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The Sri Lankan government has failed to fulfill its pledge to abolish the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), Human Rights Watch said in a report released today. For decades, the PTA has been used to arbitrarily detain suspects for months and often years without charge or trial, facilitating torture, and other abuse.

“The Sri Lankan government has been all talk and no action on repealing the reviled PTA,” said Brad Adams, Asia director. “Replacing this draconian counter terrorism law with one that meets international standards should be an urgent priority if the government is serious about protecting human rights.”

The Sri Lankan government has failed to fulfill its pledges to abolish the abusive Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). For decades, the PTA has been used to arbitrarily detain suspects for months and often years without charge or trial, facilitating torture, and other abuse.

The PTA was enacted in 1979 to counter separatist insurgencies, notably the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), and the law was widely used to detain hundreds of people during the country’s 26-year-long civil war. Yet while other emergency regulations have lapsed since the conflict ended in May 2009, the PTA remains in effect.

The PTA provides immunity for government officials responsible for abuses if deemed to have been acting in good faith or fulfilling an order under the act, which gives broad cover to security force personnel to engage in torture and other abuses.

While the government of President Maithripala Sirisena has taken some steps to charge or release PTA detainees, it has not put forward a plan to provide redress for those unjustly detained, or addressed the issue of detainees charged and prosecuted solely on the basis of coerced confessions obtained during detention.

Rather than enacting a law that will perpetuate the wrongs committed for decades under the PTA, the government should consult with Sri Lankan victim groups, human rights organizations, and international experts to draft a law that protects both national security and human rights. This should be undertaken as one component of broader security sector reforms, including accountability for abuses carried out under the PTA.

The Elections Commission says the Local Government Elections may be postponed if Parliament convenes on February 8, as requested by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Member of the Elections Commission, Prof. Ratnajeevan Hoole, noted that the Local Government Elections may have to be postponed to February 12, or a later date, if the Prime Minister convenes Parliament on February 8 during the silent period prior to the election.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Election Commission, Mahinda Deshapriya is said to have objected to this session with the Speaker on the grounds that it would affect the 48 hours period prior to the election when political activity and media reportage will be prohibited.

Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking at a rally in Morawaka yesterday, said, he has informed the Speaker to convene the Parliament on February 8. He said a letter of request will be presented to the speaker in this regard, tomorrow.

Sri Lanka has increased the fine on foreign vessels fishing in its territorial waters by amending its existing Fisheries Act of 1979.

By implication, Indian vessels found fishing in Sri Lankan waters will henceforth be liable to pay anything between LKR 6 million (approximately Rs. 25 lakh) to LKR 175 million.

According to Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Development Mahinda Amaraweera, the Sri Lankan Parliament earlier this week approved a set of amendments to the Foreign Fishing Boats Regulation Act of 1979, in effect increasing fines on foreign vessels trespassing into Sri Lankan waters, media reports said.

As per the amendment, poaching foreign fishing boats would be charged a fine proportional to their length. Observing a considerable increase in poaching, the Sri Lankan Cabinet in 2015 decided to consider stiffer penalties on foreign vessels poaching in its waters. After deliberations over two years, the amendment was passed in Parliament on Wednesday, though officials on Saturday said it would come into effect only after the Speaker signs it. Sri Lanka also banned bottom trawling in July 2017, amid growing concern among fisher-folk over depleting resources.

T.N. reacts strongly

The recent development impacting foreign vessels has provoked a sharp response from Tamil Nadu fishermen, particular owners of bottom trawlers, many of whom are accused of having fished illegally over the last seven years.

In the last decade, the Palk Bay Fisheries conflict between Tamil Nadu fishermen and their counterparts in the war-affected north in Sri Lanka emerged a major strain in diplomatic relations between the two countries. However, with high-level deliberations in the last two years, the number of trawlers spotted in Sri Lankan waters has reduced, observe local fisher-leaders.

“Our marine resources have been severely damaged in the last few years because of relentless bottom-trawling by Indian boats and more recently, local trawlers. In order to protect our fish, we need stringent laws and steep fines like this. We welcome the amendment,” said K. Rajachandran, president of a fisheries cooperative in Jaffna peninsula.

Source: The Hindu

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry on large scale acts of corruption (PRECIFAC), has concluded that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and three others were responsible for financial irregularities to the tune of Rs. 225m by the telecasting of Mahinda Rajapaksa’s election propaganda by the ITN channel during the General Election 2015.

