News

National organisations here warn UN over its failure to deal with US for criminal behaviour in Venezuela

Published

9 months ago

2026/01/6

Wasantha Bandara (L) / Jeewantha Jayatissa (M) / António Guterres (R)

The Patriotic National Movement (PNM) and Bolivarian Solidarity of Sri Lanka, in a joint letter to UN Secretary General António Guterres, has warned that the failure on the part of the UN to decisively act may set a dangerous precedent, encourage unilateral actions and weaken the collective security framework upon which global stability depends.

The following is the text of the statement issued by Dr. Wasantha Bandara and Jeewantha Jayatissa, respectively, on behalf of the two organisations in the wake of US military action against Venezuela: We write to you with grave concern regarding reports published by various international media and agencies alleging military actions undertaken by the Government of the United States of America against the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

According to these reports, air strikes conducted by the United States security forces have targeted both civilian and military locations in Caracas, the capital of Venezuela. If verified, such actions would constitute a serious violation of Articles 1 and 2 of the Charter of the United Nations, which uphold the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibition of the use of force.

Furthermore, it has been publicly claimed by the President of the United States that President Nicolás Maduro of Venezuela and his spouse were apprehended and removed from the country. Such an action, if substantiated, would represent an unprecedented and deeply alarming development in international relations—namely, the unprovoked use of military force against a sovereign state and the forcible removal of a sitting Head of State.

These developments, taken together, pose a profound challenge to international law and the credibility of the multilateral system. The apparent inability of the international community to respond decisively risks undermining the authority of the United Nations and eroding global confidence in its mandate to preserve peace and security.

In this context, we respectfully urge Your Excellency, in your capacity as Secretary-General of the United Nations, to convene an urgent and appropriate multilateral consultation and to employ all mechanisms available under the Charter to uphold international law and prevent further escalation. Failure to act decisively may set a dangerous precedent, encourage unilateral actions and weaken the collective security framework upon which global stability depends.

As national organisations in Sri Lanka attentive to global public opinion, we respectfully submit the following measures for your consideration, which we believe are essential to restoring confidence in the United Nations at this critical juncture: (a) To demonstrate the impartiality and integrity of the United Nations, urgently convene the United Nations General Assembly to deliberate on the situation and, if appropriate, adopt a resolution in accordance with international law (b) To acknowledge prevailing global concern that the reported loss of civilian life resulting from indiscriminate bombardment, as well as the alleged forcible detention of a Head of State, may constitute war crimes under international law, and to affirm that accountability must apply without exception and (c) To guide the General Assembly and the Security Council, in accordance with established international norms, toward the consideration of an independent judicial mechanism or special tribunal to investigate these allegations.

We trust in your leadership and moral authority at this pivotal moment and remain hopeful that the United Nations will act decisively to uphold the principles upon which it was founded.

Please accept, Your Excellency, the assurances of our highest consideration.”

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Geneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

Suresh Sallay

The government has chosen not to respond to questions raised by the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) regarding the detention of retired Maj. Gen. Suresh Sallay in connection with the ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested the ex-official in late February this year. The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers have jointly raised the issue on 20 July, 2026.

Drawing attention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to what they called alleged arbitrary detention of Sallay, former Director General of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) and former Director of Military Intelligence (DMI), under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), as well as allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment while in custody, resulting in the grave deterioration of his health, and imminent risks of retaliation through further torture and ill-treatment resulting in irreparable harm, should he be released from hospital and returned to custody, the UN sought the government explanation with a 60-day period.

The UN has stated: “This communication, and any response received from your Excellency’s Government, will be made public via the communications reporting website at the 60 days mark. Should your Excellency’s Government respond within 60 days, both the communication and the response, may be published before the 60 days mark. The communications and responses

will also be made available in the subsequent periodic report to be presented to the Human Rights Council.”

In the absence of the government’s response, the UN posted the letter, dated 20 July, 2026, addressed to President Dissanayake. The full letter can be accessed https://spcommreports.ohchr.org/TMResultsBase/DownLoadPublicCommunicationFile?gId=31125

News

Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

The Army, last week, vacated an area, within the wartime high security zone in the Jaffna peninsula. The Defence Ministry said that an extent of 187.56 acres of land, belonging to the Cement Corporation in Kankesanthurai, Jaffna, has been released by the military. The released land, located in Grama Niladhari Division J/233, Kankesanthurai West, within the Valikamam North (Tellippalai) Divisional Secretariat Division, had been utilised by the Sri Lanka Army since the middle of 1997.

The release of the 187.56-acre extent forms part of the initiative to make State land available for the proposed investment zone in Kankesanthurai, thereby facilitating future investment and economic development in the area.

News

Lawyer lodges complaint against Govt. Printer, Media Ministry Secy.

Published

6 hours ago

2026/10/5

Thilina Walpola

A complaint has been lodged with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau against the Government Printer and the Secretary to the Ministry of Media regarding the online release of falsified documents bearing a forged Speaker’s certificate.

Attorney-at-Law Aruna Laksiri has lodged a complaint with the Colombo Fraud Investigation Bureau requesting legal action against the Government Printer of the Department of Government Printing (No. 118, Dr. Danister de Silva Mawatha, Colombo 08), Prasanna Jayaratne, and the Secretary to the Ministry of Mass Media (Asidisi Medura, 163, Kirulapone Mawatha, Polhengoda, Colombo 05), Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The complaint alleges the commission of offences by forging and uploading falsified documents online using a forged Speaker’s certification, failure to perform statutory duties, and misappropriation of public property.

The complaint states that a copy of the English translation of the 22nd Amendment to the Constitution was downloaded and printed from the official website of the Government Printing Department (www.documents.gov.lk), which operates under the Ministry of Mass Media. On its outer cover and on page 1, the text “certified on 25th of September, 2026” is inscribed inside brackets.

The complaint pointed out that the Speaker has certified an English translation. Under Articles 23, 79, 83, and 80 of the Constitution, Parliament enacts laws and the Speaker certifies bills strictly in the Sinhala and Tamil languages; under the Constitution, therefore the Speaker cannot apply such certification to an English translation.