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Geneva controversy: Ambika hits back hard at Foreign Ministry

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Human Rights Advocate Ambika Satkunanathan has alleged that the culture of impunity is well documented, not only by civil society organisations, human rights defenders and the UN, but most importantly the Supreme Court and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Since 2020 several incidents of violence by state officials have been publicly recorded. Yet, to date, the number of persons held accountable is negligible.

The former member of the Human Rights Commission said so in a statement issued in response to a statement titled ‘Human Rights: FM challenges Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust over its representations to Geneva ‘ in Feb 5, 2022 edition of The Island. The following is the text of her statement issued in response to the Foreign Ministry statement that dealt with Satkunanathan’s representations before the European Parliament Sub-Committee on Human Rights:”The FM

statement contains numerous misrepresentations and insinuations, and appears to be aimed at silencing critique of government policies and actions.

In my statement to the Sub-Committee, I spoke of a number of issues, many of which I have previously written about with supporting evidence. This is available in the public domain. These are issues that other civil society organisations and activists have raised and documented over the years. In this context, the government labelling my statement “misleading”, appears to be an effort to downplay the issues raised and deceive the public.

It is disturbing the government has taken umbrage at my appeal to the European Union (EU) to advocate with the government to fulfil its international human rights obligations using GSP Plus trade privileges as a conduit. The GSP Plus privileges are dependent on the recipient fulfilling human rights obligations. The said human rights obligations are obligations the government has a duty to fulfill as a member of the United Nations and signatory to several UN conventions. These are obligations that provide protections to the citizens of Sri Lanka.

It is regrettable the government refuses to acknowledge that any adverse outcome of the GSP Plus review process would only be due to its failure to fulfill the GSP Plus scheme’s requirements. Hence, it is the government that has to take responsibility for any adverse outcomes. Instead, the government implies that those who advocate for the protection of the marginalised, such as Free Trade Zone workers, are responsible for a possible adverse outcome because they highlight the government’s failures. This is an attempt to deflect blame. To ensure there is no adverse impact on vulnerable communities, the government needs to acknowledge that the crisis is the result of its poor policy decisions, taken without bearing the best interests of citizens in mind.

Efforts to bring lasting peace to Sri Lanka are undermined by denials of the root causes of the armed conflict, i.e. discrimination. Instead, the MFA statement labels discussion of the root causes as LTTE propaganda. This is ominous given the decades long strategy of weaponising the PTA against Tamils. Implying such discussion is a danger to communal harmony, as the Ministry does in its statement, can be used to weaponise the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act to stifle dissent. The government’s use of these phrases will create fear amongst civic activists, especially in the North and East, and shrink civic space further. The very space the government denies is shrinking.

In this regard, the insinuations made in the Ministry’s statement are dangerous. My attention has been drawn to articles peddling false information about my supposed links to the LTTE being circulated on social media in the wake of the statement. The statement therefore could cause persons with racist ideologies to harass and perpetrate violence, including cyber violence against me.

The culture of impunity is well documented, not only by civil society organisations, human rights defenders and the UN, but most importantly the Supreme Court and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka. Since 2020 several incidents of violence by state officials have been publicly recorded. Yet, to date, the number of persons held accountable is negligible.

The “war on drugs” (erroneously referred to as war and drugs in the statement) is being used to justify arbitrary arrests and detention as well suspected extra-judicial killings by police in Sri Lanka. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka too has raised concerns about this. It is important to curb the supply of drugs and international drug trafficking. However, such policies need to adhere to human rights standards.

Although the MFA claims Sri Lanka is a secular country, several statements have been made by the President in which he mentions inter alia, that ‘’protection of Sinhala Buddhists is his foremost responsibility’’ and that “all others who would love to live in unity have to be assimilated into this main socio-cultural basis of this country, based on rich Buddhist values”. This is illustrative of the Sinhala Buddhist nationalism to which I referred in my statement. Another example is the Presidential Task Force on Archeological Heritage Management in the Eastern Province, which has the membership of Buddhist clergy and is headed by a Buddhist monk. The ‘One Country One Law’ Task Force is chaired by Gnanasara Thera, who has publicly made inflammatory and discriminatory statements and incited violence against Muslim community. Such an appointment begs the question whether the government is concerned about the preservation of social harmony.

