News

Geneva urged not to accept GoSL excuses based on current economic difficulties

Published

3 years ago

2022/08/22

The UK based Global Tamil Forum (GTF) has called, for what it says is a well-targeted UNHRC resolution on Sri Lanka at the forthcoming Geneva sessions. The grouping stressed that the incumbent government shouldn’t be allowed to justify its failure to address the grievances of the Tamil-speaking community, on the basis of the current economic difficulties.

The following is the text of the statement issued by the GTF: ” The GTF welcomes the delisting of various Tamil diaspora organisations, and individuals, as an important step towards achieving improved ethnic relations and economic outcomes in Sri Lanka. However, it is disappointing that many Tamil and Muslim organisations, and individuals, are still on the updated list, gazetted on August 1, 2022. GTF calls on the Sri Lankan government to discontinue this shambolic process of listing and delisting entities to suit the political agenda of the time.

The entire process of publishing a list of designated entities and individuals, by the Sri Lankan government, is arbitrary, irrational, and an outright abuse of the United Nations Regulation (Regulation 4(7) of the UN Regulations No. 1 of 2012). From 2014, it was misused by the government to suppress freedom of speech and dissent and intimidate human rights defenders – not just within Sri Lanka but also overseas.

This is best illustrated with GTF – an organisation formed after the end of war, in 2009, to play a constructive role in promoting peace, justice, equality, and reconciliation in Sri Lanka. While promoting wartime accountability, including at the UNHRC, GTF has maintained high level engagement with all stakeholders in Sri Lanka, including politicians, civil society activists and media personnel, with the intention of working towards a durable political solution acceptable to all communities. GTF was also involved in targeted activities related to rehabilitation, medical emergencies and development initiatives in many regions and communities across Sri Lanka.

Despite its notable openness, transparency, and international recognition, and remaining unchanged in its philosophy and approach, GTF found itself in and out of the ‘list’ twice – listed in 2014, delisted in 2015, re-listed in 2021 and delisted in 2022.

GTF is grateful that the international community, and many Sri Lankan stakeholders (including the media), ignored this listing for what it truly is. In fact, our diplomatic engagements, including the crucial meetings in the US in November 2021 and March 2022, also meeting with the Minister of State for the Commonwealth and United Nations, and South Asia at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and various other important engagements, including the United Nations (UN), were not affected by the listing, but the ban’s impact on reconciliation, rehabilitation and economic progress in Sri Lanka was significant.

There is no doubt the timing of the recent delisting is to bolster Sri Lanka’s credentials as its human rights record is about to be reviewed at the UNHRC next month for the eighth time since the war ended in 2009. This action only confirms the time-tested pattern of Sri Lanka doing the bare minimum just in time for the next UNHRC session – and presents an eloquent argument for increased international scrutiny over Sri Lanka’s human rights and governance record.

The UNHRC session of September 2022 is hugely important for the Tamil people and indeed for the entire country to move forward. Sri Lanka’s record on implementing the key aspects of the UNHRC resolutions since 2012 (the last one passed in March 2021) is truly appalling. Despite few token initiatives, such as the establishment of the Office of the Missing Persons and the Office for Reparations, the country is yet to make any meaningful progress that would provide effective relief, justice, and closure for those directly impacted by the war. Further, some of the high-handed measures being taken against the protesters who agitated for progressive changes are deeply concerning. All of these call for increased international oversight of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka.

The nascent transformation Sri Lanka presently undergoing is significant. The successful protests that deposed Gotabaya Rajapaka’s is presidency has created an environment where an unaccountable government will be under increased scrutiny. In addition to wartime accountability, legal, financial, and other governance accountabilities are also under intense focus. This emerging trend needs to be conscientiously promoted by the international community, which is possible only with the adoption of a well-targeted UNHRC resolution. The new resolution needs to build on the key aspects of the March 2021 UNHRC resolution (A/HRC/RES/46/1) which empowered the High Commissioner’s Office to further advance wartime accountability.

