The Import and Export Control Department has issued a statement suspending an order issued by a Gazette Notification by Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance.

Like many Asian countries, Sri Lanka has a long, illustrious history of cannabis use and cultivation where our forefathers used it in Ayurvedic medicine but to facilitate the entry of foriegn owned tobacco companies, it was declared as a banned substance, the General Secretary of the Bodu Bala Sena Ven. Galaboda Aththe Gnanasara Thero said.

In a report released on January 27, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that she was “alarmed” by Sri Lanka’s deteriorating human rights situation and outlined steps that the Human Rights Council should take to confront the growing risk of future violations, adding that "Sri Lanka’s contributions to UN peacekeeping operations must be kept under review."

Following the latest report of the UN human rights body, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITPJ) has called on the United Nations Peacekeeping department to suspend all deployments from Sri Lanka.

“The UN Department of Peace Operations has a legal duty to ensure due diligence before deploying troops,” said the Executive Director of the International Truth and Justice Project, Yasmin Sooka.

“The report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights confirms that New York is not in a position now to certify that the Sri Lankan troops have been properly vetted and screened and must urgently take steps to move the screening process back to Geneva.”

Under the current arrangement the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) carries out the vetting of troops in Colombo.

As Michelle Bachelet has pointed out, the Human Rights Commission has been politicized and its independence undermined by the appointment of a former government Minister as its chairperson.

The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michele Bachelet, also said she was particularly troubled by the appointment of two men alleged by the UN to be implicated in war crimes to head the Sri Lankan Army and run the Defence Ministry.

The appointment of Shavendra Silva to Army Commander in 2019 triggered the UN’s announcement that it was suspending deployment of all Sri Lankan peacekeepers, except where operations could be endangered.

The UN later clarified that its suspension would affect a quarter of Sri Lankan peacekeepers - namely those deployed in Lebanon who would be replaced by troops from other countries.

In addition, departing Sri Lankan contingents were photographed repeatedly saluting an alleged war criminal, Shavendra Silva, at farewell parades.

This is in spite of the widespread international criticism of the appointment of Shavendra Silva to Army Commander in 2019, the ITPJ noted.

A group of UN experts called the appointment of Shavendra Silva an affront to his victims and a move that defied understanding. This view was echoed by the US Government, Canada and the European Union.

Later in February 2020, the US Government made public its designation of Shavendra Silva and his family for alleged gross violations of human rights. Shavendra Silva was subsequently given the additional responsibility of acting Chief of Defence Staff –the top most military position -and was recently promoted to the rank of four star General.

“It’s time for UN Peacekeeping to show the Government of Sri Lanka that there are consequences for its promotion of alleged war criminals, in line with the Secretary General’s principled stance on human rights and justice in Sri Lanka,” said Ms. Sooka.

“Peacekeeping  jobs are a privilege not a right and the latest OHCHR report makes it clear the country is not delivering on its commitments to the UN Human Rights Council,” she added.

The report on Sri Lanka by High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet will be taken up at the 46th Session of the UN Human Rights Council scheduled to be held from the 22 February to 23 March.

SLPP General Secretary, Sagara Kariyawasam MP, has expressed the party’s disappointment with regard to the remarks made by Cabinet Minister Wimal Weerawansa over the contentious Eastern Container Terminal (ECT) issue.

Cabinet approval has been granted to reorganise the prison intelligence units enabling them to assign 'specific duties' in addition to their normal duties including riot control.

Talks of the 'electric chair' have resurfaced following the latest report released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

The United National Party (UNP) has condemned the military coup that took place in Myanmar on Monday morning.

In a statement today (01), the UNP said that the military has threatened the progress of democratic reforms of Myanmar.

"In 2011, the democratic reforms in Myanmar began with the country holding their first post-military elections in 2015. The November 2020 General-Elections was the second phase of this Democratic process. The actions of the military have threatened the progress made in the country.

Last year’s General Elections in Myanmar saw an overwhelming majority of the populace vote for the National League for Democracy (NLD). The assumption of office by Myanmar’s elected state legislature would have been another step forward in the democratisation of the country," the statement said.

The UNP urged the Myanmar military to immediately reverse their decision to arrest the elected officials of the NLD.

"Parliament must be allowed to convene, and the President, Prime Minister and Members of Myanmar’s Parliament must be allowed to reassume duties," the statement added.

This is important for us - Kusal Perera

Meanwhile, veteran political analyst and senior journalist Kusal Perera posted the following note on his Facebook page regarding this incident.

As of Monday morning, the military leadership in Myanmar is back at work.

They have arrested Aung San Suu Kyi and a number of leaders of her government who came forward to defend democracy during the massacre of Rohingya Muslims. The military has taken over the country by 3 am.

The new administration of US President Joe Biden has expressed 'grave concern' and has issued a statement calling for the immediate release of the detained leaders.

This is important for us too.

So let's see if these things will happen immediately....

US calls on Myanmar military to release detained leaders

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called on Myanmar's military leaders to release civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others detained in the raids.

He said that the US expressed "grave concern and alarm" over reports of the detention of government officials and civil society leaders.

"We call on Burmese military leaders to release all government officials and civil society leaders and respect the will of the people of Burma as expressed in democratic elections on November 8," he said.

"The United States stands with the people of Burma in their aspirations for democracy, freedom, peace, and development," he added.