Cabinet Spokesman, Minister Ramesh Pathirana says that the cabinet has decided to reduce and then stop the import of rice gradually.
“There was a long discussion regarding the purchase of paddy. The Minister of Agriculture Mahinda Amaraweera presented his views. It is a clear fact that in some places the farmers are getting less money than what they were hoping to buy from the government and because of that, there has been an uncomfortable situation among them. Several decisions were discussed there. Especially the matter of buying rice through Sathosa and selling it through Sathosa stores. The second thing is that due to the fear that there will be a shortage in the country’s food reserves, we have imported some amount of rice from abroad. We also decided to gradually reduce and stop importing that amount of rice. The Paddy Marketing Board has once again asked the banks for funds. A problem has also arisen regarding the credit limit of the banks. Those matters are also discussed again in the sub-committee on the cost of living. We will be able to solve the problem of the farmers by providing a quick solution.”
Mr. Ramesh Pathirana said this while addressing the press conference to inform the cabinet decisions held yesterday (13).
The Minister of State for Tourism Diana Gamage says that she has many plans to generate more dollar income for the country through the tourism industry and she hopes to implement them.
State Minister Diana Gamage said this while speaking to the media after assuming office yesterday (13).
Yesterday (13) the Court of Appeal ordered that the decision on whether or not to issue summons to State Minister Sanath Nishantha, who is accused of contempt of court, will be announced on September 29.
Two petitions filed against Sanath Nishantha, Bandula Karunaratne and Gurusinghe was summoned before the panel of judges.
These petitions have been filed by two lawyers alleging that Sanath Nishantha has insulted the court by a statement he made in a recent press conference regarding the granting of bail to the activists.
Statement by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka at the 51st Regular Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva on 12 September 2022
Mr. President,
Madam Acting High Commissioner,
Excellencies,
At the outset, on behalf of our Government, I reiterate our unwavering commitment towards advancing, securing and protecting the human rights of our people, and continuing our engagement with the Council in a spirit of cooperation and dialogue. In keeping with our commitment, notwithstanding our categorical rejection of resolution 46/1, we have submitted Sri Lanka’s detailed written response to the High Commissioner’s Report. We have requested that Sri Lanka’s Comments be placed as an Addendum to the Report, to accord with best practices.
Mr. President,
We remain cognizant of and acutely sensitive to the events that have taken place in the recent past. The severe economic crisis emanating from factors both internal and external offer many lessons for all of us. We recall in this context the indivisibility of human rights, as enshrined in the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action. The Government is extremely sensitive to the socio-economic hardships faced by our people, and has initiated immediate multi-pronged measures to address the challenges and to ensure their wellbeing through the provision of supplies essential to the life of the community. A staff level agreement has been reached with the International Monetary Fund, and discussions on debt restructuring are in progress. The Government is in dialogue with UN agencies as well as bilateral partners to protect the most vulnerable from the adverse impacts of the crisis. In spite of multiple challenges, Sri Lanka would endeavour to remain on course in meeting the goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The recent changes that have taken place bear testimony to our continued commitment to upholding our longstanding democratic principles and norms. The constitutional rights to peaceful assembly and expression guaranteed the democratic space for our people to exercise their rights. In this regard, transgressions of the law resulting in criminal and unlawful activity were addressed in accord with the law and the Constitution, in circumstances where such freedoms were abused by elements with vested interests to achieve undemocratic political ends.
Mr. President,
Notwithstanding the severe constraints and challenges, Sri Lanka remains firmly committed to pursuing tangible progress in the protection of human rights and reconcilation through independent domestic institutions.
Sri Lanka along with several Members of this Council have opposed resolution 46/1, fundamentally disagreeing with its legitimacy and objectives. We have consistently highlighted that the content of the resolution, its operative paragraph 06 in particular, violates the sovereignty of the people of Sri Lanka and the principles of the UN Charter. Once again, we are compelled to categorically reject any follow-up measures to the resolution, as well as the related recommendations and conclusions by the High Commissioner.
