News
UK suppressed ‘robust evidence’ at Sri Lanka’s expense at UNHRC – Lord Naseby
‘It is unforgiveable and a black day for my UK Govt.’
It was reprehensible that the UK, as the leader of the Core Group on Sri Lanka and a member of the UNHRC, had suppressed ‘robust evidence of utmost importance’, Lord Naseby said on Tuesday (23).
The Conservative party member said in his capacity as the President of the All Party Parliamentary UK – Sri Lanka Group: “It is unforgivable and is a black day for my UK Government.”
The following is the text of a statement made available by Lord Naseby’s Office in the aftermath of the UNHRC adopted accountability resolution with 22 voting for, 11 against and 14 countries, including India skipping the vote: “The Core Group chaired by the UK tabled a shoddy motion based on a hostile UNHRC Report riddled with factual errors and unproven allegations going back to 2009; none of which qualifies as robust evidence.
It is a gross intrusion on the sovereignty of a state, Sri Lanka, based on a simple majority vote when Motions of this significance would need a 2/3rds majority. Even worse, the UK Minister for Human Rights Lord Ahmad is the same Minister, who despite a series of Written Questions from me has purposely and consciously withheld ‘Robust evidence’ of the utmost importance being sent to the UNHRC. I refer to the UK Military Attaché, Lt. Col. Gash’s Dispatches from the War front. Dispatches that highlight the care the Sri Lankan armed forces took not to kill civilians, indeed how nearly 300,000 civilians were rescued. He also witnessed the war actions of the Tamil Tigers in recruiting and putting in the front line several thousand Child soldiers, a War Crime in itself, plus the 250,000 poor Tamil civilians forced out of their homes to be a human shield. Finally, Lt Col Gash makes his own estimate as 7,000 civilians sadly killed of which 25% were probably LTTE cadres.
I find it unacceptable that the senior UK Minister responsible for Human Rights policy should state that the UNHRC did not ask for these Dispatches. The Minister knew how crucial the contents of these Dispatches are to the truth. He should have sent them unredacted to create an informed Report. The action is made even worse by the UK Chairing the Core Group and is absolutely reprehensible. It is unforgiveable and is a black day for my UK Government.
As we approach Easter, I remember a phrase from St Mathew in the Bible: ‘Why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?’
News
Formulation of a Draft Economic Development Bill to expedite the process of Digital Transformation and Digital Economic Development
It is essential to establish an institutional framework with legal powers to ensure the effective implementation of national digital policy and guidelines.
Quality human capital should be attracted to this institutional framework for the compilation of policies, implementation of policies, regulation, and empowerment of operations. The continuous participation of the private sector should also be considered in establishing a strong institutional framework.
It has been further identified that attention should also be
drawn to new fields of digital innovation, including support for artificial intelligence and related activities.
Taking into consideration the aforementioned matters, a concept paper has been formulated to prepare a Draft Economic Development Bill for the establishment of a new institutional framework.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Digital Economy to instruct legal draftsman to formulate a Draft Economic Development Bill based on the aforementioned concept paper.
The Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey is the main data source for obtaining necessary information for reviewing progress toward achieving the national health development goals, as well as the expected sustainable development goals by 2030.
The last survey was conducted in the year 2016, and the Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey should be conducted to obtain updated data to enable the collection of related data and indicators concerning the health and well-being targets of the Global Sustainable Development Objectives.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning, and Economic Development to take necessary steps to conduct the aforementioned survey.
The access to secure, reliable and affordable drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities is essential to maintain public health, promote social well-being and foster economic development.
The Sri Lankan Government recognizes water supply and sanitation services as both an economic good and a basic human need. Therefore, when pricing for water and sanitation, a balance should be maintained between the financial sustainability of the service providers and the requirement to ensure fair and affordable access for all strata in the society.
Accordingly, the Sri Lankan government has identified the necessity of a national water supply that is sensitive to gender equality and social integration applicable to all water supply and sanitation service providers. At present, there is no formal national framework for setting, reviewing, approving, and implementing tariffs for water supply systems operated by various water supply providers as well as for setting, reviewing, approving, and implementing tariffs for sanitation systems.
Therefore, the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Water Supply has formulated a water tariff policy covering all water supply service providers under the Sri Lanka Water Supply and Sanitation Sector Reform Program, which is a policy-based loan program implemented under Asian Development Bank funds.
Formulation of a Draft Economic Development Bill to expedite the process of Digital Transformation and Digital Economic Development
Cabinet approval for Sri Lanka Community and Health Survey – 2026/2027
A National Water Tariff Policy for all Water Supply and Sanitation Services
National Policy on Green Hydrogen in Sri Lanka
Cabinet nod to amend the Customs Ordinance
Cabinet nod to submit the Anti-Corruption (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities through Centralized Electronic System) Regulations 2026, made under Section 156 of the Anti-Corruption Act, No.9 of 2023, for approval by Parliament
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