News
Lanka gets opportunity to counter accusations
Written submissions to Geneva:
Sri Lanka will get an opportunity to respond to UN Human Rights Commissioner Michelle Bachelet impending written report to the 49th session of the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
The former Chilean President Bachelet is scheduled to present her report on 28 Feb. The UNHRC will take it up for discussion on March 03.
Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said that the government was to receive a copy of Bachelet’s written report on Monday (14).
Addressing the media at the SLPP office, Battaramulla, Prof. Peiris said that Sri Lanka’s response would have to be sent by Feb 19.
Prof. Peiris explained measures taken by the Foreign Ministry and Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative in Geneva C.A. Chandraprema to brief members of the UNHRC.
The Geneva body divided into five groups consists of 47 countries.
Prof. Peiris said that the government is confident the majority of countries would respond positively to Sri Lanka’s efforts at addressing accountability issues.
Prof. Peiris, who had served as the Foreign Minister during 2010-2015 received the same portfolio in August last year. During his first tenure, Sri Lanka lost two votes at the UNHRC. Sri Lanka suffered third defeat during Minister Dinesh Gunawardena’s tenure (2020-2021).
Prof. Peiris said that further votes on accountability resolution pertaining to Sri Lanka at Geneva would hinder post-war reconciliation efforts. Prof. Peiris said that inquiry that had been undertaken by special mechanism wouldn’t help the reconciliation process. (SF)
(Ms.) Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines to Sri Lanka based in Dhaka, paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Prime Minister’s Office on May 16, 2025.
The Prime Minister welcomed Ambassador Cainglet and extended her congratulations on the new appointment. The discussion focused on expanding cooperation in trade and tourism, with both sides expressing their commitment to exploring new opportunities in these key sectors. The meeting also addressed consular matters relating to the Filipino community in Sri Lanka. In this regard, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs assured continued dialogue and necessary support on relevant issues.
The meeting was attended by Ms. Judienne Capiz, Vice Consul of the Embassy of the Philippines in Dhaka, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, Additional Secretary to the Prime Minister; Ms. S.S. Premawardhane, Additional Secretary, Bilateral Political Affairs (East); and M.R. Keegel, Deputy Director, Southeast Asia & Central Asia Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division].
The Bribery Commission on Friday filed a corruption case against former Investment Promotion Minister Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena and ex-BOI Director General Jayantha Edirisinghe, accusing them of misusing public cash for a lavish newspaper ad campaign back in 2014.
They stand accused of siphoning Rs. 1.7 million in state funds to publish 11 newspaper supplements marking the second inauguration anniversary of then-President Mahinda Rajapaksa on November 19, 2014.
According to the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), the move amounted to a clear breach of anti-graft laws, with five formal charges now filed before the Colombo High Court.
The case, centred around alleged misuse of Board of Investment (BOI) funds, is backed by 21 pieces of documentary evidence and testimony from 15 witnesses.
The Bribery Commission maintains that the ad blitz had no official sanction and led to a direct loss of Rs. 1,748,877.76 to the state.
Inspector General of Police T.M.W. Deshabandu Tennakoon is set to face formal questioning tomorrow (May 19) over serious allegations of misconduct and abuse of power, parliamentary sources said on Friday.
A special committee appointed to investigate the claims will commence formal proceedings next week, following several rounds of preliminary discussions held within the parliamentary complex in recent weeks.
The IGP has been officially notified to appear before the committee and is expected to face the inquiry for the first time at 2:00 PM in Committee Room No. 8.
The committee, which met again on Thursday (15) to finalise arrangements, is investigating allegations that Tennakoon misused his official powers in a manner deemed severe and improper.
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