Mr. President,
It is observed that the High Commissioner’s report makes extensive reference to “economic crimes”. Apart from the ambiguity of the term, it is a matter of concern that such reference exceeds the mandate of the OHCHR. In this context, we recall the paramount importance of adhering to UNGA resolutions 60/251, 48/141 and the IB package.
Notwithstanding, Sri Lanka has continued to brief the Council on the comprehensive legal framework that is being established to further strengthen governance and combat corruption. The proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution introduces several salient changes which would strengthen democratic governance and independent oversight of key institutions, as well as public scrutiny, participation in governance, and combating corruption including the constitutional recognition of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). This will include, inter alia, the composition of the Constitutional Council, and the reintroduction of the National Procurement Commission and the Audit Service Commission. The proposed legal framework will also strengthen the asset declaration system, protect the rights of whistle blowers, and increase the independence of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption. A proposal to establish a system similar to an Inspector General tasked with overseeing government expenses by detecting and preventing fraud, waste and abuse in public institutions, is under consideration.
Mr. President,
Measures aimed at promoting domestic reconciliation and human rights, if they are to be meaningful and sustainable, must be based on cooperation with the country concerned, be compatible with the aspirations of its people, and be consonant with its basic legal framework. The international community is aware that unconstitutional and intrusive external initiatives have repeatedly failed to yield meaningful results on the ground, and are in effect an unproductive drain on member state resources.
The Government would endeavour to establish a credible truth-seeking mechanism within the framework of the Constitution. The contours of such a model that would suit the particular conditions of Sri Lanka are under discussion.
The recommendations of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry on “Appraisal of the Findings of Previous Commissions and Committees and the Way Forward” have, inter alia, resulted in the establishment of an Advisory Board under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), progressive amendments to the PTA, and the release of detainees. Further recommendations are awaited.
As we delivered on the onerous task of review and reform of the PTA this year, to further enhance human rights, we will replace the PTA with a more comprehensive national security legislation in accordance with international best practices.
The recent delisting of groups and individuals will provide further impetus for constructive dialogue.
The independent statutory bodies established to advance the rights of victims and their families, and to provide reparations, continue to vigourously execute their respective mandates.
The Office on Missing Persons (OMP) has commenced the process of inquiry and verification, set up separate units on Tracing and Victim and Family Support, and acts as an Observer on relevant judicial proceedings.
Despite economic constraints, the Office for Reparations (OR) continues to deliver on its mandate, and the recently adopted National Reparations Policy and Guidelines have expanded the work of the Office beyond monetary compensation, to other forms of support.
The necessary support and resources to strengthen the functioning of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), continue to be provided.
The outreach to overseas Sri Lankans encompassing all communities and generations will be expanded through the establishment of an Office for Overseas Sri Lankans, thus facilitating more vigourous engagement.
Mr. President,
As recognized in the Universal Declaration, human rights are interdependent, interrelated and indivisible. In upholding human rights, we have benefitted from the considerable expertise available with other countries as well as the United Nations. We will seek further advice and support on best practices as we proceed, and as deemed necessary.
We will continue our cooperation with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms. Sri Lanka is party to the 9 core Human Rights Conventions, and has maintained regular and constructive engagement with the UN Treaty Bodies. We have extended a standing invitation to all UN thematic Special Procedures mandate holders to visit Sri Lanka, and facilitated a high number of visits in the recent past. We look forward to constructive engagement with the Council through the Universal Periodic Review process. We have delivered on our commitments at the UPR, and will proactively engage in the upcoming UPR fourth cycle.
We have facilitated two visits by the Office of the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in May and August this year, and provided unimpeded access. The visits provided the officials of the OHCHR with the opportunity to engage with a range of stakeholders, and witness progress.
Mr. President,
It is 13 years since the end of the conflict in Sri Lanka, and since then a new generation has emerged with their own aspirations. While issues of reconciliation and accountability are being comprehensively addressed through a domestic process, it is time to reflect realistically on the trajectory of this resolution which has continued on the agenda of the Council for over a decade, and undertake a realistic assessment on whether it has benefited the people of Sri Lanka. There is a need to acknowledge actual progress on the ground and support Sri Lanka.
