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Sri Lanka Customs says that the 74 containers of canned fish which were seized and declared as unsuitable for human consumption will be re-exported to their countries of origin. 

General food items are released after being approved by the Food Inspector of the Health Department and sometimes subject to Sri Lanka Standards Institute (SLSI) approval. 

Especially for canned fish, both approvals are required while the goods will not be be released when such approvals are not granted, the customs spokesman said. 

He said that approval for the recently imported 74 containers were rejected according to the issues in quality.

The total weight of the canned fish in the 74 containers is approximately 137,000kg and the value is approximately Rs 388 million 
It has been ordered to re-export to the countries of origin which include China, Taiwan and Thailand. 

Sri Lanka Customs said that 18 out of the 74 containers were approved for re-exporting while action will be taken to re-export the rest of the container as well in due course. 

Source : Ada Derana

Joint Opposition MP representing the United People’s Freedom Alliance (UPFA) Ramesh Pathirana says the manner in which the group of 16 is conducting themselves is suspicious and therefore special focus must be paid regarding them.  

According to him, the group who was part of the government for the past three years and even criticized former President Mahinda Rajapaksa and other JO members during the last local government polls are now claiming to have joined the opposition while meddling in political decisions of the JO. 

They are also attempting to name the 2020 Presidential candidate of the faction he said adding that the future of the faction which was built with great difficulty during the last three years and its decisions cannot be based on the 16 group he said. 

He also said those who worked hard to form the new party are not ready to allow newcomers to make its decisions and back off.

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has been re-accredited with ‘A’ status by Global Alliance for National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in recognition of its efforts to promote and protect human rights, Commission Chairperson Dr. Deepika Udagama said.

GANHRI promotes and strengthens National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) to be in accordance with the Paris Principles and provides leadership in the promotion and protection of human rights.

GANHRI‘s Sub-Committee on Accreditation which met from May 14-18 in Geneva, Switzerland re-accredited ‘A’ status to HRCSL after a rigorous process of review. ‘A’ status means that the institution is in full compliance with the Paris Principles adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1993. The review takes place every five years.

Dr. Udagama said HRCSL had only received ‘B’ status in the previous reviews in 2000, 2007 and 2009.

She pointed out that the HRCSL has been working tirelessly over the past several years to win public confidence as an independent body.

“We voiced our concerns even when the matter was politically sensitive. At times, we were criticised due to this reason. We came forward for the rights of socially discriminated groups, prisoners and women. We strongly recommended the Government to establish the Office of Missing Persons (OMP). We have taken a keen interest on economic and social rights of the people,” she said highlighting the performance of the Commission over the past years.

The Paris Principles set out six main criteria for NHRIs and they include having a broad mandate, based on universal human rights norms and standards, autonomy from Government, independence guaranteed by statute or Constitution, pluralism, adequate resources and adequate powers of investigation.

The institutions that receive the ‘A’ status can participate fully in the international and regional work and have voting power. They are also able to participate in sessions of the UN Human Rights Council and take the floor under any agenda item, submit documentation and take up separate seating.

HRCSL Commissioner Ambika Satkunanathan in a Tweet in her account said, “Grateful our hard work has been recognized and rewarded”.
UNICEF SriLanka Child Protection Manager Ramiz Behbudov reacting to the Tweet said, “Great news for SriLanka. This will allow UNICEF to further enhance our partnership with the HRC SL to advance child rights monitoring in the country. We thank HRCSL Commissioners for their unyielding determination, principled position and positive optimism for getting the HRC to this point”.

Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne congratulating the HRCSL said, “So proud of the Commission’s remarkable work. Wish the Commission more strength, power and wisdom to keep on working for the rights of all Sri Lankans”.

Source : Daily News

Following is the draft 20th amendment to the constitutions presented by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake this week in parliament. 

