On the 14^th of May 2022, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Viet Nam carried out the Vesak Day Blessing Ceremony of 2022, in collaboration with Bai Dinh Pagoda in the Ninh Binh Province of Viet Nam, Linea Aqua Viet Nam Co. Ltd, and Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA Campus) in Pallekele, Kundasale.

The event commenced with a traditional Pooja to the Lord Buddha, which was followed by blessings led by Most Ven. Thich Minh Quan, Chief Monk of Bai Dinh Pagoda, and other resident Monks of the Pagoda. A pre-recorded sermon conducted by Ven. Viharagala Pannaloka Thero, Lecturer of SIBA Campus, was also relayed to the congregation.

Addressing the worshippers, Most Ven. Thich Minh Quan expressed his profound gratitude to the Embassy for organizing the event at Bai Dinh Pagoda for the first time. Most Ven. Quan recognized the contributions of Sri Lanka to preserving and propagating Buddhism, of which he was also a beneficiary. He blessed Sri Lanka and its people and prayed for the good health and happiness of the peoples of Viet Nam and Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Prasanna Gamage acknowledged the dedicated support extended by Bai Dinh Pagoda in making the event a success. During his remarks, the Ambassador emphasized the importance of the teachings of the Lord Buddha to the modern world – in particular, the principle of impermanence and its relevance to human life.

On behalf of the Monks and the Management Committee, Most Ven. Thich Minh Quan and Mr. Nguyen Van Truong, the lay custodian of Bai Dinh Pagoda, donated a sum of USD 20,000/- as a contribution to the economic relief efforts in Sri Lanka.

A dansal was also organized on the Pagoda premises, which was a novel experience for the more than 300 Vietnamese Buddhist worshippers who gathered at the Pagoda. Mr. Sanjaya Lakpathirana, Director, Linea Aqua Viet Nam Co. Ltd., and the staff generously contributed to the dansal.

Embassy of Sri Lanka

Ha Noi

Viet Nam

17 May 2022

The All Ceylon Bakery Owners’ Association states that a company that imports wheat flour has taken steps to increase the price of a kilogram of wheat flour by another 35 rupees.

The Chairman of the All Ceylon Bakery, N.K. Jayawardena stated that wheat flour is imported by only two companies and one of them has increased the price yesterday (17).

Accordingly, the wholesale price of a 50 kg bundle of wheat flour has now risen to Rs. 12,500 and some time ago it was below Rs. 4,000.

The European Union (EU) has granted Rs 60 million to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)  to disburse among Covid-19 affected small tourism businesses in  the island.   

The Delegation of the European Union inSri Lanka (EU) and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) recently awarded the first three grants – worth Rs.1 million each – to small tourism enterprises to help them accelerate their post COVID-19 recovery and build a stronger base for growth as tourists start returning to the country. 

Grants will be disbursed to up to 60 small and medium enterprises (SMEs) over the next two months, under the EU-funded ‘Tourism Resilience Project’ (TRP), the EU said.

The tourism industry has been gradually emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic, but is now being affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and by the ongoing crisis in the country. Many SMEs have been slow to recommence their businesses due to a lack of funding.

EU Ambassador in Sri Lanka, Denis Chaibi speaking at the event to hand over the first grants said: “Small enterprises in the tourism sector were hit the hardest by the pandemic and needed support on multiple fronts, including grant funding. 

The current difficult situation in the country and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is pushing local tourism industry yet into another phase of uncertainty. 

Therefore, the EU is working together with the SLTDA to put in place a series of activities for businesses to reestablish their operations in the short term and build a stronger base for the future growth. 

This includes access to finance, business incubation, and supply chain integration to help build a more resilient, sustainable, and safety conscious industry”.

SLTDA Chairperson Kimarli Fernando said: “There are over 550,000 people, directly and indirectly, engaged in the tourism industry—most of them working in SMEs and over 3 million dependent on tourism. 

The EU  took a proactive approach from the start of the pandemic by putting in place measures to mitigate the challenges faced by the industry. 

It has supported Sri Lanka in this process, helping jointly develop a wider programme to build resilience in the industry and support the development of authentic signature experiences.”

Over 280 grant applications were received from tourism SMEs across the country and were subject to a multi-level screening process, before being shortlisted for the funding. 

Several criteria were put in place to qualify, including the size of the business, the number of employees, and their plan to regrow their businesses and retain staff. SMEs were also evaluated on their commitment to environmental sustainability.