The Ministry has conflated the process of militarisation, with the military occupation of land. The former includes the military undertaking tasks that were and should be within the purview of civilian entities. The phenomenon of militarization has been meticulously recorded by civil society, including myself, and is publicly available for reference.

Despite the Ministry’s claim the government views civil society as partners and not adversaries, regrettably, its statement singling out my statement to the EU, is the perfect example of the government’s intolerance of dissent. Furthermore, several civil society organisations and activists, particularly from the North and East, have been questioned by the Terrorism Investigation Division (TID) during the last year. That they are being subject to these “routine security checks” when there is no prima facie evidence of wrongdoing, casts doubt on the government’s assertion of partnership with civil society.

As a Sri Lankan citizen, it is my right and civic duty to question the actions of elected representatives of this country when such actions lead to the suffering and marginalisation of vulnerable communities, and demand accountability. Only a country that respects this right can be considered truly independent and democratic.

Finally, the Ministry has referred to my position as Chairperson of the Neelan Tiruchelvam Trust in the statement. However, I did not make the statement to the Sub Committee as Chairperson nor represent the Trust at the hearing. I delivered the statement in my capacity as a human rights advocate, and it in no way has any relationship to the Trust.”


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Government briefs Diplomatic Community on recovery progress

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2025/12/6

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A special briefing for the diplomatic community in Sri Lanka was held on 4 December at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, chaired by Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya together with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism,  Vijitha Herath. Senior government officials, including representatives of the Disaster Management Centre (DMC) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), also participated.

Opening the session, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya expressed her gratitude  to the diplomatic community for their immediate support and solidarity following the recent floods and landslides. She noted that Sri Lanka had endured one of the most severe disasters in recent years, but the resilience of the people and the coordinated efforts of government agencies had enabled a rapid response and significant progress in relief operations. She confirmed that not a single tourist has been reported harmed during the disaster and noted that the previously inaccessible areas are now reachable. Massive cleanup and decontamination operations are underway to ensure that lands and public spaces are safe for return, and communications have been restored in the affected areas.

The Prime Minister emphasized that relief, evacuation, and emergency assistance were carried out with the collective effort of the tri-forces, police, public officers, health workers, volunteers, and local authorities. She acknowledged the continuing challenges, including the restoration of infrastructure, resettlement needs, and long-term disaster-mitigation work, and welcomed the technical, humanitarian, and financial support offered by partner countries.

Maj. Gen. Sampath Kotuwegoda (Retd), Director General of the Disaster Management Centre, delivered a detailed presentation on the current status of the disaster, including the number of affected families, evacuation centres, damage assessments, and the ongoing coordination with international agencies for recovery planning. The cyclone affected almost the entire country, with 22 districts severely impacted. Some locations recorded up to 540 mm of rainfall and winds of up to 70 km/h, causing widespread infrastructure damage. Early assessments indicate that 2.3 million people were exposed to flooding, with 1.8 million people directly affected on the ground and 1.1 million hectares of land impacted. The assessment also identified 40,152 pregnant women among those affected, who have been prioritized for support. He also highlighted areas where further technical cooperation, such as early-warning systems, mapping capabilities, and climate-response technologies would be valuable.

Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, briefed the diplomatic community on the impact of the disaster on the tourism sector. He reassured attendees that major tourism zones remain operational, safety assessments are underway, and contingency measures have been activated to support visitors and protect the industry during the upcoming peak season. The Chairman of the Hotel Association of Sri Lanka Ashoka Hettigoda confirmed that the Coastal and resort hotels from Maravila to Passikudah are operating, with many reporting 60–65 percent occupancy; the hotels in Nuwara Eliya are partially operational. He made an appeal that the best assistance that the international community can give to Sri Lanka is the continued support provided through tourism.

Several diplomats conveyed their condolences to affected communities and reaffirmed their governments’ readiness to assist Sri Lanka in both immediate relief efforts and long-term rebuilding. They expressed appreciation for the government’s transparent engagement and the coordinated approach to managing the crisis.

Prime Minister thanked the diplomats for their continued cooperation and underscored the government’s commitment to ensuring an effective and inclusive recovery. She stressed that strengthening disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and institutional capacity will be central to Sri Lanka’s national development agenda moving forward. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism,  Arun Hemachandra, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, and Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, also attended the meeting.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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All parties have agreed to recruit Development Officers into the teaching service through a competitive examination – PM

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2025/12/6

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Addressing Parliament on Friday  (05), the Prime Minister stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision, the recommendations issued by the Public Service Commission, and the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, all parties have agreed to recruit teachers through a competitive examination. The Prime Minister further noted that during the second phase of the recruitment process, the Development Officers currently serving in schools will be given preference during the interviews.

