Category: Defense
Sri Lanka seeks intl. assistance in preventing extremism; highlights value of community policing
Sep 03, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka has sought expertise in preventing violent extremism (PVE) from the Global Community Engagement & Resilience Fund (GCERF), in the post-Easter Sunday scenario where violent extremism has become the biggest threat to national security. At the invitation of the Foreign Ministry, the Executive Director of GCERF, Dr. Khalid Koser […]
Sri Lanka Foreign Secretary says Post 21/4, a litmus test for protecting HR while fighting terrorism
Sep 02, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha says that post 21/4 has been a ‘litmus test’ on Sri Lanka’s resolve to adhere to human rights standards, while fighting terrorism, and also to determine the robustness and shortcomings of the democratic institutions that have been strengthened in recent years. The Foreign Secretary […]
Simmering ethno-religious tensions in Sri Lanka must not be ignored, says UN rights expert
Aug 26, 2019 (LBO) – Simmering ethno-religious tensions in Sri Lanka require urgent action by the authorities to strengthen respect for freedom of religion or belief in Sri Lanka, says UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief Ahmed Shaheed. “There is a serious deficit of trust among ethno-religious communities in Sri Lanka following […]
Sri Lanka Army Commander to reorganize all military intelligence units
Aug 22, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s new Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva says that he wants to reorganize military intelligence units and raise them to an elevated level in keeping with strategies of international armies. The new Commander of the Army in his message on assumption of office as the 23rd Commander vows […]
Appointment of Army Commander is a sovereign decision by Head of State: Foreign Ministry
Aug 20, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry says that the appointment of Army Commander is a sovereign decision by the Head of State and foreign entities trying to influence the decisions and internal administrative processes of public service promotions is unwarranted and unacceptable. Releasing a statement, the Foreign Ministry said that articulating a […]
‘s appointment undermines Sri Lanka’s reputation: US Embassy
Aug 19, 2019 (LBO) – The United States is deeply concerned by the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander, releasing a statement the US Embassy in Colombo said. “The allegations of gross human rights violations against him, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible,” the embassy said. […]
‘s new Army Commander
Aug 19, 2019 (LBO) – President Maithripala Sirisena has appointed Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. The appointment came after Army Chief Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake officially retired from service yesterday. Reports said that Silva’s appointment will be for a period of 4 months along with 6 months […]
UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion, Ahmed Shaheed to visit Sri Lanka
Aug 13, 2019 (LBO) – The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, will carry out an official visit to Sri Lanka, from 15 to 26 August 2019. “I will look at how Sri Lanka promotes and protects the rights to freedom of religion or belief.The visit will be an opportunity […]
‘ll never allow anyone to infringe sovereignty of Sri Lanka: Gotabaya (Full Speech)
Venerable Maha Sangha and religious dignitaries from the Christian, Hindu, Islamic and other faiths.5th Executive President of Sri Lanka, HE Mahinda Rajapaksa, Honourable Members of Parliament and other public representatives, Party Leaders.Professionals, War Heroes, Artistes, Media Personnel, Representatives of National Organisations, Trade Unions. Those of you who represent every corner of our motherland. All patriotic […]
Our candidate will be next president of Sri Lanka, not Gota: Mangala
Statement by Mangala Samaraweera M.P. Earlier today, former President Mahinda Rajapaksa announced the presidential candidate for his family’s new political party, the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP). For weeks he refused to confirm the circulating rumours about who the candidate would be.I have known Mahinda Rajapaksa for many years.We worked together side-by-side in the Sri […]
We were very hurt that UNP failed to stand together with us at this critical time: Rishad
For the first time, the enigma behind Sri Lankan Muslim MPs’ evasion and resisting of their portfolios were revealed on July 30. “I discussed with members of our party ACMC as to whether I should stay out of this portfolio till Presidential elections” said the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Resettlement of Protracted Displaced Persons, Cooperative […]
Sri Lankans must act together in favour of sustained democracy, says UN expert
July 27, 2019 (LBO) – The people of Sri Lanka must act together to secure democracy, human rights and the rule of law, says the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Clément Nyaletsossi Voule. “At the root of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of […]