Home
LATEST on SATP
Search
SEARCH ON SATP
SEARCH TERRORISM UPDATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
KEYWORD
Keyword is required.
START DATE
END DATE
South Asia
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Afghanistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheet
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Capital Region
Kabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
East Afghanistan
Kapisa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Laghman
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nangarhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nuristan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Panjsher
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Parwan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Afghanistan
Badakhshan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Baghlan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balkh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Faryab
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jowzjan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kunduz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Samangan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sar-e-Pul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Takhar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
South Afghanistan
Daykundi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kandahar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uruzgan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Zabul
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southwest Afghanistan
Helmand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nimroz
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southeast Afghanistan
Bamyan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghazni
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khost
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Logar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktika
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Paktiya
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Wardak
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Afghanistan
Badghis
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Farah
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Ghor
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Herat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bangladesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamist Terrorism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Left-wing Extremism
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bhutan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Central
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
India
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Insurgency North East
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ISLAMIST/OTHER CONFLICTS
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chandigarh (UT)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Delhi
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gujarat
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Haryana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Himachal Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jharkhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Kerala
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pondicherry
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sikkim
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Telangana
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
West Bengal
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maldives
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Proviencs
Dhekunu (South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Dhekunu (Upper South)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mathi Uthuru (Upper North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu (Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Dhekunu (South Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Medhu Uthuru (North Central)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uthuru (North)
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nepal
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Province No. 1
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 2
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 3
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 4
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 5
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 6
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Province No. 7
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan
Assessments
Backgrounder
Bibliography
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Balochistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
FATA
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Islamabad Capital Territory
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Pakistan Occupied kashmir
Azad Kashmir
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Gilgit-Baltistan
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sindh
Assessments
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sri Lanka
Assessments
Bibliography
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Provinces
Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Eastern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Central Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
North Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Northern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Sabaragamua Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Southern Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uva Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Western Province
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Arunachal Pradesh
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Assam
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Jammu & Kashmir
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Manipur
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Meghalaya
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Mizoram
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Nagaland
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Punjab
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Tripura
Assessments
Backgrounder
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maoist Insurgency
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Documents
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Andhra Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Bihar
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Chhattisgarh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Goa
Timelines
Gujarat
Timelines
Haryana
Timelines
Jharkhand
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Karnataka
Timelines
Kerala
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Madhya Pradesh
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Maharashtra
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Odisha
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Rajasthan
Timelines
Tamil Nadu
Timelines
Telangana
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
Uttar Pradesh
Timelines
Uttarakhand
Timelines
West Bengal
Assessments
Conflict Maps
Data Sheets
Terrorist Groups
Timelines
ASSESSMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BACKGROUNDER
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
CONFLICT MAPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DATA SHEETS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
DOCUMENTS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TERRORIST GROUPS
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
TIMELINES
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
BOOKS
The Knights of Falsehood
The Global Threat of Terror
Book Store
TERRORISM UPDATE
VIDEOS
FREEDOM FROM FEAR
WAR WITHIN BORDERS
SECOND SIGHT
ICM IN MEDIA
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
RISK ALERT
ISLAMIST EXTREMISM & TERRORISM IN SOUTH ASIA
SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS/PROJECTS/REPORTS
NA
Statement:2019
Read more...
Date
Incidents
January - 5 
As long as Sri Lanka remains divided on lines of race, religion, caste, language, regions, poor and rich, the country will be devoid of the ‘balance’ to forge ahead, said Sivaraja Rashasingham, PLOTE’s (People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam) coordinator based in Norway, reports The Island
Read more...
As long as Sri Lanka remains divided on lines of race, religion, caste, language, regions, poor and rich, the country will be devoid of the ‘balance’ to forge ahead, said Sivaraja Rashasingham, PLOTE’s (People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam) coordinator based in Norway, reports The Island on January 5."The ‘imbalance’ could open the door to outside forces to take control. It is left to us to decide whether to allow such forces to triumph or to take ‘control’ ourselves without being slaves to external elements, who will have their way, if they succeed", he said in an interview during a visit to Colombo, last week.PLOTE, a one-time militant group, later worked with the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) to crush the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). After entering the political firmament, PLOTE contested parliamentary polls. The group’s leader, DharmalingamSiddarthan, is a Member of Parliament (MP).
Read less...
January - 10 
Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said on January 10 that Sri Lanka has today become a center of drug smuggling, mainly due to politicians harbouring drug smugglers, reports Daily Mirror. Rajapaksa said it was time for the parents to take action to safeguard their children from drugs without waiti
Read more...
Opposition Leader Mahinda Rajapaksa said on January 10 that Sri Lanka has today become a center of drug smuggling, mainly due to politicians harbouring drug smugglers, reports Daily Mirror. Rajapaksa said it was time for the parents to take action to safeguard their children from drugs without waiting for the government to do so.“A strong system based on religious places of worship should be made to eradicate the drug menace. The police and other security forces should take legal action against drug smugglers without giving into political influences," he said.
Read less...
January - 10 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A Sumanthiran told Parliament on January 10 that he is ready to admit that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) committed war crimes, reports Colombo Gazette. He said that all international reports very clearly say that both the military and the
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) Parliamentarian M.A Sumanthiran told Parliament on January 10 that he is ready to admit that the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) committed war crimes, reports Colombo Gazette. He said that all international reports very clearly say that both the military and the LTTE committed war crimes.Sumanthiran said that he will come under fire from his community for saying the LTTE committed war crimes.However, he said he is prepared to admit that the LTTE did commit war crimes during the war.“All parties committed (war crimes),” he added
Read less...
January - 11 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 11 emphasized that no room will be left for any proposal to divide the country and the foremost place would be given to Buddhism in the new Constitution, reports Colombo Page.Presenting report of experts on drafting a new Constitution on Janu
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 11 emphasized that no room will be left for any proposal to divide the country and the foremost place would be given to Buddhism in the new Constitution, reports Colombo Page.Presenting report of experts on drafting a new Constitution on January 11, the Prime Minister stressed that the proposed new Constitution will not have any negative implications on the priority granted to Buddhism and the unitary state of the country.Rejecting allegations by the Opposition, Prime Minister said the divisions within a country were not a concern and politically destitute people are trying to make such claims as today they have no other topic to talk about.He added that it is unlikely that there is anyone who wants to change the 9th Article regarding Buddhism was included in the 1972 Constitution by the committee led by Former Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake The Prime Minister on January 11 presented the report prepared by the Panel of Experts for the Steering Committee, which is based on the Interim report, six sub-committee reports and representations made by political parties on drafting a new Constitution to the Constitutional Assembly.
Read less...
January - 13 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on January 13 said that some groups are attempting to postpone the provincial elections that need to be held soon by creating various stories about a presidential election, reports Colombo Page.Pointing out that by now, activities of six provincial councils
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on January 13 said that some groups are attempting to postpone the provincial elections that need to be held soon by creating various stories about a presidential election, reports Colombo Page.Pointing out that by now, activities of six provincial councils have been stalled, the President said it is not favorable for the democracy and also against the objectives of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution."Therefore, those who are talking about a presidential election should be ready for a provincial council election before the presidential election," the President said adding that he had already discussed the matter with the Elections Commission Chairman.Speaking further, the President said that it was necessary to hold elections in the provinces and give people the right to vote.
Read less...
January - 13 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 13 said that he will conduct discussions with the Maha Sangha on improving Buddhism within the country, reports Colombo Page. He said that steps will be taken with the participation of Education, Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs ministries
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 13 said that he will conduct discussions with the Maha Sangha on improving Buddhism within the country, reports Colombo Page. He said that steps will be taken with the participation of Education, Buddha Sasana and Cultural Affairs ministries to promote cooperation and harmony among all religions in the country.
Read less...
January - 14 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 14 requested all parties to not to spread misinformation on the new constitution raising false alarms to mislead the masses and create panic in the country, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said currently, there is an attempt to sprea
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on January 14 requested all parties to not to spread misinformation on the new constitution raising false alarms to mislead the masses and create panic in the country, reports Colombo Page. The Prime Minister said currently, there is an attempt to spread racism by propagating false information on the new constitution and certain politicians meet with the chief prelates and spread false rumors that the government will bring in a new constitution that will divide the country and take away the foremost place given to Buddhism. He urged the relevant parties not to ‘set fire to the country’ by sowing communalism and making the new constitution a ‘bogeyman’.
Read less...
January - 16 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to introduce a mechanism to ensure a ‘formal say’ for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the execution of development activities in predominantly Tamil areas in the North and the East, Jaffna District TNA MP (Member of Parliament) Dharmalingam Sithathdan
Read more...
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe agreed to introduce a mechanism to ensure a ‘formal say’ for the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) in the execution of development activities in predominantly Tamil areas in the North and the East, Jaffna District TNA MP (Member of Parliament) Dharmalingam Sithathdan said on January 16, reports Daily Mirror. Dharmalingam Sithathdan said the TNA parliamentary group met with the premier last week to discuss the matter. He said the Prime Minister agreed to work out a mechanism for it to be involved in development activities in the North and the East. “We informed Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe that we wanted a formal say in the process. Afterwards, we discussed as to how a mechanism could be worked out. The premier agreed with us,” he said.
Read less...
January - 16 
Skeletal remains of 300 people and human bones have been unearthed as of January 16 from the mass grave found in Mannar in Mannar District of Northern Province after the grave area has been expanded for a second time since the excavations began on May 28, 2018, Senior Judicial Medical Officer Shamin
Read more...
Skeletal remains of 300 people and human bones have been unearthed as of January 16 from the mass grave found in Mannar in Mannar District of Northern Province after the grave area has been expanded for a second time since the excavations began on May 28, 2018, Senior Judicial Medical Officer Shaminda Rajapaksa said, reports Colombo Page. The excavations at the mass grave resumed on January 16 after temporarily suspending the activities on January 11. Until January 16 excavations have been carried out for 130 days and skeletal remains belonging to 300 individuals have been unearthed from the mass grave at the old Sathosa building site, the official said. Out of this total, skeletal remains of 294 individuals have been systematically removed and currently sealed and placed in a special chamber at the Mannar Magistrate's Court complex, Dr. Rajapaksa said. Remains of 23 bodies believed to be children's have been separated.
Read less...
January - 22 
Sri Lanka's Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) said that it will reject any attempt to formulate a new Constitution, claiming that the proposals which have been announced so far fall short of an acceptable solution for the Tamils in terms of the devolution of power, reports The Week on Janua
Read more...
Sri Lanka's Tamil Eelam Liberation Organisation (TELO) said that it will reject any attempt to formulate a new Constitution, claiming that the proposals which have been announced so far fall short of an acceptable solution for the Tamils in terms of the devolution of power, reports The Week on January 22. The TELO, a constituent of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA), in a statement said that the party stood for a federal solution based on the concept of fully-fledged self-determination for the Tamils in the north and east, but the current proposals are aimed at preserving the unitary character of the island.
Read less...
January - 23 
Sri Lankan human rights activists, lawmakers and relatives of slain and disappeared journalists held a vigil over their abductions, killings and disappearances and demanded the Government expedite investigations, reports Colombo Page on January 24. Freddie Gamage, an organizer of the vigil, said des
Read more...
Sri Lankan human rights activists, lawmakers and relatives of slain and disappeared journalists held a vigil over their abductions, killings and disappearances and demanded the Government expedite investigations, reports Colombo Page on January 24. Freddie Gamage, an organizer of the vigil, said despite being in power for four years, the current government "has miserably failed to fulfil its promise to punish those responsible for attacks on journalists.
Read less...
January - 26 
The Sri Lankan Government intends to complete construction of 4,750 houses within six months for the benefit of the people in the North under its plan to build 10,000 houses in stages, an official said on January 26, reports Daily Mirror. This project has been launched by the Ministry of National Po
Read more...
The Sri Lankan Government intends to complete construction of 4,750 houses within six months for the benefit of the people in the North under its plan to build 10,000 houses in stages, an official said on January 26, reports Daily Mirror. This project has been launched by the Ministry of National Policies, Economic Affairs, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Northern Province Development, Vocational Training, Skills Development and Youth Affairs. Ministry Secretary V. Sivagnanasothy said that the priority would be given to internally displaced persons (IDPs), families in welfare camps and refugee returnees. There would be a special focus on women-led families, the disabled, landmine-affected families, families of missing persons, low income groups, families living in huts with children and families with elderly persons. "The first phase of 4,750 houses is being constructed through the vote on account allocation following the decision of a high-powered steering committee. The housing programme will be implemented through the district and divisional administration and based on the number of IDPs, families in the welfare camps and refugee returnees. Under the first phase 1,500 houses will be for Jaffna, 670 houses for Kilinochchi, 630 houses for Mullaitivu, 450 houses for Vavuniya, 350 houses for Mannar, 625 houses for Batticaloa, 400 houses Trincomalee and 125 houses for Ampara,” he said.
Read less...
January - 28 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not yet accepted the concept of a Unitary State, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said on January 28, reports Daily Mirror. “Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said recently that there was no draft Constitution and that the TNA had accepted
Read more...
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) has not yet accepted the concept of a Unitary State, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya (PHU) leader Udaya Gammanpila said on January 28, reports Daily Mirror. “Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said recently that there was no draft Constitution and that the TNA had accepted the concept of a Unitary State. Unfortunately, the PM still attempts to deceive the nation. We pointed out that the phrase 'this Constitution' can be found in the first page of the document tabled by him in the Constitutional Assembly,” he said. He also said TNA MP M.A. Sumanthiran was the author of the draft and that he admitted that the document was a draft Constitution. “Having a TV debate with us, he further said they were not ready to accept the concept of a Unitary State. They accept ‘Aekiya Rajyaya’ after assigning their own definition. Hence, nobody can claim that the TNA has accepted the concept of a Unitary State. We must be thankful for MPs Sampanthan and Sumanthiran for accepting the fact that the draft Constitution is full of federal features,” he said.
Read less...
