INFORMATION GATEWAY TO EASTERN REVIVAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME

The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) has decided to launch the www.neweast.lk website as the international information gateway to the Eastern Revival Programme that includes a wide spectrum of social outreach programmes such as resettlement of internally displaced people, landmine clearance, rehabilitation and awareness programmes as well as massive infrastructure development projects such as new road networks, bridges, ports, power plants, electricity distribution networks, hospitals, schools, and etc. The total budgeted investment for three years ending 2010 is Rs. 197,219 million (~US$ 1840 million). Therefore, this programme will open up an unprecedented volume of opportunities for investors to move to the geographically strategic Eastern province of Sri Lanka. Under the Eastern Revival Programme, investors will enjoy up to 20 years of TAX holidays, lands under special concessionary schemes, and a wide range of other benefits.

Full Release

Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights

CCHA MEMBERS OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNTY COMMENDS THE RELAEASE OF CHILD RECRUITS, AND JAPAN AND EU WELCOMES ONGOING EFFORTS TOWARDS A PEACEFUL SOLUTION IN SRI LANKA

At Tuesday’s [29 April 2008] meeting of the Consultative Committee on Humanitarian Assistance [CCHA] the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, H.E. Robert O.Blake and UNICEF Country Director Philippe Duamelle commended the Government on the recent release of 28 children involved in armed conflict by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in Batticaloa. This followed the release of 11 children earlier this month. UNICEF expressed their appreciation for the instrumental role played by the Government of Sri Lanka in securing the release and the commitment shown by the TMVP. The Government views the release of these children as further signs of the strengthening of democracy and return to conditions of normality in areas of the Eastern Province. The Government, as part of its zero-tolerance policy on the recruitment of children for use in armed conflict, has taken steps to secure the release of and initiate programmes of rehabilitation for children caught up in armed conflict.

Full Release

Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights

JUSTICE P.N. BHAGWATI, CHAIR OF THE IIGEP CLARIFIES POSITION STATES: “IIGEP HAS NEVER ALLEGED THAT THERE WAS ABSENCE OF POLITICAL WILL ON THE PART OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SRI LANKA”

Justice P.N. Bhagwati who chairs the International Independent Group of Eminent
Persons (IIGEP) has, in a communication addressed to His Excellency President Mahinda Rajapaksa, clarified the position taken by the IIGEP in its 6th Public Statement relating to a supposed “absence of political will” on the part of the Government. He states:

Justice Bhagwati, together with Professor Yokota Yozo and Professor Sir Nigel Rodley,
members of the IIGEP, met with President Rajapaksa, Minister of Disaster Management and Human Rights, Mahinda Samarasinghe, Attorney-General, C.R. De Silva, and other officials last week following the announcement of the resignation of members of the IIGEP.

Full Release

Ministry of Disaster Management and Human Rights

28 MORE CHILDREN RELEASED BY TMVP

The Government of Sri Lanka welcomes the release of twenty-eight children by the Tamil Makkal Viduthalai Pulikal (TMVP) in Batticaloa on Thursday (24 April). This is the second release of children recorded this month. The Government views the release of these children as further signs of the strengthening of democracy and return to conditions of normality in areas of the Eastern Province wrested from the control of separatist terrorists last year. It also underscores the seriousness of intent of the Government in its undertaking given to several international forums dealing with the issue of children and armed conflict, especially the UN Security Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict. Accordingly, the Government has taken steps to secure the release of, and initiate programmes of rehabilitation for, children caught up in armed conflict.

Full Release

 

SRI LANKA: DEMOCRACY VS. TERRORISM - A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT
TO THE CONFLICT?

Ambassador Bernard Goonetilleke, in a presentation at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, on April 21, 2008, focused on the dilemma Sri Lanka faces, rising to the challenge of battling terrorism while preserving democracy

The Ambassador said, "A little known fact is that in Sri Lanka, the seeds of democracy were sown long before its independence in 1948. In fact, universal adult suffrage, an essential ingredient of democracy, was introduced to Sri Lanka in 1931; a mere 14 years after the U.S. afforded that facility to its people. Thus, Sri Lanka became the first country in Asia, where its people enjoyed the opportunity to vote without any distinction."

Full Speech

 

PUBLIC DAY FOR EXPATRIATE SRI LANKAN COMMUNITY AT THE EMBASSY OF SRI LANKA, WASHINGTON DC

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington DC is pleased to inform the members of the expatriate community that it will hold a Public Day every Thursday from 10.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m.

The Sri Lankan diaspora in the United States could meet the Head of Mission between 10.00 a.m to 1.00 p.m without prior appointment on this day.

The above arrangement is being launched as part of the implementation of policy set out in the Mahinda Chintana, to enhance ties with the expatriate Sri Lankan community to promote Sri Lanka’s interests overseas.

The Sri Lankan diaspora may discuss any matters in this context at these meetings.

Embassy of Sri Lanka,
Washington DC

Embassy of Sri Lanka - Washington DC, USA