By: Staff Writer

November 17, Colombo (LNW): Domestic violence (DV), Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), and other forms of gender-based abuse remain a serious social issue in Sri Lanka.

These incidents, apart from police reports, studies, and documentation, underline the inertness of successive governments to contain the crisis. Each year, the Bureau for Prevention of Abuse on Women and Children receives complaints of gender-based violence ranging from 120,000 to 130,000.

Thirteen women have so far died from injuries related to domestic violence this year alone, a situation that continues to spotlight the essential role organizations such as Women in Need (WIN) play in supporting victims.

 However, WIN would assert that this is an issue that requires a far more robust and coordinated response from the government if a long-term solution is to be identified.

Rising Intensity in Domestic Violence

Those advocating for the rights of women say incidents of domestic violence are getting more brutal with time. According to WIN’s Executive Director, Savitri Wijesekara, substance abuse such as alcohol consumption, and increasingly crystal methamphetamine use, is contributing to the recent escalation of violence.

Many victims come for assistance with serious injuries including cuts and burns, she said. The centre offers a range of assistance from counseling to legal advice and even emergency shelter.

 It operates four shelters that offer immediate shelter to women and children, in addition to food, medical services, transportation, and other needs. WIN does its best, but the strains of growing demand-its Colombo shelter is now full-and sometimes the only thing it can do is to relocate entire families for safety.

Wijesekara asserts that the burden borne by service providers like WIN, as well as that borne by the women and children themselves, has not been recognized sufficiently by the authorities.

Legal Challenges Faced by Victims

Aside from safe houses, WIN offers a number of other critical services, such as psychological counseling, legal aid, a 24-hour hotline, and the 2six4 mobile app.

WIN’s legal unit assists victims through court cases and frequently files for protection orders under the 2005 Prevention of Domestic Violence Act.

 However, Mariam Mohamed, the Legal and Programme Manager with WIN, also brought to light various challenges that victims faced in the courts.

 Whereas, for example, the Act provides a procedure for granting immediate relief for victims through evidence, many courts use preconditions before issuing protection orders, requiring previous complaints with the police, which the law does not require. This can delay protections needed by victims.

New Initiatives and Solutions

Against the ever-rising cases of domestic violence, WIN is advocating for an expanded national response. Next year, it intends to conduct a National Gender Summit that brings together policymakers and the judiciary to highlight priorities and agree on actionable solutions based on community feedback.

The WIN Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Forums operate at its regional centers in Colombo, Jaffna, Batticaloa, Anuradhapura, Badulla, and Ratnapura. It brings together stakeholders at the district level, including government agencies, police, hospitals, District WDOs, and NGOs, who hold monthly meetings of the forums to discuss and find solutions to local problems and challenges.

Such activities by WIN raise the issue of gender-based violence to a national level, putting demands for systemic change and enhanced protection measures for victims in place. The work unveils the urgent need for a coordinated fight against domestic violence and how important it is for the government to be involved in the process of creating long-term solutions.

November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is reportedly engaged in internal discussions over the need for significant leadership reform following its dramatic defeat in the 2024 Parliamentary Election, sources told LNW.

The party’s inability to prevent the ruling faction from securing a two-thirds majority in Parliament has heightened calls for change.

Party insiders noted that this marks the fourth consecutive electoral defeat under the leadership of Sajith Premadasa, spanning two presidential elections and two general elections.

Critics within the party have argued that Premadasa’s efforts in Parliament, including his frequent utilisation of Standing Order 27/2 to pose over 150 questions to the ruling government, have failed to resonate with the public.

The recent election results, which saw voters overwhelmingly reject traditional political structures in favour of a leftist administration, have further underscored the need for the opposition to adapt and present a vision more aligned with public sentiment, sources indicated.

Amidst these developments, discussions are intensifying around a proposal to appoint Dr. Harsha de Silva as Leader of the Opposition whilst allowing Premadasa to retain his role as party leader.

Dr. Silva, widely regarded as a knowledgeable and pragmatic politician with extensive local and international experience, is seen as a strong candidate to revitalise the party’s image and strategy.

Sources within the SJB revealed that a significant faction supports this dual leadership arrangement, believing it would allow the party to rebuild its credibility and align with the electorate’s evolving expectations.

Observers now await official announcements, which could signal a transformative moment for the party.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 17, Colombo (LNW): The USS Michael Murphy, an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo yesterday (16) for a scheduled replenishment visit, the Sri Lanka Navy announced.

The vessel was welcomed in accordance with traditional naval customs, underscoring the longstanding maritime partnership between the two nations.

The 155.2-metre-long destroyer is operated by a crew of 333 personnel and is under the command of Commander Jonathan B. Greenwald.

The USS Michael Murphy serves as a versatile combat vessel equipped to support various naval missions, reflecting the US Navy’s strategic reach and operational capabilities.

Its visit underscores ongoing cooperation in maritime security and the mutual commitment to maintaining regional stability.

During its stay, the crew will oversee resupply and routine maintenance activities, ensuring the ship is prepared for its operational objectives. The vessel is scheduled to depart Sri Lanka today (17) upon completion of these tasks.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Cabinet Ministers of Sri Lanka’s newly formed government will officially take their oaths tomorrow (18) at 10:00 a.m. before President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo, a statement by the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.

This marks the next significant step following the National People’s Power (NPP)’s resounding victory in the 2024 General Election.

Tilvin Silva, a senior spokesman for the NPP, previously revealed that the Cabinet would be limited to 25 members or fewer, with ministries and responsibilities assigned based on a “scientific and rational” methodology.

This streamlined approach is aimed at enhancing efficiency and ensuring accountability in governance.

