Visiting Canadian envoy Hugh Segal who is currently on an official visit in Sri Lanka ahead of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November held talks with several officials in Colombo, officials said here on Wednesday.

Canadian Senator Segal, is in the island as an envoy to the Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

"I have had a day and a half of meetings with various civil society groups, some parliamentarians, international organizations, Commonwealth and other diplomats and officials of S

The Working Group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR), New Delhi, in a letter to the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Salman Khurshid, urged the Government of India to vote in favor of the Sri Lanka resolution at the current session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

India’s vote in favour of the Sri Lanka resolution at the UNHRC in 2012 was a significant and welcome departure, indicating that India recognized its role and responsibility in the international community regarding the need for human rights acco

22nd Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2

Annual Report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and Reports of the OHCHR and the Secretary-General - General Debate.

Thank you, Mr. President. FORUM-ASIA sincerely appreciates the report of the OHCHR on the issue of reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka (A/HRC/22/38). We note that the follow-up draft resolution tabled at this Council session incorporates several findings and recommendations by the High Commissioner, including the establishm

The Sri Lanka Campaign for Peace and Justice has today said that the landmark vote of the Human Rights Council means that the Commonwealth must act on Sri Lanka, and have launched a petition to that end.

The resolution criticises Sri Lanka for "not adequately address[ing] serious allegations of violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law" and "the continuing reports of violations of human rights in Sri Lanka,

Several universities staged demonstrations on Tuesday voicing their protest against the banning of the Student Union of the Sabaragamuwa University and suspending several students from attending lectures.

The protest which was organised by the Student Union of the Wayamba University commenced from the university grounds Tuesday.

Later, they made their way to the Meegahakotuwa Junction where they continued their protest.

Another protest was organised by the students from the Faculty of Agriculture of the Rajara

A group of lawyers in Chennai engaged in a protest against Sri Lanka by attempting to surround the official residence of the Governor in Madurai and the Madurai Airport.

The protesting lawyers had demanded that the Indian Government should vote in favour of the US-sponsored Resolution against Sri Lanka at the UNHRC.

When they attempted to surround the official residence of the Governor of Madurai, a clash broke out between the police and the protesters.

Several Chief Prelates  met and held discussions with Indian authorities on Wedneday..

''We came to submit a letter, requesting protection for monks and Sri Lankans visiting the country,'' said Ven. Prof. Bellanwila Vimalarathana thera.

''They said they have already taken some steps and that there are steps they need to take in the future.  They said they will take every step possible.''

Deputy Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka A. Nadarajan apologised to Ven. Watupola Wangeesa thero who was recently attacked in Chennai.

This pardon was sought when the thera visited the Deputy Indian High Commissioner's Office in Kandy on Wednesday.
Severak organisations staged a joint demonstration in Kandy Wednesday.

The group also held a protest march to the Deputy Indian High Commissioner's Office in Kandy.

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development Gotabya Rajapaksa says that 10,000 families living in unauthorized settlements in Colombo will be resettled this year in high and medium rise buildings.

He made this revelation while delivering the key note address at the SLASSCOM CXO lunch briefing on Future Outlook for Urban Infrastructure Development in Sri Lanka held in Colombo on Wednesday.

The Muslim Council of Sri Lanka urges the President to take decisive action by publicly condemning the hate campaign of the Buddhist extremists. Sending a letter to Mahinda Rajapaksa, president of  the Muslim Council of Sri Lanka N.M. Ameen urges Rajapaksa to instruct the police to take necessary action to stop incidents of harassment against minorities and their businesses.