News
Govt. faulted for flawed Geneva strategy
By Shamindra Ferdinando
The Federation of Sinhala Organisation has faulted the current dispensation over its response to post-war accountability issues.
Dr. Wasantha Bandara and Yass Dharmadasa of the National Patriotic Front and the Global Sri Lanka Forum, respectively, lambasted the government for what they called the SLPP administration’s failure to realise the growing threat posed by those propagating war crimes accusations to pressure Sri Lanka to give in to their demand for a federal structure in the Northern and Eastern provinces. That would lead to the division of the country on ethnic lines, they warned at a zoom meeting on Saturday (29) organised by the civil society group ‘Children of 1956.’
The Island
(represented by the present writer at the virtual conference) commented on how foreign powers exploited some political parties represented in Parliament to advance their strategies and the failure on the part of successive governments to set the record straight at the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as well as New York.
Dr. Bandara and Dharmadasa explained how the SLPP had contributed to the flawed Geneva strategy by entering into a dialogue with a section of the civil society here while offering to initiate a dialogue with the Tamil Diaspora. Alleging that the government was on the wrong path, they asserted that the present-day political leaders appeared to have conveniently forgotten their repeated assurances in the run-up to the 2019 presidential and 2020 parliamentary polls. The speakers questioned what they called ineffectual withdrawal from the 2015 accountability resolution.
Responding to queries from participants, Dr. Bandara emphasised that there was no point in staging protests in Geneva or any other foreign capital against the ongoing high-profile campaign against the war winning Sri Lankan military. Dr. Bandara emphasised that the current need was to pressure the government to change its strategy. Therefore, protests, if any should be in Colombo, to demand tangible measures to address the threat.”
The audience was told that the western powers had advanced their project in the absence of an appropriate response from Sri Lanka. Reference was made to Australia denying a visa to Maj. Gen. Chagie Gallage in 2016, the US refusing a visa to Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka in 2017—the war-winning Army Chief was to accompany the then President Mathripala Sirisena to UNGA—the US tagging Gen. Shavendra Silva, who is also the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as a war criminal in 2020 and the US blocking entry of retired Maj. Gen. Udaya Perera, who had a multiple US visa valid for a five-year period.
The audience was reminded that the Geneva crisis hadn’t received sufficient attention against the backdrop of a spate of other simmering issues, particularly the ruination of the Maha yield, the growing difficulties experienced in settling foreign debt and conflict within the ruling coalition over the Yugadanavi deal with the US and the agreement with India in respect of the Trincomalee oil tank farms.
Dharmadasa alleged that the military top brass hadn’t paid sufficient attention to the Geneva challenge. Referring to meetings the nationalistic groups had with several senior officers and in some instances with their wives as well as spouses of other military personnel, Dharmadasa alleged that they seemed to be of the view that the government was handling the issue at hand quite well. “Therefore, we’ll not seek to intervene in individual cases but explore ways and means how the government can be influenced to reassess their strategy.”
Both Dr. Bandara and Dharmadasa warned the government of dire consequences unless tangible measures were taken to counter the lies being propagated about Sri Lanka and its military personnel. Dr. Bandara explained that the Geneva project was meant to trap Sri Lanka over its people and pressure the government to grant the Tamil speaking people a federal structure in return for dropping war crimes proceedings. Once the TNA, the US and the yahapalana government had reached consensus on hybrid war crimes court, Dr. Bandara said, asserting that the West, Diaspora and India used war crimes accusations as a sledgehammer to pressure Sri Lanka to give up unitary status. He asked, “Would they create a situation where Sri Lanka faced war crimes proceedings or reached agreement on a constitutional arrangement that met the aspirations of the Tamil speaking community?”
Dr. Bandara revealed a recent opportunity they had received to make representations to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne and other senior members of the government as regards the challenges faced by the country.
The government is currently prioritizing the development of a country-specific Food Security Index, with the goal of completing the initiative within the next three months.
This tailored index is expected to better reflect Sri Lanka’s unique food security landscape, addressing the limitations of global indices such as the Global Food Security Index (GFSI), which have been criticized for failing to capture the nuances of the local context. Policymakers have also noted that existing data is often insufficient or imprecise, making it challenging to develop effective strategies.
The proposed index aims to identify key national priorities and guide food security policy over the next five years.