January - 30 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on January 30, said that in addition to the programs that are being implemented to control and eradicate illicit drugs, new set of programs will also be launched within the next few months, reports Colombo Page. The new programs aim at the school students a
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, on January 30, said that in addition to the programs that are being implemented to control and eradicate illicit drugs, new set of programs will also be launched within the next few months, reports Colombo Page. The new programs aim at the school students and public servants to further strengthen the fight against drug and a special program has been launched with the help of universities to save youth from illicit drugs, the President said. He also said the illicit drugs are part of a major coup of certain organized groups to destroy the country and fight against drugs will be carried out on a war footing, similar to the war to defeat Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) terrorism.
Read less...
January - 31 
Around 83 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from various camps in Tamil Nadu in India on January 31 voluntarily returned to Sri Lanka with the assistance of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), authorities said, reports Colombo Page. A group of 83 Sri Lankan Tamils who had fled the country
Read more...
Around 83 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees from various camps in Tamil Nadu in India on January 31 voluntarily returned to Sri Lanka with the assistance of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), authorities said, reports Colombo Page. A group of 83 Sri Lankan Tamils who had fled the country during the war and lived in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu has arrived in Sri Lanka on January 31. The Prime Minister’s Media Office in a statement said that the Government is committed to taking all necessary measures to build peace and reconciliation among every Sri Lankan, and accordingly, invited all citizens who fled the country during the wartime to return home. The Government would take necessary steps to resettle the returned refugees in their respective residential areas such as Vavuniya, Mannar, Matale, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee and Jaffna, the release further said. According to the statement, 11,020 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees, who had been sheltered in refugee camps in Tamil Nadu, have voluntarily returned to the country so far since 2009 and 3,815 more refugees have expressed their desire to return to Sri Lanka under the patronage of the UNHCR. The UN agency has provided the refugees with air fare and several allowances. The allowances given for the returning refugees include an allowance of LKR 10,000 per person over 18 years and LKR 7,500 for a person under the age of 18 for reintegration, Transport allowance of LKR 2,500 per person, personal allowance of LKR 5,000 per person and LKR 5,000 allowance for family on arrival.
Read less...
January - 31 
The proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) intended to repeal its draconian predecessor, needs substantial amendment to be brought in line with international law, Amnesty International said in a statement on January 31, reports Colombo Gazette.Sri Lanka promised to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism A
Read more...
The proposed Counter Terrorism Act (CTA) intended to repeal its draconian predecessor, needs substantial amendment to be brought in line with international law, Amnesty International said in a statement on January 31, reports Colombo Gazette.Sri Lanka promised to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) when it cosponsored United Nations Human Rights Council (UHRC) Resolution 30/1 in September 2015 and to replace it with anti-terrorism legislation which would be in accordance with contemporary international best practice.Despite their commitment, the Government of Sri Lanka has delayed doing so by more than three years. Amnesty International is concerned that the proposed legislation falls short in many sections from what the Government promised. The PTA was a temporary measure when it was enacted in 1979. Consecutive governments have chosen to retain it and the Act has in turn became a permanent feature of Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system.It allows for suspects to be held without charge for up to 18 months, special rules of evidence allowing for confessions to be admissible in court, and for the onus to be placed on a suspect to prove to a court that a statement was made under duress.Since the armed conflict with the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) erupted in 1983, tens of thousands of Tamils suspected of links to the LTTE have been arrested and detained under the PTA. The Act was also used as a tool to quell dissent against Government.
Read less...
February - 4 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on February 4 declared that he strongly opposes the idea of the proposed National Government, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the nation at the 71st National Independence Day celebrations in Colombo on February 4 the President said the proposed National Gov
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on February 4 declared that he strongly opposes the idea of the proposed National Government, reports Colombo Page. Addressing the nation at the 71st National Independence Day celebrations in Colombo on February 4 the President said the proposed National Government is simply an attempt to increase the number of cabinet ministers and provide privileges to the ministers at the people's expense. Calling the move unethical the President said the people's wish is to limit the Cabinet to 25 ministers. President Sirisena stressed that the present administration should focus on serving the general public.
Read less...
February - 6 
Senior officials in charge of excavation of ‘Mannar mass grave’ in Mannar District of Northern Province on February 6 said that so far of the skeletal remains found, 26 were of children, reports The Island. By February 6, experts have so far unearthed skeletal remains belonging to 312 persons and 29
Read more...
Senior officials in charge of excavation of ‘Mannar mass grave’ in Mannar District of Northern Province on February 6 said that so far of the skeletal remains found, 26 were of children, reports The Island. By February 6, experts have so far unearthed skeletal remains belonging to 312 persons and 297 of them were removed from the grave for further investigations. Recently, selected samples were sent to a United States (US) testing facility for carbon testing. On site Judicial Medical Officer Saminda Rajapaka said that results would be available within one week. The human skeletal remains were first found by some construction workers while excavating the site behind the CWE Building in Mannar as part of a development project on May 25 2018. On the same day a complaint was lodged with the Mannar Police. Investigations began under the supervision of former Mannar Magistrate Alex Raja. Excavations commenced, on May 28, 2018 after it was determined by a team of scientists that the area contained undisturbed skeletons.
Read less...
February - 9 
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on February 9 said that the provincial council election will be held definitely before the presidential election, reports Colombo Page. Speaking at an event in Polonnaruwa, the President said that the relevant constitutional issues will be resolved before the
Read more...
Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena on February 9 said that the provincial council election will be held definitely before the presidential election, reports Colombo Page. Speaking at an event in Polonnaruwa, the President said that the relevant constitutional issues will be resolved before the elections and the Presidential Election will be held on the due date by the end of the year. President Sirisena noted that no one can force to conduct the Presidential Election and only he has the power to do so. An order in this regard cannot be given by the Parliament or the Judiciary. He said that the constitution clearly states that if a Presidential Election is held early, a gazette notification in that regard can be issued only by the President.
Read less...
February - 10 
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi (India), Austin Fernando said that Sri Lanka needs Tamil refugees in India and want them to return their home land, reports The Hindu on February 11. “Sri Lanka needs them [Tamil refugees in India]. We want them to return. And, after a disastrous situa
Read more...
The High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in New Delhi (India), Austin Fernando said that Sri Lanka needs Tamil refugees in India and want them to return their home land, reports The Hindu on February 11. “Sri Lanka needs them [Tamil refugees in India]. We want them to return. And, after a disastrous situation, people do not get the best of things which they would like to have. But we will try to give the best [offer] to everyone who return”, Austin Fernando said during his visit to Chennai in Tamil Nadu (India) to obtain first-hand knowledge of the situation pertaining to Tamil refugees. A team of officials from Colombo, including Sumith Nakandala, Additional Secretary [Ministry of Foreign Affairs] are currently in India to deal with the Tamil refugees’ problems in India.
Read less...
February - 11 
United Kingdom (UK) on February 11 announced that the Core Group on Sri Lanka will present a resolution at the 40th session of the UNHRC scheduled to be held from 25 February - 22 March 2019, reports Colombo Page. The Core Group on Sri Lanka, comprising Canada, Germany, Macedonia, Montenegro and the
Read more...
United Kingdom (UK) on February 11 announced that the Core Group on Sri Lanka will present a resolution at the 40th session of the UNHRC scheduled to be held from 25 February - 22 March 2019, reports Colombo Page. The Core Group on Sri Lanka, comprising Canada, Germany, Macedonia, Montenegro and the UK will present a resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka, the representative of the UK announced at the UNHRC Organizational Meeting held on February 11.
Read less...
February - 17 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe directed authorities in Resettlement Ministry and Divisional Secretariat to make arrangements to speed the resettlement process of displaced Muslim families of Jaffna, reports Colombo Page on February 18. The PM has taken this measure in response to an
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe directed authorities in Resettlement Ministry and Divisional Secretariat to make arrangements to speed the resettlement process of displaced Muslim families of Jaffna, reports Colombo Page on February 18. The PM has taken this measure in response to an appeal by Sri Lanka's Minister for Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Rishad Bathiudeen. Among the 20000 Northern Muslim families that Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) expelled overnight from their traditional homes in North on 1990 October 30 was the eight-member family of Minister Bathiudeen. "Muslim IDPs who were resettled in Jaffna after the war, complain about the space of land available to them. They say the land is not enough for their growing population. Therefore, some of them have even returned from the resettled locations back to their camps," Minister Bathiudeen complained calling for PM Wickremesinghe's attention to the issue. This is the first time in three decades that the Jaffna's displaced Muslims, since their expulsion in 1990 by the LTTE, are hearing good news on their future, Minister Bathiudeen said.
Read less...
February - 20 
Mannar District Judge T. Swarnaraja on February 20 said that he couldn’t decide on the radiocarbon dating report received from the Unites States (US) in respect of six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave until the court received the final official document directly from the US facility,
Read more...
Mannar District Judge T. Swarnaraja on February 20 said that he couldn’t decide on the radiocarbon dating report received from the Unites States (US) in respect of six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave until the court received the final official document directly from the US facility, reports The Island. The report handed over to Swarnaraja was received by Judicial medical Officer Saminda Rajapaksa, in charge of the excavation of skeletal remains. Acknowledging the report received from Dr. Rajapaksa, Swarnaraja said that it was not the final report. Six bone samples obtained from the Mannar mass grave, located at the Sathosa
Read less...
February - 20 
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R Sampanthan rejected the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's call to 'forgive and forget' the past, demanding justice through an international mechanism and stressing that offenders should be punished, reports Tamil Guardian on February 20. R Sampanthan said in an
Read more...
The Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader, R Sampanthan rejected the Sri Lankan Prime Minister's call to 'forgive and forget' the past, demanding justice through an international mechanism and stressing that offenders should be punished, reports Tamil Guardian on February 20. R Sampanthan said in an interview, "We want justice.""We welcome the statement where he acknowledged the war crimes committed by the state armed forces. However, we totally reject his notion of forgetting and forgiving. We will never allow the idea of forgetting and forgiving to take root. Victims of the war crime committed by the armed forces are still living in Vanni. Hence, the affected, the killed, and the enforced disappeared need justice. Facts must be discerned through an international mechanism. Offenders should be punished. The government should allow this.” “There is evidence. Domestic investigations conducted with the victims have confirmed that war crimes were committed during the final war. The victims have informed the international leaders and important officials who visited Sri Lanka of the truth. Therefore, no one can escape by saying that both sides have committed war crimes. That is, they cannot say that both the armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have committed war crimes and escape”, he said.“During the final war, the armed forces have committed war crimes not only against the Tamil people but also the LTTE. Surrendered and captured members of the LTTE were cruelly tortured. Many became enforced disappeared. Many were killed. The evidence for this has also been released.So, the Government of Sri Lanka must respect the resolutions passed by the United Nations and take measures to implement them properly. Facts must be found, and justice should be established.”, he added.
Read less...
February - 25 
Families of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province observed a shutdown on February 25, demanding justice for war-time human rights abuses, reports The Hindu. According to sources in the Northern Districts, most schools, shops and business establishments were shut, in an
Read more...
Families of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Sri Lanka’s Northern Province observed a shutdown on February 25, demanding justice for war-time human rights abuses, reports The Hindu. According to sources in the Northern Districts, most schools, shops and business establishments were shut, in an act of solidarity with the relatives of missing persons, some of whom have been agitating continuously for two years now in Kilinochchi District.The University of Jaffna was also closed, and public transport services came to a halt. Thousands took to the streets, holding placards with messages such as “Where is my son?”, “UN, do not give additional time for Sri Lanka for war crime investigations”, and photographs of their missing relatives. Almost all political parties representing northern Tamils and Muslims extended their support to the rally, local media reports said. The shutdown comes just as the 40th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) begins in Geneva, where a core group of countries, including the UK, Canada and Germany, will likely put forth a new resolution on promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka. The move is expected to give Sri Lanka more time to fulfil its earlier assurances to the Council.
Read less...
February - 25 
The Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that he submitted a Cabinet memorandum asking for general amnesty to all those who are accused of war crimes - both from the armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily Mirror on February 26.
Read more...
The Megapolis and Western Development Minister Patali Champika Ranawaka said that he submitted a Cabinet memorandum asking for general amnesty to all those who are accused of war crimes - both from the armed forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Daily Mirror on February 26.In an interview, he said it was inappropriate to single out the armed forces as the only perpetrator of war crimes since there were many others involved in similar acts.He said some 12,000 LTTE combatants who were reintegrated into the society should also be tried for war crimes if legal action were instituted against military personnel. He said it would be an endless exercise to trace those from all sides who were accused of rights violations or war crimes and therefore the government should now dispense with this whole issue by granting general amnesty.
Read less...
February - 25 
The Security Forces (SFs) had extended the fullest support to the police to eradicate organised crimes, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said on February 25, reports The Island. Responding to a question posed by journalists on the role of the army in dealing with
Read more...
The Security Forces (SFs) had extended the fullest support to the police to eradicate organised crimes, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake said on February 25, reports The Island. Responding to a question posed by journalists on the role of the army in dealing with the underworld, Senanayake said that the responsibility of ensuring law and order lay with the Police. "The police are doing a great job in eradicating organised crime. We assist in their endeavours by providing intelligence. The Navy and the Air Force do not hesitate to share what they know with the police."
Read less...
February - 27 
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said that the Counter Terrorism Bill, if enacted, would be repressive of all the institutions, the trade unions and the media, reports Daily Mirror on February 28. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said that it was a bizarre piece of legislation seeking to terrorise
Read more...
Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) said that the Counter Terrorism Bill, if enacted, would be repressive of all the institutions, the trade unions and the media, reports Daily Mirror on February 28. SLPP Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris said that it was a bizarre piece of legislation seeking to terrorise all the institutions under the pretext of countering terrorism. He said Section 3(C) of the Bill seeks to define any damage to the Government properties and facilities as acts of terrorism. He said the present Government even charged some protestors including a few MPs (Members of Parliament) for causing damage to the tar on the road by burning an effigy during a protest in Hambantota.
Read less...
March - 3 
A delegation consisting of representatives of at least four Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka is scheduled to head for Geneva to lobby the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international mechanism to speed up investigations into alleged human rights violations and accountability
Read more...