The grants are part of the EU’s 5.7 million euro (Rs.1.3 billion) investment in support of Sri Lanka’s tourism recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Tourism Resilience Project (TRP) is one of the interventions under this larger EU’s support package. Workforce and enterprise capacity-building projects are key components of the TRP project to ensure staff retention and attract back lost talent, upskilling, and foster a start-up culture in existing and new tourism destinations in the island

The Sri Lanka High Commission in Maldives organised a blood donation programme today (14.05.2022) to mark the auspicious day of Vesak.

The programme was the first ever blood donation initiative, undertaken by the Sri Lanka Mission with the active support and participation of the Sri Lankan  community and was sponsored by  SriLankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon.

The one day blood donation programme was conducted at the Maldives Blood Services (Thalassemia Centre) in the Maldivian capital, Malé under the   distinguished patronage of the Minister of State for Health of Maldives,  Dr. Shah Abdulla Mahir and with the participation of the Mission staff, the Country Manager of SriLankan Airlines, Mr. Fawzan Fareid, the Country Manager of Bank of Ceylon, Mr. Govinda Arampath and members of the Sri Lankan community.

Speaking at the inauguration of the programme,  the Maldivian State Minister of Health, Dr. Mahir conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Maldivian government  to the  Sri Lanka High Commission and the Sri Lankan community in Maldives  for this noble endevour in organising a blood donation programme. 

He highlighted the fact that there is an acute need for blood, not only for surgeries in hospitals but also for the considerable number of Thalassemia patients, who require regular blood transfusions, which is a matter of survival for them.

Delivering the welcome remarks,  the Sri Lanka High Commissioner, A.M.J. Sadiq thanked State Minister Dr. Mahir for his presence and patronage of the blood donation programme at short notice and stated that the event had been organised as a gesture of goodwill and friendship by the Sri Lankan community towards the Maldivian people.  He thanked the members of the Sri Lankan community and well-wishers who had volunteered  to donate blood on the occasion to mark Vesak, signifying the Birth, Enlightment and Passing away (Nirvana) of Lord Buddha.  He also thanked the Country Managers of SriLankan Airlines and Bank of Ceylon, Malé, for their sponsorship of the programme.  The two Country Managers in their brief remarks, pledged their continued support to the Sri Lanka High Commission in all future community related activities too. 

The event was a resounding success and had to be extended beyond the scheduled closing time to accommodate the 65 volunteers who  donated blood, far  in excess of the 40 volunteers  who had signed up for the programme.

Sri Lanka High Commission

Malé

Maldives

17 May, 2022

The International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)and the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales (BHRC) have issued an open letter to United Kingdom Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, in support of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) urging Sri Lankan authorities to commence ‘an open and genuine dialogue with peaceful protesters, human rights defenders and civil society’ to promote the rule of law as the economic crisis and unrest deepens in Sri Lanka.

Reports indicate that to date nine people have been killed and more than 200 people have been injured in Sri Lanka during anti-government protests.

The below letter calls on the UK Government to defend human rights and democracy in Sri Lanka.

Dear Foreign Secretary,

We are writing on behalf of the Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales (BHRC) and the International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI) to raise our concerns about the serious threat to human rights and the rule of law in Sri Lanka, to raise awareness as necessary and seek an inter-governmental response. [1]

Since gaining independence in 1948 Sri Lanka and Britain have maintained strong ties and mutual respect. Britain’s diplomatic and political intervention at this most troubling of times is needed urgently. Mass protests by the public are intensifying and calls are being made for the resignations of both the President and the Prime Minister, and indeed, there is a breakdown of confidence in the leadership being provided by Parliament as a whole.

Britain must send a firm message defending democracy, human rights and openness, and supporting those working towards those objectives. The Sri Lankan government must be urged to commence an open and genuine dialogue with peaceful protesters, human rights defenders and civil society on political reforms. There is strong evidence that Sri Lanka is not currently a functioning democracy. [2]

We draw your attention to the following in particular:

On 23 April 2022, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) took the highly unusual step of publishing a detailed and far-reaching blueprint for restoring political and economic stability in the country [3]. In doing so they have highlighted the intense cost of living crisis and shortages of essential goods. The extensive nature of the proposals, including a timetable for a caretaker government to oversee elections, illustrates the desperate situation that prevails in Sri Lanka. [4] We are most concerned to note what is referred to as ‘the lack of meaningful Parliamentary oversight over the Executive especially after the enactment of the 20th amendment to the Constitution, allegations of lack of accountability and transparency and the perception of the existence of rampant corruption [that] have led to the present political unrest.’

BASL identifies the importance of strengthening institutions and their independence from political interference and that people are demanding a ‘system change’, a ‘just and equitable governance through strong, independent institutions; constitutional safeguards and appropriate laws and regulations to eradicate corruption and nepotism’ to promote the rule of law.