The current challenges, though formidable, have provided us with a unique opportunity to work towards institutional change for the betterment of our people. Sri Lanka appreciates the solidarity and support extended by our friends and partners during this challenging time. In a message of unity and reconciliation, President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his inaugural address to Parliament said “if we come together, we will be able to invigorate the nation”.
Mr. President,
Through many a challenge, the people of Sri Lanka have remained steadfast and resilient while upholding their democratic values as one of Asia’s oldest democracies. We are not hesitant to acknowledge our challenges and forge ahead with renewed vigour. While our immediate concern is economic recovery, advancing the human rights of our people is of equal priority. We look to the genuine support and understanding of this Council, as we proceed on this path.
A meeting called in by the Working Committee on Parliamentary Affairs is set to be held tomorrow (14) under the patronage of Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena.
Many committees including the Parliamentary Committee on Public Businesses and the Working Committee on Public Accounts are yet to be established and the matter will be discussed as the Party Leaders’ meeting tomorrow.
In addition, a decision on the manner in which the parliament sittings ought to be convened next week will also be made tomorrow.
The Opposition recently requested Parliament to table the staff-level agreement reached with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and Chief Opposition Whip, SJB MP Lakshman Kiriella said they will propose that a debate be given on the said agreement in Parliament at the Party Leaders’ meeting tomorrow.
Parliament will be convened on September 20 and the sittings are expected to continue till the 23rd.
In recent years, China has shelled out tens of billions in opaque “emergency loans” for at-risk nations, indicating a shift to providing short-term emergency lending rather than longer-term infrastructure loans.
Since 2017, Beijing has given a collective $32.8 billion in emergency loans to Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Argentina, according to AidData, a research lab at William & Mary University that focuses on China’s global financing activities.
China has also offered emergency loans to Eastern European nations Ukraine and Belarus; South American countries Venezuela and Ecuador; African nations Kenya and Angola; alongside Laos, Egypt, and Mongolia. Chinese overseas lending and credit relationships remain “exceptionally opaque,” according to World Bank researchers. “Chinese lenders require strict confidentiality from their debtors and do not release a granular breakdown of their lending,” they wrote.
But researchers have found that the bulk of China’s overseas lending—around 60%—is now to low-income countries that are currently mired in debt distress, or at high risk of it. Beijing’s pivot to short-term rescue lending highlights its growing role as an emergency lender of last resort, rendering it an alternative to the Western-backed International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Experts are concerned about what comes next, as many of the nations that took loans from China are facing an extraordinary debt crunch amid an era of inflation and climate change. For instance, a Pakistani official said just last week that the epic flooding that covered most of the South Asian country will cost upwards of $10 billion.
Secret loans
Beijing’s emergency lending for at-risk nations has been aimed at averting defaults on infrastructure loans it gave through the BRI, according to a Financial Times report.
“Beijing has tried to keep these countries afloat by providing emergency loan after emergency loan without asking its borrowers to restore economic policy discipline or pursue debt relief through a coordinated restructuring process with all major creditors,” Bradley Parks, AidData executive director, told the FT.
Emerging economies across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East have struggled with repaying their BRI loans. The COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s war on Ukraine exacerbated these nations’ food and fuel shortages and their balance of payments crises. Nearly 70% of the world’s poorest countries will dole out $52.8 billion this year to repay debts, with more than a quarter of that amount flowing to China.
This means that China has become the most important official player in global sovereign debt renegotiations, World Bank researchers say. But as Chinese lenders require strict confidentiality from their debtors and do not release a granular breakdown of their lending, there’s a yawning knowledge gap on what happens to Chinese claims in the event of debt distress and default, they wrote.
IMF alternative
Gabriel Sterne, a former IMF economist and current head of global emerging markets and strategy research at Oxford Economics, told the FT that China’s emergency lending merely “postpones the day of reckoning” for debt-distressed nations that may be seeking out Chinese loans and avoiding the IMF, the latter of which “demands painful reform.”