A delegation consisting of representatives of at least four Tamil political parties in Sri Lanka is scheduled to head for Geneva to lobby the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for an international mechanism to speed up investigations into alleged human rights violations and accountability issues, reports The Island on March 4. The delegation would also request the appointment of a UN Rapporteur for Sri Lanka, a top Tamil politician said on March 3. "Representatives of the Illankai Tamil Arasu Kachchi (ITAK), Tamil Eelam Liberation Organization (TELO), Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF), Eelam People's Revolutionary Liberation Front (EPRLF) and People's Liberation Organisation of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE) attended a two-hour meeting at a hotel in Jaffna, from 11.00 am, yesterday (March 2), to agree on submissions to be made to the UNHRC and the second and final round of our talks will be held within the next few days," former Northern Provincial Council member and TELO spokesman M. K. Sivajilingam said. Sivajilingam also said that all those present at March 2 meeting had said they had no faith in President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe. "We’ll seek redress through an international judicial process, and we would first request the appointment of a UN Rapporteur for Sri Lanka," the TELO spokesman added.
Read less...
March - 5 
Making his Budget speech on March 5, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera announced a series of initiatives for the war-affected North and East Provinces, titled ‘Reconciliation through Economic Empowerment’, reports The Hindu. In addition to setting up a ‘Palmyra Fund’ of LKR 5,000 million to ‘fast
Read more...
Making his Budget speech on March 5, Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera announced a series of initiatives for the war-affected North and East Provinces, titled ‘Reconciliation through Economic Empowerment’, reports The Hindu. In addition to setting up a ‘Palmyra Fund’ of LKR 5,000 million to ‘fast-track development in the region’, the Budget also provides for measures, including a monthly compensation for families of disappeared persons.
Read less...
March - 6 
However, hours after President Sirisena declared his position on March 6 morning — effectively going back on the pledges he made to the Tamil minority in 2015 — the Foreign Ministry said that Sri Lanka would continue to demonstrate its commitment and determination towards “a steady and long-lasting
Read more...
However, hours after President Sirisena declared his position on March 6 morning — effectively going back on the pledges he made to the Tamil minority in 2015 — the Foreign Ministry said that Sri Lanka would continue to demonstrate its commitment and determination towards “a steady and long-lasting reconciliation process through a co-sponsored resolution”, reports The Hindu.It will seek an extension of the timeline of resolution 30/1 of October 01, 2015, “through a co-sponsored roll-over resolution at the ongoing 40th session of the UN Human Rights Council,” the Ministry said in a statement.Even as President Sirisena’s move suggested resistance to any international oversight, the Foreign Ministry in its statement said “the entire mechanism and process of reconciliation is under the control of [the] Government of Sri Lanka”.
Read less...
March - 6 
President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a delegation of three representatives to attend the currently ongoing 40th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, reports Colombo Page.The Sri Lankan delegation to UNHRC session will include parliamentarians Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Northern Pr
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena appointed a delegation of three representatives to attend the currently ongoing 40th session of the UNHRC in Geneva, reports Colombo Page.The Sri Lankan delegation to UNHRC session will include parliamentarians Dr. Sarath Amunugama, Mahinda Samarasinghe and Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan, President said on March 6.
Read less...
March - 6 
President Maithripala Sirisena on March 6 said that he would ask the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to reconsider its 2015 resolution on the country, as he did not wish to ‘reopen old wounds’, reports The Hindu. President Maithripala Sirisena said that he was trying to settle issues ari
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena on March 6 said that he would ask the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to reconsider its 2015 resolution on the country, as he did not wish to ‘reopen old wounds’, reports The Hindu. President Maithripala Sirisena said that he was trying to settle issues arising out of Geneva Resolution 30/1 co-sponsored by Sri Lanka in October 2015 through dialogue and consensus.President Sirisena warned that he would deal firmly with those pursuing strategies contrary to his policy. Asserting that it was an internal issue of the Government, he emphasized the foreign policy was the prerogative of the President.
Read less...
March - 7 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 7 appeared to be on collision course with President Maithripala Sirisena over Sri Lanka’s commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on war-time atrocities against Tamils as he reiterated the Government’s commitment to implementing the
Read more...
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on March 7 appeared to be on collision course with President Maithripala Sirisena over Sri Lanka’s commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on war-time atrocities against Tamils as he reiterated the Government’s commitment to implementing the UN resolution, reports Colombo Page.The Prime Minister’s Office in a joint statement with the Foreign Ministry on March 7 said Sri Lanka will continue to demonstrate its commitment and determination towards a steady and long-lasting reconciliation process through a co-sponsored resolution.It said the Government will seek an extension of the timeline of the UHRC resolution 30/1 of October 1, 2015, through a co-sponsored roll-over resolution at the ongoing 40th session of the UNHRC. The statement stands in contrast with President Sirisena’s comments on March 6 that he would send his own team to the UNHRC session later this month to seek a reprieve. He said the UN must allow Sri Lanka to resolve its own issues without digging into past.
Read less...
March - 8 
The United Nations (UN) Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Sri Lanka next month, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced on March 8, reports Colombo Page.The visit to Sri Lanka will take place in early April, and a media advisory announcing the precise da
Read more...
The United Nations (UN) Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Sri Lanka next month, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) announced on March 8, reports Colombo Page.The visit to Sri Lanka will take place in early April, and a media advisory announcing the precise dates, as well as further information, will be issued ahead of the visit, the OHCHR said.The visit was decided during the Subcommittee's confidential session held in Geneva from 18 to 22 February.
Read less...
March - 10 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on March 10 said that another set of samples from the Mannar mass grave should be sent for carbon dating in another country, reports The Island."This is not to say that we do not accept the reports sent by a lab in Florida, US, but given the importance of the Mannar gra
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on March 10 said that another set of samples from the Mannar mass grave should be sent for carbon dating in another country, reports The Island."This is not to say that we do not accept the reports sent by a lab in Florida, US, but given the importance of the Mannar grave site we need to get a second opinion," Mullaitivu District MP (Member of Parliamnet), Nirmalanathan Sivamohan said.Nothing had been done when 96 skeletons were found, previously, in a mass grave in Thirukeethiswaran in Mannar, the MP said. Sivamohan said that, "The Archeological Department stated that Thirukeethiswaran grave site was an ancient one.Just like that now the US is saying that the mannar site is also ancient."The MP insisted that the lab in Florida had not attempted to identify the victims and further tests to determine the identity of those in the graves should be done."A lot of people went missing in Mannar during the war. We need to expand the excavations at the mass grave site. We must do further tests to identify the victims. The TNA insists that the excavations and testing should go on."
Read less...
March - 10 
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)again requested Sri Lanka to establish a hybrid court consisting of international judges, lawyers and investigators to probe war crimes allegations and crimes against humanity, reports Colombo Page on March 11.The Annual Report of the Office of the Unit
Read more...
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)again requested Sri Lanka to establish a hybrid court consisting of international judges, lawyers and investigators to probe war crimes allegations and crimes against humanity, reports Colombo Page on March 11.The Annual Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Sri Lanka presented to the UNHRC at its 40th session in Geneva by United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) Michelle Bachelet last week recommended the Government to Adopt legislation establishing a hybrid court to investigate allegations of violations and abuses of international human rights law and violations of international humanitarian law. The High Commissioner in her report on "Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka" recommended the Government to prepare a comprehensive strategy on transitional justice, with a time-bound plan to implement the pending commitments made within the context of Human Rights Council resolution 30/1 and the recommendations made in the present and previous reports of the High Commissioner submitted to the Council.With regard to legislation and justice, the High Commissioner recommended that the Government promptly investigate and prosecute all allegations of torture and other gross human rights violations, and give the highest priority to long-standing emblematic cases so as to regain public confidence in the justice system.
Read less...
March - 11 
The National Peace Council (NPC) and the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), on March 11, threw their weight behind the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) call for a second opinion after the Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory, in Florida, USA, cleared Sri Lanka Army of responsibility for Mannar mass grav
Read more...
The National Peace Council (NPC) and the Center for Policy Alternatives (CPA), on March 11, threw their weight behind the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) call for a second opinion after the Beta Analytic Testing Laboratory, in Florida, USA, cleared Sri Lanka Army of responsibility for Mannar mass grave by declaring the skeletons belonged to a period that covered the Portuguese and the Dutch rule, reports The Island. Mullaitivu District MP (Member of Parliament) Sivamohan on behalf of the TNA called for another set of bones to be tested at some other facility in a different country because of the importance of the matter. Executive Director of CPA Dr. Paikiasothy Saravanamuttu, said that a second opinion could settle the matter for once and for all.
Read less...
March - 12 
President Maithripala Sirisena will not be sending a separate delegation to represent him at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahinda Samarasinghe said in Parliament on March 12, reports The Island.Speaking during the comm
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena will not be sending a separate delegation to represent him at the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) sessions in Geneva, United People's Freedom Alliance (UPFA) MP Mahinda Samarasinghe said in Parliament on March 12, reports The Island.Speaking during the committee stage debate on the Budget, MP Samarasinghe said that following discussions held yesterday President Sirisena had agreed that the government’s delegation to Geneva would be led by Foreign Minister TilakMarapana. UPFA MP Dr Sarath Amunugama, who is currently sitting in the Opposition, and Northern Province Governor Dr Suren Raghavan would also be included in the five-member official delegation. Samarasinghe said that the President had planned to send his own delegation as the Government had initially not named an official government delegation and tasked the country’s mission in Geneva with articulating the government’s stance at the sessions.MP Samarasinghe, who was initially due to be part of the delegation, said he had withdrawn as he told President Sirisena that it was important to send a single delegation to represent the country.
Read less...
March - 13 
The British High Commission (BHC) on March 13 said that a decision on a second opinion on Mannar mass graves was up to the authorities concerned, reports The Island. A BHC spokesperson said, "That is an issue for the investigating authorities. As noted by the High Commissioner during his recent visi
Read more...
The British High Commission (BHC) on March 13 said that a decision on a second opinion on Mannar mass graves was up to the authorities concerned, reports The Island. A BHC spokesperson said, "That is an issue for the investigating authorities. As noted by the High Commissioner during his recent visit to Mannar an impartial and conclusive investigation that inspires confidence, is in the interests of all communities in Sri Lanka."The spokesperson said so in response to the query whether the UK supported the Tamil National Alliance (TNA)’s call for a second opinion from another lab in a different country as regards Mannar mass grave following a leading US lab ruling out that the bones belonged to people killed during civil war.
Read less...
March - 24 
The Chief Investigating officer and Senior Judicial Medical Officer, Dr. ShamindaRajapakse said that a decision has been taken to halt the excavations of the Mannar mass grave in Northern Province for three months, reports Colombo Page on March 24. The decision has been reached at a discussion held
Read more...
The Chief Investigating officer and Senior Judicial Medical Officer, Dr. ShamindaRajapakse said that a decision has been taken to halt the excavations of the Mannar mass grave in Northern Province for three months, reports Colombo Page on March 24. The decision has been reached at a discussion held into late March 22 on the next steps to be taken regarding further excavations after carbon dating studies found that the bone samples obtained from the human skeletal remains were found to be belonged to a time period between 1499 and 1720 A.D.
Read less...
March - 25 
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Michelle Bachelet admitted there were mistakes in compiling the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report on Sri Lanka and thus advised the two officials who attended to the compilation to be more responsible and cautious herea
Read more...
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR), Michelle Bachelet admitted there were mistakes in compiling the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) report on Sri Lanka and thus advised the two officials who attended to the compilation to be more responsible and cautious hereafter, Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghavan said on March 25, reports Daily Mirror. He said the UNHRC Chief – whom he recently met with in Geneva – admitted that certain facts incorporated in the UNHRC report against Sri Lanka could not be condoned whatsoever.
Read less...
March - 26 
It was high time the claim of 40,000 civilians killed during the last phase of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was expunged from the records, said Lord Naseby PC, the President of the All-Party British-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group in the UK Parliament, reports The Island
Read more...
It was high time the claim of 40,000 civilians killed during the last phase of the war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) was expunged from the records, said Lord Naseby PC, the President of the All-Party British-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Group in the UK Parliament, reports The Island on March 27. "I have carefully observed every stage of this year’s meeting of the UNHCR. Before I make any other comment, I wish to congratulate Tilak Marapana, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka and Leader of the delegation on Sri Lanka’s statement. I have read meticulously all pages of the full statement. It is balanced, authoritative, measured, challenging and utterly professional – backed up by irrefutable facts and figures," he said. Naseby said that he was particularly proud that the Foreign Minister included, as one of three important annexes, the House of Lords debate he initiated and led in The House of Lords on 12th October 2017. "I now feel totally vindicated about persevering for over 2 years to extract under a ‘Freedom of Information’ Inquiry the dispatches of Lt Colonel Gash, the UK’s Military attaché in Colombo who saw the war at first hand. It is these dispatches that prove beyond any doubt that there never was a policy to kill Tamil civilians and that the Civilian Casualties were only around 5,500 at most," he said.
Read less...
March - 27 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on March 27 emphasized that he does not intend to take any action that would violate the constitution or harm the independence of the country according to the edicts of international community or anyone else, reports Colombo Page. He said the statement made
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on March 27 emphasized that he does not intend to take any action that would violate the constitution or harm the independence of the country according to the edicts of international community or anyone else, reports Colombo Page. He said the statement made by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) that the private lands in the North and East used by the Security Forces (SFs) have not been released to the owners and the recommendation to appoint a commission for the release of lands were based on false information provided by the Non-governmental organizations. "There is no need to appoint such a commission," the President added. The President emphasized that while accepting what is right in the statements of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), the Government is no way ready to accept the wrong points.
Read less...
March - 27 
UNHCHR, Michelle Bachelet on March 27 said that a newspaper article quoting a senior Sri Lankan official "seriously misrepresents" her discussion of the recent UN Human Rights Office report on Sri Lanka with a Government delegation attending the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 20, reports Co
Read more...
UNHCHR, Michelle Bachelet on March 27 said that a newspaper article quoting a senior Sri Lankan official "seriously misrepresents" her discussion of the recent UN Human Rights Office report on Sri Lanka with a Government delegation attending the Human Rights Council in Geneva on March 20, reports Colombo Page. The Office of the High Commissioner (OHCHR) in a statement said Monday's (March 25) article in Daily Mirror newspaper cited a member of the Government delegation, Northern Province Governor Dr. Suren Raghaven, claiming the High Commissioner "admitted that certain facts incorporated in the UNHRC report against Sri Lanka could not be condoned whatsoever." It also said he claimed she had advised two of her senior officials who attended the meeting "to be more responsible and cautious hereafter." "Neither of these claims are true," Bachelet said. "Either the newspaper misunderstood the Governor, or the Governor misunderstood - or misquoted - me."
