Sri Lanka Considers High Import Taxes Amid US Tariff Pressure

Recently, the US government imposed a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan exports, effective August 1, 2025. While this is lower than the initially threatened 44%, it's still significantly higher than tariffs faced by some of Sri Lanka's competitors, like Vietnam (20%). This new US tariff puts significant pressure on Sri Lanka's crucial apparel sector, which heavily relies on the US market and is a major source of foreign income and jobs.

In response, Sri Lankan apparel manufacturers are reportedly asking the government to increase taxes on imported clothes by 300% to 400%. They are already thrilled that the government is imposing taxes on goods imported through online platforms like Temu and AliExpress. They hope this move will encourage Sri Lankans to buy locally made clothes. The Ministry of Industries seems to support this idea. If this tax hike goes through, you could end up paying an extra 300 to 1,200 rupees per imported clothing item.

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A Conflicting Stance

Critics point out the contradiction in Sri Lankan clothing manufacturers complaining about taxes on their products in other countries (like the US) while demanding much higher taxes on imports here at home. This kind of tax imposition could also affect ongoing discussions with the US to reduce their tariffs. These manufacturers are also asking for further discussions with the US to reduce the tariff.

Even the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suggests removing such import taxes. The IMF believes these taxes actually hurt Sri Lanka's ability to export goods. As the saying goes, "a tax on imports is a tax on exports."

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Lessons from History

In 19th-century Britain, industrialists fought to remove taxes on imported food. They argued that expensive food meant workers needed higher wages, which in turn made British manufactured products more expensive and harder to export. When food was cheaper, people had more money to spend on other things, contributing to economic growth.

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Benefits of Free Trade

When imported goods are cheaper, people have more money to spend on other things like travel, entertainment, or services. This creates new jobs and businesses in various sectors. That's why countries embracing free trade are generally more prosperous, with lower taxes creating more jobs. In contrast, countries that rely on protectionism often fall behind.

#SriLankaEconomy #ApparelTrade #ImportTaxes #EconomicPolicy #MadeInSriLanka

What is UNHRC resolution 46/1 on Sri Lanka?

UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted a resolution on 23 March 2021. The resolution was brought by Britain on behalf of a group of countries that are identified as a core group on Sri Lanka. The resolution was backed by the US which is not a member state of the UNHRC.

The countries that have co-sponsored the resolution so far are Albania, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malta, Marshall Islands, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.

The resolution titled ‘Promoting reconciliation, accountability and human rights in Sri Lanka' boosts the powers of the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights with a view to future prosecutions.

22 countries voted in favour of the text, 11 opposed and 14 abstained, including India and Nepal. Most Muslim majority countries also abstained while Pakistan, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan voted against the motion.

Human Rights Council expresses its "deep concern" at the “deteriorating situation" in Sri Lanka through this resolution. UNHRC further criticized the erosion of judicial independence, marginalisation of minorities and impunity.

The resolution called on the Sri Lankan government to revise the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Any legislation on combating terrorism must comply fully with the State's international human rights and humanitarian law obligations.

According to the resolution, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is expected to enhance its monitoring and reporting on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka. The supposed measures include progress in reconciliation and accountability.

The High Commissioner on Human Rights is assigned by the resolution to present an oral update to the Human Rights Council at its 41st session. A written update must be made at the 49th session and a comprehensive report that includes further options for advancing accountability must be presented at the 51st session.

The resolution calls upon the Government of Sri Lanka to protect civil society actors, including human rights defenders. The government must investigate any attacks and ensure a safe and enabling environment in which civil society can operate free from hindrance, surveillance, insecurity and threat of reprisals.

The resolution also urges the Government of Sri Lanka to foster freedom of religion or belief and pluralism by promoting the ability of all religious communities to manifest their religion and to contribute openly and on an equal footing to society.

Does illegal re-exportation of pepper from Sri Lanka continue?

While Sri Lankan pepper cultivators lament about the low price for their crops, Indian pepper growers complain that Vietnam pepper is entering into their market through Sri Lanka. The news from India proves that the business of mixing local pepper with Vietnam products and re-exporting illegally is continuing affecting the local as well as Indian farmers.

Indian magazine website swarajyamag.com reported that Indian growers were complaining that they were hurt by imports of pepper into the country under the SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area) and duty-free under ISFTA (Indo-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement) from Sri Lanka, besides Nepal.