Parliament enacted the 20th amendment to the Constitution on 22 October 2020. It ‘changes the balance of power among the different branches of Government, vastly expanding the scope of presidential and executive powers and reversing many democratic gains’ [5] introduced by the 19th. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) has expressed concern that this amendment ‘fundamentally eroded the independence of key commissions and institutions, including the Human Rights Commission, the Election Commission, the National Police Commission and the judiciary, in terms of procedure for the selection, appointment and dismissal of senior judges and other high-ranking officials.’

In November 2021, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) recommended that the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka be downgraded from A to B status for lack of a transparent and independent appointment process, lack of plurality and diversity, and its failure to effectively and independently exercise its human rights mandate. [6]

BASL proposes that there must be immediate constitutional amendment by repealing the 20th amendment and restoring the 19thamendment in order to re-establish the Constitutional Council and Independent Commissions that existed under that amendment.

BHRC has also received credible reports of human rights violations by the police against protesters.

On 31 March 2022 hundreds of people gathered in front of the President’s residence, demanding his resignation over his handling of the crisis. Security forces responded by firing teargas and water cannon to disperse the crowd. Ensuing clashes left 50 people injured. UN experts have condemned the use of such measures which seem ‘aimed at discouraging or preventing peaceful protests’. They urged the government to allow students, human rights defenders and others to protest peacefully, and share their views online and offline. [7]

On 19 April 2022 the police shot at unarmed protesters, killing one and injuring others. Evidence given at inquest proceedings has been shared with BHRC by a senior lawyer (Presidential Counsel) and former Chair of BASL, who is acting for the victims of this incident. His account makes for alarming reading. Eyewitness evidence is that the deceased was shot by a police officer in the stomach from a range of 10 metres following instructions from a senior police officer. This was denied by the police.

On 27 April 2022 the magistrate in charge of the inquest concluded that the death of the protester was homicide. She has also ordered that the suspects be arrested and produced at court. She has made a raft of orders securing evidence.

On 24 April BASL issued a statement noting the heavy police presence at a further protest in Colombo. Barricades fitted with spikes have been used raising concerns about injuries to citizens. BASL call upon the Government and the IGP and all police officers and armed forces to act with restraint: ‘They are duty bound to ensure the safety of the protesters and the public and the right of people to dissent in a peaceful manner and also the freedom of movement of the citizen.’

Sri Lanka has been the repeated focus of severe criticism by the UNHCHR and leading NGOs for its lack of accountability for past human rights violations and the adequacy of domestic mechanisms for addressing the same.[8] On 25 February 2022 the UNHCHR issued a further critical report on Sri Lanka documenting an alarming decline in human rights. BASL has additionally proposed a number of steps to deal with the substance of these criticisms.

We look forward to hearing from you on the steps being taken by the British Government to respond to the serious break down of Parliamentary process, the rule of law and human rights violations in Sri Lanka. We would be happy to arrange a meeting between you, and your official, and members of the BHRC and IBAHRI, as appropriate, for a private discussion on these issues.

[1] Please note this is a public letter and will be published on our website.

[2] On 7 April 2022 the Bar Association of Sri Lanka issued a statement raising serious governance issues within Parliament (Government and Opposition) which were obstructing proper responses to the intensifying crisis including food shortages and power outages. The Opposition finally moved for a vote of no-confidence in Parliament on 6 May 2022 which failed to garner the majority vote needed to succeed.

[3] On 25 March 2022 BASL filed two fundamental rights applications in the Supreme Court as ‘People of Sri Lanka’ seeking remedial orders from the Court citing the right to equality, equal protection of the law and the right to life under the Constitution, and the real and grave threat to law and order, and the rule of law.

[4] On 19 April 2022 a group styling themselves ‘Direction Sri Lanka, Independent Professionals for the Nation’ issued a statement with proposals in view of the escalating situation leading to a potential breakdown in the rule of law and a state of anarchy, and immediate action to be taken within the Constitution including the resignation of the President, and Prime Minister.

[5] Para 24, Report of the UNHCHR Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, OHCHR Report February 2021, A HRC/46/20

[6] GANHRI Sub-Committee on Accreditation Report – October 2021, December 2021, page 31 www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/NHRI/GANHRI/SCA-Report-October-2021_E.pdf.

[7] https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/04/1115942

[8] BHRC and IBAHRI issued a joint statement on 5 March 2021 [https://barhumanrights.org.uk/sri-lanka-accountability-for-past-human-rights-violations-and-adequacy-of-domestic-mechanisms/] setting out our concerns.

Stephen Cragg QC

Chair, Bar Human Rights Committee of England & Wales

Baroness Helena Kennedy QC

Director, International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)

END OF THE LETTER