News
Wimal questions inclusion of Cuba in ‘state sponsor of terrorism’ list
National Freedom Front (NFF) leader Wimal Weerawansa, MP, has questioned the inclusion of Cuba in US State Department’s “state sponsor of terrorism” list.The following is the text of an open letter MP Weerawansa has sent to US Ambassador in Colombo Julie Chung: “We would like to place on record our objection to the inclusion of Cuba into the list of states that support terrorism published by the US State Department on 16 May 2024.
The US State Department began to list states sponsoring terrorism from 2nd December 1979 & included Iraq, Libya, South Yemen & Syria in it.
Having declared these states as sponsoring terrorism, the fate that befell these states is nothing a civilized state that respects democracy, human rights can agree to.
The world is well aware that Iraq was removed from this list in February 1992 as a result of its role in the Iran-Iraq war indirectly intervened by the US. However, on 13th September 1990, Iraq was added to the list of states sponsoring terrorism by the US State Department accusing Iraq of “invading Kuwait”. Though Iraq was again removed from the list in October 2004, the devastation Iraq suffered is known by all.
Libya known as the “Switzerland of Africa” had become a war-torn country by the time it was removed from the list on 15th May 2006. The Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi who is to be credited for leading Libya to great heights in the world’s socio-economic indicators was ruthlessly killed.
Likewise, the tragedy that befell Yemen after being removed from the list on 22nd May 1990 resulting in the merging of North & South Yemen to form one government has resulted in South Yemen disappearing from the world map.
Sudan was included to the US State Department “State Sponsor of Terrorism list” on 12th August 1993 and removed on 14th December 2022. Today, it is a nation where daily corpses keep piling.
Iran which is also included to the US State Departments ‘State Sponsor of Terrorism” list, recently faced the untimely & tragic death of its President Ebrahim Razi & the response by the US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken was that the death “heralded better times for the Iranians”.
The above examples go to highlight the fate of states that end up being included in the list of “State Sponsors of Terrorism” by the US & not only countries that value democracy & human rights but all nations of the world must condemn the outcome for these countries.
This is a trend that must be defeated & countries that are friendly towards the Cuban state are protesting the decision taken by the US State Department and all others must join in too.
Sri Lanka as a state that has been a traditional friend of Cuba & our political party join the rest of the nations’ supporting Cuba against its inclusion in the US State Department “State Sponsor of Terrorism list”.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
Three prison guards attached to the Welikada Prison have been arrested by Borella Police following the death of an inmate on Monday (04).
‘Bar Association must reveal its stand’
Civil society group ‘Free Lawyers’ has requested Chief Justice Preethi Padman Surasena to probe whether political pressure was brought on a Magistrate, or a High Court Judge, in respect of an ongoing high profile case.
Speaking to The Island on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Rajith Keerthi Tennakoon said that they felt the urgent need to seek the CJ’s intervention, following the May Day declaration by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake that the verdict of a case that was heard on 30 April would be given on 25 May. Tennakoon said that addressing the NPP’s main May Day rally at Maharagama, the President asked the people to be ready to celebrate that verdict. The President couldn’t have said so if he hadn’t been aware of the impending verdict, Tennakoon said, while emphasising the responsibility on the part of the Bar Association to state its position on the issue.
‘Free Lawyers’ recently captured pubic attention following its exposure of the theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury.
Responding to a query, Tennakoon said that on behalf of ‘Free Lawyers,’ Maithri Gunaratne, PC, on Monday, 4 April, wrote to both CJ Surasena and President of the Bar Association Rajeev Amarasuriya.
Alleging that President Dissanayake’s declaration caused immense harm to the independence of the judiciary and raised controversy over the judgement that would be given on 25 May, ‘Free Lawyers’ organisation also asked the CJ to inquire into whether the entire judicial process was under political pressure.
Tennakoon said that they expect the Bar Association to reveal its position on President Dissanayake’s statement. Tennakoon pointed out that during the May Day address, President Dissanayake made reference to 15 cases that were to be taken up during this month, whereas Transport, Highways and Urban Development Minister, as well as Leader of the House Bimal Rathnayake, mentioned nearly 10 names of politicians, both sitting and former lawmakers, to be summoned beginning, May.
Tennakoon said that the NPP appeared to have used May Day to counter growing accusations over the Colombo port container controversy, coal scam, Rs 13.2 bn NDB fraud and theft of USD 2.5 mn from the Treasury and USD 625,000 from the Sri Lanka Postal Service.
By Shamindra Ferdinando
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Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
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