

 Beware of fallen trees and power lines.

 For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.

News

Sri Lanka says it denied US request to land two aircraft at Mattala airport

Published

9 hours ago

2026/03/21

Priyan

Sri Lanka’s president says his government turned down a request from the United States to land two US combat aircraft at a civilian airport earlier this month.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Sri Lanka’s parliament on Friday that Washington had requested permission for the aircraft to land at Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport in southern Sri Lanka from March 4 to 8.

The request was made on February 26, two days before the US and Israel launched their military offensive against Iran.

“They wanted to bring two warplanes armed with eight antiship missiles from a base in Djibouti”, Dissanayake told lawmakers. “We turned down the request to maintain Sri Lanka’s neutrality”, he added to applause.

The US-Israeli war on Iran has sparked widespread concern globally, as Iranian missile and drone attacks across the wider Middle East have sent energy prices soaring and fuelled fears of a widening conflict.

US President Donald Trump has also been pressuring Washington’s allies to show more support for the war, slamming NATO countries as “cowards” for refusing to help secure the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has essentially shuttered the critical Gulf waterway amid the war, forcing leaders around the world to scramble to try to offset the effects on their economies and energy supplies.

Amid the turmoil, many countries have refused to get directly involved in the war while calling for urgent de-escalation.

On Friday, Switzerland announced that it would halt any weapons exports to the US that could be used in military operations against Iran, citing its longstanding policy of neutrality.

“The export of war materiel to countries involved ⁠in the international armed conflict with Iran cannot be authorised for the duration of the conflict”, the Swiss government said.

Sri Lanka’s president also cited his country’s neutrality in the decision to deny the US request to land the two aircraft at Matalla airport earlier this month.

Dissanayake said he had received another request that same day, on February 26, from Iran to seek permission for three naval vessels to make a goodwill visit to Sri Lanka.

“With two requests before us, the decision was clear,” he said, noting that the government denied both to avoid taking sides as signs of escalating conflict emerged.

“Had we said ‘yes’ to Iran, we would have had to say ‘yes’ to the US, as well”, Dissanayake added.

In early March, Sri Lanka’s navy rescued 32 Iranian crew off IRIS Dena after it was torpedoed by a US submarine off the country’s coast, killing at least 84 people.

Days later, Sri Lanka evacuated more than 200 crew members from a second Iranian vessel, IRIS Bushehr, after the ship requested assistance from Colombo.

[Aljazeera]

News

President maintains Lanka has been even-handed in dealing with Iran and US

Published

15 hours ago

2026/03/21

Thilina Walpola

President

Sri Lanka refused the request by three Iranian ships to come to Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit and the request by the United States to land two of its fighter jets in Mattala, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake told Parliament yesterday.

“Sri Lanka maintained neutrality by refusing the two requests by both the US and Iran,” he said.

President Dissanayake provided a clarification on domestic fuel prices in light of rising crude oil prices in the global market and subsequent fuel price increases in other countries, triggered by the ongoing crisis in the Middle East.

The President highlighted that the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) currently supplies 57% of the country’s fuel requirements, while the remaining 43% is supplied by the private sector.

He further noted that private sector suppliers have requested pricing that reflects current global market rates for the fuel they import.

Accordingly, the President emphasised that a decisive decision on fuel price adjustments must be reached as expeditiously as possible to ensure the continuity of the national fuel supply.

Addressing the Parliament, the President stated that the current pricing formula dictates that for every one-dollar increase in global oil prices, domestic fuel prices must rise by Rs. 2.

He noted that the primary impact being faced is driven by the surge in global fuel prices rather than the depreciation of the rupee against the US dollar.

The President said that, globally, countries have been compelled to make difficult decisions regarding fuel costs, with price increases ranging from approximately 6% to 50%.

He added that while global prices have risen by as much as 49%, the domestic increase has been limited to 8%.

He further stated that Sri Lanka is currently facing a significant challenge in maintaining fuel supply.

The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) accounts for 57% of the country’s fuel supply. He noted that had the CPC been the sole supplier, fluctuations could have been managed by offsetting current losses with future profits.

However, he said the private sector now controls 43% of the market, and their position is that if retail prices do not reflect the current landed cost of fuel, they will cease imports.

He added that, from a business perspective, this is a valid concern, as private companies reportedly incur a loss of approximately USD 55 million per shipment, which he said is unsustainable.

The President emphasised that the contribution of the private sector is essential to maintaining the national fuel supply, but noted that they will only participate if they are able to sell at cost-reflective prices.

He stressed that the issue of fuel pricing must, therefore, be addressed urgently.

He also pointed out that under the existing Act, companies are permitted to increase prices; however, the maximum retail price is determined by the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

“Although we have entered into agreements with these private companies, the necessary legislative amendments to the Act have not yet been finalised,” he noted.

Regarding government revenue, the President stated that tax income from fuel currently stands at Rs. 20 billion, compared to Rs. 240 billion generated last year from taxes on diesel.