Any argument Sri Lanka may put forward leveraging its economic difficulties for lowering the international scrutiny of its human rights record – as attempted by Sri Lanka during the UNHRC session in March 2022 – has no legal, moral, or political basis. The struggle for justice, rule of law, human rights and accountability could be strengthened by the UNHRC taking a principled stance at the Council’s upcoming 51st Session.”

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News

Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh meets PM

Published

23 mins ago

2025/11/8

Priyan

Ambassador Asad Alam Siam, Foreign Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees on 06 November.

The Prime Minister welcomed the Foreign Secretary and his delegation. The discussions focused on current regional developments and matters of mutual interest, with particular emphasis on accountability, transparency, and good governance.

Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya underlined the importance of institutional reforms and the need to eliminate corrupt practices to strengthen effective and transparent governance systems. Both sides also explored potential avenues for enhanced collaboration between Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in areas of shared interest.

The meeting was attended by senior officials from both countries.

The Bangladesh delegation included Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka; Ms. Ishrat Jahan, Director General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Md. Manuar Mukarram, Director (FSO), Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Mohammad Nahid Zahangir, Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Sri Lankan delegation comprised Dharmapala Weerakkody, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; and Samantha Pathirana, Director General of the South Asia & SAARC Division.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation, pays courtesy call on PM

Published

1 hour ago

2025/11/8

Priyan

Mr. Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, at Temple Trees on 06 November.

The Prime Minister extended a warm welcome to Mr. Sasakawa and expressed her appreciation for his second visit to Sri Lanka. Mr. Sasakawa briefed the Prime Minister on the Leprosy Conference held earlier that morning, which was also attended by the President. He outlined The Nippon Foundation’s ongoing projects in Sri Lanka, highlighting initiatives that support persons with disabilities, especially students with special needs.

Mr. Sasakawa discussed the work of the Sri Lankan School of Prosthetics and Orthotics and proposed upgrading the institution to university level with government assistance. Prime Minister Dr. Amarasuriya responded positively, noting that she would instruct the Ministry of Education to assess the feasibility of this proposal.

The Prime Minister commended The Nippon Foundation’s “100 Schools Project” in the Northern Province and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to improving educational and social inclusion for students with disabilities. She also acknowledged the resource limitations faced by some programmes and expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support in addressing these challenges.

Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, reiterated Japan’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation with Sri Lanka, particularly in promoting inclusivity and social welfare.

Both sides concluded the meeting by expressing their shared commitment to strengthening collaboration between Sri Lanka, Japan, and The Nippon Foundation in advancing education, accessibility, and social inclusion.

The meeting was attended by Yohei Sasakawa, Honorary Chair of The Nippon Foundation; Akio Isomata, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka; Ryo Takaoka, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan; and Shota Nakayasu, Secretary to the Chairman, The Nippon Foundation.

Representing the Sri Lankan side were Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Savitri Panabokke, Director General, East Asia & Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ms. Gayanga Dias, Assistant Director, East Asia & Oceania Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Govt. corrals many more into tax net by lowering VAT threshold from Rs. 60 Mn to Rs. 36 Mn

Published

13 hours ago

2025/11/8

Thilina Walpola

Projected revenue at Rs. 5.3 Bn, budget deficit 1.75 Bn

Rs. 6,500 Mn allocated for Clean Sri Lanka initiative

Estate wages hiked to Rs. 1,750 from Rs. 1,350 per day

Rs. 1 Bn allocated to address human-elephant conflict

Rs. 342 Bn for road development programmes

The government has decided to reduce the annual turnover threshold for the registration of Value Added Tax and Social Security Contribution Levy from Rs. 60 million to Rs. 36 million.

The proposal will be implemented with effect from 01 April, 2026.

The new tax system has been proposed with the view of broadening the tax base, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said during his 2026 Budget speech in Parliament yesterday.

He said that the total number of registered taxpayers in Sri Lanka has increased by 300,000 as of 30 September, 2025, compared to 2024.