The draft presented by the JVP on the 20th Amendment to the Constitution seeks to abolish the position of an elected Executive President. According to the amendment, the President will be appointed by Parliament through a secret ballot and by obtaining a simple majority vote instead of an electoral process. The President, during his tenure, will also not be able to be a member of a political party or hold any positions in one.
 
The 17-page document was presented as a Private member bill by the party.

Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara who admitted he had received a sum of Rs.1 million from a company affiliated to Arjun Aloysius’s Perpetual Treasuries yesterday said 118 other Parliamentarians has taken a sum totalling Rs.1.3 billion for electioneering from the businessman.

Jayasekera said he did nothing wrong in accepting the funds which he had used for his electioneering to seek a Parliament seat.

Jayasekara said he was the Chief Minister of the Wayamba Province when the sponsor money was given to him.

The former Sports Minister said there were names of 118 MPs in some pages of the Bond Commission report which he alleged are yet to be submitted to Parliament.

The former Sports Minister revealed this at a special press conference held yesterday (May 28) morning at the Center of Media for the Freedom in Ananda Rajakaruna Road in Punchi Borella.

The former minister also stated that some of the Parliamentarians had launched a mudslinging campaign against him by accusing him of taking bribes.

But, the former minister further stated that, though he had received a cash cheque, he wasn’t aware that it was sent to him by Arjun Aloysius at the time.

He further said that it is common for most Parliamentarians to receive donations from all the top class businessman, during the period of an election campaign.

Also, Jayasekera said that at the time he received the money, he was not a member of Parliament and he didn’t put it to his personal account in a bank.

He said that all the money was spent on food, caps, T-Shirts for the supporters and also to hire buses to give transport facilities to the supporters.

Also at this special press conference, former Minister Dayasiri Jayasekara empathised that, though he had received money from the infamous Arjun Aloysius, he didn’t take any action to protect him after the allegations were made against him with regard to the Treasury Bond matter.

Source : Daily News

The case filed by the Bribery commission against JO MP Rohitha Abeygunawardena for illegally obtaining assets and properties worth over Rs. 40 million has been postponed to July 6 by the Colombo High Court.

While the case was called today before Colombo High Court Judge A.A.R Heiyanthuduwa the case was postponed as the judge who presides over the case regularly, Judge Sampath Wijayaratne was on official duty leave. 

Rohitha Abeygunawardena was also not in courts today when the case was called with his lawyer presenting a medical to courts said his client was unwell and unable to attend. 

Accordingly the Judge ordered the accused party to be present in court on the next court date while also requesting that witnesses to be present on the day.

The Bribery Commission has filed the case against Rohitha Abeygunawardena alleging that he had obtained assets worth Rs. 40.1 million thereby illegally exceeding his legitimate income during the years 2004 and 2006 when he was a Minister of the then government.

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has pledged to accelerate the development of the island's poorest province strengthening the state machinery and going beyond concretization to increase the economic productivity helping the people.
 
The Prime Minister made this pledge during a tour in the Northern Province today to inspect the progress of development projects launched in the Province.
 
The Premier is touring the Northern Province to review progress of the development projects including resettlement, housing construction, land release, job creation and infrastructure development commenced in the Province, after the present government came to power.
 
Participating in the progress review meeting of the development projects in the Kilinochchi district secretariat, the Premier emphasized that measures should be taken to increase economic production aiming at improving the quality of life of the people.
 
The Premier said he has discussed the problems faced by the people in the Province during a meeting with the people's representatives of the area MPs S. Sritharan and Mavai Senathirajah and made the visit to the area today to look into those problems as well as to discuss the progress of the development projects.

"We must remember that Northern Province is the poorest among the nine provinces of the country. Except Jaffna, the situation has a major impact in the province, mainly in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu areas. There has been some progress in the Vavuniya area," he noted.

The Premier pointed out that there are several problems to resolve when developing the Jaffna area, especially return of military occupied land.

