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Canada imposes sanctions on Sri Lankan state officials including Rajapaksa brothers for human rights violations

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Canada imposes sanctions on Sri Lankan state officials including Rajapaksa brothers for human rights violations

January 10, 2023 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada: The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced Canada imposes targeted sanctions under regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act against four Sri Lankan state officials responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights during armed conflict in Sri Lanka, which occurred from 1983 to 2009.

The regulations pursuant to the Special Economic Measures Act impose on listed persons a dealings prohibition, which would effectively freeze any assets they may hold in Canada and render them inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

Despite continued calls from Canada and the international community to address accountability, the Government of Sri Lanka has taken limited meaningful and concrete action to uphold its human rights obligations. This jeopardizes progress on justice for affected populations, and prospects for peace and reconciliation.

Victims and survivors of gross human rights violations deserve justice. That is why Canada continues to call on Sri Lanka to fulfill its commitment to establish a meaningful accountability process.

These sanctions send a clear message that Canada will not accept continued impunity for those that have committed gross human rights violations in Sri Lanka.

Canada will continue to collaborate alongside international partners, including through relevant multilateral bodies to advocate for human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka, which is an important step toward securing a safe, peaceful and inclusive future for the country. Canada, as part of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council will continue to advocate for the full implementation of resolution 51/1 and support efforts towards attaining accountability and peace on the island.

Canada supports efforts towards urgent political and economic reforms to alleviate the hardships faced by the people in Sri Lanka. We strongly encourage the Sri Lankan government to promote democracy, human rights and maintain the rule of law as it works to address this crisis.

In addition to today’s announcement, and in response to the humanitarian crisis in Sri Lanka, Canada announced $3 million to the appeals launched by the United Nations and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to address immediate needs, including food security and livelihoods, shelter and non-food items, as well as nutritional assistance and primary healthcare services for vulnerable children and women. Canada has also readjusted ongoing international assistance projects to address pressing needs, providing support, for instance, to the World Health Organization for the procurement of essential medical equipment and supplies.

Quotes

“Over the past four decades, the people of Sri Lanka have suffered a great deal due to the armed conflict, economic and political instability, and gross violations of human rights.  Canada is steadfast in its support to attain peace, reconciliation, justice and accountability on the island.  Canada has taken decisive action today to end international impunity against violators of international law. Canada stands ready to support Sri Lanka’s path to peace, inclusion and prosperity through the advancement of accountability, reconciliation and human rights, including international assistance to address the domestic crisis.”

– Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

Quick facts

  • Canada regularly expresses concerns on issues related to accountability and the advancement of human rights with senior Sri Lankan officials.
  • Through support provided to various non-governmental organizations, Canada continues to help advance human rights in Sri Lanka, including in such areas as language rights and the rights of women and girls, among others.
  • Canada has been working closely with its like-minded partners, including as a member of the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the United Nations Human Rights Council since 2018, and will continue to do so. Canada is committed to continuing its collaboration and advocacy alongside our international partners.
  • Together with core group members, Canada is pleased to have led the adoption of the resolution on Sri Lanka at HRC Session 51 in September/October 2022 underscoring the ongoing international commitment to the advancement of meaningful progress on reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka.
  • Canada is closely monitoring the evolving humanitarian situation and has provided support to Sri Lanka to help address immediate food and medical needs.
  • Canadian assistance in Sri Lanka is helping to procure emergency medical supplies and medicines, and to provide nutritious school meals for vulnerable primary school children.

Indo-SL ODI begins amidst attempts to cut SLTV audience/ Indian fans

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Indo-SL ODI begins amidst attempts to cut SLTV audience/ Indian fans

Majority Sri Lanka and Indian Cricket fans have been deprived of the opportunity to watch the Indo–Lanka T20 ODI cricket series by Television rights mafia in Sri Lanka and sudden increase in the price of ticket to enter stadiums in India by increasing entertainment tax.

Sri Lankan television viewers have already lost the opportunity to watch the first two T20 matches free of charge due to unexpected action of blocking the transmission of Supreme TV, which acquired the right to broadcast it.

Although this blockade has been removed for the televising of the third T20, the mafia behind the sports broadcasting/ television rights for several years is still at work as it involves millions of rupees in deals with private TV channels.

