News
Senior military officers from over 90 countries meet to discuss laws of war
Nearly 400 senior military officers from more than 90 countries will convene over a period of three weeks for a high-level workshop on the laws of war, also known as international humanitarian law (IHL), and their application in military operations.
Hosted by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the 14th Annual Senior Workshop on International Rules governing Military Operations (SWIRMO) will focus on current issues: urban warfare, partnered military operations, and influences on battlefield behaviour. Participants will also use a new video game simulation created by the ICRC that puts officers and soldiers in scenarios that resemble real life where military objectives need to be balanced against the risk of civilian harm.
The ICRC delegation in Sri Lanka will host six senior military officers representing the Tri-forces who will participate virtually at the workshop for the Asia Pacific Region which will be held from Nov 1 to 4.
“COVID forced us to change the format this year. We were not able to gather everyone in a single place, so we created a hybrid event with discussions broadcast from our headquarters in Geneva with in-person sessions spread across over 90 countries,” said Stephen Kilpatrick, Military and Armed Groups Adviser at the ICRC. “Despite the changes, it has allowed us to reach a wider audience and we are encouraged that this year will be our largest SWIRMO yet.”
In previous years, SWIRMO was organised jointly by the ICRC and the armed forces of a specific country. The first workshop took place in Switzerland in 2007 and other hosts have included France, South Africa, Malaysia, Colombia, China, Algeria, the UAE and, most recently, in Russia.
The Colombo Stock Exchange (GL 12) has contributed LKR 25 million to the Rebuilding Sri Lanka Fund.
The cheque was handed over to the Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake by the Chairman of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Dimuthu Abeyesekera, the Chief Executive Officer Rajeeva Bandaranaike and Senior Vice Chairman Kusal Nissanka at the Presidential Secretariat.
News
Karu argues against scrapping MPs’ pension as many less fortunate members entered Parliament after ’56
Former Speaker of Parliament Karu Jayasuriya has written to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake expressing concerns over the proposed abolition of MPs’ pensions.The letter was sent in his capacity as Patron of the Former Parliamentarians’ Caucus.
In his letter, Jayasuriya noted that at the time of Sri Lanka’s independence, political participation was largely limited to an educated, affluent land-owning elite. However, he said a significant social transformation took place after 1956, enabling ordinary citizens to enter politics.
He warned that under current conditions, removing parliamentary pensions would effectively confine politics to the wealthy, business interests, individuals engaged in illicit income-generating activities, and well-funded political parties. Such a move, he said, would discourage honest social workers and individuals of modest means from entering public life.
Jayasuriya also pointed out that while a small number of former MPs, including himself, use their pensions for social and charitable purposes, the majority rely on the pension as a primary source of income.
He urged the President to give due consideration to the matter and take appropriate action, particularly as the government prepares to draft a new constitution.The Bill seeking to abolish pensions for Members of Parliament was presented to Parliament on 07 January by Minister of Justice and National Integration Dr. Harshana Nanayakkara.
Five suspects, including former Minister Johnston Fernando and his two sons, who were arrested by the Financial Crimes Investigation Division (FCID), were further remanded until 30 January by the Wattala Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
The former Minister’s , sons Johan Fernando and Jerome Kenneth Fernando, and two others, were arrested in connection with the alleged misuse of a Sathosa vehicle during Fernando’s tenure as Minister.
Investigations are currently underway into the alleged misuse of state property, including a lorry belonging to Lanka Sathosa, which reportedly caused a significant financial loss to the state.
In connection with the same incident, Indika Ratnamalala, who served as the Transport Manager of Sathosa during
Fernando’s tenure as Minister of Co-operatives and Internal Trade, was arrested on 04 January.
After being produced before the Wattala Magistrate’s Court, he was ordered to be remanded in custody until 09 January.The former Sathosa Transport Manager was remanded on charges of falsifying documents.
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