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's Ceylon Steel group to set up US75mn cement grinding plant

Sri Lanka's Ceylon Steel and Onyx group is investing 75 million US dollars to set up a cement grinding plant in Mirijjawila, Hambantota, officials said.

The plant when completed in 18 months would have an annual capacity of 3.6 million metric tonnes, Mangala Yapa, technical advisor to the ministry of international trade and investment said.

Sri Lanka has an annual cement demand of about 8.5 million metric tonnes of which about 2.8 million tonnes are produced domestically.

The plant will have a convered conveyor from the port to carry clinker minimizing environmental fallout from unloading, Yapa said.

Director General of Sri Lanka's Board of Investment Champika Malalgoda told reporters no import protection had been promised to the investor.

Ceylon Steel, the main investor of the new cement plant is now protected by high anti-competitive import duties, so that the firm can make easy profits by restricting competition.

High steel costs have forced, a homeless family trying to build a house, a shop owner, office builder, a hotelier and even a factory owner to pay high prices for steel, pushing up construction costs.

High construction costs has contributed to make Sri Lankan services like tourism less competitive compared to free countries in East Asia and also make ordinary people building a house more indebted to banks critics have said.

Cement had generally been free of import protections as existing companies are owned either by foreigners or minority communities, analysts have pointed out. In contrast to the anti-competitive protection given to steel and ceramics, cement is under price control. (Colombo/Mar19/2019)

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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 being promoted as best destination for film shooting

Sri Lanka is being promoted as the best destination for film shooting.

The Sri Lanka Consulate General in Mumbai arranged an exclusive discussion between ‘Dharma Productions’, the largest film production house in Mumbai and the Sri Lanka Film Tourism delegation on 23 February 2019 in Mumbai.

The Sri Lanka Film Tourism delegation comprising a representative from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and six film producers including the veteran film producer, Chandran Rutnam participated at the ‘India International Film Tourism Conclave (IIFTC) 2019 held in Mumbai from 21-23 February 2019.

Presenting an award at the IIFTC to Malayalam film which was shot in Sri Lanka, Consul General Chamari Rodrigo invited Indian film producers to Sri Lanka for film shooting as the island has been a popular film shooting location for a number of notable Hollywood movies since 1950s.

India, which is the world’s largest film industry, produces nearly 2000 films annually. Fiji, Switzerland, Japan, Chez Republic, Norway and Sweden are the popular film shooting destinations among Indian film production houses.

The Sri Lanka Consulate General initiated smaller group discussions with the Indian film production houses to promote Sri Lanka as the best destination for film shooting, given the geographical proximity, exotic and diverse locations in a small island and the lower production cost.

Eleven leading film production houses representing Bollywood and South Indian film industry had 3 separate fruitful discussions with the Sri Lanka delegation at the Consulate General and J W Marriot hotel in Mumbai on 21& 23 February 2019 respectively.

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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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Pakistan proposes Gandhara-Buddhist Study Center in Colombo University

Colombo, February 19 (newsin.asia): The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd.) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat, called on the Sri Lankan Minister for City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education, Rauff Hakeem, on Monday and discussed prospects of establishing the Taxila Gandhara Civilization Study Centre at the University of Colombo.

The High Commissioner also informed the Minister that, with the view to highlight Gandhara Heritage and cultural links between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, the High Commission of Pakistan will be organizing an international seminar in collaboration with the Buddhist and Pali University of Sri Lanka in March this year.

High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd.) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat with the Sri Lankan Minister for City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education, Rauff Hakeem.

During the meeting, bilateral relations and areas of mutual interest and cooperation were discussed. The High Commissioner informed the Minister about Pakistan-Sri Lanka Higher Education Cooperation Programme under which numerous scholarships will be provided to Sri Lankan students in various fields.

The Lankan Minister for City Planning, Water Supply and Higher Education, Rauff Hakeem lauded the efforts of the High Commission and the Government of Pakistan for providing enormous opportunities to Sri Lankan youth for capacity building.

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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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Things to do and see in Kurunegala of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is the best place to spend the summer or winter vacation. Whether going with family or alone everyone will love this place. I love going off the pitch type of beaten track on my travels which probably explains why the town of Kurunegala in Sri Lanka ranks highly with me.  Despite this not being on the normal tourist route or trail, I enjoyed a lot the town and fun which are few cool things to do in Kurunegala. Kurunegala is a small town in Sri Lanka that bereft of the tourist vibe and other parts of Sri Lanka seem to celebrate in. Kurunegala is slightly more smoky and raw, yet peaceful and relaxing. There is a quiet lake that is accompanied by busy rush hour traffic in this town and hidden in the valleys of Sri Lanka. It also acts as an interchange station between Dambula and Colombo.  Every year tourist from different countries makes their Sri Lanka ETA visa and travel to Kurunegala. We all know their so many places to experience in Sri Lanka, Kurunegala is one of them.
 

Here are some details to do things in Kurunegala:
 

The Samade Meditation Buddha: The highlight of Sri Lanka in Kurunegala is Samade Meditation Buddha. This massive white Buddha statue is unmissable on entrance to the town and this should be the main focus of everyone visit - a striking emblem towering over a very typical and local Sri Lankan town. This Buddha statue does show the work of art of an artist which overlooks the valleys and offers unbelievable views over the town and nearby area. There are also monkeys for the animal devotee.
 

You can travel by walk all the way to the top if you like it, but it might be a fair trek in the heat. So not to worry hire a car driver to take you up and admire the views. At the top you can also buy a few souvenirs and leave a donation which worth to your kindness.
As far as things to do in Kurunegala go, this place is probably going to be your highlight.
 

Welegedara Cricket Stadium: If you are a cricket fan then this is hardly the biggest cricket stadium in Sri Lanka. This stadium strongly reminder that people of this country is with love for this game. Former World Champions, there is only one main cricket stadium in Kurunegala, and other ones are for host.
 

Sunset view at Kurunegala Lake: Just book your staying place near to Kurunegala Lake and view the sunset. At Kurunegala tank and Rantalia Lake, this marvelous basin of water sits on the edge of the town away from the traffic. It is free to sit and admire the views, walk around the lake.
 

Today I have explained all on Kurunegala of Sri Lanka. So whenever you visit Sri Lanka from Colombo you can get any traveling communication to visit this place. Apply for Sri Lanka visa and have a proper valid visa with you.

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.