Read less...
March - 28 
The Sri Lanka Army has released over five acres of private and state land held by the Security Forces (SFs) in Ampara and Trincomalee in the Eastern Province, reports Colombo Page on March 29. Documents pertaining to three acres of private land in Thiriyaya under Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat (
Read more...
The Sri Lanka Army has released over five acres of private and state land held by the Security Forces (SFs) in Ampara and Trincomalee in the Eastern Province, reports Colombo Page on March 29. Documents pertaining to three acres of private land in Thiriyaya under Kuchchaveli Divisional Secretariat (DS), 0.5 acre in Periyanilaweliin, Ampara under Kalmunai DS and a two-acre plot of state land in Thirukkovil area were formally handed over to the Governor of Eastern Province, M L A M. Hizbullah and the Assistant District Secretary for onward arrangements during a brief ceremony held at the Governor’s Office in Trincomalee on March 25, the Army said.
Read less...
April - 4 
Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said on April 4 that the Security Forces (SFs) should be strengthened whether there was a war or not and that due attention was not paid to upgrade and strengthen the SFs at present, reports Daily Mirror. He said in the Parliament that other countri
Read more...
Former Army Commander Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said on April 4 that the Security Forces (SFs) should be strengthened whether there was a war or not and that due attention was not paid to upgrade and strengthen the SFs at present, reports Daily Mirror. He said in the Parliament that other countries such as Singapore was allocating a huge share of its budget for SFs and added that a country's national security should be given prominence even before the economy. He also pointed out that SFs had not been provided with modern equipment and facilities to upgrade to suit the new technological advancement. "We are still using fighter jets used during World War 2. We have only one fighter jet right now. We should provide modern fighter jets with the air force. Navy also should be given modern vessels," he said.
Read less...
April - 7 
Some former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have recently alleged they are under constant surveillance by the military though they have undergone rehabilitation, reports The Island on April 7. They have also claimed that military interference has hampered their political activity. Uni
Read more...
Some former Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) cadres have recently alleged they are under constant surveillance by the military though they have undergone rehabilitation, reports The Island on April 7. They have also claimed that military interference has hampered their political activity. United States (US) Human Rights activist Critina James, on April 5 received a briefing from former LTTE cadres during a visit to the Jaffna peninsula. The former LTTE cadres said that they had also complained to the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) about military interference. They met the US activist as members of a North-based political party consisting of ex-LTTE cadres. They alleged the people were still suspicious of them due to the military constantly watching their movements.
Read less...
April - 12 
German authorities on April 12 indicted a Sri Lankan man suspected of involvement in killing 15 captured Government soldiers while fighting for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page.Federal prosecutors said on April 12 that 37-year-old Sivatheeban B is accused of membersh
Read more...
German authorities on April 12 indicted a Sri Lankan man suspected of involvement in killing 15 captured Government soldiers while fighting for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), reports Colombo Page.Federal prosecutors said on April 12 that 37-year-old Sivatheeban B is accused of membership in a foreign terrorist organization, war crimes, two cases of manslaughter and 11 cases of attempted manslaughter, according to the report.The man, whose surname wasn't released due to German privacy rules, was arrested in August.Prosecutors allege that in 2008 the suspect guarded 15 captured soldiers as they were driven to a site where they were executed, and later helped burn their bodies. In a separate incident a year later, he fired on 13 soldiers, two of whom died.
Read less...
April - 12 
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has completed its first visit to Sri Lanka from April2 to 12 where it examined the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment, reports Colombo Page on April
Read more...
The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture has completed its first visit to Sri Lanka from April2 to 12 where it examined the treatment of people deprived of their liberty and the safeguards in place for their protection against torture and ill-treatment, reports Colombo Page on April 12.The delegation visited police stations, prisons, remand prisons, military camps, rehabilitation centers, mental health institution, a rehabilitation center for children, and held meetings with the Government representatives, Sri Lanka's Human Rights Commission and civil society representatives."We have received good cooperation during the visit, having access to all places of detention, getting all relevant information and performing confidential interviews. We look positively on Sri Lanka's prospective development of a national preventive mechanism, as required under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture," said Victor Zaharia, who led the four-member delegation.
Read less...
April - 21 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on April 21 stated that he will announce the appointment of a Special Investigation Committee within the next 24 hours to investigate the catastrophic attacks on the country's churches and high-end hotels on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page. The committee
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on April 21 stated that he will announce the appointment of a Special Investigation Committee within the next 24 hours to investigate the catastrophic attacks on the country's churches and high-end hotels on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page. The committee will be headed by a Judge of the Supreme Court and will investigate causes and circumstances of the tragedy that destroyed so many lives and the background for the grave national catastrophe as well as other factors that led to an attack of this magnitude.
Read less...
April - 21 
The State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardane, said that seven suspects were arrested so far and that all of the Colombo attacks had been carried out by suicide bombers. The Government has identified the attackers, he said, but he did not elaborate.
Read more...
The State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardane, said that seven suspects were arrested so far and that all of the Colombo attacks had been carried out by suicide bombers. The Government has identified the attackers, he said, but he did not elaborate.
Read less...
April - 21 
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe strongly condemning the Easter Sunday's multiple bomb attacks on the country's churches and hotels said that the law enforcement authorities have been given powers to enforce the law strictly against the perpetrators of these attacks, reports Colombo Pa
Read more...
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe strongly condemning the Easter Sunday's multiple bomb attacks on the country's churches and hotels said that the law enforcement authorities have been given powers to enforce the law strictly against the perpetrators of these attacks, reports Colombo Page. He said he sees the attacks as a move to destabilize the country and its economy and the culprits will be dealt with strictly.
Read less...
April - 22 
Meanwhile, another explosion took place on April 22 inside a vehicle parked in the vicinity of the Kochchikade St. Anthony’s Church, but no casualties were reported, the Police said, reports Colombo Page. The explosion took place a day after a spate of bomb blasts at nine locations killing 321 perso
Read more...
Meanwhile, another explosion took place on April 22 inside a vehicle parked in the vicinity of the Kochchikade St. Anthony’s Church, but no casualties were reported, the Police said, reports Colombo Page. The explosion took place a day after a spate of bomb blasts at nine locations killing 321 persons and injuring nearly 500 others. Kochchikade St. Anthony’s Church was one of the targets. Police Spokesman RuwanGunasekara said the police that detected a suspicious vehicle carried out a controlled explosion on suspicious devises inside the vehicle.
Read less...
April - 28 
The father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of Easter Sunday bombings were killed when Security Forces (SFs) stormed their safe house on April 26, Police sources and a relative of the suicide bombers said on April 28, reports Colombo Page. Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mo
Read more...
The father and two brothers of the suspected mastermind of Easter Sunday bombings were killed when Security Forces (SFs) stormed their safe house on April 26, Police sources and a relative of the suicide bombers said on April 28, reports Colombo Page. Zainee Hashim, Rilwan Hashim and their father Mohamed Hashim, who were seen in a video circulating on social media calling for all-out war against non-believers, were among 15 killed in a fierce gun battle with the military on the east coast on April 26, Police sources said. Three of the people killed in April 26’s gun battle were the same people who were seen in the undated video on social media, in which they discus martyrdom and urge their followers to kill all non-believers, police sources said. SATP had earlier reported that 15 dead bodies were found at a house where several explosions took place in Kalmunai in Ampara District of Eastern Province on April 26.
Read less...
April - 29 
Addressing a press conference, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris on April 29 said the Government was responsible for the breakdown of national security, reports Daily Mirror. Referring to an article published in the international media, he said the government had fail
Read more...
Addressing a press conference, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Prof. G.L. Peiris on April 29 said the Government was responsible for the breakdown of national security, reports Daily Mirror. Referring to an article published in the international media, he said the government had failed to act on terror warnings. Therefore, the government could not absolve it, he said. “The government has appointed five defence secretaries during its term. It should be a little more careful in making appointments to top posts,” he said.
Read less...
May - 15 
Army on May 15 stated that it is investigating a video clip circulating in social media that showed a person dressed in a uniform similar to that of the military was watching while a group of violent saboteurs were in action in Thunmodara of Western province, reports Colombo Page.
Read more...
Army on May 15 stated that it is investigating a video clip circulating in social media that showed a person dressed in a uniform similar to that of the military was watching while a group of violent saboteurs were in action in Thunmodara of Western province, reports Colombo Page.
Read less...
May - 15 
Police Media Spokesperson stated that 85 suspects have been arrested in connection to the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, reports Colombo Page on May 15. Out of the 85 suspects, 64 are detained in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The Police Media Spokesperson said 20
Read more...
Police Media Spokesperson stated that 85 suspects have been arrested in connection to the Easter Sunday suicide bomb attacks, reports Colombo Page on May 15. Out of the 85 suspects, 64 are detained in the custody of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID). The Police Media Spokesperson said 20 suspects are being held under detention by the Terrorists Investigation Division and investigated. He said 17 safe houses used by the terrorists for lodging and 7 training camps were also discovered.
Read less...
May - 15 
Police Media Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekara stated that Western Province Intelligence Division have arrested a suspect, identified as Mohammed Rizwan on May 15 from an unspecified location in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. He is believed to have maintained close links
Read more...
Police Media Spokesperson Superintendent of Police (SP) Ruwan Gunasekara stated that Western Province Intelligence Division have arrested a suspect, identified as Mohammed Rizwan on May 15 from an unspecified location in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page. He is believed to have maintained close links with the Easter Sunday suicide bombers. SP Ruwan Gunasekara further said that intelligence investigators have been deployed to gather information on those who are engaged in violent incidents and individuals who are leading such incidents and investigations are being conducted into the incidents that took place in the Northwestern Province and in the Minuwangoda area.
Read less...
May - 27 
President Maithripala Sirisena on May 27 described his country as “99%” secure and urged the international community to continue to provide economic assistance and lift the travel advisories issued to tourists, reports The Hindu. President Sirisena told select Colombo-based diplomats, and urged coun
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena on May 27 described his country as “99%” secure and urged the international community to continue to provide economic assistance and lift the travel advisories issued to tourists, reports The Hindu. President Sirisena told select Colombo-based diplomats, and urged countries to lift the travel ban imposed following the Easter attacks. “He [Mr. Sirisena] thanked the international community for the cooperation and assistance provided to Sri Lanka at this time of need and urged them to continue to provide economic assistance and lift the travel advisories issued to tourists,” according to a statement issued by his office.
Read less...
May - 29 
Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sisira Mendis told the PSC that though he briefed the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando on the impending terrorist attack, reports Island.
Read more...
Chief of National Intelligence (CNI) Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Sisira Mendis told the PSC that though he briefed the then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando on the impending terrorist attack, reports Island.
Read less...
June - 9 
On the political front, Sri Lanka’s 11th Parliament met at its inaugural session on November 9 and passed a resolution extending the state of Emergency in the country by another month. Inaugurating the new House, President Kumaratunga said she was willing to negotiate with the LTTE, within the frame
Read more...
On the political front, Sri Lanka’s 11th Parliament met at its inaugural session on November 9 and passed a resolution extending the state of Emergency in the country by another month. Inaugurating the new House, President Kumaratunga said she was willing to negotiate with the LTTE, within the framework of a united Sri Lanka, but underlined that ‘war against terrorism would have to continue’. The President said, the LTTE should discuss clear and definite political issues. If, for the LTTE, discussions meant "lifting of embargoes and the supply of food and similar things which are advantageous to them, then there will be no purpose served, the President added."
Read less...
June - 28 
Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on June 28 testified before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) looking into the Easter Sunday serial blasts said one of the suicide bombers who blew himself up in one of the attacks had been his party’s assistant Treasurer Alawdeen's son in law, reports Daily
Read more...
Former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen on June 28 testified before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) looking into the Easter Sunday serial blasts said one of the suicide bombers who blew himself up in one of the attacks had been his party’s assistant Treasurer Alawdeen's son in law, reports Daily Mirror. Bathiudeen, however, said that he had not associated with this terror group member at any time. “I got to know from Alawdeen that his son in law had informed his daughter that he was going to Zambia. He had later messaged his wife and said he is in Dubai. Then he had sent a text again the following day and had informed that he was in Kenya. However we found out later that he was one of the bombers who carried out one of the attacks on April 21 2019. Nether the wife of the bomber nor his father in law had known about it,” Mr. Bathiudeen said.The former MP said that the ideology of Islamic State and National Thowheed Jamath (NTJ) was against Islamism. He said he had already expressed his regrets to Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith on the Easter Sunday attacks. “We are ready to work with all religious leaders and the armed forces to eradicate terrorism and extremism in Sri Lanka.”
Read less...
June - 28 
Police officials have informed the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on June 28 that there is no evidence linking All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Party Leader and former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to the series of bomb attacks on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page.
Read more...
Police officials have informed the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on June 28 that there is no evidence linking All Ceylon Makkal Congress (ACMC) Party Leader and former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen to the series of bomb attacks on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page.
Read less...
June - 30 
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has taken steps to restructure and streamline the entire system in order to strengthen the intelligence apparatus and national security, reports Colombo Page.According to the General (Retired) Shantha Kottegoda Defense Secretary, the MOD has identified seven factors, wh
Read more...
The Ministry of Defense (MOD) has taken steps to restructure and streamline the entire system in order to strengthen the intelligence apparatus and national security, reports Colombo Page.According to the General (Retired) Shantha Kottegoda Defense Secretary, the MOD has identified seven factors, which are key to good governance, public safety & security and interrelated to National Security, and has already taken necessary steps to link and set the right channels of communication with the respective Ministries that fall on to each of the key factors.
Read less...
July - 7 
The influential chief of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara on July 7 said that they must aim to take democratic control of parliament to protect the community, reports Reuters. Aththe Gnanasara called on Sri Lanka’s 10,000 Buddhist temples to help win votes for candidates from the
Read more...
