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| US calls for freedom of expression |
| 2013-05-02 |
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The United States has called on Sri Lanka to ensure freedom of expression in the country by conducting thorough investigations into all attacks and killings of journalists and bringing perpetrators to justice.
"The United States calls on Sri Lankan authorities to demonstrate their commitment to the rule of law and freedom of expression by conducting thorough investigations into all attacks and killings of journalists and bringing perpetrators to justice. We urge Sri Lankan authorities to protect freedom of expression&quo
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| Queen faces conflict on Sri Lanka summit |
| 2013-05-02 |
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The Queen is set to get conflicting advice on attending November's Commonwealth summit in Sri Lanka as divisions within the organisation grow between member governments over human rights abuses in the host country.
allegations that up to 40,000 civilians were killed by Sri Lankan troops in the final phase of its war against Tamil rebels
Diplomats said the Government had not yet decided to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) because of concerns over human rights abuses in the country but that the
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| Pressure Sri Lanka on political reforms |
| 2013-05-02 |
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Sri Lanka is gearing up to play host to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November. The privilege represents an important opportunity for the country to boost its prestige and international recognition. But the question in some capitals is this: does Sri Lanka deserve the honour?
Last week Canadian foreign minister John Baird, whose nation is one of the 54 members of the Commonwealth, said it was "appalling that Sri Lanka would be taking on a leadership role in the Commonwealth". Mr Baird cited as reaso
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| Report exposes the government’s violent repression of dissent |
| 2013-05-02 |
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The Sri Lankan government is intensifying its crackdown on critics through threats, harassment, imprisonment and violent attacks, Amnesty International said in a report released today.
The document, Assault on Dissent reveals how the government led by President Mahinda Rajapaksa is promoting an official attitude that equates criticism with “treason” in a bid to tighten its grip on power.
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| Sri Lankan government told to ratify ILO's Charter 109 |
| 2013-05-02 |
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Head of Jathika Sevaka Sangamaya (JSS), trade union of Sri Lanka's main opposition United National Party (UNP), and parliamentarian Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena says the government should ratify Charter 109 of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to grant rights to the Sri Lankan migrant workers.
He explained that the ILO at its 100th session in June 2011 had unanimously adopted Charter the rights of migrant workers.
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| New Delhi’s Dilemma Since Geneva Resolution On Sri Lanka |
| 2013-05-02 |
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What exactly is New Delhi working on after voting for the second time with the US sponsored resolution at the UNHRC Sessions in Geneva, to diffuse separatist Thamilean agitations and tensions in Tamil Nadu ? TN politics funded and backed by different Tamil Diaspora groups, will not lie low though subdued for now, on their demand for a separate Tamil Eelam in N-E SL. Congress as a political party can not afford to get totally submerged in such extremist and separatist politics in TN or elsewhere.
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| Defending Women’s Land Rights |
| 2013-05-02 |
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The issue of access to land remains critical issues in Sri Lanka. The civil war that ravaged the country for thirty years ended in May 2009 with more than 300,000 persons left internally displaced. Currently, the State is allocating new land to those who are being relocated to new areas, while those who were in possession of lands are reclaiming their lands.
Guaranteeing equal land rights and access to land for women is emerging as a critical issue within this context. The war has seen as increase in the percentage of women wh
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| FUTA Press Statement 1st May 2013 |
| 2013-05-02 |
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The 1st of May is an important day for Trade Unions. It is a day when the rights of the working people are celebrated and where the battles that were fought to protect the rights and dignity of working people all over the world are celebrated and remembered.
Education is of vital importance for the working people. In Sri Lanka, the free education system enabled many generations of working people to seek a better future for their children. The Federation of University Teachers’ Association therefore, decided to use this o
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| Sri Lanka's rocketing electricity prices bite hard |
| 2013-05-02 |
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Sri Lanka leccy Sri Lankan's have taken the the streets to protest about the electricity price rises, which will hit the poor hardest
There's big controversy in Sri Lanka over a sudden and very large jump in domestic electricity prices.
Ordinary people, already suffering from regular and difficult rises in the cost of living, are now seeing their bills rise by 50%, 90%, even up to the biggest hike 127%. And the poorest people are seeing some of the biggest rises.
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| Progress In Implementing The LLRC Recommendations |
| 2013-05-02 |
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I attended a seminar held at SEDEC by Caritas on the 30th. I went for it because it showed that the government is keen to engage with civil society on the issues spotlighted in the LLRC report. The Keynote speaker was to be Mr. Anura Dissanayake, the Additional Secretary to the President who is the official in charge of implementing the LLRC recommendations. He however did not attend and instead Dr Chandradasa of the Presidential Secretariat addressed the gathering. Dr Chandradasa pointed out that he is a Presidential adviser on a
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