In the past couple of weeks, both China and the IMF have inked, or moved closer to, bailout agreements for Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and other nations. Beijing, meanwhile, has pledged to forgive 23 interest-free loans to 17 African nations, and will redirect $10 billion of its IMF reserves to the continent.
There are now signs that the IMF is pushing for full transparency from vulnerable nations in order to receive funding. AidData’s Parks told the South China Morning Post last month that the IMF is pressuring borrowers to disclose their BRI loan contract details.
The IMF has “zeroed in on cash collateral clauses in BRI loan contracts that give China a first priority claim on foreign exchange in borrower countries,” Parks said.
Some countries are already abiding by the tougher loan conditions. Pakistan, for instance, has “shared details with the IMF…in consultation with the Chinese side,” Muhammad Faisal, a research fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad, told the SCMP.
Still, World Bank researchers predict that China’s appetite for overseas financing, lending, and debt relief is set to decline as Chinese lenders face pressure at home and abroad. Emerging economies are at risk of a “sudden stop” in Chinese lending, which could have “substantial” ripple effects worldwide.
Black Sand Commodities who was awarded the controversial 4.5 million metric tons coal tender worth of 1500 million USD failed in submitting the performance bond before the due date, which was 7th September 22. Accordingly, the award will be annulled and LCC will have to claim the bid bond. Tender document specifically states that “Failure of the successful bidder to comply with the requirement of submitting performance security constitutes sufficient grounds for the annulment of the award and forfeiture of the bid security”. The value of the bid security was 2 million USD.
“The whole process of this coal procurement started two months ago, with Power and Energy Minister submitting a cabinet memorandum on 1st July to procure 4.5 million metric tons of coal through solicited, unsolicited and G to G proposals. We have wasted two months of valuable time by going behind a mirage and now the whole country will have to pay for this mistake. “Why didn’t they do an in-depth analysis of the capabilities and background of the bidder before awarding this big contract?” an industry analyst questions. “A full blown investigation must be made to find where and what went wrong in the process”, he further said.
As per internal sources at CEB and LCC, the country has sufficient coal only up to the end of October and the plant will have to shut down if the country does not secure sufficient supply prior to that. “If not the country will go through Black Sand blackout”.
The controversial Black Sand, came into biding through a last minute amendment made to the tender document. Black Sand, which was said to be representing a registered supplier of LCC, Suek AG, did not even give a bid bond in its name. The Bid bond was given in the name of Suek AG, even though the bid was given in the name of Black Sand. “We are waiting to see how LCC is going to claim Suek AG bid bond, because of the failure of Black Sand to give the performance bond. This will be another legal issue now. These people should have thought about these things before riding on this wrong horse.“
Black Sand representatives in Colombo, had tried till the last minute to persuade bankers in Colombo to issue the performance bond. Various stories and promises had gone up and down, but bankers were requesting them to provide tangible security and/or a cash deposit against the bond, a source said. “37 million USD is big money and no bank in Sri Lanka will take the risk of issuing a performance bond for that value and besides for a two year contract like this. They should have first secured the banking facility before participating for a contract like this. Only fly by nights will participate for a contract for such a big value without banking lines in place and without even having the ability to issue a performance bond” a banker from a reputed government bank stated.
The 7th September was the deadline for providing the performance bond and having realized that it’s not going to work the way they thought it would and with Black Sand failing to even obtain a performance bond, both LCC and the Energy Ministry got to panic mode. They had no other excuses for the blunder they had made, rather than blame on legal cases and bad publicity, against the deal. On the 7th, Minister of Power and Energy issued a letter to MP Harsha de Silva to investigate into the accusations made against the deal, claiming that those accusations were false. And on the 8th, in a parliament speech, he tried his level best to hide the truth of failure of Black Sand to give a performance bond but instead stated that the coal supplier is not going to come forward because of a legal case filed by Sobitha Thero and actions of other unsolicited bidders. The Energy Ministry and LCC higher ups, who defended the award of the deal to Black Sand with lots of misrepresenting facts, know very well the mistake they made by promoting a dummy company to be offered the deal and are currently doing their level best to conceal the fact by making a big hue and cry about the legal cases and the resistance this muddy deal got.