The Commission has concluded that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa, former ITN Chairman Anura Siriwardena, former Deputy General Manager Marketing, Jayasinghe Arachchige Upali Ranjith and former Asst. Manager, Marketing, Duleep Priyantha Wickremesinghe “have committed the offence of ‘corruption’ as explained in para 70 of the Bribery Act, offence of conspiracy to commit corruption and the offence of aiding and abetting corruption.”

The Commission has recommended that cases should be filed against these people under sections 113(B) and 102 of the Penal Code to be read with section 70 of the Bribery Act as amended by Act No. 20 of 1998.

The Commission also stated that the offence committed by Mahinda Rajapaksa is so grave that new laws should be enacted barring him contesting elections for life. The Commission Report further states:

“It appears that the offence of corruption has been committed by the first party noticed (Chairman Anura Siriwardena) appointed by the sixth party noticed (Mahinda Rajapaksa) having treated the ITN, of which the government holds 100% shares, as his private property causing a loss to the government. “The sixth party noticed (Mahinda Rajapaksa) has in the same manner committed the offence of conspiracy for corruption.

“The third and fourth parties noticed (Upali Ranjith and Dilip Wickremesinghe) have committed the offences of corruption, aiding and abetting corruption and conspiracy to corruption at different times.

“People who have committed these offences cannot be expected to render any service to the country or its people.

“Therefore, this Commission is of opinion that it is not proper for politicians convicted of these offences to be appointed as people’s representatives in the legislature or as officers in statutory boards even after seven years of their being convicted.

“Hence, this Commission recommends that laws should be enacted to disqualify these convicted people from being appointed as people’s representatives or even applying as candidates to be appointed as people’s representatives.”

Law and Order Minister Sagala Ratnayaka said yesterday that the Police had been given 'professional freedom' to act independently and take action against election law violators.

"If the Police fail to take action that is a weakness on their part. I reiterate that the Police must take action against wrongdoers irrespective of their party affiliations," Ratnayaka added, addressing a meeting in the Deniyaya district.

 "The Police have been depoliticized. They don't have to take instructions from political authorities. We have resolved their salary issues and given better infrastructure. So the Police must now step up and deliver," the Law and Order Minister stressed.

He also stated that those who conduct election campaigns in accordance with election laws should not be harassed by others.

Commenting on the Gin-Nilwala project affecting the Matara district, Ratnayaka said the project was started by the previous government without a proper feasibility study.

"There were allegations in the past that there were some underhand deals behind the implementation of the project. After the current government came to power, we came to an agreement that the project should not be resumed without a proper feasibility study. If the feasibility study suggests that the negatives of the project outweigh its minuses, I will certainly oppose the project," he added.

"There is no point in carrying out development projects jeopardizing lives of the people in the area. At the same time, there should not be any room for bribery, corruption and underhand deals," the Minister said, adding that he would personally look into the developments with regard to the Gin-Nilwala project.

The Gin-Nilwala project was initiated by the previous government mainly to provide water for cultivation in the Hambantota district. There were allegations that Rs. 4 billion had been paid to a private contractor for the construction of the project, although the project is yet to be started. It was also alleged that the private contractor was selected bypassing standard tend

Renowned film director and screenwriter, Dharmasena Pathiraja, has passed away.

He was aged 74 at the time of his demise. The final rites of the late film director is scheduled to take place in Kandy.

Dharmasena Pathiraja, was renowned for the films he made during the 1970s. His creations were well received by a wide audience, mainly for its atypical nature, unlike most commercial films of that period.

Bambaru Avith which was made in 1978, is widely considered as Pathiraja’s masterpiece. The same year, this film represented Sri Lanka at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival. and was screened at Venice and Los Angeles film festivals.

In Sri Lanka, he was awarded Best Director and Best Film Honours at the first Presidential Film Awards and the OCIC Awards.

In 1997, a special council selected to celebrate 50 years of Sri Lankan cinema, named it the fourth best Sri Lankan film of all time.

MP Palith Thewarapperuma was hospitalized over the weekend after suffering from a heart attack on the campaign trail. Thewarapperuma was initially admitted to the Meegahatenna Hospital on Saturday morning and was later transferred to the Nagoda General Hospital. He is said to be currently receiving further treatment at the Nagoda General Hospital.

With Prime Minister today (27) taking up the challenge by President Maithripala Sirisena to hold a parliamentary debate prior to the local government poll on February 10, political sources say a major political explosion is expected in the upcoming days.