As a first step in this effort, a workshop titled “Identifying a Suitable Food Security Index for Sri Lanka and Formulating a Strategic Plan” was held on Tuesday (17) at the Colombo City Center. Organized by the Food Security Expert Committee in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the event brought together experts and stakeholders from across the sector.
Delivering the opening remarks, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Gunaratne emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating that the development of a precise, country-specific index is a vital step toward ensuring both economic stability and national food security. The workshop focused on the four key dimensions of food security; availability, accessibility, utilization and stability and explored how these can be incorporated into a comprehensive and practical national index.
Participants included members of the Food Security Expert Committee, such as Senior Professors Buddhi Marambe and Jeevika Weerahewa, along with representatives from various government agencies, academic institutions, the FAO, the WFP and the private sector.
Govt. blames them for misbehaviour in Parliament
MPs of the SJB and some other Opposition parties staged a walkout in Parliament yesterday, protesting against the Speaker’s refusal to allow them to discuss the escalating Israel-Iran conflict and its potential impact on Sri Lanka.
The walkout was followed by a special meeting of Opposition leaders, held at the Parliament complex, chaired by Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa. Among those present were MPs Dilith Jayaweera, Namal Rajapaksa, and Dr. Ramanathan Archchuna.
Chief Opposition Whip Gayantha Karunathilleka said that the protest was against the Speaker’s refusal to allocate time for an urgent debate on the Middle East conflict, which Opposition MPs argued poses serious risks to Lankan nationals and businesses, particularly about 10,000–20,000 Lankans currently working in Israel.
Premadasa accused Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne of silencing the Opposition, stating that he had been denied the opportunity to raise a matter of national importance. “We no longer approve of your conduct in this House,” he said, warning that continued disregard for parliamentary procedure would lead to more protests.
Premadasa emphasised the need for immediate government action to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans in the war-torn region and to mitigate economic fallout from the conflict, which, he warned, could escalate into a broader war with possible nuclear implications.
Health and Mass Media Minister and Chief Government Whip Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa assured Parliament that the government would address the issue during an adjournment debate later in the day and that a statement from the Foreign Ministry would follow.
Kurunegala District MP Dayasiri Jayasekara criticised the Speaker for suppressing Opposition voices, adding that the decision to boycott the remainder of the day’s sessions was a direct result of repeated restrictions.
Leader of the House, Transport Minister Bimal Rathnayake rejected the allegations, placing blame on the Opposition for ‘unacceptable conduct within the chamber’.
ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam opted to remain in Parliament and participate in the debate, though he, too, condemned the government’s repeated efforts to curtail the Opposition’s right to speak.
By Saman Indrajith
Nimal Senadheera officially assumed duties as Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom on Monday, 16 June, at the Sri Lanka High Commission in London. The occasion was marked by a traditional and dignified ceremony.
Senadheera succeeded Rohitha Bogollagama who took over the mission in Nov 2023 during Ranil Wickremesinghe tenure as the President.
Senadheera was warmly welcomed by officials and staff of the Mission. In his address, he highlighted the Government’s vision to strengthen the Mission’s role in advancing Sri Lanka’s interests abroad, reflecting the aspirations of the people and the mandate entrusted to the current administration. He called on all staff members to work collaboratively in further enhancing Sri Lanka–UK relations.
The formal assumption of duties included the traditional lighting of the oil lamp, followed by the serving of milk rice and sweetmeats, in keeping with Sri Lankan customs.
Senadheera is a senior officer of the Sri Lanka Administrative Service (SLAS) with over two decades of experience in public administration, diplomacy, and education. He has previously served at the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria and held senior positions in the Central Provincial Council and the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration.
He holds an MSc in Public Policy from the University of Strathclyde (UK), a Master of Public Administration from Flinders University (Australia), and a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Kelaniya (Sri Lanka). He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Peradeniya, specialising in English, Economics, and Sociology.
Senadheera and his wife arrived in London over the weekend. Upon arrival, they were received by Gordon Wetherell CMG, Special Representative of the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs.
Later in the evening, the High Commissioner, accompanied by his wife and staff, visited the London Buddhist Viharaya to invoke blessings as he begins his new diplomatic assignment.
Sujeeva Nivunhella reporting from London
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