The influential chief of the Bodu Bala Sena (BBS), Galagoda Aththe Gnanasara on July 7 said that they must aim to take democratic control of parliament to protect the community, reports Reuters. Aththe Gnanasara called on Sri Lanka’s 10,000 Buddhist temples to help win votes for candidates from the Sinhala Buddhist majority. “We the clergies should aim to create a Sinhala Government. We will create a parliament that will be accountable for the country, a parliament that will protect Sinhalese,” said Gnanasara.
Read less...
July - 8 
Leader of the House and Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament on July 8 that President Maithripala Sirisena would have to come before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks, reports The Island. He stated that “I have pointed out many
Read more...
Leader of the House and Public Enterprise Minister Lakshman Kiriella told Parliament on July 8 that President Maithripala Sirisena would have to come before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday terror attacks, reports The Island. He stated that “I have pointed out many times in this assembly that the PSC has powers to summon persons of any rank, be it the Prime Minister or the President of the country.”
Read less...
July - 9 
The Attorney General’s Department revealed that the Attorney General Dappula de Livera will file revision application before the Colombo High Court challenging the lower court's decision to grant bail to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri F
Read more...
The Attorney General’s Department revealed that the Attorney General Dappula de Livera will file revision application before the Colombo High Court challenging the lower court's decision to grant bail to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Pujith Jayasundara and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, Colombo Page reports on 10 July. Both were granted bail on 9 July on the ground of insufficient evidence.
Read less...
July - 10 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed parliament on July 10 that 161 suspects were in police custody while another 167 suspects were in remand custody in connection with the Easter Sunday attack, reports Daily Mirror. 99 persons had also been arrested on suspicion over the attack waiting to b
Read more...
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe informed parliament on July 10 that 161 suspects were in police custody while another 167 suspects were in remand custody in connection with the Easter Sunday attack, reports Daily Mirror. 99 persons had also been arrested on suspicion over the attack waiting to be produced in court on the advice of the Attorney General Dappula de Livera after completion of the investigations. Premier said 39 suspects were produced in court in relation to the incidents of Kuliyapitiya and Hettipola areas of North Western province where mobs attacked several mosques and torched dozens of Muslim-owned shops and homes.
Read less...
July - 10 
Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Kapila Jayasekara on July 10 said that the Police had not received any information that Zahran Hashim was involved in terrorist activities other than some clashes with different Islamic sects in Kattankudy, Eastern Province reports that Daily Mirror. He said th
Read more...
Senior Deputy Inspector General (SDIG) Kapila Jayasekara on July 10 said that the Police had not received any information that Zahran Hashim was involved in terrorist activities other than some clashes with different Islamic sects in Kattankudy, Eastern Province reports that Daily Mirror. He said this while testifying before the Parliament Select Committee (PSC) appointed to probe the Easter Sunday attacks. Responding to a question raised by Committee Chairman Ananda Kumarasiri, the DIG revealed that he had not been informed by the IGP on a possible attack on April 21, whereas the IGP had informed several DIGs including the Western Province DIG and Traffic DIG. DIG considered this as a miscommunication rather than a failure of the intelligence services.
Read less...
July - 11 
Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy said that two designated State Banks may provide relief to the tune of LKR 100 billion to hotels and other institutions affected by the Easter Sunday blasts, in the form of a one-year moratorium, to help in reviving the tourism industry, subject to Ce
Read more...
Central Bank Governor Dr. Indrajith Coomaraswamy said that two designated State Banks may provide relief to the tune of LKR 100 billion to hotels and other institutions affected by the Easter Sunday blasts, in the form of a one-year moratorium, to help in reviving the tourism industry, subject to Central Bank regulations, reports Island. "At present there have been 3,641 requests to banks for a moratorium. The amount considered for the moratorium is LKR 101 billion and so far 945 requests have been approved and 2,696 are under process of approval, the Governor said at the CBSL's monthly monetary policy review press briefing held at Central Bank auditorium on July 11.
Read less...
July - 11 
Daily Mirror reports that State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, during an event in Colombo to commemorate war hero Hasalaka Gamini on 11 July, warned that there could still be individuals who have a leaning towards Islamic State (IS) ideology. He also assured that the authorities have elimina
Read more...
Daily Mirror reports that State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene, during an event in Colombo to commemorate war hero Hasalaka Gamini on 11 July, warned that there could still be individuals who have a leaning towards Islamic State (IS) ideology. He also assured that the authorities have eliminated Zahran Hashim’s group in Sri Lanka and those who remain have been arrested.
Read less...
July - 14 
Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe defended Muslim leader Rishad Bathiudeen on July 14 and said "The CID reports have cleared Mr. Bathiudeen," reports Daily Mirror. “After the Easter Sunday attacks there was an allegation that Minister Bathiudeen tried to influence the Army Commander into rele
Read more...
Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe defended Muslim leader Rishad Bathiudeen on July 14 and said "The CID reports have cleared Mr. Bathiudeen," reports Daily Mirror. “After the Easter Sunday attacks there was an allegation that Minister Bathiudeen tried to influence the Army Commander into releasing the son of an acquaintance. However, the army chief later denied and said the minister did not attempt to influence him. The CID had sent a report on Mr. Bathiudeen to the Speaker,” PM Wickremesinghe said.
Read less...
July - 15 
The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka held an informal counter-terrorism dialogue where the EU presented a support package for Sri Lanka focusing on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives and online radicalisation, reports Daily Mirror on July 15. The package worth EUR
Read more...
The European Union (EU) and Sri Lanka held an informal counter-terrorism dialogue where the EU presented a support package for Sri Lanka focusing on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives and online radicalisation, reports Daily Mirror on July 15. The package worth EUR 8.5 million will notably focus on law enforcement, rehabilitation and disengagement, counter-narratives, and online radicalisation. The EU Embassy, in a statement, said that the dialogue was chaired by EU Counter-terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove and Sri Lankan’s Acting Foreign Affairs Secretary Ahmed A. Jawad on July 15.
Read less...
July - 16 
Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said that a nine-hour long statement was recorded from former defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando on July 15 in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, reports Daily Mirror on July 17. Delivering a lengthy order with regard to the maintainability of the case unde
Read more...
Police Spokesman Ruwan Gunasekera said that a nine-hour long statement was recorded from former defence secretary Hemasiri Fernando on July 15 in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, reports Daily Mirror on July 17. Delivering a lengthy order with regard to the maintainability of the case under Section 296 of the Penal Code, Chief Magistrate Lanka Jayaratne held that there was insufficient evidence to frame murder charges against Mr. Fernando under Section 296 of the Penal Code.
Read less...
July - 16 
President Maithripala Sirisena on July 16 said everyone connected to the Easter Sunday attack was arrested and that they should be given death sentence as there was clear evidence against them, reports Daily Mirror.
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena on July 16 said everyone connected to the Easter Sunday attack was arrested and that they should be given death sentence as there was clear evidence against them, reports Daily Mirror.
Read less...
July - 19 
Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Education, Ashu Marasinghe, under the parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development, on July 19 called for a forensic audit on the Batticaloa Campus, reports Daily Mirror on July 20. He told a news conference that a forens
Read more...
Chairman of the Sub-Committee on Education, Ashu Marasinghe, under the parliamentary Sectoral Oversight Committee on Education and Human Resources Development, on July 19 called for a forensic audit on the Batticaloa Campus, reports Daily Mirror on July 20. He told a news conference that a forensic audit was essential to obtain more details on the illegal transactions, which the campus had been involved in. The funding of the Batticaloa Campus came under review after the April 21, 2019 Easter Sunday bombings.
Read less...
July - 21 
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on July 21 said that he did not have faith in any of the probes carried out on the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, reports Daily Mirror. He said that it seems that the political leaders are getting one committee that probes Easter Sunday attacks to sub
Read more...
Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith on July 21 said that he did not have faith in any of the probes carried out on the Easter Sunday terrorist attacks, reports Daily Mirror. He said that it seems that the political leaders are getting one committee that probes Easter Sunday attacks to submit a report according to their whims and fancies. Cardinal Ranjith said that Easter Sunday mayhem was an international conspiracy and not merely the work of Islamic Extremists. “The youth who carried out the bomb attacks were used by the international conspirators. Global Muslims have become victims of international forces. However, global Muslims should stand up against the conspirators who use the Islamic ideologies to create mayhem all over the globe. They should join the people of other religions to fight against those forces who insult Islamism to fulfil their aspirations,” the Cardinal said
Read less...
July - 22 
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena refuses allegations leveled against his administration by some sections three months after Easter Sunday attack, reports Colombo Page on July 23. President Sirisena further said as a Government his administration fulfilled its duties and responsibilities aft
Read more...
Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena refuses allegations leveled against his administration by some sections three months after Easter Sunday attack, reports Colombo Page on July 23. President Sirisena further said as a Government his administration fulfilled its duties and responsibilities after the attacks and the terrorist organization that carried out these attacks were wiped out from the country. President Sirisena said it is not fair to come to conclusions about the attacks on April 21st with vested political interests in mind.
Read less...
July - 24 
Head of Criminal Investigation Division, senior Deputy Inspector General, Ravi Seneviratne on July 24 while testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attacks stated that the Easter attack has been the handwork of home-grown terrorists, reports Daily Mirror.
Read more...
Head of Criminal Investigation Division, senior Deputy Inspector General, Ravi Seneviratne on July 24 while testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing the Easter Sunday attacks stated that the Easter attack has been the handwork of home-grown terrorists, reports Daily Mirror. He further said that as per the investigation conducted on this case, no evidence was found to support Islamic State (IS)’s role in carrying out April 21 Easter serial bombings.
Read less...
July - 25 
Commanding Officer of the Police Special Task Force (STF), Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) R. Latif on July 25 said that if he had the information on the suicide attack on April 21 been notified at least on the previous day, action would have been taken to prevent it, reports Daily Mirror. T
Read more...
Commanding Officer of the Police Special Task Force (STF), Senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG) R. Latif on July 25 said that if he had the information on the suicide attack on April 21 been notified at least on the previous day, action would have been taken to prevent it, reports Daily Mirror. The senior DIG made this statement testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) investigating the Easter Sunday attack. He further revealed before the PSC that as the Commanding Officer of the Police Special Task Force, he had not been called to any meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) prior to Easter Sunday attack.
Read less...
July - 30 
Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake on July 30 stated in front of Parliamentary Select Committee that there were some Islamic terrorists still operating at various places in the country and the threats they posed were far from over, reports The Island. Parliamentary Select Committee
Read more...
Army Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake on July 30 stated in front of Parliamentary Select Committee that there were some Islamic terrorists still operating at various places in the country and the threats they posed were far from over, reports The Island. Parliamentary Select Committee is probing the Easter Sunday Bombing. When asked if the Islamist threat was over, he stated that ‘’We cannot assure that it is over. We are not in a position to say that we can see this problem will be over within six months or six years.’’
Read less...
July - 31 
Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), probing the Easter Sunday carnage, said that the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) was empowered to arrest suspected terrorists without Department of Attorney General’ (DAG)s advice, report
Read more...
Deputy Solicitor General (DSG) Dileepa Peiris testifying before the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC), probing the Easter Sunday carnage, said that the Terrorist Investigation Division (TID) was empowered to arrest suspected terrorists without Department of Attorney General’ (DAG)s advice, reports Island. DSG Peiris on July 31 found fault with the TID for waiting for instructions from the DAG without arresting terrorists connected to the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ).
Read less...
August - 4 
Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Tennakoon submitted his letter of resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena August 4 morning, reports Island. Tennakoon said that he had decided to resign from the post to enable President Sirisena to appoint a person of his choice to the vacant post. Ea
Read more...
Governor of the Southern Province Keerthi Tennakoon submitted his letter of resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena August 4 morning, reports Island. Tennakoon said that he had decided to resign from the post to enable President Sirisena to appoint a person of his choice to the vacant post. Earlier, Central Province Governor Maithri Gunaratne resigned on August 3. On August 1, Uva Province Governor Marshal Perera had resigned.
Read less...
August - 11 
Sri Lanka’s former Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakshe started off his Presidential campaign this week, states Tamil Guardian on August 12. Gotabaya who is accused in multiple war crimes especially in killing of thousands of tamils in Mullivaikkal is currently trying to renounce his U.S citizensh
Read more...
Sri Lanka’s former Defence Secretary, Gotabaya Rajapakshe started off his Presidential campaign this week, states Tamil Guardian on August 12. Gotabaya who is accused in multiple war crimes especially in killing of thousands of tamils in Mullivaikkal is currently trying to renounce his U.S citizenship and the two lawsuits in U.S by the survivors of horrific abuses during war against Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) that have been deferring his election eligibility. Announcing his Presidential bid this week, Gotabaya said that ensuring national security is his top priority. Meanwhile, former Tamil National Alliance (TNA) parliamentarian M.K. Sivajilingamon August 11 stated that TNA would not intervene in the contest to select the leaders of the south, reports Hiru News. He was responding on the nomination of former Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the presidential candidate of the Sri Lanka Podujana Perammuna (SLPP).
Read less...
August - 12 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan while meeting the European Union (EU) delegation in Colombo on August 12 has alleged stated that the upcoming Sri Lanka presidential election is a sham, reports Daily Mirror. Elaborating it, Sampanthan stated that the people of Sri Lanka since long
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) leader R. Sampanthan while meeting the European Union (EU) delegation in Colombo on August 12 has alleged stated that the upcoming Sri Lanka presidential election is a sham, reports Daily Mirror. Elaborating it, Sampanthan stated that the people of Sri Lanka since long time have voted for the abrogation of executive presidency and gave call for the induction of new Constitution. Talking to the EU delegation which comprised of the government Riccardo Chelleri, (Policy Officer Democracy and Electoral Observation) and Anne Vaugier Chatterjee (Deputy Head, Political, Trade, and Communications Section), Sampanthan rejected the presidential election as the need of hour as the will of the people.
Read less...
August - 13 
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday attacks has decided to request to the Speaker for an extension of one month of its tenure, reports Daily News on August 14. According to PSC Chairperson Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, the committee requires more time to conclude its work a
Read more...
