January 11, Colombo (LNW): The United States has joined the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) in expressing concerns about potential human rights abuses during the recent ‘Yukthiya’ (Justice) Operation conducted by the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Public Security.

In a statement, US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie J. Chung, highlighted the importance of combating drug trafficking while emphasising the need for law enforcement operations to adhere to the principles of the rule of law and due process.

Ambassador Chung stressed the delicate balance required between effective law enforcement and respecting individual rights, stating, “Striking this balance is vital for justice and maintaining public trust.”

The HRCSL had earlier expressed deep unease and initiated an immediate inquiry into reports of alleged cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment during search operations associated with the ‘Yukthiya’ Operation.

Echoing these concerns, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has also raised serious questions about the operation, particularly emphasising the apparent contradiction between widespread reports of injustice and the operation’s title, ‘Yukthiya,’ which means ‘justice’ in Sinhala.

The United States’ intervention demonstrates the international community’s watchful eye on human rights issues in Sri Lanka, emphasising the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to international standards in law enforcement operations.

January 11, Colombo (LNW): In the recently released New Year Honours List 2024 by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet in the United Kingdom, three exceptional individuals from Sri Lanka have been acknowledged for their remarkable contributions.

Dr. Anne Doloras Perera, based in St Johns, Auckland, has been honoured for her exceptional services to food science, nutrition, and the community. As a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, Dr. Perera expressed humility and honour, reflecting on her 40-plus years of professional and community work in her adopted home.

Athula Cuda Bandara Wanasinghe, JP, is awarded The Queen’s Service Medal for his notable contributions to the Sri Lankan community and cricket. His recognition highlights a significant impact on both community service and the world of cricket.

Mr. Sadun Kithulagoda from Wellington is recognised for his services to the Sri Lankan community. Having played a pivotal role in shaping the expatriate community for over two decades, Kithulagoda has been instrumental in fostering cultural connections and supporting community events. His involvement in various organisations, including the United Sri Lanka Association and the Sri Lankan Dance Academy, has left a lasting impact.

In response to the honour, Mr. Kithulagoda emphasised that the award is not just a personal achievement but a symbolic recognition for everyone who has been part of his journey.

The New Year Honours List for 2024 acknowledges the achievements and service of extraordinary people across the UK.

January 11, Colombo (LNW): Health sector trade unions, including hospital administration and junior health staff, are set to initiate a joint strike action starting from 6:00 a.m. this (11) morning, demanding an allowance increase of Rs 35,000.

The token strike opposes the government’s decision to increase the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance only for doctors.

Simultaneously, the Paramedical Services Front (PMSF) unions commenced a 48-hour strike on January 10, joined by several other unions, protesting the government’s failure to grant the allowance increase to them.

Despite the strikes, key hospital functions remained unaffected.

The Government Nursing Officers’ Association initiated a 24-hour strike, staging a protest in Colombo.

Professionals in paramedical services have warned about continuous strikes if the issue remains unaddressed.

The Cabinet approved doubling the DAT allowance for government doctors from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000 on January 8.

1. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says it will be more difficult for SMEs to get loans from banks if the “Parate” execution laws are removed: asserts banks will be reluctant to give loans if there is no way of recovery when there is a default: refutes Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe’s claim that “parate” execution provisions are “archaic”, and says the term may be archaic but that other countries have stringent debt recovery laws as well.
   
2. UNP decides to field President Ranil Wickremesinghe as its Presidential candidate at the upcoming election tipped in Sept’24.
   
3. All Health personnel, spanning administrative officers, health management assistants, development officers, assistants and hospital health assistants to embark on a strike today: demand the “Disturbance, Availability & Transport” allowance of Rs.35,000.
   
4. US Ambassador to SL Julie Chung urges law enforcement operatives to adhere to the rule of law & due process while combating drug trafficking: echoes concerns raised by the Human Rights Commission regarding alleged human rights abuses during the recent “Yukthiya” Operation: meanwhile, many persons express concerns about the US Ambassador’s remarks and say those amount to an interference into the internal affairs of SL.
   
5. Nationwide programme to be initiated at school level to detect Leprosy in the light of an uptick in cases: 1,550 leprosy cases logged in 2023: 315 cases from Colombo District: 168 from Gampaha: 151 from Kalutara.
   
