History Archives - Ceylon Independent

Sri Lanka is making constant efforts to restore human rights of its citizens despite attacks on reforms

16Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Sri Lanka is making constant efforts to restore human rights of its citizens despite attacks on reforms

Sri Lanka is making constant efforts to restore human rights of all its citizens but being a democracy it is not easy to always make changes at great speed, the country's envoy to the 28th session of UN Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group said yesterday. Delivering Sri Lanka's statement to the third cycle of UPR review of Sri Lanka today in Geneva, Deputy Minister of National Policies and Economic Affairs Dr. Harsha de Silva said promoting and protecting human rights is constant work in progress and not something that can be done overnight despite the most sincere of commitments and the most fervent sense of determination. "In a democracy, however, it is not easy to always make changes at great speed, or navigate change in a rapid manner, or along a s...

Human Rights Watch calls on Sri Lanka to adopt an action plan and timeline to implement Geneva proposals

16Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Human Rights Watch calls on Sri Lanka to adopt an action plan and timeline to implement Geneva proposals

The global human rights organization, Human Rights Watch (HRW) today urged the United nations members to insist on Sri Lanka to adopt an action plan and timeline to implement Geneva proposals as promises to the UN Human Rights Council have gone unmet. The Human Rights Watch said countries at the UNHRC should press Sri Lanka for a time-bound action plan on reforms during its third Universal Periodic Review, which began today in Geneva at the 28th Session. The organization noted that the Sri Lankan government has taken several positive steps since the last review in 2012. Human rights activists and journalists do not fear arrest for expressing their views and criticism. Allegations of arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances against the Tamil minority have dropped considerably. In...

Avant Garde files case citing losses during ‘take over’ by the Navy

16Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Avant Garde files case citing losses during ‘take over’ by the Navy

In a case filed with the Colombo District Court, Avant Garde is seeking a sum of Rs. 2.4 billion that it incurred as losses following the Sri Lanka Navy taking possession of one of its vessels. Avant Garde notes that on the 13th of November 2015, when its vessel was anchored at the Galle Harbour, a group of navy personnel citing an order from the Navy Headquarters, had taken possession of the vessel, and that is in violation of the government laws. The Attorney General, Chief-of-Defence-Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, former Navy Commander Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah and the present Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe have been named as respondents. At present, there are several questions surrounding the operations of Avant Garde during the former r...

World Bank recommends multi-prong strategies to close Sri Lanka’s gender gap in the workforce

16Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL, Top Story

World Bank recommends multi-prong strategies to close Sri Lanka’s gender gap in the workforce

A new World Bank report has recommended multi-prong strategies to help women gain employment and then continue to thrive in the workplace in order to close Sri Lanka's gender gap in the workforce. The report Getting to Work: Unlocking Women's Potential in Sri Lanka's Labor Force" finds removing barriers to women's paid work will encourage more Sri Lankan women to participate in the workforce. The report notes that despite steady economic growth, the number of women participating in Sri Lanka's workforce has declined to 36 percent in 2016 from 41 percent in 2010. Sri Lankan women, especially younger ones, do not sufficiently acquire marketable skills, face higher unemployment rates, and can expect to receive lower wages than men. "Getting women to work is not just about supporting ...

Petition filed in Court of Appeal over Local Government Elections

16Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Petition filed in Court of Appeal over Local Government Elections

A petition was filed before the Court of Appeal today, seeking an order nullifying the gazette notification with regard to holding the Local Government Elections, which contains recommendations, which the petitioners say, are in contravention of the original recommendations of the Delimitation Committee. The demarcation gazette notification was issued by the Minister of Local Government, and contains recommendations made by the sub-committee appointed by the minister. The petition was filed by six votes representing Colombo, Kandy, Hali-Ela and Matara.

15Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Youth killed in Mullaitivu collision

An individual died following a motor accident in Pudukuduirippu, Mullaitivu According to the police, the accident had occurred on Tuesday evening when a tractor collided with a motorcycle.The victim was a 22 -year-old resident of Rebdama, Vishwamadhu. The driver of the tractor has been arrested.

Northern railway line under repairs after derailment

15Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Northern railway line under repairs after derailment

Repairs commenced on the northern railway line after it was damaged due to a train derailment. A train which was traveling between Medawachchiya and Parasangaswewa, on the Northern Railway Line, was stalled since 8.03 p.m on Tuesday, November 14, owing to a derailment. According to the Railway Control Room, the ‘Rajarata Rajina’ which was travelling from Colombo – Fort to Vavuniya, derailed at around 9 p.m. on November 14. Three trains were delayed due to the derailment. One was to travel from Colombo Fort to Vauniya, and two other trains were to travel from Jaffna and Vauniya to Colombo Fort. The 5:10 a.m. train which was to commence its journey from Mount Lavinia to Kankesanthurai was cancelled. However, the ‘Yaal Devi’ train, set off at 5:45 a.m from Mount Lavinia to arri...

Sri Lankan President raises awareness in lack of women representation in politics

15Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Sri Lankan President raises awareness in lack of women representation in politics

Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says the current government is committed to increase female representation in politics and is formulating required laws and enacting them to increase the number of women in local governments. Speaking at a function held Tuesday to launch the program "Eyata Balayak - Ratata Venasak" to raise awareness about women's representation at the Local Government Election, the President said the lack of female representation in politics is a critical concern. "Though the women's representation in the government service is at a proper level it is a critical issue that there is a shortage of their representation in political and constitutional sectors," he said. The President, pointing out the many problems faced by women and how they cope with them, s...

Investigations launched into Seeduwa shooting

15Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Investigations launched into Seeduwa shooting

An investigation is being conducted by the police, with regard to an incident where shots were fired at a jeep down Eriyagahalinda road, Liyanagemulla, Seeduwa. According to the police, the jeep was shot at by a group at midnight on Tuesday.

Commissioner General of Exams transferred to Education Ministry

15Nov

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

History, LOCAL

Commissioner General of Exams transferred to Education Ministry

The Commissioner General of Examinations W.M.N.J. Pushpakumara has been transferred to the Ministry of Education, with immediate effect. The Ministry announced that the transfer has been made in order to assist an ongoing investigation into examination papers. The move comes just days after the Deputy Commissioner of Examinations who served as the Head of the Confidential and Agency Examinations Division of the Department of Examinations was suspended over several allegations of negligence and misconduct, the Government Information Department said. On the instructions of Educations Minister Akila Viraj Kariyawasam, an investigation has already commenced into examinations held in the past by the Department of Examinations, papers marking, preparing of question papers, appointment o...