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday attacks has decided to request to the Speaker for an extension of one month of its tenure, reports Daily News on August 14. According to PSC Chairperson Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri, the committee requires more time to conclude its work and prepare report which is not possible in the stipulated deadline of August 23. He further said that the committee will make an appeal to the Speaker to increase its tenure to another month.
Read less...
August - 15 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participating at the inauguration of the first phase of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbor in Jaffna city of Jafna District in Northern Province on August 15 said the Government's objective is to rebuild and develop the war-torn North and elevate Jaffna to a major city
Read more...
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe participating at the inauguration of the first phase of the Myliddy Fisheries Harbor in Jaffna city of Jafna District in Northern Province on August 15 said the Government's objective is to rebuild and develop the war-torn North and elevate Jaffna to a major city of Sri Lanka as in the past, reports Colombo Page. He stressed that to achieve this objective a major economic boom will be launched with Jaffna at the center in the next five years.
Read less...
August - 17 
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressing a function in Jaffna District said the Government has allocated increasingly bigger volumes of funds for the development of the Northern Province in the last three years, reports Colombo Page on August 18. "This government has allocated massive funds for the dev
Read more...
Minister Rishad Bathiudeen addressing a function in Jaffna District said the Government has allocated increasingly bigger volumes of funds for the development of the Northern Province in the last three years, reports Colombo Page on August 18. "This government has allocated massive funds for the development of Northern Province and more projects are to be launched," Minister Bathiudeen said.
Read less...
August - 19 
The U.S. on August 19 expressed concern over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as new Army Commander by the President following the retirement of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, reports Colombo Page. The U.S. Embassy issuing a statement said "The allegations of gross human
Read more...
The U.S. on August 19 expressed concern over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as new Army Commander by the President following the retirement of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, reports Colombo Page. The U.S. Embassy issuing a statement said "The allegations of gross human rights violations against him, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible. This appointment undermines Sri Lanka's international reputation and its commitments to promote justice and accountability, especially at a time when the need for reconciliation and social unity is paramount."
Read less...
August - 19 
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on August 19 expressed serious concerns about the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, who has been alleged of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as the country's new army commander, reports Colombo Page. "I am deeply trouble
Read more...
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on August 19 expressed serious concerns about the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, who has been alleged of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as the country's new army commander, reports Colombo Page. "I am deeply troubled by the appointment of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, despite the serious allegations of gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against him and his troops during the war," Bachelet said.
Read less...
August - 20 
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on August 20 said the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Sri Lanka Army commander negates all the Government's pledges toward accountability, reconciliation, and reform, reports Colombo Page. The HRW said Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has appoi
Read more...
Human Rights Watch (HRW) on August 20 said the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Sri Lanka Army commander negates all the Government's pledges toward accountability, reconciliation, and reform, reports Colombo Page. The HRW said Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed a General whose forces have been credibly accused of war crimes as the commander of the national army confirming the fears of those like Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera, who, back in March, supported the United Nations Human Rights Council's extension of its 2015 resolution on Sri Lanka. The extension, which Sirisena and other top officials openly opposed, seeks justice and accountability for violations committed during the 26-year civil war that ended in 2009. "The sad reality is, then, that there are those who oppose any measure to achieve accountability and reconciliation, because they don't want justice," HRW quoted Mangala Samaraweera. "They want victor's justice." The appointment of Major General Shavendra Silva as army commander suggests he was right, HRW said.
Read less...
August - 20 
Responding to the international concern mounted over the appointment of the new Army Commander, Sri Lanka on August 20 said the appointment of the Army Commander of Sri Lanka is a sovereign decision by the Head of State, reports Colombo Page. Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement said "Foreign ent
Read more...
Responding to the international concern mounted over the appointment of the new Army Commander, Sri Lanka on August 20 said the appointment of the Army Commander of Sri Lanka is a sovereign decision by the Head of State, reports Colombo Page. Foreign Affairs Ministry in a statement said "Foreign entities trying to influence the decisions and internal administrative processes of public service promotions in Sri Lanka are unwarranted and unacceptable. Articulating a position of concern on this appointment by certain bilateral partners and international organizations, based on allegations, is regrettable and contrary to the principles of natural justice espoused by all responsible members of the international community."
Read less...
August - 23 
Sri Lanka on August 23, ended a four-month state of emergency declared after Easter Sunday suicide bombings by National Thowheed Jammath (NTJ), reports Colombo Page. President Maithripala Sirisena declared the state of emergency on April 22, after multiple terror attacks in the country on Easter Sun
Read more...
Sri Lanka on August 23, ended a four-month state of emergency declared after Easter Sunday suicide bombings by National Thowheed Jammath (NTJ), reports Colombo Page. President Maithripala Sirisena declared the state of emergency on April 22, after multiple terror attacks in the country on Easter Sunday. Sri Lankan President and Prime Minister both have said earlier that 99 percent of the Islamic militants linked to the suicide bombing are either arrested or were killed in the attacks. However, the Army will continue to assist Police for internal security, military spokesman, Sumith Atapattu said.
Read less...
August - 25 
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Ahmed Shaheed warned against the simmering ethnic and religious tensions in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page on August 26. In a press conference in Colombo in Sri Lanka’s Western Province on August 25, Shaheed presented his repor
Read more...
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief Ahmed Shaheed warned against the simmering ethnic and religious tensions in Sri Lanka, reports Colombo Page on August 26. In a press conference in Colombo in Sri Lanka’s Western Province on August 25, Shaheed presented his report of his 12- day-long study of Human Rights violations in Sri Lanka. Shaheed stated simmering ethno-religious tensions in Sri Lanka requires urgent government action to maintain peace in Sri Lanka. According to Daily News, UN Special Rapporteur also said the deeply rooted identity politics in Sri Lanka “undermine all the peace-building, coexistence and religious tolerance or harmony projects”.Referring to the findings of the Parliament Select Committee on Communal and Religious Harmony headed by Speaker Karu Jayasuriya, Shaheed observed that a considerable amount of the blame for ethno-religious tensions goes “..to politicians of all political parties, creating and instrumentalizing communal disharmony in an attempt to strengthen their power bases”.
Read less...
August - 27 
Secretary-General of INTERPOL Jürgen Stock while meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees in Colombo on August 27 said the support given to him by the Prime Minister, who has well understood the need to work together to launch a common program to combat global terrorism and e
Read more...
Secretary-General of INTERPOL Jürgen Stock while meeting with Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe at Temple Trees in Colombo on August 27 said the support given to him by the Prime Minister, who has well understood the need to work together to launch a common program to combat global terrorism and ensure global security, helped to improve the global security program, reports Colombo Page. Highlighting the strong cooperation between INTERPOL and Sri Lanka following the April 21 bomb attacks Secretary General pointed out that the political support and guidance given by Mr. Wickremesinghe following the Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka and the commitment of the Sri Lankan Police and the security forces made it possible to arrest all the suspects in a short period of time.
Read less...
August - 30 
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer issuing statement to mark the International Day of Enforced Disappearances on August 30 said the UN stands ready to support the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its mandate to provide relief to the victims of enforced disappearan
Read more...
United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Sri Lanka, Hanaa Singer issuing statement to mark the International Day of Enforced Disappearances on August 30 said the UN stands ready to support the Government of Sri Lanka to fulfil its mandate to provide relief to the victims of enforced disappearances and to ensure no such crimes will occur in the future, reports Colombo Page. Hanaa Singer said the Enforced Disappearances are heinous crimes and Sri Lanka has a long history of disappearances as evidenced by the numerous national commissions of inquiry which have looked into such allegations over many decades, as well as by UN reports. Singer said the UN was encouraged by Sri Lanka's ratification of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance in 2016 and particularly by the establishment of the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) in 2017.
Read less...
August - 30 
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha while delivering the Valedictory Address on the theme 'Lessons Learnt in Dealing with the Challenges Faced by Sri Lanka in the Aftermath of 21/4', at the conclusion of the 9th Colombo Defense Seminar - 2019, held at the BMICH in Colombo on August 30 said post Ap
Read more...
Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha while delivering the Valedictory Address on the theme 'Lessons Learnt in Dealing with the Challenges Faced by Sri Lanka in the Aftermath of 21/4', at the conclusion of the 9th Colombo Defense Seminar - 2019, held at the BMICH in Colombo on August 30 said post April 21 has been a 'litmus test' on Sri Lanka's resolve to adhere to human rights standards while fighting terrorism, reports Colombo Page. The Foreign Secretary noted that the robust security response in the aftermath of 21/4 asserted the capacity of the Sri Lanka security forces, and it is to Sri Lanka's credit that as of August, it was possible to lift the emergency, having served its immediate purpose.
Read less...
September - 3 
A Parliamentary delegation from India thwarted Pakistan's attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Rights in Colombo, Sri Lanka on September 3, reports The Times of India. India asserted that it was India's in
Read more...
A Parliamentary delegation from India thwarted Pakistan's attempt to raise the Kashmir issue at a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), South Asian Parliamentarian Conference on Children Rights in Colombo, Sri Lanka on September 3, reports The Times of India. India asserted that it was India's internal matter, slamming Pakistan’s record on rights issues of minorities. "We firmly reminded them that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India and India is the largest democracy in the world and as stakeholders in the Indian democracy, an Indian voice will be heard, not that of a vested interest, not that of a foreign country, and not certainly that of Pakistan," Indian Member of Parliament (MP), Gaurav Gogoi, who is part of the delegation stated.
Read less...
September - 3 
On September 3, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) informed the Supreme Court that director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had forwarded no less than 97 intelligence reports to IGP Pujith Jayasundara from 2016 onwards regarding the National Thowheed Jamath Organization (NTJ) and its leader
Read more...
On September 3, Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) informed the Supreme Court that director of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) had forwarded no less than 97 intelligence reports to IGP Pujith Jayasundara from 2016 onwards regarding the National Thowheed Jamath Organization (NTJ) and its leader Saharan Hashim, reports Daily News. Appearing for the BASL, President’s Counsel Sanjeewa Jayawardena further stated that SIS director also had forwarded 17 intelligence reports to then Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando in 2018 and 2019 over imminent terrorist attacks. All these information was disclosed when the seven-judge Supreme Court bench on September 04will be hearing the 12 fundamental rights petitions filed against former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujith Jayasundera over their failure to prevent the terrorist attacks on churches and star class hotels in Colombo and Batticaloa areas, despite receiving intelligence reports prior to the attacks.
Read less...
September - 3 
Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) Chairman Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri has stated that Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to appear before the committee on Easter attack probe, reports Daily News on September 4. Kumarasiri further stated that committee has already sent a let
Read more...
Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) Chairman Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri has stated that Sri Lanka President Maithripala Sirisena has agreed to appear before the committee on Easter attack probe, reports Daily News on September 4. Kumarasiri further stated that committee has already sent a letter to the President for the date.
Read less...
September - 5 
In a press conference on September 5, Police Media spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara has stated that approximately 300 people were arrested in connection with April 21 Easter Sunday attack, reports Colombo Page. Among the 293 people arrested, as reported in Daily Mirror,115 suspects were remanded while
Read more...
In a press conference on September 5, Police Media spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara has stated that approximately 300 people were arrested in connection with April 21 Easter Sunday attack, reports Colombo Page. Among the 293 people arrested, as reported in Daily Mirror,115 suspects were remanded while 178 others are still in detention. Gunasekara further said that the statements of the surviving 81 victims injured in National ThowheedJammath (NTJ) executed bombings in St. Anthony's Church in Kochchikade have also been recorded. Gunasekara also stated that assets such as lands, buildings, vehicles and other movable properties worth more than INR six billion were recovered from the suspects. As reported in Daily Mirror, a sum of more than Rs.134 million in hundred bank accounts of 41 suspects had along with INR 20 million worth of money has been recovered by the CID.
Read less...
September - 6 
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peris on September 6 told the Colombo High Court that charges will be filed against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujitha Jayasundera for committing murder and conspiring to commit murder in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, reports Dail
Read more...
Deputy Solicitor General Dileepa Peris on September 6 told the Colombo High Court that charges will be filed against former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujitha Jayasundera for committing murder and conspiring to commit murder in connection with the Easter Sunday attacks, reports Daily News. The Deputy Solicitor General told court that IGP Jayasundera, who has been sent on compulsory leave, and former Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando, had failed to take action despite repeated warnings by State intelligence agencies of an imminent attack by the National Thowheed Jammath (NTJ). He submitted that the State intelligence agencies had apprised the IGP 131 times and former defence Secretary 97 times of a possible attack by the NTJ.
Read less...
September - 6 
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 6 said a new commission will be established to probe Easter Sunday attack, reports Daily News. This will be done Cardinal Ranjith has made a request from us to establish a fresh Commission of Inquiry with regard to the Easter Sunday Attack. Wickremesi
Read more...
Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on September 6 said a new commission will be established to probe Easter Sunday attack, reports Daily News. This will be done Cardinal Ranjith has made a request from us to establish a fresh Commission of Inquiry with regard to the Easter Sunday Attack. Wickremesinghe observed “Such a commission should be established afresh. We agree with the Cardinal’s request. In instituting a new commission, reports of the ongoing Presidential Commission and Parliamentary Select Committee will be taken into consideration. People of the country are keen to know all facts and details about the brutal attack. Therefore, all findings of the existing committees will be collected together with other information that can be gathered from other sources in forming a new commission. I absolutely endorsed the Cardinal’s proposal.”
Read less...
September - 9 
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) core group on Sri Lanka has noted that Sri Lanka's pace of progress in fulfilling the UNHRC commitments has remained slow in many areas, with bureaucratic constraints hampering delivery, reports Colombo Page on September 10. In a statement to the 42nd
Read more...
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) core group on Sri Lanka has noted that Sri Lanka's pace of progress in fulfilling the UNHRC commitments has remained slow in many areas, with bureaucratic constraints hampering delivery, reports Colombo Page on September 10. In a statement to the 42nd session of the UNHRC on behalf of the core group, the United Kingdom noted that reflecting the good intentions of the Government there have been many important developments since 2015 and some key domestic institutions have been established. The core group, however expressing concern over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva to head the Sri Lanka Army, said that appointment of General Silva as Army Commander severely compromises Sri Lanka's commitment to promote justice and accountability and undermines reconciliation efforts.
Read less...