"It is especially important to hand over the lands that are in the custody of the Army. The Jaffna city could be transformed into a massive urban development. But there is a huge problem with the use and wastage of water," he pointed out.

"Therefore we first focus on improving infrastructure, returning the lands and resettlement of people," he said adding that there is some progress to be seen but in some places there are still shortcomings and the needed work is being carried out with the collaboration of the relevant ministers

"We must also focus on uplifting the living standard of the people in these areas," he said.

Recalling that the UNP government started the Mahaweli Project in 1977 to develop the entire country the Premier said the Northern Province did not benefit since the war erupted before the development could reach the Province.

"Now we must restore that development somehow. Getting water to this area is very important for development. Through the Malwathu Oya reservoir, water can be obtained for parts of Mannar and Vavuniya," he said.

The Premier revealing that the government has commenced a massive development program from Kandy to Hambantota and Monaragala and a massive development plan has been prepared for Rajarata, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee as well, said what is needed now is to include Jaffna, Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi areas also into the development plan.
"We need to plan to expand Sri Lanka's development from Jaffna to Hambantota, and the Kilinochchi area is the first that need to be developed," the Premier added.

"The first requirement is to get water. We need more systematic water supply schemes. During the rainfall, area receives more water than needed. We should store the rain water to use during the droughts and should look into rain water conservation projects," he emphasized.

The Premier said during the reign of Rajarata, a large number of paddy fields were found in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and there was a program to save water for paddy cultivation. In some places, paddy was cultivated and other grains were cultivated in some areas. "We have to implement these programs again," he stressed.

"We also hope to commence a program to uplift the fisheries industry in this area. The tourism industry in Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, and Trincomalee areas should also be developed. We also focus on setting up factories in Paranthan. With all these programs, we will explore the possibility of improving this area," he said.

"In 1978 this area became a district. At that time no one from Jaffna was elected to universities. I hope to return this area to development after it became a battlefield. We can come together again without the division of North and South. Since the war is over, these areas should be added to our national plans," he said.

The Premier noted that President Maithripala Sirisena also visited Jaffna area several times to solve land issues. "I came here today to look into the development work here. I hope to increase the economic output of this region not just constructing buildings for the benefit of the people.

Prime Minister Wickremesinghe stressed that Kilinochchi's contribution to the country's GDP needs to be increased at least by one-tenth. Then in the future it will be possible to increase it further. "I hope to come back to these areas again and look into these development activities in the future. Especially a project to collect rainwater needs to be started."

He said after obtaining the land in Paranthan he will initiate discussions with the Board of Investment to initiate industries. "We should provide employment to the war-affected youth."

The Premier said he held discussions with the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) and the OMP will visit Kilinochchi in the future and the government is ready to resolve those humanitarian problems.

"We must create a future for the youth of this area. We should even solve the problems of people disabled during the war. We are ready to work together with the Northern Provincial Council to move ahead with all these efforts. These activities will be continued discussing with the Chief Minister and the Governor. We will inquire whether there will be progress in the economic situation of the people in the future. That's what need to be done through politics," the Premier said.

He said the funds will be allocated to the area based on the progress in the education sector and asked the teachers to inform the government if they have problems.

"If teachers have problems, let us know. They can be solved through the Minister of Education," the Prime Minister said adding that graduates will be given jobs in the next few months.

Minister D.M. Swaminathan and Parliamentarian Vijayakala Maheswaran were among those present at the progress review meeting held at the Kilinochchi District Secretariat today.
The Prime Minister also participle in a progress review meeting at the Jaffna District Secretariat.

Attention was drawn to many matters including the building of the economy in the North, developing industries unique to the North and the Premier revealed that a special commercial hub will be established centering the Jaffna District.

Discussions also centered on the development of the Palaly Airport and also special housing projects launched on behalf of the resettled families in Jaffna.

Provincial Governor Reginald Cooray and Parliamentarians Mavai Senathirajah, E. Saravanabavan and S. Sritharan were among those who joined in the discussion.
 
