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| It is all about moral high ground |
| 2013-02-04 |
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British Under Secretary for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Alistair Burt has spoken. He has spoken for Britain, a country he describes as ‘a candid friend of Sri Lanka’. In the classic, hold-the-hand-and-rap-knuckles mode, Burt has clearly stated that Britain will continue to back anti-Sri Lankan moves at the UNHRC sessions later this month in Geneva (because Britain is a friend!)
Burt was speaking on the topic of ‘Sri Lanka – 2013 and Beyond’ at a seminar organized by the Lakshman
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| Fight for freedom and democracy |
| 2013-02-04 |
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As the men and women of the Armed Forces apply ‘spit and polish’ in preparation for the 65th anniversary celebrations of this country’s Independence tomorrow, we thought of referring to what we said on the eve of Independence last year. This is how we concluded our comment:
“Only a few years ago, Sri Lanka was being touted as a failed state, and it was not far from the truth. With the ‘war’ behind us, and at least an appearance of economic development taking place such an allegation would pr
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| Bloated jumbo Government plans big ‘show’ at UNHRC session |
| 2013-02-04 |
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After more than a year of speculation regarding a cabinet reshuffle President Mahinda Rajapaksa finally did it, changing10 ministerial portfolios with two new project ministers and six deputy ministers. Susil Premajayantha, who was earlier Minister of Petroleum Industries, was appointed as the Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, while the former Power Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka was given the title of Technology, Research and Atomic Energy. The duo switched portfolios with Anura Priyadharshana Yapa and Pavithra Wann
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| US-SL Relations: It’s Kerry’s call |
| 2013-02-05 |
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John Kerry assumed duties as US Secretary of State on last Friday. It was also last week that three officials of the US State Department visited Sri Lanka and declared that the US will be sponsoring a procedural resolution against Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, plunging US-Sri Lanka relations to a new low. Kerry has been a critic of the manner in which his predecessor Hillary Clinton handled Sri Lanka. In December 2009, he signed along with his colleague Senator Richard G.Lugar a US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations report
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| Forced postponement of IBAHRI high-level delegation visit to Sri Lanka |
| 2013-02-03 |
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An International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) delegation has been forced to postpone a planned visit to Sri Lanka to assess the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary due to the last minute withdrawal of permission to enter the country.
The IBAHRI delegation consisting of distinguished jurists was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from 1st to 10th February 2013. A visa had been issued to one member of the delegation on 18th January 2013 and was revoked on 29th January 2013, while approval
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| Body of a woman found in Bambalapitiya |
| 2013-02-03 |
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The body of a woman was found in the sea close to Bambalapitiya on Friday.
Police said that the identity of the deceased remains unknown.
The body of the woman which was seen at sea, close to the Bambalapitiya Railway Station, was brought ashore.
The body was taken to the National Hospital thereafter.
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| Visits of India's former CJ and judges cancelled |
| 2013-02-03 |
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BBC news reports that the Institution on Human Rights of the International Bar Association says that the visit of their delegation is being forced to be cancelled due to the Sri Lankan Government revoking the permission that was granted for their visit in the last minute.
BBC news reports that a delegation including top international judges were due to visit Sri Lanka from February 1 - 10 to look into the breakdown of the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.
BBC reports that the visa granted for a membe
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| President instructs officials to commence academic activities immediately |
| 2013-02-03 |
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President Mahinda Rajapaksa has instructed officials to commence academic activities immediately for students who have qualified to enter universities this year.
President Rajapaksa made this comment at Temple Trees on Thursday, when he met a group of students who excelled at the 2012 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa met with the students who were placed first, second and third in the science, maths, commerce, arts and IT streams at the 2012 G.C.E. Advanced Level Examination.
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| Not gaining university entrance is not a failure in life - Dullas Alahapperuma |
| 2013-02-03 |
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Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development Dullas Alahapperuma says that not gaining university entrance is not a failure in life.
The minister expressed this view at a function held in Galle yesterday.
'Failing to enter university does not mean you have failed in life. Don't let the child equal this to a failure in life. All these children have a future and we will accept their future. As a minister I cannot evade a responsibility that was given to me by the president. In another ten to twenty years th
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| Delegation has been forced to postpone a planned visit...- IBA's Human Rights Institute |
| 2013-02-03 |
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The International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute says that its delegation has been forced to postpone a planned visit to Sri Lanka to assess the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary due to the last minute withdrawal of permission to enter the country.
Issuing a news release, it says that its delegation consisting of distinguished jurists was scheduled to visit Sri Lanka from February 1 - 10, 2013.
The release adds that visa had been issued to one member of the delegation on the Janua
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