September - 11 
President Maithripala Sirisena on September 11 instructed to expedite the amendments of existing laws and introduce new legislation to prevent terrorism, reports Colombo Page. The President gave these instructions at a progress review meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security
Read more...
President Maithripala Sirisena on September 11 instructed to expedite the amendments of existing laws and introduce new legislation to prevent terrorism, reports Colombo Page. The President gave these instructions at a progress review meeting of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security held at the Parliamentary Complex. Expressing his views, President Sirisena emphasized that the decisions taken on national security should not be delayed at all and it is very important to take the necessary decisions immediately.
Read less...
September - 11 
Sri Lanka highlighting the salient points of the progress made in protection of human rights of the people on September 11 requested the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to accord due recognition to the achievements made by the country amidst numerous challenges, reports Colombo Page. In
Read more...
Sri Lanka highlighting the salient points of the progress made in protection of human rights of the people on September 11 requested the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to accord due recognition to the achievements made by the country amidst numerous challenges, reports Colombo Page. In a statement delivered to the 42nd session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the UN in Geneva Dayani Mendis highlighted the measures taken by the Government of Sri Lanka within a short time span of only four years towards reconciliation, development and protection and promotion of human rights.
Read less...
September - 16 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on September 16 said it would fully back any move to abolish the executive presidency even at this stage ahead of the election, reports Daily Mirror. TNA MP for Jaffna District, M.A. Sumanthiran told that this had been the policy of his party right throughout. “We will
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) on September 16 said it would fully back any move to abolish the executive presidency even at this stage ahead of the election, reports Daily Mirror. TNA MP for Jaffna District, M.A. Sumanthiran told that this had been the policy of his party right throughout. “We will support any move to abolish the executive presidency. Numerous pledges have been given in the past to scrap it,” he said.
Read less...
September - 18 
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on September 18 informed Colombo Fort Court that it was probing several plans devised by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) based on information received from Interpol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on communication techniques of the ter
Read more...
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on September 18 informed Colombo Fort Court that it was probing several plans devised by Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) based on information received from Interpol and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on communication techniques of the terrorist outfit, reports Daily Mirror. It further informed that investigations into several plans masterminded by ISIS were ongoing and that information was being obtained from Interpol and FBI on social media platforms, WhatsApp, Viber and Instagram used by the ISIS.
Read less...
September - 20 
On September 20, Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the cabinet meeting was called by the President Maithripala Sirisena himself to discuss the abolition of Executive Presidency, reports Daily Mirror. Clarifying his stance in the meeting, PM said that the other parties were not in
Read more...
On September 20, Prime Minister (PM) Ranil Wickremesinghe stated that the cabinet meeting was called by the President Maithripala Sirisena himself to discuss the abolition of Executive Presidency, reports Daily Mirror. Clarifying his stance in the meeting, PM said that the other parties were not in agreement for the abolishment of Executive Presidency even though civil society activists have been rooting for it.
Read less...
September - 20 
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing Easter Sunday attacks met with President Maithripala Sirisena on September 20 at the President's Office to record his statement, reports Colombo Page. Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri said all members of
Read more...
The Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) probing Easter Sunday attacks met with President Maithripala Sirisena on September 20 at the President's Office to record his statement, reports Colombo Page. Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee, Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri said all members of the PSC were present at the event and recording of evidence commenced at 10:00 am. The meeting with the President was not open to the media and the committee said the President's statement also will not be released to media. Committee member MP Nalinda Jayatissa has said that the final report of the PSC will be submitted to the Parliament at the end of October.
Read less...
September - 25 
On September 25 in a National Convention of a collective of family members of war heroes at Colombo (Colombo District) of Western Province, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the three-decade-long fierce war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and bringing relief for the
Read more...
On September 25 in a National Convention of a collective of family members of war heroes at Colombo (Colombo District) of Western Province, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa stated that the three-decade-long fierce war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and bringing relief for the soldiers and their families, reports Daily Mirror. Rajapaksa further stated that these war heroes, who are being ignored by the present government, will only get relief once his party Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa wins the Presidential election.
Read less...
October - 7 
An election monitoring group in Sri Lanka, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) says it will deploy 7500 observers to monitor the upcoming Presidential Election, reports Colombo Page on October 8. CaFFE says the large number of observers will be deployed to monitor the anticipated situations
Read more...
An election monitoring group in Sri Lanka, Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE) says it will deploy 7500 observers to monitor the upcoming Presidential Election, reports Colombo Page on October 8. CaFFE says the large number of observers will be deployed to monitor the anticipated situations as a record number of candidates are contesting the Presidential Election. CaFFE's Acting Executive Director Ahmed Manas said there have been reports of violence and violations of election laws at every election after the nominations were handed over. He said that therefore, the candidates and the party leaders should take action to properly direct their supporters in this election.
Read less...
October - 9 
The European Union (EU) on October 9 provided EUR 40 million to Sri Lanka to co-finance the Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation and Inclusive Democratic Engagement (STRIDE) project, security and development, reports Colombo Page. Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary to the Treasury at the Mini
Read more...
The European Union (EU) on October 9 provided EUR 40 million to Sri Lanka to co-finance the Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation and Inclusive Democratic Engagement (STRIDE) project, security and development, reports Colombo Page. Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador of the Delegation of the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, signed the financing agreement. "Good governance and the participation of communities are important to ensure that a country's growth reaches everyone. Local government structures must be responsive to people's needs. These are key elements in ensuring effective governance on the ground which help address causes of conflict. With STRIDE, the EU contributes to long-term peace, security, and development in Sri Lanka," the EU Ambassador said.
Read less...
October - 12 
H.M.P.B. Herath, Secretary of the five-member commission appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on Easter Sunday attack probe said that the commission will accept complains and petitions on the attacks till October 14, reported by Colombo Page on October 13.
Read more...
H.M.P.B. Herath, Secretary of the five-member commission appointed by President Maithripala Sirisena on Easter Sunday attack probe said that the commission will accept complains and petitions on the attacks till October 14, reported by Colombo Page on October 13.
Read less...
October - 16 
On October 16, Chairman of the Elections Commission (EC) Mahinda Deshapriya in a press conference stated that the reference of war or war crimes cannot used by any party or group during the Presidential Election campaign, reports Colombo Page. He said that the parties have already been warned regard
Read more...
On October 16, Chairman of the Elections Commission (EC) Mahinda Deshapriya in a press conference stated that the reference of war or war crimes cannot used by any party or group during the Presidential Election campaign, reports Colombo Page. He said that the parties have already been warned regarding its usage prior. Referring to an advertisement published in a newspaper by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) presidential candidate Gotabhaya Rajapaksa using a statement from the current Army commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Deshapriya condemned the use of Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva's image and endorsement in the advertisement. He warned further action would be taken against the army commander for violating election law if the latter did not clarify his stance on the issue.
Read less...
October - 17 
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), an election watchdog in Sri Lanka has requested the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Security Forces to investigate the emerging false rumour mongering groups related to national security, reports Colombo Page on October 18. CaFFE stated that
Read more...
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), an election watchdog in Sri Lanka has requested the National Elections Commission (NEC) and the Security Forces to investigate the emerging false rumour mongering groups related to national security, reports Colombo Page on October 18. CaFFE stated that on October 16 rumours regarding bomb blasts emerged at three separate places causing a threat to national security. According to Police spokesman, SP Ruwan Gunasekara till date 5000 rumours disrupting national security has been in circulation.
Read less...
October - 17 
The deputy chairman of the Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha, a member of the Panduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and a former chairman of the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha were the three Pradeshiya Sabha members (PS) who along with eight suspects were arrested in connection with election related complaints an
Read more...
The deputy chairman of the Walallawita Pradeshiya Sabha, a member of the Panduwasnuwara Pradeshiya Sabha and a former chairman of the Pelmadulla Pradeshiya Sabha were the three Pradeshiya Sabha members (PS) who along with eight suspects were arrested in connection with election related complaints and election related violations since the Presidential Election was announced, reports Colombo Page on October 18. Police Spokesman SP Ruwan Gunasekara stated 10 election violence complaints have been lodged with police and 14 election violations have so far been reported from various parts of the country.
Read less...
October - 19 
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), one of the notable election monitors observing Presidential Election in Sri Lanka has observed an increasing trend in hate speeches during the election campaigns, reports Colombo Page on October 20. Speaking to the local media, CaFFE Director Surangi Ari
Read more...
Campaign for Free and Fair Elections (CaFFE), one of the notable election monitors observing Presidential Election in Sri Lanka has observed an increasing trend in hate speeches during the election campaigns, reports Colombo Page on October 20. Speaking to the local media, CaFFE Director Surangi Ariyawansa has stated that false and hateful statements are increasingly being made about presidential candidates, especially at election rallies and on social media. She further stated that the growing hate and racist statements about rival candidates on election platforms can lead to violence, if not contained.
Read less...
October - 21 
The Presidential Secretariat said that the security forces have emphasized that there is no immediate or imminent threat of terrorism in the country, reports Colombo Page on October 22. The President's Secretary says that he has received reports that some parties are sending letters misinterpreting
Read more...
The Presidential Secretariat said that the security forces have emphasized that there is no immediate or imminent threat of terrorism in the country, reports Colombo Page on October 22. The President's Secretary says that he has received reports that some parties are sending letters misinterpreting and misusing the facts in the circular to unnecessarily frighten some state institutions and the public. The security forces have taken all possible measures to ensure the safety of the state institutions, institutions of national importance and the public. Therefore, the Presidential Secretary has advised the public not to be deceived by false claims that there is an immediate and imminent threat of terrorism.
Read less...
October - 22 
The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission which is currently in Colombo has highlighted the absence of ‘a regulatory framework on campaign financing’ which was recommended in its report presented after the 2015 Presidential Election, reports Daily Mirror on October 23. In a brief intervie
Read more...
The European Union (EU) Election Observation Mission which is currently in Colombo has highlighted the absence of ‘a regulatory framework on campaign financing’ which was recommended in its report presented after the 2015 Presidential Election, reports Daily Mirror on October 23. In a brief interview with the Daily Mirror, Deputy Chief Observer DimitraIoannou said one of the issues in the 2015 report was on a regulatory framework on campaign financing, but it not evident at this election as well. She said the observation team in Colombo and outside would follow up campaign expenditure and how the parties and candidates organised their campaign events.
Read less...
October - 23 
On October 23, the final report of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday Attack was presented in the Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The 272-page report submitted in three languages – Sinhala, Tamil and English has been made online for public display. Through the report, PSC ha
Read more...
On October 23, the final report of the Parliamentary Select Committee (PSC) on Easter Sunday Attack was presented in the Parliament, reports Colombo Page. The 272-page report submitted in three languages – Sinhala, Tamil and English has been made online for public display. Through the report, PSC has blamed the State Intelligence Service (SIS) for its failure in preventing the Easter Attack. The report, as highlighted in Daily Mirror, has also named the President, the Prime Minister and the State Minister of Defence as ‘culpable’ persons who can be blamed for the tragedy to some extent. PSC chairman and present Deputy Speaker Ananda Kumarasiri stated that PSC in its report has made eight recommendations that includes taking action to ban Wahabism in Sri Lanka, reorganising the defence sectors including the intelligence services, setting up of financial investigation unit, Reorganising the Attorney General’s Department and the Judiciary, monitoring media in order to stop publishing of false reports, change the education system to avoid teaching of extremism.
Read less...
October - 26 
Investigations pertaining to the 12 detained Malaysians for their alleged link to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been completed, reports Colombo Page on October 27. Issuing a statement, Counter-terrorism chief and Deputy Commissioner Datuk Ayob Khan stated that the investigations have
Read more...
Investigations pertaining to the 12 detained Malaysians for their alleged link to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) have been completed, reports Colombo Page on October 27. Issuing a statement, Counter-terrorism chief and Deputy Commissioner Datuk Ayob Khan stated that the investigations have been so far fruitful and the probe papers have been forwarded to Attorney General's Chambers (AGC). AGC will be taking final decision regarding the 12 detainees.
Read less...
November - 3 
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will be unconditionally supporting New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, stated TNA MP MA Sumanthiran, reports Colombo Page on November 4. Prior on November 3, the Central Committee of Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main constituent
Read more...
Tamil National Alliance (TNA) will be unconditionally supporting New Democratic Front (NDF) Presidential candidate Sajith Premadasa, stated TNA MP MA Sumanthiran, reports Colombo Page on November 4. Prior on November 3, the Central Committee of Ilangai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK), the main constituent of the TNA had taken decision to support Sajith Premadasa. MA Sumanthiran said that TNA have withdrawn its 13 point demands based on the discussion the alliance had with all the Presidential candidates. And so after discussions, TNA has chosen Sajith among the others and will be supporting him without any pre-conditions. This statement comes at the time when Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) Chairman Professor G.L. Peiris in a news briefing issued a statement criticising Sajith Premadasa on his silent acceptance to the 13 point demands of TNA, reports Daily Mirror.
Read less...
November - 5 
Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), Sri Lanka's election monitor, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) about certain Grama Niladharis tampering with registered voter lists in Colombo District, reports Colombo Page on November 6. In its complaint, CMEV has stated that
Read more...
Center for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV), Sri Lanka's election monitor, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) about certain Grama Niladharis tampering with registered voter lists in Colombo District, reports Colombo Page on November 6. In its complaint, CMEV has stated that some Grama Niladharis have arbitrarily removed the names of long-standing residents from their respective voter lists without any explanation. This is a problem in the prospect of non-functioning of the online voter list on the official website of Election Commission. CMEV has further requested EC to redress the grievances of the voters as soon as possible.
Read less...
November - 6 
Election monitor of Sri Lanka, People for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), is will be monitoring the Presidential election until post-election period to ensure a free and fair election, reports Colombo Page on November 7. Addressing a press conference held at the Social and Peace Center, Colombo to
Read more...
Election monitor of Sri Lanka, People for Free and Fair Election (PAFFREL), is will be monitoring the Presidential election until post-election period to ensure a free and fair election, reports Colombo Page on November 7. Addressing a press conference held at the Social and Peace Center, Colombo to release the second media statement regarding the 2019 presidential election, both national coordinator Sujeewa Gayanath and executive director Rohana Hettiarachchi acknowledged that the violence during election campaign is minimal this year compared to last election. They further said that PAFFREL organization has deployed around 1000 monitors for postal voting in order to ensure free and fair election.