Sri Lankan cricket fans had to pay to watch cricket matches on Dialog and PEO TV for many years, Supreme TV, which acquired the right to broadcast India-Sri Lanka cricket match series, has stepped in to broadcast it free of charge to local cricket fans

A sum of Rs.173 has been levied from a Dialog TV subscriber to watch a cricket match and in previous occasions collecting around Rs.200 million or more from all Sri Lankan cricket fans to to watch a match on Dialog TV.

The cricket match series, which commenced on January 3, included three T20Is and three ODIs.

Now the T 20 series has ended with a 2-1win for India and all Sri Lankans will have the opportunity to watch the India-Sri Lanka ODI free on Dialog TV (Channel 20), PEO TV (Channel 140) and Freesat (Channel 17).

They have the opportunity to watch ‘Supreme TV’ by tuning the television to UHF 47 (Islandwide), UHF 49 (Western), UHF 28 (Southern), UHF 56 (Sabaragamuwa) and UHF 32 (Karagathanna) from today.

Meanwhile Indian cricket lovers are shocked after hearing that ticket rates for the upcoming India-Sri Lanka ODI to be played are exorbitant at Barsapara Cricket Stadium Guwahati, India, commencing from 2pm onwards (Sri Lanka time).

Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has sparked off a huge controversy by saying that those who cannot afford it need not go to watch the match, Indian media reported.

The minister made the controversial remarks on Sunday when reporters asked him whether the government would consider withdrawing the alleged decision to hike the entertainment tax to be levied on the spectators.

Indian team has been strengthened with the return of their two senior player’s skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kholi and with the presence of these two players Indians have a strong batting line up to compete with Sri Lanka.

The crowd support and home advantage is an advantage for the Indians but Sri Lanka cannot be underestimated at this ODI series. Winning against India in India is not an easy task but our team is in good shape to battle with them said Sri Lanka Skipper Dasun Shanaka.

Sri Lanka most probably will include young spinner and all rounder Dunith Wellalage replacing Maheesh Theekshana while they are looking to strengthen their fast bowling department by adding an extra paceman, said senior cricket official.

Govt alleviates difficulties of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers

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Govt alleviates difficulties of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers

The Joint Association of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers with over 200,000 members says the Government has agreed to extend the grace period to pay due instalments.

“The discussion held with the Central Bank and the Finance Ministry was successful. It was agreed by both parties to extend the grace period on 31 December 2022 to pay loan instalments.

The directive relevant to the decision will be issued by the Central Bank soon. The move will provide great relief to all members of the association,” Joint Association of Leasing and Debt Instalment Payers General Secretary Asanka Ruwan Pothupitiya said.

He also revealed that the negotiations with the Finance Ministry to intervene in the non-compliant methods of acquiring vehicles by force were also successful, adding that they believe all these negotiations have been successful and the leasing and loan instalment payers can breathe a sigh of relief now.

Pothupitiya said as per complaints made against leasing companies over the seizure of vehicles by force, the Police have arrested a group who were involved in such activities and produced them to the court.

The association expressed their appreciation to the Inspector General of Police for punishing the wrongdoers as per the law.

Joint Association Media Secretary Sumedha Amarasinghe said all information and suggestions were shared with the Finance Ministry, the Central Bank, all line ministries and all line agencies highlighting the importance of loans, leasing, and insurance to the SMEs.

“The most special factor is that a very special proposal lobbied by our association regarding loans and leasing has been considered by the authorities.

It will be announced and implemented shortly. This was something these private institutions have kept on their hold, but now the authorities are taking measures to give it back to the hands of the people. This is a great breakthrough we achieved as an association, SMEs and the general public,” he added.

In June last year, the association called on the Government not to destroy the 52% of SMEs who contribute to the national economy, by trying to protect the cronies of the ministers and large corporations.

“Today, people are in dire straits as a reflection of the worst economic crisis with the high debt burden, skyrocketing cost of living, and all income-generating avenues being blocked. Yet, the large corporations are thriving as they continue to make profits from the crisis by stripping the middle-income earners or the majority of the population,” they added.

One of the major proposals they requested the Government last year was requesting the relevant authorities to amend the unfavourable Recovery of Loans by banks (Special Provisions) Act No. 4 of 1990, Debt Recovery (Special Provisions) Act No. 2 of 1990 and Finance Leasing Act No. 56 of 2000.

Sri Lanka Gemstone Company links with funding Al-Qaeda revealed.

