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Daughter of slain Sri Lankan journalist takes her father’s case to UN
The San Francisco-based Center for Justice and Accountability filed the complaint on behalf of Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of Lasantha Wickrematunge, who was allegedly killed by a military-linked hit squad while driving to work on Jan. 8, 2009.
Wickrematunge, editor of the now-defunct Sunday Leader newspaper, was a strong critic of current President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who was a powerful defense official at the time. Rajapaksa’s older brother, current Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, was president at the time.
Wickrematunge’s assassination came to symbolize alleged Government abuses and impunity during the country’s civil war. It featured prominently in an investigation conducted by the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in 2015.
The complaint says Wickrematunge was killed a few days before he was to testify in a defamation case filed by Gotabaya Rajapaksa over an article implicating him in a corruption scandal involving the purchase of fighter planes.
At the time Sri Lankan forces were fighting the final months of the decades-long civil war with ethnic Tamil rebels.
Both Government forces and the defeated rebels have been accused of grave human rights abuses.
Foreign Ministry Secretary Admiral Jayanath Colambage said he had not seen the complaint, and given its sensitive nature was unable to comment without ascertaining the view of the political leadership.
On the day of his killing, Wickrematunge was followed by men on motorbikes, and when he stopped at a busy intersection they smashed his car window and punched a hole in his head with a sharp instrument.
The complaint says law enforcement agencies either failed to conduct a credible investigation or actively interfered with attempts to conduct one.
Autopsy confirms that all 11 inmates at Mahara died of gunshot wounds
Despite repeated denials by the state authorities regarding the deaths of 11 prison inmates, autopsy reports have revealed that all eleven of them who were killed in the Mahara Prison riot in November 2020 had died from gunshot injuries.
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18-member Deregulation Commission appointed by President to simplify existing laws
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has appointed an 18-member Deregulation Commission for the simplification of the existing laws and regulations, the President's Media Unit said.
Journalist who covered protest against 'Airtel' intimidated
The MTV network’s Batticaloa district correspondent has lodged a complaint with the Karadiyanaru police after being threatened by a landlord who has leased out his land for the construction of Telecom mast.
Kuhadasan Subojan was video graphing a protest by locals in the Eravur town in the Batticaloa district who were protesting against the erection of a mast by Indian Telecom giant ‘AirTel’.
The protesters say they are worried about the environment and health concerns.
A police complaint has been registered by the journalist and an investigation has been initiated according to sources from there.
Attacks on journalists have largely gone underreported in Sri Lanka. The Diplomat magazine noted that the future for the country’s media looks bleak. They further stated that Sri Lanka is one of the world’s most difficult countries for journalists.
29 development plans revoked by the UDA
Toddy duty slashed as operating hours are extended
The duty on bottled toddy that stood at Rs 50 a litre will be reduced to Rs 25 from Friday (08), according to a written directive issued by Rajapaksa, who is also finance minister.
The Prime Minister has also allowed extending the opening duration of toddy taverns by two hours with effect from Friday, News First reported.
Taverns can now remain open from 10 am to 2 pm, and 5 pm to 9 pm. The previous times were from 11 am to 2 pm and 5 pm to 8 pm.
Premier Rajapaksa has also increased the amount of toddy permitted to be sold to a person, from 1.5 to three litres, amending a law dating back to 1985.
Accordingly, a pass would be required when transporting more than three litres of toddy in the country.
India will be a dependable partner and friend: Indian External Affairs Minister
India has reiterated its commitment to be a dependable partner and reliable friend and will be open to strengthening its relationship with Sri Lanka.
No luxury vehicle tax for Sri Lankan lawmakers
The directive had been issued by prime minister and finance minister Mahinda Rajapaksa on December 31 last year, state documents showed
Earlier, the waiver had been granted to vehicles less than 1800 cc, diesel vehicles less than 2300 cc, and electric vehicles less than 200 kW.
Rates of the luxury tax, imposed in 2019, range between 60 and 120% if the vehicle cost exceeds the tax-free threshold.
Sri Lanka has temporarily suspended vehicle imports, according to its COVID-19 economic revival plan, citing it as a move to curb foreign currency outflows.
Colombo District SLPP (Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna) MP Madura Vithanage said that he wouldn’t take the duty free vehicle permit he was entitled to.
The former Kotte Mayor said that he had informed the relevant ministry of his decision.
He admitted that it wouldn’t be fair on their part to receive such a privilege as the country was struggling on the economic front.
Attorney-at-law Nagananda Kodituwakku asked whether members of parliament were entitled to such generous grants.
Kodituwakku noted that it would be a massive challenge for the new government to scrap the duty-free vehicle permit scheme.
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