News
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society celebrates World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day 2023
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS), the country’s largest humanitarian organisation, commemorated World Red Cross and Red Crescent (WRCRC) Day 2023 with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, celebrating the power of community and people helping people in times of crises and day-to-day life, encapsulated in this year’s theme #FromTheHeart, said a release from the SLRCS.
In honour of WRCRC Day 2023, branches of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society in the 25 districts, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), planted trees and awarded scholarships to a total of 100 school going children to support their education. Red Cross Societies around the country also marked the day by organising other activities such as blood donation campaigns and beach cleaning initiatives to help their communities.
While commemorating the efforts of the movement, the Director General of SLRCS, Dr. Mahesh Gunasekara, added that “for nearly a century, we have always stood in solidarity with the people. Throughout Sri Lanka’s difficult times, our staff and volunteers have been on the ground trying to find solutions to problems of vulnerable communities. On this WRCRC Day, I would like to wish the members of SLRCS and the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement around the world well-wishers, appreciation, and more power to continue the work they do in every part of the world. Sri Lanka has had a difficult year, and the country’s people are still recovering from the crisis, which has not yet been resolved. On this special day, we will also assure the people of the country that we will continue serving them in whatever capacities we can”.
SLRCS has been serving the country’s most vulnerable communities for nearly a century, and WRCRC Day honours the organisation’s staff, volunteers, partners, and everyone else who has stepped forward to make a difference. SLRCS has the largest volunteer base in the country with a membership of over 100,000 volunteers. Their unwavering commitment and exemplary dedication to helping anyone in need, anywhere and to upholding the Fundamental Principles at all times, whether responding to natural hazards, climate crises, conflicts, health emergencies, displacement, or migration is admired around the world.
“For over 160 years, the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement has remained committed to neutral, impartial, independent humanitarian action. In Sri Lanka, the ICRC supports the humanitarian work of Sri Lanka Red Cross Society, ensuring that relevant and timely humanitarian services reach people affected by armed conflict, crises and other emergencies . Today, we pay tribute to volunteers and Red Cross staff who play a vital role in times of need. They do it with love and #FromTheHeart.”, says Head of ICRC Delegation in Sri Lanka, Séverine Chappaz.
SLRCS and the Red Cross and Red Crescent family have long been at the forefront of humanitarian assistance and protection for those in need. The world has seen how effective the movement can be in addressing multiple crises and providing principled humanitarian aid.
“Around the world, the movement supports millions of people every year. Here in Sri Lanka, the IFRC have been collaborating with the SLRCS to support their initiatives aimed at uplifting the country’s most vulnerable communities, reaching more than 100,000 people every year. We build stronger communities through our volunteers and staff.
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
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.
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.
Showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the most part of the island after 1.00 p.m
Geneva takes up Sallay’s case and govt. ignores opportunity to answer accusations
Section of wartime KKS High Security Zone vacated to facilitate economic development in the area
Lawyer lodges complaint against Govt. Printer, Media Ministry Secy.
Sri Lankan troops in joint anti-terrorist exercise in Russia
Nine Indian poachers brought to KKS with their boat
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Latest News6 days agoGold winner Tharanga gets brand-new Honda Vezel from SLAAJ
-
News5 days agoUS-assisted ‘Ice’ detection: NPC to examine IGP’s move to transfer drug-busting team
-
Features6 days agoWhy Sri Lanka needs an Inclusive Civic Nationalism – urgently
-
Features7 days agoThailand’s biggest new global star …
-
Editorial4 days agoColombo Port drug bust: The plot thickens
-
News6 days agoCivil society activist accuses govt. of favouring Ven. Gnanasara
-
News7 days agoFirst cases taken up by SC after enactment of 22A dismissed
-
Editorial7 days agoAftershocks of 22A