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A delegation of Singaporean media representatives is in Sri Lanka on a familiarisation tour, from November 1 to 7, aimed at promoting the country as a tourism destination among Singaporean travellers.
The visit has been organised by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) and the Singapore Press Club.
The delegation, led by Singapore Press Club Vice-President Baghman Singh, is scheduled to experience Sri Lanka’s cultural heritage, natural attractions, hospitality and culinary offerings during the tour.
A pre-departure briefing was held at the Sri Lankan High Commission in Singapore, on October 28, with the participating journalists attending in person and SLTPB officials joining virtually.
The briefing covered the tour programme and highlighted the country’s diverse tourism offerings.
The journalists are expected to share their experiences through their respective media platforms following the visit, helping promote awareness of Sri Lanka as a travel destination among Singaporean audiences.
The High Commission said the initiative was part of ongoing efforts to strengthen media and people-to-people ties between Sri Lanka and Singapore while promoting the country’s tourism potential.
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Former Chief Justice Sarath Nanda Silva yesterday (03) warned that the Protection of State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) could be utilised against those opposed to the government. They could be branded as terrorists, the ex-CJ said, endorsing former Foreign Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris’s declaration that the proposed law would violate both political and civil rights.
Addressing the media at former President and UNP leader Ranil Wickremesinghe’s Office, they accused the government of seeking to suppress political dissent.
At the onset of the briefing Prof. Peiris stressed that the threat posed by PSTB should be examined taking into consideration the proposed Prevention of Organised Crimes Bill (POCB). The former parliamentarian said that PSTB and POCB together could destroy democracy. Prof. Peiris warned the government that the government would have to face dire consequences internationally.
The GSP plus concessions provided by the European Union could be at grave risk,
Prof. Peiris warned, while referring to strong condemnation of the two proposed Bills by the Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council, as well as major rights groups such as the Amnesty International and the Human Rights Watch. The proposed Acts would be contrary to the assurances the government of Sri Lanka (GoSL) had given the international community.
Justice and National Integration Minister Harshana Nanayakkara, on behalf of the NPP, tabled PSTB and POCB on 06 and 20 October, respectively.
Referring to the PSTB, Prof. Peiris alleged that the government could deploy the armed forces in support of law enforcement authorities even without the declaration of an emergency. Those politically opposed to the government would be at the mercy of the police-military operating at the behest of the government.
The former CJ explained how the proposed laws could violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, a legally binding multilateral treaty which came into operation in 1976, as well the 19th Amendment to the country’s Constitution. According to him, the military could carry out arrests without the participation of the police. “The military can hold persons for 24 hours before handing them over to law enforcement authorities. They can hold them for a further 48 hours. What would be the mentality of those held for 72 hours without being produced before a Magistrate?” Silva asked.
The ex-CJ accused the government of perpetrating terrorism. “The government realises that it is vulnerable. New security laws are meant to protect the government.”
Prof. Peiris said that a confession obtained by police under threat or having subjected a person in custody to assault could be used in court of law in line with the proposed law though such a course of action was not permissible now. The major flaw in POCB is that it empowered the police and the military to detain people without being subjected to the judiciary, Prof. Peiris said, calling for a combined effort and international intervention to derail the NPP’s strategy.
Tensions flared in Parliament yesterday as Opposition MPs staged a protest against the rejection of a no-confidence motion against Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne, with some MPs attempting to seize the ceremonial mace.
The disruption followed objections by Opposition MPs to Deputy Speaker Rizvie Salih’s decision not to allow several privilege issues to be raised, including the rejection of the no-confidence motion against the Speaker.
Salih told the House that he had received the privilege submissions from several MPs only after 9 a.m. yesterday and had not yet had an opportunity to examine them.
He said the submissions would be considered and a response given later in the day.
However, Opposition MPs continued to demand an explanation for the rejection of the no-confidence motion, questioning the procedure followed by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa said the motion, containing 50 allegations against Speaker Wickramaratne and signed by 44 Opposition MPs, had been handed over to the Secretary-General of Parliament on October 09.
He said the motion was subsequently included in the Parliamentary Order Book on October 12 but was later rejected by the Committee on Parliamentary Business.
Premadasa questioned how a motion that had been included in the Order Book could subsequently be rejected without being debated in Parliament.
He alleged that the decision violated the parliamentary privileges of Opposition MPs and undermined democratic procedures within the House.
The Opposition Leader also raised concerns about the Speaker’s impartiality and the independence of Parliament, arguing that MPs should be allowed to exercise their rights to freedom of speech, expression and debate.
He said the Speaker had a constitutional duty to act impartially and ensure that both Government and Opposition MPs were given a fair opportunity to exercise their parliamentary rights.
Premadasa called for an inquiry into whether the decision not to allow the no-confidence motion to be debated amounted to a breach of parliamentary privileges.
The objections led to a tense exchange in the House, with several Opposition MPs continuing their protest and attempting to seize the ceremonial mace.
Despite the disruption, the Government proceeded with the scheduled parliamentary business after the Deputy Speaker assured the Opposition that the privilege issues raised would be examined and a response provided during the day.
The House subsequently continued its proceedings.
The Jana Aragala Movement, led by the JVP-splinter Frontline Socialist Party (FSP), is to march on Parliament today (04), demanding the withdrawal of the proposed Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill (PSTB) and the Prevention of Organised Crime Bill (POCB), as well as the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Addressing the media yesterday, Jana Aragala Movement National Executive Council member Wasantha Mudalige urged trade unions, political activists and others who value democracy to join the demonstration at the Parliament roundabout today at noon.
Mudalige said the government had initially planned to pass the PSTB in Parliament on November 04 and 05, but had postponed the move due to strong public opposition.
He said the movement welcomed the decision to heed public opinion but insisted that the government should also withdraw the PSTB and POCB.
Mudalige accused the government of seeking to use the proposed laws to suppress public dissent amid growing opposition to the economic policies being implemented, under the IMF programme.
He claimed that the tax burden on ordinary people had increased while concessions were being granted to politically connected business interests.
He said the economic situation could prompt another mass protest movement, similar to the 2022 Aragalaya, and alleged that the proposed laws were intended to prevent such protests.
Mudalige also criticised provisions that would increase police detention powers and allow confessions obtained under coercion to be used as evidence in court.
He referred to the repression experienced by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna under the PTA and described it as a “tragedy” that a political movement which had itself faced such repression was now in government and was seeking to introduce similar measures.
“The PTA, PSTB and POCB are anti-people, repressive laws and must be withdrawn immediately,” he said.
Mudalige warned that the proposed laws could restrict the public’s ability to protest against issues, such as taxation and alleged corruption.
The Jana Aragala Movement said it would continue its campaign until the three laws were repealed.
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