Source : Colombo Page

Actress Deepani Silva was arrested in connection to an accident which took place in Bandaragama today morning. According to Police, the accident had occurred around 6.45 am in the Kindelpitiya junction on the Bandaragama Kesbewa road when a three-wheeler travelling towards Kesbewa collided head-on with a car travelling in the opposite direction. 

Coincidently the car was driven by popular actress and activist Deepani Silva at the time. While the three-wheeler driver escaped with minor injuries however his 10-year-old daughter is said to have suffered serious injuries in the accident. 

“The Bandaragama Police has arrested the actress and she is to be produced before the Panadura Magistrates court today,” Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara said.

Anura Kumara Dissanayake last week in parliament is set to be announced by the Joint Opposition tomorrow. 

Presenting his views on the issue, Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa has said that it is needed to be ascertained if the real focus of the proposed amendment is only to abolish the executive presidency along with the real parties behind it.  The issue needed to be probed further he said adding that decisions must be made in view of the public and not in a haphazard manner.

The Rajapaksa faction has flatly refused Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera’s challenge for a debate on Sri Lanka’s debt, with Joint Opposition front liners confirming that the former President is not willing to participate in the debate.

Speaking at a press briefing over the weekend, JO MP Mahindananda Aluthgamage had said that former President Rajapaksa would not face the Finance Minister on the question of the country’s debt and added that Hambantota District MP Namal Rajapaksa also did not have time to engage in the debate. 

The Sunday Observer had reported that when contacted MP Namal Rajapaksa had said the Minister should be engaged in steering the economy during the bad weather prevailing over the country and not entangle himself in “unnecessary debates”.

“Before he challenges someone to a debate he should deliver on what he promised,” Namal Rajapaksa was quoted as saying. 

Minister Samaraweera meanwhile has slammed the refusal of his challenge, saying the former President was dodging the issue because he did not possess the knowledge to engage in such a debate.

Last week, the Finance Ministry went to pains to point out that out of Sri Lanka’s total foreign debt of Rs 4,285 billion (Rs. 4.28 trillion), the current Government was only responsible for foreign borrowings to the tune of Rs. 570 billion. The rest of the debt servicing by the Treasury is related to borrowings during the tenure of the Rajapaksa regime, the Finance Ministry said.

Source : Sunday Observer

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr Rajitha Senaratne has been elected as a Vice Chairman of World Health Organization (WHO) unopposed during its Executive Committee Meeting held in Geneva.
 
He was elected Vice Chair from the South-East Asia region at the 143rd Session of the WHO Executive Board on Monday (28), for a period of one year.
 
“I’m honoured by the confidence placed on me both by the members of the CR (Committee on Conventions and Recommendations) and the WHO,” he said addressing the session.
 
“Let me also take this opportunity to thank the Director-General of the WHO and the Regional Director CR for their outstanding leadership and vision through which I believe the WHO could make its best impact on the peoples of the world.” 
 
“I look forward to working with you all in achieving our shared vision in making this planet a healthier place to live in,” he said. 
 
The Minister is currently in Geneva to attend the 71st World Health Assembly which just concluded and the session of the executive board. 

Source : Ada Derana

Sri Lanka Mirror reports that Presidential advisors are now focusing on the possibility of holding a general election, prior to the Presidential poll in 2020. 

The website also claims that the opinions of legal experts will be sought regarding the matter shortly. 

The matter has come before the political arena through a social media post put up by Senior coordinating officer of the President, Attorney at Law Shiral Lakthilaka. 

In his post, Shiral has said: “The next presidential election is to be held no later than November 2019 and not by August 2020 according to article 1 (3) of the constitution". 

Shiral Lakithilaka’s FB post

Many opinions are now being expressed for and against his post while an extensive conversation on the issue is currently ongoing in social media with several academics also voicing their opinions in this regard.