Sri Lankan Presidential Hopeful Sued in Federal Court for Human Rights Violations

Human rights lawyers have sued Sri Lankan presidential hopeful Gotabaya Rajapaksa in federal court in the Central District of California. Rajapaksa, who is a joint Sri Lankan-U.S. citizen, was served with process in the parking lot of a Trader Joe’s, of all places.

Plaintiff Roy Samthanam, who is a Canadian citizen, alleges that he was detained and tortured from 2007-2010 by the Terrorism Investigation Division of the Sri Lanka police. He tells his harrowing story of physical and mental torture here and in this video. He is represented by the International Truth & Justice Project, under the leadership of the indomitable Yasmin Sooka, and a private law firm. The U.N. Human Rights Committee, which evaluates states’ compliance with the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, has already ordered Sri Lanka to pay him compensation. A separate case was apparently filed on behalf of the family of assassinated journalist Lasantha Wickrematunga. If Rajapaksa owns property in California, it could be attached for the purpose of satisfying any civil judgment against him.

Just Security has extensively covered the aftermath of the war in Sri Lanka, which is characterized by an entrenched impunity. In particular, we have offered a number of proposals for how the Department of Justice could prosecute Rajapaksa under the U.S. War Crimes Act, which has never been activated to date. That statute grants jurisdiction over war crimes committed by, or against, U.S. citizens. (See Ryan Goodman’s coverage here, here, here, here, here, and here).

There has been some discussion that Rajapaksa has given up his U.S. citizenship in order to run for higher office in Sri Lanka. This does not affect the viability of these civil cases because he was served with process while in the United States, and was—in any case—a U.S. citizen at the time he allegedly acted. The Torture Victim Protection Act (28 U.S.C. § 1350 note) is expressly extraterritorial, so does not raise the extraterritorial issues presented by the Alien Tort Claims Act.

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Sri Lanka Tourism earnings top US $ 4.38 Bn in 2018, grows 11.6%, Remittances down 2.1% to US $ 7 Bn

Sri Lanka’s tourism sector earnings rose to US $ 4.38 billion or US $ 4,381 million in 2018, in comparison to US $ 3.92 billion or US $ 3,925 million in 2017, the latest Central Bank data outlined.

However the statistics showed that workers remittances declined by 2.1% to $ 7 billion in 2018, whilst workers’ remittances in December 2018 declined by 13%, year-on-year, to $ 584 million. On a cumulative basis, workers’ remittances recorded a decline of 2.1% to $ 7,015 million in 2018, from $ 7,164 million in 2017.

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Sri Lanka opens consulate office in Cyprus

Foreign Minister Nikos Christodoulides and his Sri Lankan counterpart Tilak Janaka Marapana said on Thursday that the two countries were opening a new chapter in their bilateral cooperation, while inaugurating Sri Lanka’s consulate office in Nicosia.

“After the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1963, our relations are growing steadily,” Christodoulides said in his address at the ceremony.

In their meeting on Wednesday, the two foreign ministers discussed ways of enhancing cooperation in the trade, tourism, investment and education sectors, Christodoulides added.

Despite the 5,680km which separate the two countries, Christodoulides said, “we share many similar ideas and principles which guide our close cooperation in many international organisations and associations, such as the UN and the Commonwealth.”

Christodoulides said that the presence of the Sri Lankan community on the island had also contributed to the strengthening of the ties between the two countries.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Sri Lanka’s flag was raised outside the consular premises and the national anthems of the two countries were played. The foreign ministers also unveiled the Consulate’s plaque and lit a traditional candelabra. A Sri Lankan couple in traditional attire presented folk dances before guests.

The ceremony was also attended by Daya Srikantha John Pelpola, the ambassador of Sri Lanka to Cyprus, resident in Rome, who thanked previous honorary consuls for their services and expressed confidence that bilateral relations will be enhanced further.

Meanwhile on Thursday, the cabinet approved the appointment of the first ever Saudi Arabian ambassador to Cyprus, Khaled Mohammed Ismail Badawi Al Sharif.

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Sri Lanka to launch its first satellite in April

 

Colombo, Feb 20 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka will launch its first ever satellite into space this April marking its entry into the global space age, officials from Sri Lanka’s Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Space Education said here Wednesday.

The satellite, which will be named RAAVANA-1, is a research satellite built by two Sri Lankan students from the University of Peradeniya and the Arthur C Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies.

The satellite was designed and built at the Kyushu Institute of Technology in Japan and is 1000 cubic centimeters in size and weighs 1.1 kilogram.

Local media reports said the RAAVANA-1 was officially handed over to the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency on February 18, and will be sent to the International Space Station on April 17, through the assistance of Cygnus-1, a spacecraft from the United States.

The satellite is expected to fulfill five missions including the capturing of pictures of Sri Lanka and its surrounding regions.

The RAAVANA-1 is expected to orbit 400 kilometers away from earth. It will have a minimum lifespan of one and half years but is expected to be active for up to five years.

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Walk the Kottawa Rain Forest in Sri Lanka!

Among the various destination in the Island country of Indian Ocean, the walk made in the deepest woods of Kottawa Rain Forest is known to be the most exciting of the entire tour.
 

Let us see what makes it so exciting. 

There’s a Swimming Pool inside this Rain forest?

The aspect that makes it a wow factor is that, there is a man-made Swimming Pool right in the middle of the forest. The tourists pay a visit here especially to have a swim in this pool that lurks amidst the wildlife of the jungle.
 