6. State Minister Ranjith Siyambalapitiya says applications have been received for 10 new casinos although approval is yet to be granted by the Govt.
   
7. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says exchange controls imposed in the recent past will be relaxed: also says the provisions of Foreign Exchange Management Act will be relaxed in line with the observed improvements in the liquidity position of the domestic forex market: previously, Justice Minister Wijedasa Rajapakshe has lamented that over USD 50bn had been retained outside the country by exporters due to the Foreign Exchange Management Act passed in 2017.
   
8. CB Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe says “good faith negotiations” are in progress with commercial creditors to reach an “in-principle” agreement soon: also says agreement is expected to be reached within the next 2 months: analysts point out that although the CB and IMF had expected Bi-lateral & Private Creditors to agree to “hair-cuts” of 60% of their loans, not a single creditor has so far agreed to even a single dollar “hair-cut”.
   
9. National Savings Bank announces that Shashi Kandambi has been appointed as it’s 1st ever Woman CEO/GM in its over 50 years existence: Kandambi previously served as the Senior Deputy General Manager of Int’l Banking at Sampath Bank.
   
10. SL Cricket announces “free entry” for the public to watch the 3rd Cricket ODI between SL & Zimbabwe today at certain stands of the Premadasa Stadium: aim is to boost crowd attendance which had dropped drastically in line with the severe economic contraction.

January 10, Colombo (LNW): The Federation of University Teachers’ Associations (FUTA) has affirmed its commitment to continue advocating against what it perceives as an inequitable tax policy.

This resolution was made during the association’s recent Executive Committee meeting.

For the past year, FUTA, in collaboration with the Government Medical Officers’ Association and 40 other professional organisations under the Professionals Trade Union Collective, has been spearheading a campaign to press for a reduction in personal income tax.

The campaign contends that the existing tax structure places an unjust burden on professionals.

The argument centres on the substantial increase in personal income tax, soaring from 6 per cent to 36 per cent for incomes exceeding Rs. 100,000. This drastic rise is contributing to a concerning trend of professional emigration, posing a threat to Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce, advocates asserted.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, during a cabinet meeting, approved a 25 per cent increase in allowances for university professors, effective January. Notably, university lecturers actively participated in recent tax protests alongside medical professionals.

The government has implemented measures to grant special privileges to key groups within the Professionals Trade Union Collective. The Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Federation of University Teachers’ Associations welcomed the allowance increase as a positive step toward addressing their concerns.

While these developments indicate some responsiveness to professional concerns, FUTA’s decision to persist in its campaign underscores ongoing apprehensions about the broader tax policy and its implications for professionals in Sri Lanka.

January 10, Colombo (LNW): Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapaksa today (10) unveiled a draft of the controversial anti-terrorism bill to Parliament, following months of talks on various scales against the hostile nature of it.

The legislation has faced allegations of attempting to curtail people’s rights to information and expression under the pretext of combating terrorism.

Defending the draft, Minister Rajapakshe told Parliament that multiple areas facing criticism have undergone amendments. However, concerns persist regarding the potential infringement on citizens’ rights.

The existing Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), enacted in 1979, has recently faced renewed scrutiny. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and human rights groups have raised objections to certain provisions, citing potential abuses and inconsistencies with international legal frameworks.

In response to these concerns, the Sri Lankan government published a new Anti-Terrorism Bill (ATB) in March 2023, presenting it as a solution. Rather than addressing terrorism, the draft bill appears to infringe on citizens’ rights, particularly freedom of information and expression, critics argued.

The bill’s broad definition of “terrorism” raises worries about its potential use against individuals participating in peaceful protests.

Additionally, it grants police the authority to detain suspects under Detention Orders before court appearances.

Of particular concern is the draft bill’s provisions that could allow terrorism charges to be levied against the media.

Faced with public outcry, the Sri Lankan government conceded to revise the bill, issuing a new gazette on September 15th, 2023.

Despite the revisions, the presented bill continues to be contentious, highlighting persistent apprehensions regarding potential violations of fundamental rights.

The dialogue on the controversial ATA bill surfaces, when the Minister from another quarter is being cornered by Sri Lankan LGBTQIA+ activists due to his lack of support for the Supreme Court-approved “Penal Code (Amendment) Bill” tabled by Ruling Party MP Premnath Dolawatta proposing amendments to the centuries old clauses criminalising consensual same-sex sexual activities between adults.