Addressing further, the Prime Minister stated,

“In compliance with the final order of the Supreme Court and the provisions of the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service Minute, the Development Officers will be given the opportunity to join the Sri Lanka Teachers’ Service.

It has been decided to revise the maximum age limit of 40 years, as specified in the examination notification for applicants, to 45 years for this instance only”.

The Prime Minister further stated that, in accordance with the Supreme Court decision, arrangements have been taken to revise the age limits for graduates employed in the public service and graduates not employed in the public service, and to conduct separate examinations accordingly, in order to recruit teachers to Grade 3. i (a) of the Teachers’ Service to fill the available vacancies.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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“Our people have shown extraordinary resilience.” – PM

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3 hours ago

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2025/12/6

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Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya said that despite the recent devastation caused by severe flooding and landslides, Sri Lanka continues to recover rapidly due to the exceptional strength and solidarity demonstrated by the people. “We have taken a blow, but we are far from fallen. Our people have shown remarkable resilience, and that spirit has carried us through every crisis we have faced,” she stated while addressing the visiting NASSCOM Executive Committee and SLASSCOM leadership during their interaction held on 4th December at ICT Rathnadeepa Hotel, Colombo.

The meeting brought together NASSCOM—the apex body of India’s technology industry representing over 3,000 companies—and SLASSCOM, Sri Lanka’s national chamber for the IT and BPM sector with more than 350 member companies, to discuss digital-economy collaboration, investment opportunities, and the path forward for Sri Lanka’s ICT landscape.

The Prime Minister thanked the NASSCOM delegation for proceeding with their annual visit to Sri Lanka despite the country’s recent challenges, noting that their presence sends a strong message of confidence in Sri Lanka’s stability and recovery. She explained that the government, together with the World Bank and the United Nations, is conducting short- and long-term assessments to guide reconstruction efforts, which will include resettlement, improved disaster preparedness, flood control, and major infrastructure restoration.

During the discussion, the Prime Minister highlighted that Sri Lanka’s economic recovery plan remains firmly on course. She noted that the government has set a medium- to long-term target of 7% economic growth and emphasized two key priorities relevant to the visiting technology leaders: export diversification and accelerating the digital economy. “We are committed to developing a strong digital economy. This is an area where we look forward to India’s continued collaboration and partnership,” she said.

Responding to questions on how digital transformation is progressing within government institutions, Prime Minister stated that the Ministry of Education has already begun implementing a National Education Management System, which is expected to be launched in January. She also noted that other ministries have commenced their own digitalisation work and will be ready to introduce their systems in the coming months.

The Prime Minister also welcomed an offer of support from an Indian technology company specialising in drones for disaster response, mapping, and geospatial data. The representative proposed extending technical assistance to improve Sri Lanka’s disaster-management capabilities, including documentation and real-time monitoring. In response, Prime Minister acknowledged that Sri Lanka must strengthen early-warning systems and invest in modern technologies to better manage future disasters, noting that inadequate systems had limited the ability to predict this year’s extreme rainfall.

Detailing the government’s broader reform agenda, the Prime Minister explained that regulatory frameworks, governance reforms, and digital transformation initiatives are underway to make Sri Lanka an attractive destination for major IT and BPM investments. She stressed that Sri Lanka aims to reach USD 5 billion in export value in the IT and BPM sector by 2030, supported by improved human-resource development, education reforms, and a national plan to expand skilled employment. She further highlighted that the government is working closely with India on digitising the public sector, implementing a universal digital ID system, and introducing integrated platforms such as the National Education Management System.

The NASSCOM delegation’s visit forms part of a long-standing collaboration between NASSCOM and SLASSCOM, aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s ICT sector and positioning the country as a strategic extension market for leading Indian and global technology industries. Their visit also coincides with SLASSCOM’s preparations for the 2026 NASSCOM Technology & Leadership Forum.

Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijesuriya, Indian High Commissioner  Santosh Jha, and representatives from SLASSCOM and NASSCOM attended the event.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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