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AI demands immediate release of Natasha

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Natasha

The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights – the international human rights treaty ensuring wide range of human rights, including those relating to freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment and fair trial rights, is abused by Lankan authorities “as a tool of repression to target minorities,” says Amnesty International.

The AI in a tweet on the arrest of comedienne Natasha Edirisooriya says that the right to freedom of expression applies to information and ideas of all kinds, including those that may be deeply offensive. Sri Lankan authorities must ensure that all laws, policies and practices, aimed at combating advocacy of hatred, are drafted and applied in a strict manner so that they do not lead to unjustified restrictions of freedom of expression of minorities.

“Section 3(1) of the ICCPR Act, which introduces the ICCPR into domestic legislation, has been used time and time again to restrict freedom of expression. It prohibits advocacy of hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, violence or hostility. Advocacy of hatred is more than just the expression of ideas or opinions that are hateful towards members of a particular group, it requires a clear showing of intent to incite others to discriminate, be hostile toward, or commit violence against the group in question. When the expression fails to meet this test, even if it is shocking, offensive, or disturbing, it should be protected by the state. The ICCPR Act was enacted to introduce into domestic legislation the obligations that Sri Lanka committed to abide by after ratifying the human rights treaty. Ironically, the Sri Lankan authorities are using it instead as a tool of repression to target minorities. This must end. Nathasha Edirisooriya must be released and any pending charges against her must be dropped immediately,” says AI.



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Department of Irrigation extends flood warnings issued to the basin areas of the Nilwala, Kalu and Gin rivers

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[File pic] The sand bank at the river mouth of the Nilwala river being cleared (pic Matara District Media Unit)

The Amber flood warnings issued by the Hydrology and Disaster Management Division of the Department of Irrigation for the basins of the Nilwala, Gin and  Kalu Rivers  and the sub basin of the Kuda Ganga  which is a tributary of the Kalu Ganga at 9.00am on Friday(28) has been extended for another twenty four (24) hours and will be effective until 9.00am on Saturday (30).

Residents and motorists driving through the area are requested to pay necessary attention to the warning.

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Kerala cannabis with a street value of over Rs. 33 million held by Navy in Kareinagar

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The three sacks contained over 100kg of Kerala cannabis (pic Navy)

A special search operation conducted by the Navy in the beach area of Pumattei on the Kareinagar Island, Jaffna in the dark hours of 27th September 2023 led to the seizure of a dinghy loaded with over 100kg (wet weight) of Kerala cannabis believed to have a street value of over Rs 33 million.

The 49 packages of Kerala Cannabis were in three sacks found in the dinghy. The consignment of Kerala cannabis and the dinghy were taken into  naval custody.

 

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Crystal Methamphetamine valued at over Rs. 15 million held in Dehiwala

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A coordinated search operation conducted by the Navy and Police Crime Division, Colombo led to the apprehension of a suspect with about 1kg and 10g of Crystal Methamphetamine (Ice) in the Dehiwala area on the evening of 27th September 2023.

The gross street value of seized drugs is believed to be over Rs. 15 million.

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