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SL briefs Diplomatic Corps on Current Initiatives ahead of HR Council session

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27 January 2022 07:39 pm - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka on Wednesday briefed Diplomatic Corps on the current initiatives taken by the government and to share information on progress related to human rights and reconciliation as part of the continued engagement ahead of the upcoming 49th Session of the Human Rights Council, which will commence in the last week of February, the foreign ministry said.

Addressing the Diplomatic Corps Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris said the Government of Sri Lanka has undertaken substantial steps with a view to accountability, restorative justice and meaningful reconciliation which were efforts due to the work of domestic institutions and invited the heads of these institutions to brief on the tangible progress made.

The Minister also said that after 43 years, the Prevention of Terrorism Act is being amended with the objective of bringing it in line with international norms and best practices. He informed that Cabinet approval has been obtained to gazette the Bill containing the proposed amendments and thereafter to table the Bill in Parliament for final approval. The Minister explained that the PTA is being amended after lengthy deliberations over several months.

He added that substantive amendments to the PTA include amendments to the sections on detention orders, restriction orders, expressly recognising judicial review of orders, expeditious disposal of cases of those charged to avoid long term detention, repealing sections impinging on freedom of expression and introduction of provisions on access by magistrates and judicial medical officers, prevention of maltreatment and torture during the detention period, right to communicate with the family, grant of bail to long term detainees and day to day hearing of cases.

The Foreign Minister also referred to the establishment of an Advisory Board under Section 13 of the PTA to advise the Minister of Defence on long term detainees. Any person who has been issued a Detention Order or a Restriction Order under the PTA is provided an opportunity to request a review of the Order. In addition, Presidential pardons were granted to 16 LTTE cadres serving sentences under the PTA in June 2021 and a legal and administrative process has been set in motion to release detainees who have been in judicial custody for extended periods under charges relating to the PTA. Accordingly, 13 more persons were discharged as of 13 January, 2022.

Foreign Minister Peiris also referred to recent developments relating to Hejaaz Hizbullah noting that a case has been filed by the Attorney General under the PTA. The Attorney General has informed the Court of Appeal that he will not object to bail being granted to the accused. With regard to the Presidential Task Force on Archaeological Heritage Management, the Minister informed that representatives of the Tamil and Muslim communities had been included.

The Resident Coordinator of the United Nations Hanaa Singer-Hamdy appreciated the work done by the relevant national institutions in the areas of transitional justice, achievement of the SDG’s and amendments to the PTA. The Ambassador of Egypt Maged Mosleh highlighted the importance of the international community working with Sri Lanka to promote human rights and reconciliation and observed the impressive achievements made by Sri Lanka in combating terrorism and dealing with its aftermath.

 

 


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  Comments - 10

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  • Truthprevail Thursday, 27 January 2022 07:54 PM

    This is annual exercise by our professor ahead of HR session but these diplomats know the grave ground situation in this country. You can't cheat everyone everyday.

    vithura Thursday, 27 January 2022 08:44 PM

    He must be patting himself on his back thinking Western Diplomats believe all nonsense he spouts!

    Flamingo Friday, 28 January 2022 12:11 AM

    Another big time liar

    N SENA Friday, 28 January 2022 12:24 AM

    EVERY YEAR WE HAVE TO COME OUT WITH A NEW STORY FOR THE UNHCR

    diplomatress Friday, 28 January 2022 02:57 AM

    now go to geneva and show us YOUR maths skills. we won...we won... we won digrace

    Ralaharamy Friday, 28 January 2022 08:02 AM

    Seeing is believing. They want deeds not words. Please don't fly the "One Nation One Law" banner, steeped in ignorance and chauvinism.

    sam Friday, 28 January 2022 01:12 PM

    What was new to brief?

    Arnold Friday, 28 January 2022 05:20 PM

    One country many laws, ruthless murderers get presidential pardon and high jobs in government while petty wrongdoers are thrown in jail for decades.

    Buddhist Friday, 28 January 2022 08:27 PM

    If 20th amendment can be passed within weeks amending PTA should not take even that much of time.

    Punchi Banda Saturday, 29 January 2022 09:39 AM

    I read somewhere that our human rights commission has been relegated to B grade substandard status by some human rights body associated with the UN. This is OK. The same status as our rassclass economy


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Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

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