Category: Defense
UN expert to assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly in Sri Lanka
July 17, 2019 (LBO) – UN Special Rapporteur Clément Nyaletsossi Voule will visit Sri Lanka from 18 to 26 July 2019 to assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association in the country. “We have seen a commendable effort to expand civic space in Sri Lanka, the establishment of strong and independent institutions, […]
Sri Lanka government survives no confidence vote
July 11, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government on Thursday survived a no-confidence vote in parliament after a majority of legislators voted to support the government. Accordingly, 92 members voted in favour of the motion and 119 voted against. Joint Opposition and SLFP voted for, UNF and TNA voted against. The Parliament on Wednesday began […]
No SOFA deal yet; MCC to be presented to Parliament after cabinet approval: PM
July 10, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s government has not signed a new Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with the United States although discussions are ongoing about a new one, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament Wednesday. Tabling the old SOFA documents in the Parliament, he said diplomatic privileges are already applies to US military […]
EU Counter-Terrorism Coordinator to visit Sri Lanka
July 10, 2019 (LBO) – European Union’s Counter-Terrorism Coordinator Gilles de Kerchove will visit Sri Lanka this week. The visits aim to support the two countries in their respective efforts to step up security and develop a better exchange of experiences. While in Sri Lanka, de Kerchove will meet high-level representatives of the government, the […]
IGP and Former Defence Secy arrested while in hospital
Jul 03, 2019 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s top police officer, Pujitha Jayasundara and the former Defence Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Hemasiri Fernando were both arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday terror blasts, yesterday while undergoing treatment in hospital. The Colombo Chief Magistrate, Lanka Jayaratne placed the two officials in remand custody after they […]
Secretary Pompeo unable to visit Sri Lanka during upcoming travel to region: US Embassy
Jun 19, 2019 (LBO) – Due to unavoidable scheduling conflicts during his upcoming visit to the Indo-Pacific region that includes accompanying US President to the G20 Summit in Japan, Secretary Pompeo is unable to visit Sri Lanka as previously announced, the US Embassy in Colombo said. US Embassy in Colombo in a statement said that […]
Ambassadors from 17 Muslim countries hold special meeting in Parliament
Jun 13, 2019 (LBO) – Ambassadors from seventeen Muslim countries held a special meeting in Parliament on Tuesday, the Speaker’s Media Division announced. Ambassadors from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Turkey were present at the meeting. At the meeting, the diplomats have recognized the […]
Sri Lanka to give effect to UN Security Council resolutions to counter terrorism & extremism
Tangible measures to collaborate with UN mechanisms in keeping with international norms and practices took center stage at discussions during the recent visit to Sri Lanka by UN Assistant Secretary General (ASG) and Executive Director of the Counter Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED) Michèle Coninsx from 7-8 June 2019. The subjects covered included terrorist financing and […]
‘s opportunities for a free & open Indo-Pacific region
Jun 12, 2019 (LBO) – Secretary Pompeo’s Sri Lanka visit will be focused on to discuss promising opportunities for Sri Lanka based on shared commitments to a free and open Indo-Pacific region, the US State Department said. Secretary Pompeo will travel to India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and the Republic of Korea June 24-30 to broaden […]
Indian Premier concludes Sri Lanka visit; pledges to strengthen relations
Jun 09, 2019 (LBO) – Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Sri Lanka today on an invitation extended by President Maithripala Sirisena, held discussions at the President’s House in Colombo. Prime Minister Modi was ceremoniously received by President Sirisena at the Presidential Secretariat and accorded a Guard of Honour and 19 Gun Salute. President […]
US State Department Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs visits Sri Lanka
Jun 06, 2019 (LBO) – The US Department of State’s Assistant Secretary for Political-Military Affairs R Clarke Cooper visited Sri Lanka to discuss security cooperation and assess the progress of US-funded demining programs. Assistant Secretary Cooper traveled to the Eastern Province to observe demining operations and meet with project beneficiaries. The projects are part of […]
All terror suspects should be investigated irrespective of their positions: Ceylon Chamber
Jun 03, 2019 (LBO) – Ceylon Chamber of Commerce has sent a missive to the Ministry of Defence urging the Ministry to take necessary measures to prevent disruptive and unlawful occurrences that will disturb the peace of the communities. Sending a letter to the Defence Secretary S Kottegoda, the Chamber expects that they can have […]