News
Geneva sessions: Lanka seeks backing of Southern African countries
Focusing on the upcoming UNHCR sessions and recognising the importance of the African region, where the countries have emerged as a cohesive group of nations, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to South Africa, S Amarasekara, has held several meetings with government officials of South Africa and envoys of countries accredited to South Africa to explain post-war achievements.
The Foreign Ministry said that Amarasekara met High Commissioner of Namibia, Veiccoh K Nghiwete, Ambassador of Zimbabwe, D.D. Hamadziripi, High Commissioner of Malawi, Stella C. Hauya Ndau and Charge de Affair of Switzerland in South Africa, Veronique Haller, in this regard.
At these meetings, High Commissioner Amarasekara emphasized the importance of a domestic mechanism to resolve internal conflicts within the domestic socio-political environment, rather than an imposed mechanism by external parties. He stated that the involvement of the external parties further complicates ethnic issues, rather than resolving them. The government of Sri Lanka has the authority, wish, and capacity to resolve it. But due to unwarranted external involvements, the government that resolves the problem has become the accused and is prevented from performing its task. The High Commissioner further stated that after the conflict, the Government of Sri Lanka has done almost everything possible to provide relief to affected people. He also stated that due to unnecessary international pressure, the government is compelled to sacrifice its meager resources to play a defensive role. He said that if these international parties are genuinely interested in the issues of the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, they should support the government in its effort to provide relief to the affected. Encouraging the pressure groups to work with the government to find a solution is a duty of the countries that brought the resolution before the UNHRC, and assist to reduce the gap between different ethnicities in Sri Lanka, he said.
At these meetings, the High Commissioner explained that the word ‘accountability’ has no meaning if the responsible parties can’t correct the mistakes done by them and not serve the affected parties. High Commissioner Amarasekara invited them to look into this problem from a wider perspective without depending on unfounded and fabricated narratives. He further referred to Lord Naseby’s book and various articles written by him on the ethnic issue of Sri Lanka, revealing factually correct and impartial analysis. High Commissioner Amarasekara requested impartial African nations to encourage those parties who have been misled by biased information, to revisit the resolution against Sri Lanka with an open mind.
It has been reported that, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, General Hamilton Wanasinghe has passed away at the age of 91.
Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake has instructed relevant officials to provide the maximum support necessary to successfully hold the Global Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly and Convention scheduled to take place in Sri Lanka.
The Secretary to the President issued these instructions during discussions held on Thursday (12) at the Presidential Secretariat regarding the Global Bora Conference and Convention.
The Bora Conference and Convention will be held from 27 June to 05 July, coinciding with the Bora Community’s Spiritual Assembly, centred on the Bambalapitiya Bora Mosque and the Sri Lanka Exhibition and Convention Centre, with the participation of the community’s Spiritual Leader His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin Sahib.
Approximately fifteen thousand members of the Bora Community from India and numerous other countries are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for this Convention and Conference. Extensive discussions were held regarding the provision of all infrastructure facilities, including airport arrangements, for them.
A group of the Bora Community’s religious leaders, along with officials including the Secretary to the Foreign Ministry, Aruni Ranaraja and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, participated in this occasion.
The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) has reached consensus with Sri Lanka Podu Jana Peramuna (SLPP), United National Party (UNP) and the People’s Alliance (PA) to take control of Akurana, Kadugannawa, Kuliyapitiya and Udubaddawa Pradeshiya Sabhas.
Opposition parties made the announcement at a joint media briefing by SJB National Organiser Tissa Attanayake, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam, PA General Secretary Lasantha Alagiyawanna and UNP General Secretary Thalatha Athukorala.
Terms of 161 out of 339 local government bodies to which elections were held in May commenced on June 2. The ruling NPP and the Opposition parties have been trying to seize control of the remaining councils. Contestants failed to secure working majorities in 178 councils. Both sides have accused each other of trying to bribe elected members in a bid to take control of the councils.
Elections were not held to two local government institutions on 06 May—the Kalmunai Urban Council due to a court case and the Elpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha (PS), which was elected last year.
Responding to questions, the Opposition spokespersons said that they were confident of forming administration and many more councils.
SJB sources said that the Opposition was also working on an arrangement regarding the Colombo Municipal Council scheduled to meet on Monday (16) for the first time when the Mayor will be elected.
Leader of Tamil Progressive Alliance (TPA) Mano Ganeshan, MP, has alleged that the NPP bribed two of its members in the Haldumulla PS to vote in favour of the person nominated by the NPP as the chairman.
Israel launches ‘major strike’ on Iran’s military, nuclear sites
Former Army Commander General Hamilton Wanasinghe passes away at the age of 91
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