News

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe is reported to have indicated that it will be proper if UNP MP Ravi Karunanayake steps down from his post as the assistant leader of the party.

This was revealed by the Prime Minister when he presided over a meeting with the leaders of the parties aligned with the UNP.

Meanwhile, it was also revealed by UNP sources that the commission appointed to look into the action that had to be taken against any UNP member found to have been involved in the bond scam had also recommended that Mr Karunanayake should be removed from his post.

The committee headed by Minister Tilak Marapana was appointed to look into whether any UNPer is involved in the scam and to advise the party leadership on what action should be taken against those who are involved.

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 debate on the Bond Commission report and the PRECIFAC Report would be held on February 6 from 10.30 a.m. based on a request made by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe to Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Deputy Secretary of Parliament said.

Earlier today, Minister Mahinda Samarasinghe said Elections Commissioner Mahinda Deshapriya had informed the Speaker in writing on the inappropriateness of having a debate on February 8 as proposed by the Prime Minister earlier.

The meeting was attended by Minister and House Leader Lakshman Kiriella together and MP Ravi Karunanayake on behalf of the UNP; Minister Samarasinghe on behalf of the SLFP; JO parliamentary group leader MP Dinesh Gunawardana, MP M. Sumanthiran of the TNA and the Opposition, MP Vijitha Herath on behalf of the JVP.

Parliament Secretary General Dammika Dissanayake assisted the Speaker at the discussions.

Source : Daily Mirror

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 inter-governmental Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has listed Sri Lanka among eleven ‘high risk and monitored jurisdictions’ that have taken insufficient measures to combat money laundering, terrorist financing and other threats to the international financial system. The other countries are Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Korea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Vanuatu and Yemen. The list is published on the website of FATF.

The FATF sets standards and promotes implementation of legal, regulatory and operations measures for combating money laundering terrorist financing and related threats to the integrity of the international financial system. It monitors countries’ progress in implementing its recommendations; reviews money laundering and terrorist financing techniques and counter-measures; and, promotes the adoption and implementation of the FATF Recommendations globally.

In October 2017, Sri Lanka made a high-level political commitment to work with the FATF and the Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG) to strengthen the effectiveness of its anti money laundering and counter-financing of terrorism regime and to address any technical deficiencies. The Central Bank’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) aspires to implement some 40 recommendations encapsulated in an action plan by the end of 2018, an official source said. He said there had been a “lack of interest” in the past but that Sri Lanka is now invested in fulfilling its commitments. Other agencies of the Government must also play their part.

Among other things, Sri Lanka has promised to amend the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act to ensure cooperation may be provided on the basis of reciprocity; to issue a revised Trust Ordinance and demonstrate that implementation has begun; and to establish a Counter Threat Finance and Sanctions (TFS) regime to implement the relevant UN Security Council Regulations related to Iran and North Korea.

Civil Society activist Chandra Jayaratne this week wrote to Presidential Secretary, Austin Fernando warning that there was a risk of Sri Lanka being further downgraded from a ‘light grey’ area classification to ‘dark grey’ after the next FATF country review. He called for early action to ensure that serious violations of FATF recommendations and misuse of or engaging in irregular and unauthorised foreign exchange transactions were made a predicate offence under the money laundering legislation.

Mr Jayaratne has also recommended the creation by statue of a Serious Frauds Office and an Independent Public Prosecutor and the enactment of a standalone Proceeds of Crime Act, among other measures.

Source : Sunday Times

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

Sri Lanka is expecting to wrap up the leasing of the Mattala Airport, a rarely used facility, which was built with loans from China by August a recent local media report said.

Quoting the Minister of International Trade and Development Malik Samarawickrema the report said that a joint venture will be set up between Indian and Sri Lankan authorities.

Mattala is expected to be leased to India for 40 years.

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.

The former Chief Epidemiologist and Epidemiology Unit Director Dr. Paba Palihawadana said she was surprised to know that she has been appointed the Director of the Health Promotion Bureau yesterday.

She was addressing the media during a health seminar held at the Health Promotion Bureau in Colombo yesterday.

She said she served as an epidemiologist for about 25 years. "I received a letter signed by the Health Ministry Secretary stating that I have been appointed as the Health Promotion Bureau Director, she said.

"The new appointment is not in accordance with my qualifications, previous experience and knowledge. I served as the Director of the Epidemiology Unit two years ago and went abroad following all relevant rules and regulations," she said.

"When I returned recently, I found that my position was filled and I could not commence my duties according to the rules and regulations," she said.

Source : Daily News

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 that immediate action will be taken to recover the loss incurred by the government in accordance with the recommendations of the Bond Commission.

The President has said that the drafting of new laws and amendments to existing laws are currently being prepared according to the recommendations of the commission.

The President made these comments at a meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat yesterday (29) to inform the party leaders of the current situation in the implementation of the Presidential Commission report on the Central Bank bond issue.

The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption Act has not been amended from 1994 to date, and the drafting of relevant legislation is in its final stages and will be submitted to the Cabinet within the next few weeks, the President further added.

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.