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Sri Lanka Gemstone Company links with funding Al-Qaeda revealed.

A Sri Lankan gemstone company that was key to sanctioned terrorist facilitator Ahmed Luqman Talib’s revenue generation in support of Al-Qaeda, continued doing business after Talib was sanctioned and arrested, a research and data analytics company said.

Talib and a gemstone business that he owned in Australia were sanctioned by the U.S. Department of the Treasury in October 2020, an action followed by his arrest by Australian police in 2021 and the designation of two of his relatives and business associates more recently by the U.S. government in November 2022

A gemstone trading company based in Sri Lanka, was a key partner in Talib’s revenue generation to support Al-Qaeda, an elite research and data analytics company, Kharon, said.

The trading company shares an address in the south-west coast of Sri Lanka with Mohammed Haris Nizar, who is one of Talib’s relatives and business partners most recently sanctioned by the U.S. government on November 9.

In the fall of 2020, the gemstone trading company based in Sri Lanka shipped precious stones worth more than USD 100,000 to Talib and Sons Pty Ltd, the Australian gemstone company owned by Talib that was sanctioned in 2020, according to trade data reviewed by Kharon.

Talib’s and Nizar’s business dealings in Sri Lanka have generated nearly $200,000 per year in profit since 2018, and the majority of Talib’s income was derived from one-third of those proceeds, according to the Treasury.

Right Gems continued to ship products to customers in 2021 after Ahmed Talib and his company were sanctioned by the U.S. government.

The international trail of Talib’s Al-Qaeda facilitation network extends into South America. Al-Qaeda facilitator Ahmed Talib was also a managing partner of the Brazil-based company Ottoman Trade Caravan Importacao e Exportacao Ltda. in 2020, according to corporate data.

Another manager of Ottoman Trade Caravan is Kais Altabbaa, who simultaneously worked for Brazilian jewelry business Aisha Stones, which shares an address and telephone numbers with Ottoman Trade Caravan.

Altabbaa himself sold and shipped repeated small amounts of rough gemstones to Right Gems in December 2020, according to trade data reviewed by Kharon.

Public servants’ salaries in crisis – SAMURDHI allowance delayed

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Public servants’ salaries in crisis – SAMURDHI allowance delayed

The General Treasury has faced a financial crisis in 2023 worse than expected, President Ranil Wickremesinghe informed the Cabinet.

Commenting on the scenario at today’s (10) Cabinet briefing, Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena said the settling of public servants’ salaries and SAMURDHI allowance may also face a delay by a week or two.

He noted that the amount of revenue that can be collected via taxes has greatly reduced at the beginning of 2023 due to the contraction of the economy in 2022, and that the General Treasury does not possess any sufficient income for the day-to-day running of public servants’ salaries, retirement payments, interest paid for government loans, and other welfare expenses.

In the backdrop, the payment of government employees’ salaries at the end of every month has become a problem, he revealed.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has been informed to slash five per cent of the budget allocated for each ministry, Gunawardena went on, adding that the President has informed the Cabinet that payment of SAMURDHI allowance may be dragged in by a short period of time due to the difficulties faced in January for salary settlements.

MIAP

Changing The Role Of The Opposition – A Truth Omitted By Many

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Changing The Role Of The Opposition – A Truth Omitted By Many

In a country where the Political Opposition so conveniently is typical in its resorting to criticism over whatever the move made by the Government and seizing of power in the first successful attempt, it would be an undeniable fact that Sri Lanka’s Opposition’s role has taken an all-new course when Mr. Sajith Premadasa took office as the Leader of the Opposition. His work during the last three years has proven it on an overwhelming scale, dragging away the image of the Opposition from the so called double-games and ‘mansion-conspiracies.’  

The Office of the Leader of the Opposition at No 30, Marcus Fernando Road, Colombo, a building known for the longest time for holding political deals, commissions, a safehouse and a getaway point for the Opposition and the Ruling Party alike inside its walls, which political leaders like Wickremesinghe and Rajapaksa are witnesses to, had a major setting change, when Premadasa took office.

The common phrase chanted by the Opposition political parties in Sri Lanka over and over again demanding power claims that they are the ‘best’ in solving the problems facing the country and therefore, should be elected. In other words, they imply that they should be given the authority to regulate our tax money and that they need them to save themselves while saving us some. Power in their perspective is seen as a wand that can conjure magic, hence the endless promises made during public rallies.

