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The Philippines looks askance at evidence gathering mechanism
UNHRC report on Sri Lanka
The Philippines has questioned the allocation of as much as USD 10 mn for Geneva-based evidence gathering mechanism to inquire into accountability issues in Sri Lanka.
During the ongoing 54th Session of the Human Rights Council that commenced on 11th September, 2023, the Philippines government raised the issue.
Making a strong statement on the accountability mechanism run by the OHCHR (Office if the High Commissioner for Human Rights), the Philippines called it ‘an expensive mandate worth 10 million US dollars with an open-ended work time-frame’, that ‘runs parallel to and is divorced from functioning domestic processes.
Cuba pointed out that punitive mechanisms only gave rise to politicisation and proliferation of double standards and did not contribute in any way to the promotion and protection of human rights. Pakistan expressed concerns over the imposition of external accountability measures inconsistent with the provisions of the UN charter and UNGA Resolution 60/251.
China extended support to Sri Lanka on safeguarding national sovereignty, independence, social stability and promoting economic development and stated that Resolution 51/1 does not follow the principles of fairness and objectivity and non-selectivity and it did not have the approval of the country concerned.
Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to HRC in Geneva Ambassador Himalee Arunatilaka has reiterated Sri Lanka’s rejection of Resolution 46/1 and 51/1 that led to the setting up of the so-called ‘Accountability Project’. Ambassador Arunatilaka also rejected the latest written update, its conclusions and recommendations.
The latest written update, titled ‘Situation of Human Rights in Sri Lanka,’ was presented by Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada al-Nashif.
Pointing out that Resolutions 46/1 and 51/1 had been adopted by a divided vote in the Council where the majority of the Member States either opposed or abstained from voting, due to fundamental disagreement with its unacceptable content, in particular the setting up of evidence gathering mechanism, Ambassador Arunatilaka said pointing out that the move was unprecedented.
Career diplomat Arunatilaka succeeded C.A. Chandraprema in the wake of the change of government in July last year.
While raising concerns regarding the content of the written update which does not reflect the actual ground situation in Sri Lanka, the PR stated that the economic, social and financial stabilization achieved in the past year has been appreciated and acknowledged, domestically and externally, by those who have expertise.
The Sri Lankan envoy regretted that the OHCHR has also chosen to ignore the democratic resilience of the country in the past year and strongly objected to the written update that dealt with policy matters that were essentially domestic for any sovereign country and outside the framework of the Council. She declared OHCHR’s approach unhelpful.
The Wickremesinghe-Rajapaksa government also rejected all conclusions and recommendations including references to targeted sanctions based on incorrect and unsubstantiated sources contravening the principles of natural justice and the principles of universality, impartiality, objectivity and non-selectivity.
Ambassador Arunatilaka reaffirmed that Sri Lanka will continue to engage constructively with other mechanisms of the Council, in keeping with our close engagement with the international community and the Council in other areas of its work.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre of the Department of Meteorology at 3.30 p.m. 26 April 2025, valid for 27 April 2025.
The public are warned that the Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated. Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath represented Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis on Saturday [26]
Former President Ranil Wickremesinghe will appear before the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery and Corruption (CIABOC) tomorrow (28) over the statement he had made on MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake, his lawyers have informed the Commission.
Accordingly, the former President will appear before the commission at 9.30am on Monday.
Wickremesinghe was initially summoned by the Commission to CIABOC on April 17 in relation to a statement he had made about the corruption case filed against NDF (gas cylinder) MP Dassanayake.
In response to the previous summons, Wickremesinghe had indicated that he is prepared to appear before the commission but requested a different date citing that his lawyers will not be available in Colombo during the New Year holiday period.
Accordingly, a new was provided and Wickremesinghe requested to appear before the commission at 09.30 a.m. on Thursday (April 25).On April 7, Wickremesinghe had said that MP Dassanayake withdrew the fixed deposits belonging to the Uva Provincial Council, over which he is now facing corruption charges, in accordance with a circular issued during Wickremesingher’s tenure as Prime Minister.
The former President questioned whether the MP’s arrest over the matter was in response to Dassanayake’s vocal criticism of the government in parliament.
The sitting MP is currently in remand custody for allegedly misappropriating a sum of Rs. 1 million of the Uva Provincial Council in 2016.
He was taken into custody on March 27, over three separate corruption-related cases.
The Colombo Magistrate’s Court previously granted bail in the cases filed against him but he remains in remand custody due to an order issued by the Badulla Magistrate’s Court.
According to the CIABOC, Dassanayake had solicited funds from three state banks, claiming they were intended to provide bags for preschool children in the province.
Two banks complied, granting him Rs. 1 million and Rs. 2.5 million, which were later transferred to his foundation account.
However, when a third bank refused to provide funds, Dassanayake reportedly retaliated by withdrawing the Uva Provincial Council’s fixed deposits from that institution.The CIABOC filed a case against the MP, citing the government incurred a financial loss of Rs. 17.3 million due to his actions.
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Heat index is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in Eastern and North-central provinces and Monaragala, Hambantota, Jaffna, Mullaittivu, Kilinochchi, Vavuniya and Kurunegala districts
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