The President made this revelation while delivering the 2026 Budget speech.

President Dissanayake also confirmed that the Simplified VAT System (SVAT) has been abolished with effect from 01 October, 2025, and has been shifted to an approved refund process to improve tax compliance and reduce misuse.

Presenting the Budget Proposals for the year 2026 commenced at 1.30 pm and continued till 5.57 pm.

According to the 2026 Budget proposal delivered by the President, the government’s expected revenue for 2026 is set at Rs. 5,300 million while the expenditure has been projected to be Rs. 7,057 million.

The Budget deficit will be Rs. 1,757 million or 5.1% of the Gross Domestic Product.

The government has proposed to remove the Special Commodity Levy on imported coconut oil and palm oil and implement the general tax structure including Value Added Tax.

The new tax system on imported coconut oil and palm oil will be implemented from April 2026, President Dissanayake said.

At present, locally produced coconut oil and palm oil are subjected to Value Added Tax and Social Security Contribution Levy, while imported coconut oil and palm oil are subjected to Special Commodity Levy at Rs. 150 per kilogram and Rs. 275 per kilogram, respectively.

The new tax proposal has been proposed to ensure a level playing field, the President stated.

President Dissanayake said that a total of Rs. 6,500 million has been allocated for the Clean Sri Lanka programme for next year.

President Dissanayake said that the land acquisition process for the proposed Kurunegala-Dambulla expressway is currently underway.

Accordingly, through the 2026 Budget, the government has allocated Rs. 1,000 million to complete the land acquisition process, the President said.

The government has allocated a sum of Rs. 342 billion for road development programmes in the 2026 Budget, President Dissanakaye stated. A total of Rs. 66.1 billion has been allocated for the Kadawatha-Mirigama section of the Central Expressway through the 2026 Budget.

Furthermore, Rs. 10.5 billion for the Pothuhera-Rambukkana and Rs. 20 billion for the Rambukkana-Galagedara section of the central expressway have been allocated through the Budget.

The President said that through the 2026 Budget, a sum of 25,500 million has been allocated to develop Sri Lanka’s digital economy. He also pledged to establish a Digital Economy Council next year.

The allocation will facilitate the infrastructure needs, streamlining investment processes and fostering an innovation-friendly environment.

The government has proposed to allocate an additional provision of Rs. 1,000 million to the Department of Wildlife Conservation to expedite the completion of electric fence constructions and related projects aimed at mitigating human-elephant conflict across the country, the President said.

In addition, Rs. 10 billion has been proposed for research initiatives to identify long-term, research-based solutions beyond the construction of electric fences to reduce these elephant-human conflicts, he said.

Estate worker wages are to be hiked to a total of 1,750 rupees a day, President Dissanayake said, presenting the Budget for 2026.

“We believe that estate workers should be paid a fair daily wage, commensurate with their work,” the President said.

The current minimum wage of an estate worker is 1,350 rupees a day.

An additional 200 rupees will be given daily by the government to encourage estate workers to come to work, Dissanayake said.

“This is as an incentive for them to show up for the 25 days.” The government will allocate 5,000 million rupees for this, he said.

The Budget Debate on the Second Reading of the Appropriation Bill will commence on 08 November and continue for six days. The vote on the Second Reading is scheduled for 14 November (Friday) at 6 pm.

The Committee Stage Debate is set to begin on 15 November and will continue for 17 sitting days, including three Saturdays, until 05 December. The vote on the Third Reading of the Appropriation Bill is to be taken up at 6 pm on 05 December.

During the budget period, Parliament will meet daily, except on Sundays and public holidays. Sessions will begin at 9.30 am on Mondays and at 9 am on other days. Each day’s sittings will continue until 6 pm, with time from 6 to 6.30 pm allocated for adjournment motions, shared equally between the Government and the Opposition, except on voting days.

In addition, during the Committee Stage Debate, provision has been made for five Questions for Oral Answers and one Question under Standing Orders 27(2), apart from the regular business under Standing Orders 22(1) to (6).