News
Sarath draws RW’s attention to humiliation of military officers
Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekera, MP, has drawn the attention of President Ranil Wickremesinghe to the humiliation caused by travel restrictions imposed on senior serving and retired military officers and two former Presidents by the US, Australia and Canada.
In a letter dated 25 Oct., the former Public Security Minister has pointed out to the President that among the affected were Mahinda Rajapaksa, Gotabaya Rajapaksa and CDS General Shavendra Silva. None of them have been charged with any war crimes or pending “war crime charges” in local or foreign judicial courts.
Pointing out that Western countries have used UNHRC resolutions as an excuse to humiliate those who gave political and military leadership to defeat the LTTE, termed even by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation as the most ruthless terrorist organisation, MP Weerasekera alleged that successive governments failed pathetically to apprise the UNHRC properly regarding the war and the relevant Geneva conventions covering it.
Recently, the US denied visa to MP Weerasekera, a former Navy Chief of Staff, thereby denied him an opportunity to join a parliamentary delegation to Washington. However, close on the heels of the US denial, China invited the former minister to attend an international conference in Beijing.
MP Weerasekera alleged that some officers have been prevented from taking part in “peace missions” and their nominations were either delayed or refused on the basis of unsubstantiated war crimes allegations.
Explaining how the then UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon went out of his way to trap war-winning Sri Lanka in war crimes investigation, the lawmaker questioned the red carpet welcome afforded to Ki-moon when he visited Sri Lanka several months ago.
The SLN veteran has pointed out that Sri Lanka should ask the international community to deal with accountability issues here as a ‘non-international armed conflict’ and certainly not as an ‘international armed conflict’
In spite of the UN appointed Panel of Experts (Darusman Report) and the report of the Office of Human Rights Commissioner (OISL) too recognizing the war against the LTTE was a ‘Non International Armed Conflict’ and the applicable law is ‘International Humanitarian Law’ and the same has been confirmed in the ruling of EU General Court which rejected an appeal to lift the ban on LTTE, Sri Lanka was being relentlessly targeted.
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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