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Amnesty, too, condemns proposed anti-terrorism law

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The Amnesty International has expressed serious concerns over the proposed enactment of new Anti-Terrorism law. In its end of mission statement, AI Senior Director Deprose Muchena, who led the delegation said that any anti-terrorism legislation should be in line with international human rights law.

The Opposition here and international organisations including International Commission of Jurists have condemned the proposed new law.

Drawing attention to a number of human rights issues that he engaged on during his visit to Sri Lanka over the last week, Deprose Muchena, Senior Director for regional human rights impact at Amnesty International, said:

“At a time when many actors including some in the international community have chosen to turn a blind eye to the urgent human rights challenges in Sri Lanka, my visit to the country was an opportunity to listen to affected communities, understand their concerns and have their lived experience guide our work to protect and strengthen human rights in the country.

“We stand in solidarity with victims of human rights violations from across the island, many of whom I met and heard concerns from over the past few days. Amnesty International will continue to work to uphold and protect their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. The victims of human rights violations in the context of the civil war and its aftermath as well as organizations working on enforced disappearances, must also urgently and genuinely be engaged by the government to hear their long-standing demands for truth, justice and reparation.

“With government we raised alarm bells around the proposed anti-terrorism legislation that is intended to replace the overboard Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). We maintained our call that any counter-terrorism provisions must be compliant with international human rights law. With the International Monetary Fund (IMF) we reiterated our concerns that the bailout package must meet minimum international human rights standards and not result in cuts to vital public goods and services at a time when Sri Lankans continue to suffer the impacts of an economic crisis. Any agreements and terms and conditions linked to the bailout decision should be made transparent and available for public scrutiny.”

The delegation thanks the Sri Lankan government for their availability during the visit, including President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry. We also extend our thanks to the members of Parliament from the opposition who took out the time to meet us. The delegation is particularly grateful to the mothers of the disappeared from the north and the east, members of the strong and resilient Sri Lankan civil society and Aragalya protest groups, and members of the fishing community for their time and sharing their valuable insights on a gamut of issues including the economic crisis, the right to protest, and transitional justice among others.

An Amnesty International delegation led by Senior Director Deprose Muchena conducted an official country visit to Sri Lanka from 27 March to 2 April 2023. The objectives of the visit were two-fold: South Asia regional launch of Amnesty International’s Annual Report 2022-23 and to meet and engage a number of key stakeholders ranging from sections of government, activists, political parties, civil society and the IMF as part of the continued advocacy efforts to improve the human rights situation in Sri Lanka and the region.



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Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day

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(Picture by PRIYAN DE SILVA)

The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Russian House in Colombo unveiled a plaque at the public library Colombo today (29th April) in honour of the 80th anniversary of victory day.

Victory Day is celebrated on the 9th of May, the day Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II. It is an important date in the Russian calendar and an integral part of Russian culture.

The plaque was jointly unveiled by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Lenav Dzhagaryan and Ms Maria Popova Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Director of the Russian House in Colombo

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Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’

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It has been recognized that the state enterprises should be re – structured and maintained with proper administration with the assistance of local or foreign investments without being a continuous burden to the General Treasury and the country’s economy. Therefore, it is the policy of the new government to introduce an efficient and accountable mechanism in the regard. An initial draft named “State Commercial Enterprises Management Draft Bill” has been already prepared to introduce a new legal framework required for maintaining after performing necessary restructuring and with proper management of government owned business companies. Thereon, it will be possible to totally free the state entrepreneurship establishments from political influences and appoint professionals with proficiency for its board of directors.

Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to grant policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the said initial draft and appoint a special committee with the following composition to submit appropriate proposals for further enhancing after reviewing the initial draft:

• Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development – (Chairman)

• Hon. Sunil Handunneththi Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship

• Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co – operative Development

• Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Sooriyapperuma Deputy Minister of Finance Plan Implementation

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Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages

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The Cabinet of  Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.

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