The inaugural session of Sri Lanka’s Tenth Parliament, comprising members elected on 14 November, is set to convene on November 21, as outlined in an Extraordinary Gazette issued earlier this year.

The session will formalise the new parliamentary composition and set the stage for legislative proceedings under the new administration.

The NPP achieved a landslide victory in the election, securing a two-thirds majority with an unprecedented 159 parliamentary seats. This triumph granted the party a strong mandate to implement its policies and pursue significant reforms across various sectors.

The NPP’s MP pool’s representation of society is significant, providing space at the lawmaking body for people of diverse communities, most notably those deemed marginalised.

The NPP’s victory in the 2024 Polls sets another bombshell in the Sri Lankan political landscape with its winning of the Northern province, an event occurred for the very first time in Sri Lanka under the current Westminster system where a party rooted in leftist and socialist ideologies gained the trust of the Tamil community of the island nation.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 17, Colombo (LNW): The Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) has issued a letter to Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, urging him to prioritise long-overdue measures critical for reconciliation, justice, and equitable development in Sri Lanka.

The letter expressed concern over the government’s opposition to UNHRC Resolution 51/1, which is deemed a pivotal mechanism for accountability and justice.

In its message, the CTC criticised the rejection of international oversight, cautioning that such a stance risks deepening mistrust amongst communities that have endured historical injustices.

The organisation highlighted that supporting the resolution could serve as a critical step in restoring confidence both locally and globally.

The letter also presented six actionable recommendations to promote reconciliation and trust amongst Sri Lanka’s diverse communities:

1. Release Political Prisoners: Free all remaining political detainees to address longstanding grievances.
2. Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA): Fulfil the campaign promise to eliminate this controversial law.
3. Return Occupied Lands: Restore privately-owned lands in the Northern and Eastern provinces currently held by the military.
4. Protect Tamil Religious and Cultural Rights: Ensure Tamil worship sites remain safeguarded from encroachment and halt the construction of new Buddhist temples in these regions.
5. Implement the 13th Amendment: Expedite provincial council elections and ensure meaningful power devolution until a new constitution is agreed upon.
6. Reform Security in the North and East: Scale down military presence and disengage the armed forces from commercial enterprises to stimulate local economic growth.

The CTC underscored that addressing these issues is vital to fostering trust, delivering justice, and achieving lasting peace.

The organisation reiterated its readiness to support Sri Lanka in its efforts towards reconciliation, whilst warning that continued inaction could undermine the credibility of the government’s commitments both domestically and internationally.

The letter concludes with a call for President Dissanayake to prioritise these measures to ensure a fair and inclusive future for all Sri Lankans. The CTC, along with international stakeholders, pledged to closely monitor progress on these critical issues.

Full Statement:

Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka

Dear President Anura Kumara Dissanayake,

We wish to extend our heartfelt congratulations once again on your recent electoral victory. Your leadership represents an important milestone, and we believe it offers a crucial opportunity for a lasting peace in Sri Lanka. As an organization that has long been committed to the betterment of the people in Sri Lanka through various initiatives, the Canadian Tamil Congress (CTC) stands ready to contribute to this important work. However, we are concerned that certain long-overdue actions, which are critical for reconciliation and justice, have not yet been taken.

In this regard, the decision to oppose UNHRC Resolution 51/1 is particularly troubling. This resolution, supported by the international community, is a crucial mechanism for accountability and justice in Sri Lanka. By opposing it, your government signals a disregard for long-standing grievances and for the principles of justice and human rights. Rejecting international oversight will not provide a sustainable solution but will instead deepen mistrust among those who have suffered from the past. If your administration is committed to genuine justice, supporting the resolution should be seen as a pathway to restore confidence both locally and globally. We respectfully urge your government to reconsider your stance on this matter.

We also propose the following immediate steps to build trust, promote reconciliation, and ensure equitable development across the country:

1. Release all remaining political prisoners.
2. Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) as outlined in your campaign manifesto.
3. Return all privately-owned lands currently occupied by the Sri Lankan military in the Northern and Eastern provinces, and cease any further illegal land acquisitions.
4. Uphold the religious rights of Tamils by safeguarding their worship sites from encroachments and preventing the construction of new Buddhist temples to ensure the preservation of the cultural and religious heritage of Tamils.
5. Fully implement the 13th Amendment and hold provincial council elections without delay until a new constitution, accepted by all communities, is enacted. Devolution of power is essential to ensuring local governance and empowering the regions.
6. Reform the security sector in the Northern and Eastern provinces, bringing it to levels consistent with the rest of the country. The military’s involvement in commercial activities, such as farms, hotels, and bakeries, is stifling local enterprise. We urge your government to discontinue these ventures to allow local businesses and farmers to compete fairly.

We strongly urge the Government of Sri Lanka to take immediate and concrete action on these pressing matters. Addressing these issues is essential for ensuring justice, strengthening trust among all communities, and fostering long-term stability. Continued inaction will only undermine confidence in the government’s commitment to equality and fairness, both within the country and internationally.

The Canadian Tamil Congress, alongside global stakeholders, remains dedicated to supporting the rights and well-being of all citizens in Sri Lanka. We are closely monitoring developments and expect to see meaningful progress. We trust that your government will prioritize these actions to ensure a more just and equitable future for all Sri Lankans.

Thank You.

Yours Sincerely,
Kumar Ratnam
President,
Canadian Tamil Congress.

By: Isuru Parakrama

November 17, Colombo (LNW): Showers or thundershowers will occur in Western, Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, Uva and North-western provinces during the evening or night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather forecast today (17).

Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa and Central provinces, with showers being expected to occur at few places in the Northern and Eastern provinces during the morning.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central and Uva provinces and in Galle and Matara districts during the morning.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions minimise damages caused by temporary localised strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Marine Weather: