By: Isuru Parakrama

January 31, Colombo (LNW): President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to returning land to its rightful owners in the Northern Province, stressing that the land belonging to the people should remain with them.

During a meeting of the Jaffna District Coordination Committee (DCC) held today, the President highlighted that the issue of land disputes in the region is under active review, with steps being taken to expedite the process of restitution.

The President made it clear that while the government holds the authority to acquire land for development or security purposes, it is essential that those affected are provided with alternative land.

This assurance was made in line with the government’s broader objectives to ensure fairness and justice for the people of the Northern Province.

The President’s Media Division (PMD) reported that the government is working to resolve these matters swiftly.

At the meeting, President Dissanayake also revealed plans to repurpose the President’s House in Jaffna for a more meaningful project that would benefit the people of the region.

He called on officials to submit detailed proposals for this initiative to ensure its relevance and effectiveness.

Addressing the continuing challenges faced by displaced families from the war, the President directed authorities to investigate reports that many such families are still residing in the Northern Province.

Dissanayake urged swift action to address their needs and provide necessary support.

The meeting also touched on employment opportunities in the public sector. President Dissanayake noted that a committee led by the Secretary to the Prime Minister had identified approximately 30,000 vacancies in various state institutions.

He assured that these vacancies would be filled in accordance with established procedures, creating opportunities for university graduates and young professionals in the region.

Additionally, the President called for increased recruitment of Tamil-speaking youth into the Police Department, emphasising the importance of their involvement in national security.

In a further push to improve infrastructure, the government has laid out plans to enhance the transportation network in the Northern Province.

A new initiative will see the Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) collaborate with private bus operators to launch joint bus services, while train services in the region will also be expanded to meet growing demand.

To bolster the local economy, President Dissanayake announced the creation of three new industrial zones in Paranthan, Mankulam, and Kankesanthurai, which are expected to improve the livelihoods of the people in these areas.

He also invited Sri Lankans who had left the country due to the war to consider investing in these projects, thus contributing to the region’s revitalisation.

Tourism is another sector set to benefit from government efforts, with the President revealing plans to promote the Northern Province as a tourist destination.

With an estimated 2.5 million visitors expected to arrive in Sri Lanka in the coming year, the government aims to identify and develop new attractions in the region to boost tourism and stimulate the local economy.

Furthermore, the President addressed the issue of water supply in the Northern Province, which currently has the lowest consumption of piped drinking water in the country.

He announced that funds had been allocated in the upcoming budget to accelerate ongoing water supply projects, as well as to implement new initiatives to improve access to clean drinking water for residents.

President Dissanayake also underscored the government’s focus on strengthening key sectors in the Northern Province, including education, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, and public service.

He emphasised the need for close collaboration between political authorities and state mechanisms to uplift the living standards of the people in the region.

The meeting was attended by a wide range of key figures, including Minister of Fisheries, Aquatic and Ocean Resources Ramalijngam Chandrasekar, Minister of Transport Bimal Rathnayake, and several Members of Parliament, as well as senior officials from the military and police.

January 31, Colombo (LNW): The Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CEYPETCO) has implemented a revision in fuel prices, effective from midnight today (31).

In the new pricing structure, the cost of Super Diesel has risen by Rs. 18, bringing the price per litre to Rs. 331.

Despite this increase in Super Diesel prices, the CEYPETCO has confirmed that the prices for all other fuel types, including petrol and regular diesel, will remain unchanged for the time being.

January 31, Colombo (LNW): Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath,has called on the Italian government to expedite the resumption of work visas for Sri Lankan nationals, following a temporary suspension.

In a recent meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Minister Herath expressed concerns about the impact of the visa suspension on Sri Lankan workers seeking employment in Italy.

In response, Ambassador Francovigh explained that the Italian authorities were currently reviewing the issuance of work visas to a number of countries, including Sri Lanka, and that the suspension was a short-term measure.

He reassured Minister Herath that the Italian government was actively considering the matter and would review Sri Lanka’s request for the resumption of work visa issuance.

The ambassador also committed to forwarding Sri Lanka’s request to the appropriate Italian authorities, emphasising the importance of finding a swift resolution.

In addition to work visa matters, the discussions between the two diplomats also covered the recognition of Sri Lankan driving licences in Italy.

Both sides agreed that negotiations should be accelerated to facilitate an agreement, enabling Sri Lankans residing in Italy to use their national driving licences without issue.

Furthermore, both countries expressed a mutual desire to finalise a series of key bilateral agreements.

These include one on migration and mobility, which aims to enhance cooperation in these areas, according to the Foreign Minister’s office.

Ambassador Francovigh took the opportunity to highlight the long-standing diplomatic ties between Sri Lanka and Italy, which have existed since 1952.

He also noted the significant economic relationship, with Italy being Sri Lanka’s fifth-largest export market.

There are currently more than 200,000 Sri Lankans residing in Italy, a community that plays a vital role in fostering closer ties between the two nations.

The ambassador also mentioned that Italy had sent over 38,000 tourists to Sri Lanka in 2024, further underscoring the strength of the bilateral relationship.

Both sides expressed optimism about the future of their partnership and the potential to expand cooperation in a variety of areas, including trade, tourism, and migration.

In his letter, Rudrakumaran noted that we still do not know what happened to Rev. Father Joseph, the LTTE members, and their families including babies

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA, January 31, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ — TGTE Prime Minister Visuvanathan Rudrakumaran sent a letter to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances “urging it to compel the Sri Lankan state to publicize the list of LTTE members who were made to surrender to the Sri Lankan Army, including babies and children who surrendered along with their families.”

