News
Sri Lanka Core Group raises concerns over accountability at UNHRC
At the 59th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Sri Lanka Core Group, comprising of Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and the United Kingdom, expressed continued concern over Sri Lanka’s lack of progress on human rights and accountability commitments.
Delivering a joint statement during the Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s Annual Report on Monday (23), UK Human Rights Ambassador Eleanor Sanders said there had not been substantive progress on deeper structural issues.
“We remain concerned by the Government’s limited progress in fulfilling its commitments on human rights, accountability, reconciliation, good governance and constitutional reform,” Sanders stated.
The Core Group called on the Sri Lankan government to “address longstanding impunity and ensure that journalists, human rights defenders and civil society organisations can operate freely and safely.”
It further emphasised the importance of building an “inclusive and comprehensive reconciliation and accountability process has the confidence of affected communities”.
The statement also reiterated concern over the continued use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), despite repeated pledges by the government to repeal the controversial legislation. The PTA has long been criticised by Tamil civil society, international human rights groups, and UN experts for facilitating arbitrary detention and systemic abuse.
The Core Group additionally called for renewed efforts to resolve the issue of enforced disappearances, by “reinvigorating” the Office on Missing Persons.
“We reaffirm our willingness to work constructively with the Government on these issues,” the statement concluded.
The Core Group’s remarks come amidst renewed international scrutiny of Sri Lanka’s human rights record, as United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk visits the island this week. His trip includes stops in Jaffna and Trincomalee, and is expected to involve discussions with senior government officials and Tamil civil society groups
Under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 a tax has been imposed on the telecommunication towers and accordingly an annual tax amount of Rs. 200,000/- is levied from mobile network operators who possess telecommunication towers. However, it has been proposed in the Budget for 2026 that the said tax shall not be levied for a period of five (5) years in respect of telecommunication towers newly erected on or after 2026-01-01.
Accordingly, the Legal Draftsman has formulated a draft bill to amend the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 including the provisions for taking necessary action, and the Attorney General has granted the clearance in the regard.
Hence, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to publish the said draft bill in the Government Gazette Notification and thereafter submit the same to the Parliament for its concurrence.
The cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to publish the Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill in the Government Gazette and thereafter submit it for the concurrence of the Parliament.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy, to appoint H.M.J.M.Herath, a special Grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service, who is currently serving as the District Secretary / Government Agent of Kegalle, to the post of Commissioner General of Registration of Persons
Amendments to the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 to be Gazetted
Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill to be Gazetted
H.M.J.M.Herath appointed Commissioner General of Registration of Persons
Water Resources Board Act, No. 29 of 1964, to be amended
Securing public sector employment opportunities for Athletes demonstrating National-Level sporting excellence
Cabinet gives green light for old court complex buildings located in Galle Fort to be utilized for a Tourism Promotion Project.
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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