A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
A Brief Colonial History Of Ceylon(SriLanka)
Sri Lanka: One Island Two Nations
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Thiranjala Weerasinghe sj.- One Island Two Nations
?????????????????????????????????????????????????Saturday, January 31, 2015
Suddenly Rajapaksa Appointed HRC Wants Human Rights!
31/01/2015
Commissioner of the Human Rights Council of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), Dr
Prathibha Mahanamahewam has now started to campaign for Human Rights in
Sri Lanka. He was appointed by the former President Rajapaksa under the
18th amendment. Under Rajapaksa rule he was white washing all HR
violations of the regime. He was aslo appointed as a director of the
Kothalawala Defence Academy, which was controlled by Gotabhaya
Rajapaksa.
Speaking to Sunday Leader he has said that ‘even the previous government
carried out thorough investigations into complaints they received
related to human rights violations.’
Further he ha s said that 100 day programme promises to introduce the
Right to Information and Witness and Victim Protection Bills which is
conducive toward improving human rights situation in Sri Lanka.
He goes further and crtitisie the 100 days programme not having a HR approch.!
He says that ‘the HRCSL right now is that the100 day programme does not
include a provision to establish a system to protect and promote human
rights. He added that even in certain other countries like the USA, New
Zealand, there have been promises during elections to implement
programmes similar to the 100 day programme – but for that purpose there
need to be a proper system and the HRCSL will intervene to establish
that system. He also pointed out there are certain things that are not
included in the 100 day programme that are important in terms of human
rights such as the national inquiry into violations of human rights.’
“Any government is obliged to protect citizens and rights of the people.
The major issue is protecting human rights which need to be
strengthened in our country,” he has said.
HRCSL which never said a word on the estrictions brought upon some NGO
and civil society activities through the NGO Secretariat circular, now
wants it to be withdrawn. “Last week we had a meeting with civil
society activists. Their first request was to look into this circular
which is hampering their freedom of speech. We have given lot of
consideration to that request and we expect to inquire the relevant
parties and give our recommendations to withdraw the circular,”
Mahanamahewa has added.
Futher more he wanted to change the Prevention of Terrorism Act as
well: “We have to make sure that international human rights and
humanitarian laws are protected in the PTA. I think it is the time for
us to see the amendments to PTA Act where there is a need to look into
security laws to fall in line with the standards of the Intentional
Covenant for Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).”
Mr. Mahanama even wanted to l put pressure on the new government to protect and promote human rights.
The question is why he was not so vocal under Rajapaksa regime?
Read the Sunday Leader article here