Politicians and officers will always play games to save their camps. But finally the public and the country will suffer as a result of their bad motives and wrong decisions. If the country has to go through a black out due to Black Sand, there must be a full and impartial investigation into the thing. What is Black Sands and who is behind it has to be fully investigated. See how they have rushed through the process. Has there been proper diligence given to the process without swallowing up the Black Sand rope tossed and dragging the whole country to a mess?
The cronies behind this whole saga must understand and realize one important lesson. This is not the same country you played around with years ago to your tunes. It’s a different country, different playing ground and different rules! There are lots of spectators watching you play. Be careful!
The Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) aka the Pohottu Party entered a political deal when the majority of the country’s people acted in turmoil against the Rajapaksa-led regime, and after the departure of the disastrous trio, the ex Finance Minister, the ex Prime Minister and the ex President, a gatekeeper who can guard them was appointed as the ruler of the country, said Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa, addressing the Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) Authority Board Meeting in Halawatha Electorate two days (11) ago.
The event was organised by Halawatha SJB Organiser Shantha Abeysekara and was attended by a lot of people.
The former Finance Minister, the former Prime Minister and the former President who fled the public’s eye in fear have now come forward under the new ruler’s shelter in preparation for the same deception committed during the 2019 Presidential Election and the 2020 General Election, Premadasa alleged.
Although the government has no money to provide relief to the people – to compensate the fishing community and the farmers, to provide livelihood to those who have lost their jobs, and to strengthen the public servants, it has enough money to maintain 37 state ministers and 20 Cabinet ministers, he noted, revealing that 12 more Cabinet ministers are due on being sworn in.
Premadasa questioned whether a puppet-like president and a group of ministers who have no public’s favour will be able to solve the problems which could not be solved by a president and a regime that earned a mandate of 6.9 million people and a two-thirds power in Parliament.
Despite the affair of solving people’s problems, the government extravagantly is repressing protesters via the enforcement of acts such as the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), he added.
Human Rights Council Should Enhance Mandates, Address Growing Abuses
(Geneva, September 13, 2022) – The United Nations Human Rights Council should adopt a strong resolution on Sri Lanka that strengthens current UN mandates on accountability for crimes under international law and monitors the country’s deteriorating human rights situation, four international human rights organizations said in a letter to council member states published today. The resolution should also call upon Sri Lanka to address ongoing abuses, including by ending use of the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act.
Sri Lanka has been suffering a severe economic, political, and human rights crisis. The former president, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, resigned in July 2022 following massive protests, and his successor, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has used abusive security measures to suppress freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. In a wide-ranging report released on September 6, the former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said, “Sri Lankans came together … in a mass protest movement to demand greater transparency, accountability for corruption and economic mismanagement and increased participation in democratic life.” She called upon the government to respect the rights of protesters, end impunity for past violations, and address the root causes of the current crisis.
“For many years the victims of past abuses in Sri Lanka have demanded justice, while successive governments have broken promises, blocked accountability, and promoted those implicated in war crimes to high office,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The UN Human Rights Council should adopt a resolution on Sri Lanka that presses the government to uphold accountability and the rule of law.”
At the 51st session of the Human Rights Council, which began on September 12, member states will review and update a March 2021 resolution that established a UN accountability project to collect and prepare evidence of international crimes committed in Sri Lanka for use in future prosecutions, and mandated the UN to monitor and report on the current situation in the country. It is essential to renew and strengthen those mandates, including with additional resources, Amnesty International, FORUM ASIA, Human Rights Watch, and the International Commission of Jurists said in their letter.