Read less...
November - 7 
The Department of Registration of Persons has stated that temporary identity cards (ID) for Presidential Election will be issued to 300,000 voters before November 10, reports Daily News on November 8. Viyani Gunatilake, Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, has stated th
Read more...
The Department of Registration of Persons has stated that temporary identity cards (ID) for Presidential Election will be issued to 300,000 voters before November 10, reports Daily News on November 8. Viyani Gunatilake, Commissioner General of the Department of Registration of Persons, has stated that the temporary identity card will be issued only to those who have requested an identity card. He further said that the IDs will be provided to the people through the relevant Grama Niladhari officers and all information contained in the National Identity Card will be printed on a special secure sheet with the signature of the Commissioner General of Registration of Persons.
Read less...
November - 7 
The Election Commission (EC) stated that it has received 3,214 complaints of election law violations from the 8th of October to the 7th of November, reports Colombo Page on November 8. EC further stated that among 3,214 complaints, 3,087 were election law violations whereas 25 were incidents of viol
Read more...
The Election Commission (EC) stated that it has received 3,214 complaints of election law violations from the 8th of October to the 7th of November, reports Colombo Page on November 8. EC further stated that among 3,214 complaints, 3,087 were election law violations whereas 25 were incidents of violence. The National Election Complaints Center has received 964 complaints and 7 of them are incidents of violence. The District Election Complaints Centers has received 2250 complaints and 18 of them are incidents of violence.
Read less...
November - 12 
PAFFREL, a civil society organisation, who has been engaged in observation and monitoring of election-related activities in Sri Lanka, has written to Facebook to take measures to control and mitigate Facebook-related campaigning during the 48 hours (cooling period) prior to the Presidential Electio
Read more...
PAFFREL, a civil society organisation, who has been engaged in observation and monitoring of election-related activities in Sri Lanka, has written to Facebook to take measures to control and mitigate Facebook-related campaigning during the 48 hours (cooling period) prior to the Presidential Election, reports Daily News on November 13. PAFFREL has stated that according to the election laws in Sri Lanka, at midnight of November 13, all political propaganda activities must cease 48 hours (cooling period) prior to the Presidential election and hence urge Facebook to control and mitigate Facebook-related campaigning.
Read less...
November - 12 
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) including members from various Commonwealth regions with backgrounds ranging from political, electoral, civil society and human rights as well as legal field has reached Sri Lanka to observe the November 16 Presidential Election on the invitation of Election Co
Read more...
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) including members from various Commonwealth regions with backgrounds ranging from political, electoral, civil society and human rights as well as legal field has reached Sri Lanka to observe the November 16 Presidential Election on the invitation of Election Commission (EC), reports Daily News on November 13. COG will receive briefings from relevant stakeholders including election management officials, representatives of political parties, civil society groups, the police, members of the international community and citizens and international observers. In a statement, COG Chair Prosper Bani said, “As independent observers, we will remain objective and impartial in discharging our duties. The Group’s assessment will be its own and not that of any Commonwealth member country. On November 14, observers will be deployed to various provinces across the country to observe preparations ahead of polling day and will issue an Interim Statement of its preliminary findings shortly after November 16. The final report will be submitted to the Secretary-General and made available to the public afterwards.
Read less...
November - 12 
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), the umbrella organisation of Tamil diaspora group has urged the Tamil citizens of North-East and throughout Sri Lanka to freely exercise their franchise at the November 16 Presidential Election only after carefully examining the political formations and agendas of the p
Read more...
The Global Tamil Forum (GTF), the umbrella organisation of Tamil diaspora group has urged the Tamil citizens of North-East and throughout Sri Lanka to freely exercise their franchise at the November 16 Presidential Election only after carefully examining the political formations and agendas of the presidential candidates, reports Daily News on November 13. Issuing a statement, GTF has stated that despite disappointment over the refusal of the presidential candidates to engage with Tamil political leaders on their collective positions, “it is important that Tamil people take active part in this election, instead of giving into flawed thinking such as ‘sending a message to the international community’ through ineffective voting strategies”.
Read less...
November - 13 
In the last pre-poll press conference on November 13, Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya disclosed that the first results of ‘Presidential Election 2019’ will be disclosed by November 16 midnight, reports Daily News. Further speaking about the election, Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya
Read more...
In the last pre-poll press conference on November 13, Election Commission (EC) Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya disclosed that the first results of ‘Presidential Election 2019’ will be disclosed by November 16 midnight, reports Daily News. Further speaking about the election, Chairman Mahinda Deshapriya along with Election Commission Member Nalin Abeysekara PC, Election Commission Director General Saman Sri Rathnayake and Government Information Department Director General Nalaka Kaluwewa, raised apprehension regarding the total cost of the Presidential Poll to exceed Rs.7.5 billion, reports Daily Mirror. Deshapriya also spoke about the difficulties faced by the EC in recruiting public servants for election duty due to nil representation. On teachers and monks trying to influence voters to vote for certain specific candidates, Deshapriya called for a complete stop to any use of religious activities and places of religious worship to promote candidates.
Read less...
November - 13 
Two prominent election monitor and civil society groups, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have expressed concern over the anomalises in the affidavit submitted by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his candidacy
Read more...
Two prominent election monitor and civil society groups, Centre for Monitoring Election Violence (CMEV) and Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) have expressed concern over the anomalises in the affidavit submitted by Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) candidate Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his candidacy in the Presidential election, reports Daily News. The CPA communique stated that two distinct affidavits claiming loss of nationality were produced in support of Rajapaksa’s candidacy by Rajapaksa’s Counsel and President’s Counsel Ali Sabry. Further, both the civic action groups authorities to immediately investigate the legality of these affidavits and validate the citizenship of Gotabaya according to Articles 91 and 92 of the Constitution.
Read less...
November - 14 
On November 14, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that all propaganda campaigns related to Presidential election have ended on November 13 midnight, reports Daily News. According to the provisions under Paragraph 70 of the Presidential Elections Act, the following next two days till
Read more...
On November 14, Police Media Spokesman SSP Ruwan Gunasekara stated that all propaganda campaigns related to Presidential election have ended on November 13 midnight, reports Daily News. According to the provisions under Paragraph 70 of the Presidential Elections Act, the following next two days till the election date are known as silent period where all political activities are barred. Colombo Page reports that anybody violating the provisions of election law will be videotaped and subsequent legal action will be taken against the guilty. The Police officers have been provided with body cameras to record such illegal activities.
Read less...
November - 18 
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) condemned certain incidents of intimation and violence during Sri Lanka Presidential Elections, reports Colombo Page on November 19. In a press conference in Colombo, Chair of COG, Prosper Bani, stated that though the Presidential election have been largely peac
Read more...
The Commonwealth Observer Group (COG) condemned certain incidents of intimation and violence during Sri Lanka Presidential Elections, reports Colombo Page on November 19. In a press conference in Colombo, Chair of COG, Prosper Bani, stated that though the Presidential election have been largely peaceful, certain incidents of violence especially an attack on a convoy of buses transporting Muslims to vote in the northern part of the country is highly condemnable. COG stressed that a credible election must be inclusive, guaranteeing every citizen's right to participate freely and safely in the process. The election observer group also noted that ethnic and religious tensions characterized aspects of the pre-election environment, creating an atmosphere of fear and anxiety for some groups. Like the other election observer groups, COG recommended the need for regulating financial campaigns as well as the different forms of media. Increase in women participation in politics was also recommended by COG. COG's final report will be submitted to the Commonwealth Secretary-General and subsequently made available to the Government of Sri Lanka, political parties, the Election Commission and the public.
Read less...
November - 18 
The international election observer groups, European Union election observation mission (EU EOM) and Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) monitoring the 2019 Presidential election has concluded the election process to be largely peaceful with minimal instance of violence, reports Daily News on
Read more...
The international election observer groups, European Union election observation mission (EU EOM) and Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) monitoring the 2019 Presidential election has concluded the election process to be largely peaceful with minimal instance of violence, reports Daily News on November 19. Commenting on the well-conducted election process, as reported in Daily Mirror, Chief Observer Marisa Matias of EU EOM stated that though the election campaigns have been largely peaceful and calm, yet the articulation of online and traditional media in instances of bias, hate speech and disinformation affected the campaigning process. Moreover, misuse of state resources was rampant during the election. ANFREL in its interim report suggested introducing campaign finance laws, guidelines on the use of social media during electoral campaign period, policies to curb the spread of fake news and hate speech, a stronger self-regulation of media and a more fairness guideline during campaign period to cover both public and private media. Speaking about the high turnout in the recently concluded Presidential election, both EU EOM and ANFREL applauded the unity of Sri Lankan citizens to come together to exercise their democratic right irrespective of religion.
Read less...
November - 28 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a financial assistance of USD 450 million which, for the first time, includes USD 50 million to fight terrorism to Sri Lanka, tribuneindia.com reports on November 29. Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa reciprocated the gesture by assuring his government w
Read more...
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a financial assistance of USD 450 million which, for the first time, includes USD 50 million to fight terrorism to Sri Lanka, tribuneindia.com reports on November 29. Sri Lankan President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa reciprocated the gesture by assuring his government would not be unduly harsh towards Indian fishermen straying into Sri Lanka’s maritime zone. On the Tamil issue, Modi in a statement said both sides exchanged views on the reconciliation process in Sri Lanka. “I am confident that the government of Sri Lanka will pursue the process of reconciliation to meet the aspirations of the Tamils,” he said.
Read less...
December - 2 
On December 2, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) dealing with the investigation on Easter Sunday terror attacks in the Presidential Secretariat, reports Colombo Page. Chairman of the five-member Commission, Court of Appeal Judge Janaka de
Read more...
On December 2, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa met with members of the Presidential Commission of Inquiry (PCoI) dealing with the investigation on Easter Sunday terror attacks in the Presidential Secretariat, reports Colombo Page. Chairman of the five-member Commission, Court of Appeal Judge Janaka de Silva briefed the President on the progress of the investigation. According to the Chairman of PCoI, certain officials seem to have forged the documents to cover up the failure in preventing Easter Sunday attacks, reports Daily Mirror. Following this statement, the President stressed on the need to uncover all the information relating to Easter attacks. President Rajapakse requested the PCoI to recommend steps to prevent further recurrence of such tragedies while providing all necessary facilities for investigating the culprits behind this sinister process.
Read less...
December - 6 
On December 6, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith testified in Easter Sunday Attacks enquiry of Presidential Commission at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises in Colombo, reports Colombo Page. This was the second time that Archbishop appeared before the C
Read more...
On December 6, Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith testified in Easter Sunday Attacks enquiry of Presidential Commission at Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) premises in Colombo, reports Colombo Page. This was the second time that Archbishop appeared before the Commission appointed by former President Maithripala Sirisena to investigate the terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday. Speaking to the media, Archbishop Ranjith stated that he is convinced that the Commission will fairly mete out justice and even present President Gotabaya Rajapakse rendered full confidence on the integrity and impartiality of the Commission.
Read less...
December - 9 
In a maiden visit to the new Army Headquarters at Sri Jayewardenepura of Colombo District in Western Province, Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne on December 9 stated that ideology of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues to persist despite Sri Lanka’s freedom from te
Read more...
In a maiden visit to the new Army Headquarters at Sri Jayewardenepura of Colombo District in Western Province, Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne on December 9 stated that ideology of Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) continues to persist despite Sri Lanka’s freedom from terrorism, reports Daily Mirror. Stating the Government’s first priority to be national security, Gunaratne called upon all Army Officers to shoulder the responsibility of national security and ensure the safety of entire nation from repetition of Easter Attacks.
Read less...
December - 12 
Several Police Officers were due to testify on December 13 before the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page. On December 12, Officers of several police stations had appeared before the Commission. Appearing as a witness, Sub-Ins
Read more...
Several Police Officers were due to testify on December 13 before the Presidential Commission appointed to investigate the terrorist attacks on Easter Sunday, reports Colombo Page. On December 12, Officers of several police stations had appeared before the Commission. Appearing as a witness, Sub-Inspector RM Lahiru Pradeep Udayanga stated that two days after Easter attack, then Colombo North Police Superintendent, Sanjeewa Bandara had asked him to insert a document into the police books which asserted that he had prior knowledge of the attack. Due to his refusal to accept the order of the Superintendent, Udayanga had been transferred to different police stations. Other than Udayanga, police constable AL Nalin Bandara and Inspector AHM Sirisena Abeysinghe also testified before the Commission.
Read less...
December - 28 
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with the heads of the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas at the President's House on December 28, said repealing 19th Amendment is key to fulfil people's aspirations, reports Colombo Post. "It is the challenging responsibility of a
Read more...
President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa during a meeting with the heads of the Municipal Councils, Urban Councils and Pradeshiya Sabhas at the President's House on December 28, said repealing 19th Amendment is key to fulfil people's aspirations, reports Colombo Post. "It is the challenging responsibility of all the people's representatives to fulfill the aspirations of the people who delivered a remarkable victory. It is the responsibility of everybody to commit to this endeavor," he pointed out. The President also stressed that the 19th Amendment has been a major obstacle to state governance. He stressed the need for a strong Parliament to remove the legislation. The President said that it is the key factor to fulfilling the aspirations of the people.
Read less...
ADVANCED SEARCH
Incident Year Wise
Incidents- 2023
Incidents- 2022
Incidents- 2021
Incidents- 2020
Incidents- 2019
Incidents- 2018
Incidents- 2017
Incidents- 2016
Incidents- 2015
Incidents- 2014
Incidents- 2013
Incidents- 2012
Incidents- 2011
Incidents- 2010
Incidents- 2009
Incidents- 2008
Incidents- 2007
Incidents- 2006
Incidents- 2005
Incidents- 2004
Incidents- 2003
Incidents- 2002
Incidents- 2001
Incidents- 2000
Country :
--All--
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Bhutan
India
Maldives
Nepal
Pakistan
Sri Lanka
Zone :
--All--
State :
--All--
District :
--All--
Date From :
The Valid date is required
Date To:
The Valid date is required