In his letter, Rudrakumaran noted that:
“yesterday also marked the 80th anniversary of the Auschwitz liberation, and the mantra “Never Again” has not yet materialized—enforced disappearance has been and continues to be used in parts of the world as a tool of genocide.”

“He also urged Working Group to urge Sri Lankan state to revoke its reservation of Article 31 of the Convention on Enforced Disappearance and ​Bring closure to the families of the disappeared in the form of truth and accountability for enforced disappearances.”

Rudrakumaran also noted that we still do not know what happened to Rev. Father Joseph, the LTTE combatants, and their families including babies and children taken at the end of the war—quoting Amnesty International Secretary General Agnès Callamard:

“Men who may have been soldiers for the LTTE often surrendered with their entire families and the entire family has disappeared. That means young children and babies. I think the Sri Lankans need to ask where are the babies, where are the children? I have seen photos of four-month-old, ten-month-old babies…”

To me it is “unforgivable not to have an answer for those children and babies who were caught at the end of the war; people who surrendered willingly. ” “They were not arrested in the formal way of the word. They went to the army and said we are surrendering and these are the ones who disappeared”. [https://groundviews.org/2024/05/20/addressing-sri-lankas-complex-human-rights-issues]

The letter also noted that “in the island of Sri Lanka, enforced disappearance has been used not only to eliminate individuals who campaign for the realization of the right to self-determination in the form of an independent state but also as a tool of genocide.”

“Tamil mothers have protested the lack of action and accountability for years, with many going to their graves uncertain of what happened to their children.” said Rudrakumaran.

Rudrakumaran “cited Prof. Phillipe Sands’ argument before the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the case of the Bosnian Genocide: that the mental anguish and trauma caused to the families of the disappeared may constitute evidence of genocide.”

The letter further “stated that while Sri Lanka ratified the Convention on Enforced Disappearance and made it part of domestic law, they made reservation to Article 31—which allows victims to seek justice by bringing their complaints to the committee appointed under the convention—thus compromising the force of the Convention.”

The letter concluded by noting that “not a single Sri Lankan state perpetrator has been brought to justice or even arrested in cases of Tamil victimization because the Sri Lankan polity is permeated with pervasive and entrenched racism.”

Rudrakumaran further stated that “This is demonstrated by the absence of any meaningful action in spite of change in government—including the current National People’s Power (NPP) government which came to power a few months ago. As such, the Tamil Mothers of the Disappeared have declared February 4th (Sri Lanka’s Independence Day) as a Black Day.”

Enclosed with the letter are the “Disappeared Tamil Babies of Sri Lanka” booklet and the International Truth and Justice Project’s list of surrendered Tamils who were subjected to enforced disappearance at the end of the war.

January 31, Colombo (LNW): In yet another overbearing move by the Trump administration, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has revealed that more than 3,000 Sri Lankans are amongst the 1.4 million people on its deportation list, highlighting the relentless and often indiscriminate approach to immigration enforcement under the former president’s regime.

The crackdown has cast a wide net, ensnaring individuals from all corners of the globe who are living in the U.S. without legal documentation.

Amongst these, the 3,065 Sri Lankans are now at risk of being forcibly removed from the country under the current regime’s harsh policies.

Despite the significant number of individuals affected, the Trump administration has shown a glaring disregard for international cooperation. In an official document, ICE outlined the process it expects foreign governments to follow to assist in the deportation effort, including issuing travel documents swiftly and ensuring the return of nationals through scheduled flights.

However, the administration’s history of alienating countries and undermining diplomatic relations has led to a reluctance from many governments to engage in these practices.

Sri Lanka, however, is not listed amongst the countries that are resisting these deportation efforts. This perhaps reflects a more pragmatic approach from the island nation, but it should be noted that many nations remain unwilling to cooperate fully, with ICE marking 15 countries as uncooperative and another 11 as at risk of non-compliance.

The decision to target large numbers of noncitizens without regard to their personal circumstances or ties to the U.S. illustrates the cruel and sweeping nature of Trump’s immigration policies.

Far from an attempt to uphold the law, this is a callous, politically motivated action that undermines the very values of compassion and fairness the U.S. once prided itself on.

Whilst it may be framed as a “tough on immigration” stance, the real effect of such policies is a chilling disregard for human rights, as they tear families apart and disrupt lives without a second thought.

January 31, Colombo (LNW): The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) is set to convene its next session from February 03 to 21, 2025, where it will assess the progress of women’s rights in Sri Lanka, alongside seven other countries: Nepal, Belarus, Luxembourg, Belize, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo, and Liechtenstein.

As part of their obligations under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, these nations are required to undergo periodic reviews by the 23 independent experts that comprise the CEDAW Committee.

This process serves to evaluate their adherence to the provisions of the Convention and ensures that gender equality and women’s rights are being effectively promoted and protected.

The reviews will be based on country reports submitted by the governments, as well as submissions from national human rights institutions, non-governmental organisations, and other relevant stakeholders.

The Committee’s sessions, which will take place in Geneva, will be open to the public and will provide an opportunity to scrutinise the situation of women’s rights in these countries.

The scheduled dates for each country’s review are as follows (all times are Geneva times):

• Democratic Republic of the Congo: February 4, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Nepal: February 5, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Belarus: February 6, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Luxembourg: February 7, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Belize: February 11, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Congo: February 12, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Sri Lanka: February 13, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00
• Liechtenstein: February 14, 10:00 – 13:00; 15:00 – 17:00

The session will particularly highlight issues related to sexual violence in conflict zones, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo set to present a special report on this critical subject.