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Plot to remove HRCSL Chief?

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Plot to remove HRCSL Chief?

A plot is under operation to remove Rohini Marasinghe from her post as the Chairwoman of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), sources said.

The HRCSL being independently and indiscriminately operated under Marasinghe, a retired Supreme Court Justice, is no secret given the Commission’s honest service over the years, which, according to sources, has become a headache to certain figures in the government.

In addition to her role as the HRCSL Chairwoman, Marasinghe also serves in the Tax Appeals Commission, considered of which these figures in the government are formulating the argument that a single person cannot serve in two commissions at once, in their plot to oust her from the HRCSL, sources further told LNW.

Terror at Rambukkana: SSP Keerthiratne’s conduct puts Neville Wanniarachchi in trouble?

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Terror at Rambukkana: SSP Keerthiratne’s conduct puts Neville Wanniarachchi in trouble?

LNW earlier disclosed that the shooting at a public protest in Rambukkana area on April 19 was carried out under the orders of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in charge of the Kegalle Division K.B. Keerthiratne.

SSP Keerthiratne is a close relative of Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa’s Chief Security Officer Neville Wanniarachchi. Keerthiratne was enrolled as a sub inspector via the Police Sub Service and was attached to the Police Service later to be promoted to the post of SSP under the influence of Neville Wanniarachchi’s kinship.

SSP Keerthiratne is a well known ‘drunk’ who is not ashamed of staying in the line of duty in his drunken state. He is also known to be a character who tries to score upon every chance he gets and this behaviour of his has also led to the events at Rambukkana, to score by ordering the shooting, sources said.

However, sources also claimed that President Rajapaksa is very unhappy over the Rambukkana shooting and even prior to this incident had instructed the Security Chiefs at last week’s Security Council meeting not to retaliate even if protesters of anti-government pickets attacked the Police.

It is an undeniable fact that President Rajapaksa, despite all criticisms levelled against him, had never ordered to shoot down or suppress a single peaceful protest over the last two years of his term in Office. The President also reminded that international cooperation was the number one priority for the country at this moment and urged all security personnel not to take any repressive measures risking the international support.

Sources added that the President is of the opinion that this shooting in such a backdrop is not acceptable at all. International pressure is already being exerted as many foreign ambassadors have called President Rajapaksa and condemned the terror at Rambukkana over the last two days.

Chances are high that Keerthiratne will be brought to justice over this most barbaric event happened two days ago, but the SSP, under his usual dosage, is still reported to be boasting about what happened, saying ‘Even if Minister Dilum doesn’t save me, Neville will save me for sure. The man is my relative. I came this far because of him,’ LNW learned.

Should Keerthiratne continue to avoid the severity of his actions, needless to say that the Prime Minister’s Chief Security Officer Wanniarachchi too will be in big trouble!

Previous report:

http://128.199.126.103/archives/9313/terror-at-rambukkana-ssp-keerthiratne-ordered-to-open-fire-following-dilum-amunugamas-approval/

SJB hands over bill abolishing Executive Presidency to Speaker

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SJB hands over bill abolishing Executive Presidency to Speaker

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) today (21) handed over the draft of the new amendment to the Constitution to the Speaker.

Leader of the Opposition Sajith Premadasa handed over the draft amendment to MP Ranjith Madduma Bandara the SJB Secretary General at the Opposition Leader’s Office this morning and the bill was handed over to the Speaker thereafter.

The amendment consists of a number of democratic features, including;

  • The abolition of the executive presidency
  • The amendment to the devolution of power to the tripartite system of checks and balances
  • The repeal of the 20th Amendment to the Constitution
  • The establishment of independent commissions
  • The establishment of a National Security Council

 International Atomic Energy Agency reviews SL’s nuclear power infrastructure

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 International Atomic Energy Agency reviews SL’s nuclear power infrastructure

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) team of experts has concluded a six-day mission to Sri Lanka to review the country’s infrastructure development for a nuclear power programme. the IAEA said.

The Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) was carried out from 4 to 11 April at the request of the Government of Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is seeking to increase and diversify its power production capacity. The Government is looking at nuclear power as a reliable and low carbon option for its energy mix as it aims to achieve carbon neutrality of the electricity sector by 2050.

The INIR team reviewed the status of nuclear infrastructure development using the Phase 1 criteria from the IAEA’s Milestones Approach, which provides detailed guidance across three phases of development (consider, prepare, construct). Phase 1 evaluates the readiness of a country to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power programme. The Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board hosted the mission.

The INIR team made recommendations and suggestions to support the country in making further progress in developing its nuclear infrastructure.

“The INIR team concluded that Sri Lanka has engaged the relevant stakeholders in considering the introduction of nuclear power and initiated the appropriate studies to enable the Government to make a decision on the nuclear power programme,” said team leader Jose Bastos from the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section.

The INIR team comprised five international experts from Algeria, the Czech Republic, Romania, the United Kingdom and the United States, and four IAEA staff.

Before the mission, Sri Lanka prepared and submitted a self-evaluation report and supporting documents covering all infrastructure issues to the IAEA.

The INIR team said that Sri Lanka needs to further develop its pre-feasibility study on introducing a nuclear power programme. 

The team also noted that Sri Lanka’s Nuclear Energy Programme Implementing Organization should prepare recommendations for the Government to make an informed decision on the nuclear power programme.

 The country also needs to complete its analysis of the legal and regulatory framework required for nuclear power, including preparations for establishing an independent regulatory body. 

Moreover, the team raised the need to further develop relevant human resources and competencies required for a nuclear programme. It called on the country to further intensify its already promising stakeholder involvement activities.

Welcoming the mission’s outcome, Professor S.R. D. Rosa, Chairman, Sri Lanka Atomic Energy Board said: “Sri Lanka is looking for nuclear power as a reliable, low carbon base load source of electricity to complement renewable energy sources in the future. 

Electricity is vital for society’s functioning, and the steady production of nuclear electricity will help us avoid shortages and outages. 

The results of this INIR mission will help us to move forward with the next steps in nuclear power development as Sri Lanka strives to further develop its economy and achieve the goal of zero emissions.” 

Roshan Ranasinghe prepares to become independent with another 13 MPs

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Roshan Ranasinghe prepares to become independent with another 13 MPs

It is reported that the Member of Parliament of the SLPP Roshan Ranasinghe has made a special statement in Parliament today (21) and is preparing to leave the government and become independent along with 13 other members of parliament.

Sri Lanka: Police Fire on Protesters

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Sri Lanka: Police Fire on Protesters

Use of Lethal Force Results in at Least 1 Dead, More Than a Dozen Wounded 

(New York, April 20, 2022) – The Sri Lankan authorities should promptly and impartially investigate the apparent use of excessive force by police, who fired on protesters demonstrating against rising fuel prices in Rambukkana, a town near Kandy in central Sri Lanka on April 19, 2022. One person was killed and at least 14 wounded. Those responsible for abuses should be disciplined or prosecuted as appropriate. Sri Lanka has a long history of failing to provide justice and redress to victims of human rights violations.

“The use of live ammunition by Sri Lankan police against demonstrators at Rambukkana on April 19 appears to be a flagrant misuse of lethal force,” said Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “People protesting government policies that affect their lives and livelihoods shouldn’t have to fear for their lives.”

On April 18, representatives of the Sri Lankan government met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to negotiate emergency economic assistance. Such assistance is urgently needed to mitigate growing hardship, especially the needs of the poorest people, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the IMFin April. Any IMF program should also address issues of corruption and the weakening of the rule of law, which have contributed to the country’s current crisis.

“International law prohibits the use of lethal force by law enforcement officers unless there is an imminent threat to life,” Gossman said. “Sri Lankan authorities should carry out a prompt and transparent investigation into the shootings and take appropriate action against any wrongdoing. Any police use of force in response to violence needs to be targeted and proportionate.”

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on Sri Lanka, please visit:
https://www.hrw.org/asia/sri-lanka

A Letter from another 13 MPs to the President requesting to remove Mahinda

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A Letter from another 13 MPs to the President requesting to remove Mahinda

It is reported that 13 other members of the ruling party have handed over a letter to President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa requesting him to remove Mahinda Rajapaksa from the post of Prime Minister and appoint a cabinet with another Prime Minister.

Accordingly, they have requested the President to appoint a new Prime Minister from the SLPP and a Cabinet representing all parties in Parliament to form an interim caretaker government.

If this request is not fulfilled, they too will have to take a decision in accordance with their conscience and the 13 backbenchers have informed the President in their letter.

Sources say that if these 13 MPs leave the government and become independent, the number of seats in the government will be reduced to 103.

MP Shanakiyan Demands immediate resignation of Prasanna Ranatunga for Rambukkana Terror

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MP Shanakiyan Demands immediate resignation of Prasanna Ranatunga for Rambukkana Terror

TNA MP Rasamanikkam Shanakkiyan said in Parliament yesterday (20) that Prasanna Ranatunga should resign from the post of Minister of Public Defense as police had killed a person within 48 hours of him taking office.

“However, you must resign immediately. A young man was killed within 48 hours of your appointment,” said the MP while demanding the resignation of the Minister and the entire Cabinet of Ministers.

However, Minister Ranatunga responded “He says that I have to resign when a person is killed. However, I must state that if such action was not taken more than three hundred people would have died if that (fuel bowser) was set on fire.”

Police curfew lifted in Rambukkana

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Police curfew lifted in Rambukkana

The police curfew imposed on the Rambukkana police area from last night (19) has been lifted from 5.00 am today (21).

Terror at Rambukkana: Police try to fraudulently change the B report at the court!

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Terror at Rambukkana: Police try to fraudulently change the B report at the court!

The case regarding the shooting death of a person during a public protest in Rambukkana on the 19th has commenced yesterday and the Magistrate had refused to accept the police’s AR report on the incident.

An AR report is a report that is submitted when an incident has occurred but the suspects are not present. However, the magistrate refused to accept the report as a person had been killed here and the police had prepared a B report and submitted it to the court.

The B report referred to Section 298 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for False Murder. But later a member of the committee appointed by the IGP to look into the incident has erased the relevant section of section 298 of the B report – using Tipex(erasing liquid)- which was handed over to the court.

After the lawyers pointed out the incident to the court, the magistrate had strongly warned the officer concerned about erasing the parts of the court documents and changing the documents fraudulently and directed the IGP to conduct an investigation against the officer for fraudulently altering the court documents in this manner.

The magistrate and other officers conducted an on-site investigation into the shooting from 02.00 pm to the evening yesterday.

A large number of lawyers were present for the legal proceedings.

Following is the statement made by the Education Secretary of the Frontline Socialist Party Pubudu Jayagoda on social media regarding the incident.

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