However, state power is not a mandatory requirement to serve the people, nor is it impossible to serve them in your best capacity despite being the Opposition. Are your operations being handled with transparency and accuracy, and of goodwill, allocating funds for your purpose will not be difficult either.

This is something Sajith Premadasa has proven over the preceding three years.

Premadasa introduced the ‘Samagi Balawegayen Husmak’ initiative at a time when the citizens of Sri Lanka were vulnerable amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic. Arrangements were made to provide a large amount of medical equipment to government hospitals in a number of areas. His initiative continued post Covid, and among the medical equipment he had donated were blood filtering machines required by many hospitals in areas where renal diseases are common. Needless to say, that his initiative may have contributed to saving thousands of lives.

Then he initiated ‘Sakwala,’ a programme to eliminate the disparities in the Sri Lankan School System, where the schools are largely divided as ‘popular’ schools and ‘difficult’ schools, by speed-running a comprehensive digital classroom facility across many schools, at a cost of about Rs. 850,000 each. His programme then branched itself to donating buses to schools for the transportation needs of school children, which is currently underway, at a cost of about Rs. 05 million each. So far, buses have been donated to 67 schools in different parts of the island.

The willingness to serve the people as demonstrated by Premadasa over the years has changed the course of the Opposition, regardless of criticism along the way. The political strategies and ideologies may differ from one another, but the political parties in the Opposition have to understand that ‘power’ is no longer a necessity to accomplish a goal that benefits the public. Having Premadasa’s example already in motion, any future Opposition may simply not be able to brag about their ‘goodwill to serve’, because now the people know that anyone with willingness to step in will step in anyway. Because Sajith could, why cannot others? People will soon question.

Being ridiculed, Premadasa still managed to change the history of Sri Lanka by altering the Role of the Opposition. Sajith Premadasa, on all accounts, is the political leader who gave the Opposition a meaning..

*Adapted from original Sinhala article “විපක්ෂ නායක භූමිකාව වෙනස් කළ සජිත් ප්‍රේමදාස …” by Darshana Weerasinghe published on 10/01/2023

SL’s trade deficit contracts in Nov. 2022 despite decline in export earnings

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SL’s trade deficit contracts in Nov. 2022 despite decline in export earnings

Sri Lanka’s trade deficit shrank to US$ 450 million in November 2022 from $553 million in the corresponding month of the previous year, Central Bank’s external sector performance report revealed.

However, the merchandise trade deficit has shown a tendency to widen on a month-on-month basis since recording a surplus in June 2022.

The cumulative deficit in the trade account during January November 2022 recorded at US $ 4,839 million, a decline from $ 7,054 million recorded over the same period in 2021.

Earnings from merchandise exports declined by 17.9 per cent in November 2022, over November 2021, to $ 994 million, recording a slight decline for the third consecutive month, on a month-on-month basis.

While declines in earnings were observed across all main categories, industrial exports mainly contributed to the contraction in earnings.

However, cumulative export earnings during January-November 2022 increased by 6.0 per cent over the same period in the last year to $ 12,026 million, which was mainly driven by a 9.4 per cent improvement in industrial exports amidst a decline in agricultural and mineral exports

Expenditure on merchandise imports declined by 18.1 per cent in November 2022 to $1,445 million, compared to $ 1,765 million in November 2021.

The decline in expenditure on investment goods mainly contributed to the decline in import expenditure in November 2022.

However, merchandise imports in November 2022 increased for the second consecutive month, on a month-on-month basis, indicating the impact of recent measures to relax some import restriction measures and seasonal demand for imports.

Meanwhile, cumulative import expenditure from January to November 2022 amounted to $16,865 million, compared to $ 18,396 million recorded in the corresponding period in 2021.

Sri Lanka has high levels of imports and a trade deficit mostly due to inflows from government borrowings and in times of crisis when the central bank prints money (sterilizes interventions) after using reserves for imports.

In Sri Lanka, there is a strong belief that foreign reserves can be used for imports so that mainly the private sector can ‘live beyond its means’ on the reserves, with credit driven by sterilized interventions.

Sri Lanka has high levels of imports and a trade deficit mostly due to inflows from government borrowings and in times of crisis when the central bank prints money (sterilizes interventions) after using reserves for imports.

In Sri Lanka, there is a strong belief that foreign reserves can be used for imports so that mainly the private sector can ‘live beyond its means’ on the reserves, with credit driven by sterilized interventions.

