When I took over the Ministry Rizana had already been convicted. Hence in regard to her execution I cannot take any responsibility in that regard  quipped the Minister of foreign employment and tourist promotion Minister Dilan Perera.

“How could I take that responsibility? I was appointed as the Minister in the     month of December in the year 2010.At that time Rizana had gone to Saudi had committed the offence and been sentenced under the Sharia law.At that time I was not the Minister. Hence I

The US clarified that it was not planning to establish a military base in the Maldives in response to concerns being raised in both India and Sri Lanka about such a move.

A top official of the Obama administration said that the US was not planning to have a military base or permanent boots on the ground in Maldives.

The official also said that the US had consulted India on the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) that it is currently negotiating with Maldives and which could be signed soon.

The National Human Rights Commission has directed the Education Secretary of the North Central Province (NCP), to cancel all teaching appointments made by the Anuradhapura and Kebitigollawa Education Zone offices with immediate effect, as those appointments are found to be irregular.

The Commission has further instructed those vacancies be filled with fresh appointees through a regular process of selection. The Commission has made the recommendations following an inquiry into a complaint made by the President of the Ceylon Te

The JVP says the government should take measures to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). JVP Propaganda Secretary and Gampaha district MP Vijitha Herath said that the PTA is a draconian piece of law that needs to be repealed.
Pointing out that the government has used the PTA as a tool to suppress dissent before, MP Herath said the Act could be misused to detain people during the Northern Provincial Council (NPC) elections to silence political dissent.

The expected expenditure for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be approximately Rs 3.5 billion, Ceylon Today learns. According to sources, nearly Rs 6 billion had been allocated initially, to meet expenses in connection with organizing CHOGM; however, a decision had been taken subsequently to prune down costs.

Heads of 54 Commonwealth countries are expected to participate in the summit, scheduled to be held in Colombo from 15 - 17 November. The Commonwealth Youth Summit will be held in Hambantota, c

Medical undergraduates of all faculties countrywide would stage a protest, at their respective universities on Thursday, against admitting outside fee paying students to government universities.

Convener of the Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee, Najith Indika said that the government planned to admit 42 outside students to the medical faculties charging 12,000 US dollars from them annually as tution fees.

The Asian Human Rights Commission categorically condemns the arrest of Former Deputy Mayor of Colombo Azad Sally.

According to a communique issued by the Asian Human Rights Commission, the use of the Prevention of Terrorism Act purely for political purpose indicates the extremely serious threats that exist in Sri Lanka against personal freedom and the rule of law.

General Secretary of the Commonwealth has had a meeting with the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission on promoting human rights in Sri Lanka.

Commissioner of the Sri Lanka Human Rights Commission Dr. Prathiba Mahanamahewa says that under this discussion, a special human rights programme will be implemented aiming the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

 

Constitutional adviser to the UNDP in Nepal, Rohan Edirisinghe says that there are a many elected dictatorships in South Asia.

He made this statement during a special lecture held on Friday.

".. it is through freedom of speech and expression that the people in power are kept accountable. That people in power are reminded about the promises they make at an election because democracy does not end by putting your vote in a ballot box. In this part of the world in South Asia we have too many elected dictatorships;

British Prime Minister David Cameron and Foreign Minister William Hague will attend the Commonwealth Summit in Sri Lanka in November, External Affairs Minister G. L. Pieris said yesterday but he had no news on whether Queen Elizabeth will be here.

"I was told this morning that the prime minister and the foreign minister will be here," Pieris said yesterday.