News
Lanka aims to make domestic mechanisms credible within constitutional framework: FM to UNHRC
The Government says it is firmly and sincerely committed to working towards a unified Sri Lanka that respects and celebrates the diversity of its people with no division or discrimination based on race, religion, class and caste.
“We will not leave room for a resurgence of divisive racism or religious extremism in our country,” Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said on Tuesday (25).
Minister Herath made these comments while delivered a statement at the High-Level Segment of the 58th Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva.
In his address, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to human rights, reconciliation, and sustainable development, highlighting the country’s progress and government’s strategies for continued engagement with the international community.
He stressed that the fundamental and longstanding principles of democracy and freedom enshrined in Sri Lanka’s Constitution will be fully respected and safeguarded while protecting the human rights of all citizens.
Every citizen should feel free to practice their religion, speak their language, and live according to their cultural values without fear or discrimination, he said, adding that no one should feel that their beliefs, culture, or political affiliations will make them targets of undue pressure or prejudice.
“Administrative, political and electoral processes will be activated towards this end.”
He emphasized that the Government has pledged to take tangible steps in the interest of further advancing national unity and reconciliation and that the President has proposed to declare a “Sri Lanka Day,” in line with the government’s vision for a reconciled Sri Lanka and commitment to bridging gaps between communities.
“We will ensure that the domestic mechanisms and processes established to address challenges emanating from the conflict will continue their work in an independent and credible manner within the Constitutional framework,” Herath said.
The minister assured that the domestic institutions such as the Office on Missing Persons (OMP), Office for Reparations, and Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) will be strengthened.
He said the contours of a truth and reconciliation framework, will be further discussed with the broadest possible cross section of stakeholders, before operationalization to ensure a process that has the trust of all Sri Lankans.
“Our aim is to make the domestic mechanisms credible and sound within the constitutional framework,” he stressed.
This will include strengthening the work towards a truth and reconciliation commission empowered to investigate acts of violence caused by racism and religious extremism that give rise to tensions within Sri Lankan society, the minister emphasized.
He stated that the Government is fully cognizant of the responsibility that accompanies the people’s mandate, including the people of the Northern and Eastern provinces, to fulfill their aspirations for a just, fair and prosperous society for all citizens.
“As we move forward on our path towards national unity and reconciliation and inclusive development, the continued encouragement and support of the international community will be important,” he highlighted.
The minister said that Sri Lanka is committed to genuine dialogue and cooperation in human rights through continuous and constructive engagement.
He further said that Sri Lanka stands ready to support the UN Human Rights Council in addressing pressing global challenges in a balanced and holistic manner in line with its founding principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.
“We believe that States must be encouraged and empowered to address their challenges through robust national human rights frameworks, supplemented by assistance upon request,” he added.
As a nation on the trajectory towards people-led and people-centric national transformation and as a responsible member of the international community, Sri Lanka will continue to work in a constructive spirit of dialogue and cooperation with the members of the United Nations including the UNHRC within the country’s national legal framework, he said.
The Diyawadana Nilame of the Sri Dalada Maligawa, Pradeep Nilanga Dela, has announced the special exposition of the Sacred Tooth Relic will be held at the Sri Dalada Maligawa in Kandy from 3.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on April 18, and 12.00 noon to 5:30 p.m for 10 days thereafter from
The Sri Lanka Navy swiftly responded to bring ashore a critically ill fisherman and transfer him to the General Hospital, Trincomalee for urgent medical attention on 01 Mar 25. The fisherman was aboard a local multiday fishing trawler which was off the coast of Trincomalee.
Reportedly, the multiday fishing trawler ‘Sadaru 03’ departed from the Trincomalee fisheries harbour on 01 Mar with 07 fishermen on board. While at sea approximately 09 nautical miles (16 km) off the coast of Trincomalee, one of the crew members fell critically ill and required urgent medical attention on shore. In response to the situation, the Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources alerted the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) Colombo, which operates from the Navy Headquarters, to coordinate assistance.
Acting promptly, the Navy deployed a craft from the Eastern Naval Command to rescue the ailing fisherman. After successfully retrieving him from the fishing trawler, the Navy provided initial medical care and brought him to the Trincomalee harbour. He was then urgently transferred to the General Hospital, Trincomalee on the night of 01 Mar.
[Navy Media]
Business
IMF Executive Board completes the third review under the Extended Fund Facility [EFF] arrangement with Sri Lanka
The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) completed the third review under the 48-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF) Arrangement, allowing the authorities to draw SDR 254 million (about US$334 million). This brings the total IMF financial support disbursed so far to SDR 1.02 billion (about US$1.34 billion).[1]
The EFF arrangement for Sri Lanka was approved by the Executive Board on March 20, 2023 in an amount of SDR 2.286 billion (395 percent of quota or about US$3 billion. The program supports Sri Lanka’s efforts to restore and maintain macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability while protecting the poor and vulnerable, rebuild external buffers, and enhance growth-oriented structural reforms including by strengthening governance.
Following the Executive Board discussion on Sri Lanka, Mr. Kenji Okamura, Deputy Managing Director, issued the following statement:
“Reforms in Sri Lanka are bearing fruit and the economic recovery has been remarkable. Inflation remains low, revenue collection is improving, and reserves continue to accumulate. Economic growth averaged 4.3 percent since growth resumed in the third quarter of 2023. By end-2024, Sri Lanka’s real GDP is estimated to have recovered 40 percent of its loss incurred between 2018 and 2023. The recovery is expected to continue in 2025. As the economy is still vulnerable, it is critical to sustain the reform momentum to ensure macroeconomic stability and debt sustainability, and promote long-term inclusive growth. There is no room for policy errors.
“Program performance has been strong with all quantitative targets met, except for the indicative target on social spending. Most structural benchmarks due by end-January 2025 were either met or implemented with delay.
“Sustained revenue mobilization is crucial to restoring fiscal sustainability and ensuring that the government can continue to provide essential services. Boosting tax compliance and refraining from tax exemptions are key to maintaining support for economic reforms. To ease economic hardship and ensure the poor and vulnerable can participate in Sri Lanka’s recovery it is important to meet social spending targets and continue with reforms of the social safety net. Going forward, social support needs to be well-targeted towards the most disadvantaged so as to promote inclusive growth with limited fiscal space. Restoring cost-recovery electricity pricing without delay is needed to contain fiscal risks from state-owned enterprises. A smoother execution of capital spending within the fiscal envelope would foster medium-term growth.
“The progress to advance the debt restructuring to restore Sri Lanka’s debt sustainability is noteworthy. The recent successful completion of the bond exchange is a major milestone towards restoring debt sustainability. Timely finalization of bilateral agreements with creditors in the Official Creditor Committee and with remaining creditors is a priority now.
“Monetary policy should prioritize maintaining price stability, supported by sustained commitment to prohibit monetary financing and safeguard Central Bank independence. Continued exchange rate flexibility and gradually phasing out the balance of payments measures remain critical to rebuild external buffers and facilitate rebalancing.
“Resolving non-performing loans, strengthening governance and oversight of state-owned banks, and improving the insolvency and resolution frameworks are important priorities to revive credit growth and support the economic recovery.
“Prolonged structural challenges need to be addressed to unlock Sri Lanka’s long-term potential, including steadfast implementation of the governance reforms.”
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