Importing fuel on credit is another method used by policymakers and mercantilists to boost imports and widen the current account deficit (a type of so-called ‘bridging finance’, another living beyond the means tactic) after money printing creates forex shortages.

Sri Lanka defaulted on its debt in April 2022 and is now set to negotiate with creditors.

Sri Lanka’s central bank has allowed rates to go up and the economic activity has been smashed to resurrect a flexible exchange rate, which lost credibility and collapsed after two years of money printing and surrender.

Government allay public fears of unbearable electricity tariff hike

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Government allay public fears of unbearable electricity tariff hike

Following the Indo-Lanka plan of setting up a power transmission link between the two neighbours and, the government is to go all out to implement a cost -reflective Electricity Tariff Formula based on which the tariff will be increased or decreased.

The opposition outcry and the Public Utilities Commission of Sri Lanka (PUCSL) pre warnings of blocking any new traffic increase had become empty words as a result of the Cabinet approval to an electricity tariff formula one of the needs at present.

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera confirmed that Cabinet approval was granted to amend the general policy guidelines for the electricity industry and to implement a cost reflective electricity tariff to be implemented from January 2023.

In the wake of this move, India and Sri Lanka plan bilateral talks at the “highest level” for setting up a power transmission link between the two neighbours, official sources said.

Public sector transmission major Power Grid Corporation of India has already prepared a preliminary report for the proposed project, they said.

Meanwhile the sixth shipment of 60,000 metric tons of coal out of 19 shipments ordered from South Africa arrived in the country last Friday making the third power plant of the Norochcholai power station operational

This has negated the pre-warning of the engineers’ union of the Ceylon Electricity Board warned of further power cuts of up to 10 hours a day in January.

According to the subject minister Kanchana Wijesekera, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) estimates a cost of Rs. 56.90 per unit of electricity if consumers are to experience an uninterrupted power supply. However, the current average tariff is at Rs.29.14 and the deficit is estimated at Rs. 423.5 billion.

The power demand estimated by CEB is 14920 GwH and is marginally lower than 2021 (15,200 GwH). But after the electricity tariff hike there has been a drop in demand during the last three months.

According to Global assumptions a 100 percent increase in tariff will lead to a 8-10 percent reduction in consumption.

Industrial energy use has dropped by 15 percent and this is unhealthy for the economy as it is leading to an economic contraction. The next tariff hike will further depress the demand, several energy experts opined.

An overly large tariff increase can further depress the economy by contracting purchasing power of people and businesses, making exports uncompetitive and driving businesses to closure.

It has also been noted that the recent tariff increase of approximately 75 percent has resulted in approximately 7% drop in the demand.

The 2023 tariff increase will also reduce consumption, but since elasticity is not 100 percent, the demand will be at a lower rate.

The CEB has shown that electricity demand reduces during contractions of the Sri Lankan economy. But according to the IMF and the World Bank, the economy is expected to contract to over 4 percent in 2023.

The tax increase in 2023 will also reduce the disposable income of a large number of Sri Lankans, forcing a reduction in the demand.

Police say no breakthrough into Dinesh Schaffter’s death yet

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Police say no breakthrough into Dinesh Schaffter’s death yet

The death of businessman Dinesh Schaffter has neither been ruled nor reported as suicide, Police said.

Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa stressed that further investigations are underway and no breakthrough has been made yet.

As of now, statements have been recorded from about 175 persons and about 14 items taken as evidence have been forwarded to the Government Analyst, he added.

In addition, phone analyses, bank records and documents pending obtainment are being collected and investigations are being conducted via other data as well, Thalduwa said.

The Police Spokesman noted that probes are being carried out to locate direct evidence and no ruling has been made whether this was a suicide, a homicide or something else, adding that no suspect has been identified so far.

MIAP

Five persons including a Police OIC arrested over ATM scam

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Five persons including a Police OIC arrested over ATM scam

Five persons including an Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of Police and two foreigners have been arrested in connection with an ATM fraud of over Rs. 10 million.

Among the arrestees are two Bulgarian nationals, one of whom is of Canadian citizenship, and the OIC of Meegahathenna Police Control Division.

The two foreign nationals were seized at a luxury apartment in Colombo and the Police OIC, in Amugoda, Pitigala.

The Computer Crimes Division of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) is conducting further investigations into the case.

MIAP

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