News
HRW urges EU to use GSP+ to pressure SL on human rights
BY SANATH NANAYAKKARE
Two senior officials from Human Rights Watch (HRW) have urged a review ofSri Lanka’s EU GSP+ facilities to pressure Colombo on human rights. Lotte Leicht, EU Director of HRW and Meenakshi Ganguly, its South Asia Director, last week wrote to the EU expressing deep concern about “worsening human rights” here jeopardizing GSP+ facilities.They have urged the European Commission to state publicly that Sri Lanka’sgovernment is in breach of its human rights obligations under the GSP+ scheme, and to set clear, specific benchmarks for action, with short and transparent timelines for implementation, in order for Sri Lanka to keep its GSP+ benefits.They have said that GSP+ is a powerful EU tool to advance the respect for human rights as laid down in international law and to preserve civic space in Sri Lanka and urgedthem to make effective use of this tool at this ‘critical’ time.
They have alleged that the Gotabaya Rajapaksa government has harshly reversed the modest human rights improvements noted in the Commission’s previous report.While calling this an an ‘alarming’ situation, they have said UN HighCommissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has so assessed the situationseveral times and most recently in her update to the Human RightsCouncil on September 1.They have also called for imposing targeted sanctions on individuals implicated in grave violations in Sri Lanka as provided for by the EU’s Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime.
The European Union is in an unparalleled position to help avert this growing crisis and we stand ready to discuss this further with you at any time.” they have said.
Four persons including a Budhist monk died and 32 others were injured when two SLTB buses collided head on at Weerawila at arond 12 noon today (18).
Three of the deceased were women. 22 of the injured were admitted to the Hambanthota Hospital while 10 others have been admitted to the Debarawewa hospital.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) ship OONAMI which arrived at the port of Colombo on a goodwill and replenishment visit on 09 Mar 26 departed on 11 March.
The departing ship was given a formal farewell from the Sri Lanka Navy, in keeping with naval traditions at the Port of Colombo.
The 150.5m long JMSDF OONAMI is commanded by Commander IIO Hiromasa.
During the stay in the island, crew members of the ship explored some tourist attractions in Colombo. The itinerary also included a coastal clean-up drive participated by naval personnel of both countries and engagements with the Sri Lanka Navy, designed to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation.
The Central Cultural Fund established under the provisions of the Central Cultural Fund Act No. 57 of 1980 is responsible for development of cultural and religious monuments in Sri Lanka, settling the expenditure borne for development, renovation and conservation of local and foreign cultural monuments, awarding financial donations for artisans as well as awarding those who served the nation in the fields of culture and religious sectors.
The said act has been passed in Parliament 45 years back and, the requirement to revise the provisions of the act according to the contemporary requirements haa been recognized.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted their policy
approval to amend the said act, considering the resolution furnished by the Minister of Buddhasashana, Religious and Cultural Affairs.
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Four dead 32 injured in head on collision at Weerawila
JMSDF ship OONAMI concludes goodwill visit
Cabinet nod to amend Central Cultural Fund Act No. 57 of 1980
’National Namal Uyana’ declared as a National Heritage
Establishment of Supervisory Committees for restoring economic activities.
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