According to sources, there are attempts to arrest the head of Perpetual Treasuries, Arjun Aloysious prior to the bond debate. Aloysius is also said to have decided to reveal more information regarding the bond deal before the media in the coming days.

The revelations made by Aloysius will also have a decisive impact on the government's survival informed sources said.

Marapana report to the PM

Meanwhile, the report compiled by the committee to investigate if any UNP members were involved in the bond scam is to be handed over to the PM next week sources said.

Sirikotha sources claim that special statements responding to criticisms levelled by the President and SLFP members have been taped and is expected to be released in parts from Monday.

The Sri Lanka Navy apprehended two individuals who attempted to smuggle 12 kilograms worth Rs. 70 million to India at Urumalai seas in Jaffna, yesterday.

The apprehended individuals are said to be Sri Lankan nationals.

The consignment of gold was in the form of 120 biscuits, each weighing 100g. A dinghy used for the transportation of the consignment was also seized by the Navy. The apprehended suspects, gold and dinghy were handed over to the Jaffna Provincial Customs Office for further legal action.

Source : Daily News

President Maithripala Sirisena says he is prepared to form an SLFP government if the 96 parliamentarians of the United National Freedom Alliance extends their support to him.

The President made these comments at a public rally held in Ratnapura today.

Pure Alliance!

According to the President, a thieving elitist alliance has been formed and a pure alliance should be formed against it as an alternative. The President had made these comments while meeting with editors and media heads yesterday at the President's house.

The President had gone on to say that he is on a difficult journey within this government but however he will face any obstacles in his fight against corruption.

The central bank has frozen bank of accounts of the Perpetual group of Arjun Aloysius to prevent the moving of money gained from the bond scam.

The Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank is said to have ordered banks to freeze the accounts of firms related to Aloysius. He was through a commission of inquiry found to have engaged in insider deals in the bond market.

The central bank had earlier frozen accounts of Perpetual Treasuries, a primary dealer that bought bonds from rigged auctions and dumped them at high prices on the state managed entities including the Employment Provident Fund of private citizens managed by the Central Bank.

The commission had found that Perpetual Treasuries was making payments to dealers at the EPF, from at least 2014.

Aloysius' father-in-law Arjuna Mahendran was central bank governor from 2015 to 2016.

The President commission of inquiry recommended that assets of the "beneficial owners" of Perpetual Treasuries Arjun Aloysius and his father Geoffrey Aloysius, as well as CEO Kasun Palisena, should be placed "under lien".

The Commission found that the ultimate owners of most Perpetual group companies, through Perpetual Holdings were Arjuna and Geoffrey Aloysius.

The Commission said the assets to be frozen included all monies lying to the credit of Perpetual Treasuries at the Central Bank and other banks, shares of National Development Bank and dividends of 641 million rupees already paid to shareholders.

The Presidential Commission of Inquiry has recommended filing criminal cases against 13 individuals including former Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Avant Garde Chairman Nissanka Senadhipathi over the Avant Garde case.

The final report of Presidential Commission of Inquiry into Serious Acts of Fraud, Corruption and Abuse of Power, State Resources and Privileges (PRECIFAC) was tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

The other individuals against whom the Commission recommends filing criminal cases over the Avant Garde case include former Additional Defence Secretary Damayanthi Jayaratne, former Rakna Arakshaka Lanka Limited (RALL) CEO Major General K.B. Egodawela, former RALL Chairman Major General Palitha Fernando, former Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, former Mayor Dhanasiri Amaratunga, former Mayor Janaka Ranawaka, former MP Duminda Silva,

Western Provincial Councilor Upali Kodikara, former Navy Commanders Jayantha Perera and Jayanath Colombage and Rohanaweera De Zoysa.

The Commission has held that the state officials among those mentioned above are deemed not fit to hold any office in the public service hereafter. It observed the former Navy Commanders, who acted in a manner that Avant Garde Maritimes Services gets undue benefit, have been recruited to the company at higher salaries after their retirement.

It has proposed taking legal action against the deployment of RALL employees at election work and crediting those expenses to RALL, depriving a considerable income to the Navy by handing over the floating armoury project to Avant Garde and not issuing permits under the Firearms Ordinance to the weapons possessed by the RALL.

It has also recommended that the Auditor General must be given full authority to audit the business undertakings with majority shares to the Government in the same manner that the public enterprises are being audited.

Source : Daily News