News
US report says corruption at highest levels of Lankan Govt remains significant problem
The latest 2023 Country Report on Human Rights Practices released by the US Department of State has highlighted the Sri Lankan Government’s failure to take action against officials who have committed human rights abuses.
The report released this week said the Sri Lankan Government took minimal steps to identify and punish officials who may have committed human rights abuses.
“Impunity remained a significant problem characterised by a lack of accountability for abuses, particularly regarding Government officials, military, paramilitary, police, and other security-sector officials,” the report noted.
The report also outlined the concerns of civil society organisations that the Government, including the courts, was reluctant to act against security forces alleged to be responsible for abuses.
The report said though the country’s constitution and law prohibited torture and cruel treatment or punishment there were credible reports that Government officials employed such practices.
“As in previous years, arrestees reported torture and mistreatment, forced confessions, and denial of basic rights, such as access to lawyers or family members. Anecdotally, male arrestees more often reported facing torture than female arrestees,” it noted.
It also outlined that while Sri Lankan law provided criminal penalties for corruption by officials, the Government did not implement the law effectively. “There were numerous reports of Government corruption during the year,” it said.
“Corruption remains a significant and continuing problem, including at the highest levels of government. International companies frequently reported requests for bribes on matters ranging from customs clearances to Government procurement,” the report added.
The report also highlighted that little progress was made during the year in the cases of 25 individuals charged with perpetrating the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks.
Concerning the media, it said there were reports of harassment and intimidation of journalists covering sensitive topics. “Some journalists, including citizen journalists, reported harassment, threats, intimidation, and interference from members of state security services, especially when reporting on topics related to the civil war or its aftermath, including missing persons,” it noted.
Among the many other human rights issues raised by the report were credible reports of arbitrary or unlawful killings, including extrajudicial killings; torture or cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment or punishment by the Government; harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, arbitrary arrest or detention and serious problems with the independence of the judiciary.
The report also highlighted concerns regarding serious restrictions on freedom of expression and media freedom, substantial interference with the freedom of peaceful assembly, serious Government corruption and crimes involving violence targeting Hindus, Muslims, Christians, and Tamils among others.
The US Department of State released its annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices on 22 April amidst the seventy-fifth anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The report emphasised several new commitments, including to renew investments around the world in democracy and human rights, to help protect human rights defenders online, and to advance racial and gender justice in the United States.
The Department of Education has announced that the results of the 2024 General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination have been released online, and can be viewed on : www.doenets.lk
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the training of teachers required for the new education reforms will commence in May, and that contracts granted to political cronies in local government institutions will be brought to an end following the upcoming local government elections.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in the areas of Mirigama, Minuwangoda, and Katana in the Gampaha District.
Addressing the gatherings, Prime Minister stated:
“From birth to death, all the aspects of life of a person are handled by local government institutions. However, to this day, these institutions lack proper systems even to provide the people with basic facilities.
We are committed to working with a proper system, free of fraud and corruption, and managing every rupee carefully and attentively. We are identifying the needs of people and implementing projects under a systematic plan to develop rural sectors.
You elect fellow members who stand firmly against fraud and corruption through two decisive elections. First, you elect Anura Kumara as President, a leader committed to fighting corruption. Then, in the parliamentary election, you choose a group of qualified individuals who are equally dedicated to this cause to represent you in Parliament.
To ensure that the funds allocated for rural development reach the people, the local government institutions which are the closest to the villagers must also be clean and transparent. That is why this election is so important to us.
The people and the villages come to experience our corruption-free political culture through local government institutions. These institutions must properly implement, monitor, and evaluate the development projects allocated to the rural sector. The era of awarding contracts for such projects to political cronies must end.
Although early childhood development is a crucial part of education, there has never been a proper system for it. We are now establishing such a system. Starting in May, teacher training for the modern education which is being introduced will begin. We have a comprehensive plan for development across all sectors.
The Ministry of Education has received billions worth of projects, but there is no proper implementation process. For example, 1,500 smart boards were brought for smart classrooms, but the Secretary to the Ministry has not implemented a system to distribute them to schools. Teachers have not been trained to use them. Teacher training institutes still follow outdated curriculum. This will be corrected through the new education reforms,
In order to deliver all these benefits to the rural sector efficiently, it is essential to elect the right people for the right purposes. Therefore, in the upcoming local government elections, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya urged the public to vote for the candidates who are free from fraud and corruption presented by the National People’s Power (NPP).”
The event was attended by Parliament Chief Organizer of the ruling party Dharmapriya Wijesinghe, Members of Parliament Ruwanthilaka Jayakody and Chaminda Lalith Kumara, along with several local government candidates and the residents of the area.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath will represent Sri Lanka at the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican City, the Ministry said.
The funeral is scheduled for today.
About 50,000 people came to pay their respects to the late Pope on Thursday, the Vatican news service said.
“Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, an ancient tradition of nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of the late Pope’s soul,” according to the Vatican news service.
“The Novemdiales Masses will be held each day at 5:00 PM (GMT +2) in St. Peter’s Basilica, except for the Mass on Divine Mercy on Sunday, April 27, which will take place at 10:30 AM in St. Peter’s Square.”
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