In her report, the UN High Commissioner described how “deepening militarization and lack of transparency and accountability in governance … have embedded impunity for serious human rights violations and created an environment for corruption and the abuse of power.” In the absence of accountability within Sri Lanka, she said that UN member states should prosecute Sri Lankans accused of committing international crimes in foreign courts under the principle of universal jurisdiction, and support efforts to trace and freeze stolen assets held abroad. The high commissioner also called for an international role in investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which killed over 250 people, noting that there remain unanswered questions over the role of the Sri Lankan security forces.
“The high commissioner has presented clear findings that require urgent international action to end impunity and provide for justice to Sri Lankans,” said Massimo Frigo, UN representative and senior legal adviser at the International Commission of Jurists. “A decade of Human Rights Council engagement on Sri Lanka has been a source of hope for victims and resulted in sporadic and unfulfilled pledges to reform, the council needs to give the issue sustained attention.”
Since becoming president on July 21, President Wickremesinghe has sent the military to violently disperse protesters and arrest scores of people accused of participating in protests. He has ordered the use of the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act to detain three student leaders without charge. The previous foreign minister, G.L. Pieris, told the Human Rights Council in June that the government would observe a moratorium on the use of that law, while the current foreign minister, Ali Sabry, then justice minister, gave the same assurances to Sri Lanka’s parliament in March.
On September 8, President Wickremesinghe appointed three people implicated in human rights abuses as government ministers. Sivanesathurai Chandrakanthan, known as Pillayan, is a former member of a separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) unit who later joined a pro-government armed group, both of which committed abductions and recruiting of child soldiers. In 2001, the attorney general dropped charges against him in connection with the 2005 murder of a parliamentarian. Another newly appointed minister, Lohan Ratwatte, resigned as prisons minister in September 2021 after threatening prisoners at gunpoint. A third, Sanath Nishantha, is currently under police investigation in connection with a violent attack on anti-government protesters on May 9.
“These ministerial appointments show that the Wickremesinghe administration cannot be expected to credibly pursue accountability for human rights violations or uphold the rule of law,” said Ahmed Adam, UN advocacy programme manager at FORUM-ASIA. “The alarming situation in the country today calls for robust and clear-eyed resolution from the Human Rights Council to protect the rights of people in Sri Lanka.”
In their letter to member states, the groups said that the new Human Rights Council resolution should address threats to human rights in Sri Lanka and violations connected to the country’s present crisis. The resolution should call on the government to:
Respect the rights of people to freely and peacefully protest and express their views without fear of reprisal or arrest;
End the harassment, intimidation, and arbitrary arrest of people believed to have participated in or supported recent protests;
Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, issue an immediate moratorium on its use in the interim period, review the detention of those held under the law, immediately release all those not facing internationally recognizable charges, and ensure that everyone detained under the law, including those in pretrial detention, are tried promptly and fairly in a regular court; and
Restore the independence of the judiciary and Human Rights Commission.
“Time and again we have seen successive Sri Lankan governments make commitments to the Human Rights Council that are then broken or disavowed,” said Yamini Mishra, South Asia director at Amnesty International. “Member states should press Sri Lanka on its commitments and call for action now to end the abuses that are taking place, while renewing and enhancing the UN’s mandates to monitor the situation and pursue accountability for past abuses.”
Muditha Peiris, Chairman of the state-run LITRO Gas company calling in a special briefing today (13) denied the allegations that the aids received from the World Bank to remedy the gas shortage in Sri Lanka over the past few months have been snatched, emphasising that aids of that nature are strictly being tracked.
He told the media that a few days ago, a WB delegation visited the state-run lp gas distributor to investigate how the aids were being spent, and that similar observations will also be made in the future, thereby questioning the probability of such a scam ever being occurred.
The severe gas crisis in the country has ended within a period of one month after receiving aids from the WB, Peiris went on, adding that there is currently no shortage of lp gas anywhere in the island.
The LITRO Chief made these observations in response to the accusations levelled by several politicians of both the Ruling Party and the Opposition that a fraud has been committed during gas imports. Chairman of the Committee on Public Enterprises (CoPE), Ruling Party MP Prof. Charitha Herath calling in a briefing in Kandy recently alleged that Rs. 1,300 million have been defrauded during the import of gas.