The ticket is open at comfortable shifts-Morning Batch & Night Batch

Rain forests tend to be unsafe for tourists after the sunset due to the wildlife and perilous tracks that are undomesticated. But the tourism here offers enough time for the tourists to explore this area by opening the entry at 7:30 am in the morning which ends at 2 pm. Few have an option to choose their 7 hour walk in the evening, which starts at 2:30 pm and ends at 9:30 pm. Travelers are requested to find the exact timings allowed based on the weather conditions.
 

Breakfast & Lunch available inside the Rain forest-On Request!

At the time of starting the tour itself, the traveler is requested to mention if he/she wishes to have the Breakfast and Lunch, which is not included in the tour price. A simple Sri Lankan Meal is served which is quite delicious and nutritious as well.

 Tourists are requested to carry a leech resistant socks pair, comfortable footwear and a hat. Pick-up and drop facility is provided from the Hotel you stay at.
 

What are you waiting for? Apply for a Sri Lanka Visa and plan you trip right away. To know all the visa requirements for Sri Lanka, visit the website.

Sri Lanka Trekking Holidays

 The Sri Lanka trekking holidays will bring you to the Esortic Island that has caught the eye of many adventure seekers and many travelers. Who can maintain the overflowing beauty of the landscape, the culture and the people of Sri Lanka? The country has one of the oldest cultures tracking back to 2500 years ago. As Sri Lanka, is known as the pearl of Indian Ocean or the "Pearl of the Orient", the "Resplendent Isle", And the "Teardrop of India" which has no wonder of visitors those flock to Sri Lanka every year. Sri Lanka is especially popular among holiday goers. They attracts to the mysticism that seems to besiege the island of Sri Lanka. Why it attracts there are many reasons to explain. Because it is near to the equator, it receives sufficient or abundant sunlight which gives the island general tropical climate that brings about green valleys and luscious jungles. There are plenty of natural sceneries that Sri Lanka use to boast it by number of tourists this is why many people spend their holidays here.  Plan this month or next month for Sri Lanka tour because this is the month when most of the tourists visit this place. Have your own Sri Lanka Tourist visa and stay or spend your holidays according to your Sri Lanka visa validity.  Most of the tourist trekking tours usually go around the many rice terraces, mountains, cultural villages, plantations and temples that are spread around the island. Now why they are spread let me explain:

Here Kandyan Kingdoms is one of the popular trekking tours place. It is a gentle hike around the coast where you can see the pathways, the cultural icons and the view of the Knuckles Mountains. It usually includes a visit to some of the sanctuaries hidden in the Buddhist forest. Most of the trekking tour includes trails featuring the Anuradhapura and the Polonnaruwa, the ancient capital places of Sri Lanka. You can go for a walk around the cultural villages or gaze at the Indian Ocean where you can easily spot whales swimming in the sea and all other kinds of sea creatures.

Now a day’s most of the travelers like to have an off the rack experience during their holidays. They want more adventure and some new experience that is different from their usual day. This island is already an exquisitely beautiful and the place itself, unique on its own. With the unique composition or blend of culture, Sri Lanka naturally attracts adventure seekers. The trekking holidays is a great way to get to know any island features and see its many wonders while enjoying outdoor trekking.

In Sri Lanka, the plus point is its weather which is generally tropical so the whole year is ideal for trekking. Pack your bags with all of your needed trekking items and visit to Sri Lanka. Don't forget to put Sri Lanka online visa in your trekking bag.

Hidden Treasures of Sri Lanka

From your daily monotonous routine and hectic life plan something new to make your mind, soul and health peace. Take a break and travel to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is the country of adventure, nature love, good food and beautiful beaches. This Asian country is dotted with attractive and beautiful places like tea estates, waterfalls, gardens and heritage places. In Sri Lanka there are many eye catching view type places. Colombo is one of them. Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. The main city has a combination of modern life and historic architecture that attracts a multitude of people. In Sri Lanka there are many eye catching view type places. Colombo is one of them. It is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. The main city has a combination of modern life and historic architecture that attracts a multitude of people. Whoever went there they felt that there are some hidden treasures in this city. So we can't guess ourselves that what hidden treasures are there? After visiting there only one person can able to know about these treasures. If you are an outsider then you need to have first Sri Lanka visa and country passport.  For Sri Lanka tourism, Sri Lanka ETA tourism visa is required.  You can know about this online. Now let us explain about these hidden treasures.

  

Hidden Treasures - Colombo: 

• Colombo is home to some most amazing diving sites that give you glimpses of a breathtaking range of marine life. Many species of coral reef and fishes found over here are unique to this part of the Indian Ocean and some more are yet to be identified.
• Diving lovers will find Colombo particularly a amazing city because this city is an extremely popular diving center. All diving facilities are easily accessible and what makes it like a haven for diving is that one will not come across dynamite fishing.
• Pettah which is Colombo's busy and colorful bazaar district that offers an exhilarating slice of Sri Lankan life.
• The National Museum is popular among tourists, a trip to the lesser known Dutch Museum that was built during the 17th Century.
• For the foodies, there are many popular restaurants in Colombo, Sizzle is a not to miss it is situated on Walukarama Road. In addition, Pilawoos restaurant that defines street food for Lankans is another restaurant that deserves a first place in the list of food hangouts to check out in Colombo.

You might be thinking where are the treasures over here. These are the treasures of Sri Lanka. Many more are there better by visiting there you can experience more. These points are given by those people who visit there. They make their Si Lankan visa from trusted company like ETA visa Sri Lanka. You also go ahead and make your tour to Sri Lanka.