The report further stated, "growers allege that Vietnam pepper enters India cheaply in the garb of being produced in Sri Lanka or Nepal."

Also, the website said that "growers suspect that the invoice is showing a price higher than what the consignments are contracted at, raising concerns that pepper imports are paving way for hawala trade."

Hawala is an informal method of transferring money without any physical money actually moving.

In December 2019, Sri Lanka prohibited direct re-export and import of spices, including pepper for re-export purposes after minor processing, under the Commercial Hub Regulations in the Finance Act.

Under the SAFTA, imports up to 2,500 tonnes from Sri Lanka to India are duty-free. An 8 percent duty is levied, if imports are above the prescribed limit. However, certain traders are alleged exploiting this route to avoid paying customs duty of 43 percent and imported pepper for re-export purposes, after value addition within 120 days of the purchase. 

Sri Lanka's locally-grown pepper is recognised as high-quality products. Mixing and re-exporting pepper damage the reputation of locally-grown pepper internationally.  Some sources say that the mixing takes place on board certain ships at sea.

“Pepper is imported from Vietnam, the world’s biggest pepper producer and those involved in re-exporting it are so powerful that pepper is re-exported as a product of Sri Lankan often bypassing the country,” two years ago, Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage said. The minister told a media conference that the law enforcement authorities, the finance and industry ministries and the Sri Lanka Customs must check how pepper shipped from Vietnam reached India as a product of Sri Lanka without even a rupee being paid as tax. He admitted though, that pepper could be exported to India with zero tax under the Indo-Sri Lanka Trade Agreement.

Sri Lanka President pardons a criminal Buddhist monk; more criminals expected to be pardoned

President of Sri Lanka, Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardoned a criminal Buddhist monk who had been jailed for life for possessing two T-56 firearms and 210 numbers of live ammunition illegally. 

Political monk Uwathenne Sumana Thero was charged under the firearm ordinance of Sri Lanka for the offence he committed in 2010, few weeks ahead of the Presidential. By that time, he was a supporter of Sarath Fonseka, former Army Commander, who contested as opposition common candidate against incumbent President Mahinda Rajapaksa. Formerly, he supported President Mahinda Rajapaksa's party. Sarath Fonseka lost the presidential election in 2010 and he too was court-martialled and jailed for years under the influence of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

Another monk and three former supporters of Karuna faction broken away from Liberation Tigers of Tamil Ealam were also arrested. The Attorney-General withdrew the charges against them in June 2018.

After a lengthy hearing, Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendi sentenced him for a lifetime rigorous imprisonment on 01 June 2020. He was forced to remove his robe and wear the prison jumper.  

Diana Gamage, a national list MP of Samagi Jana Balavegaya led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, recently appealed to the President to pardon Uwathenne Sumana Thero. Diana Gamage crossed over to the government and voted in favour of 20th amendment to the constitution going against the party decision. 

Sumana Thero had appealed against the judgement against him before the appellate court. He was pardoned under the condition of withdrawing the appeal. 

Analysts believe that the pardoning of this Buddhist monk who had politically supported the opposition was a precursor for pardoning Duminda Silva, the former ill-famous politician now condemned for the murder of Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra. Duminda Silva is the brother of Raynor Silva, the owner of ABC media network which is a major propaganda tool of Rajapaksa regime. 

A section of Buddhist leaders of Sri Lanka urge the government to give permission to bury COVID-19 dead bodies

Inter-Religion Relations Subcommittee of Sri Lanka Amarapura and Ramanna Buddhist Sangha sects wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa urging to take an immediate decision regarding the issue of burying the COVID-19 dead bodies.

The Buddhist clergy urged the government to consult a committee comprised of experts including epidemiologists and religious leaders and take an urgent decision. 

Further, the Inter-Religion Relations Subcommittee requested to give permission to bury the dead bodies under a concrete layer or any other suitable manner so that the virus is not leaked into the groundwater. 

The letter mentioned that the issue would create unrest among Muslims of the country and the government would be embarassed.

 

Some of the murdered COVID-19 positive prisoners were ones released by court

A woman lamented before Wattala Magistrate Court of Sri Lanka yesterday saying the prison authorities of Mahara prison had killed her husband who had been bailed out by the court. She told that she had deposited the bail for the man to get him released by the time he was shot dead. 

The postmortem reports of this particular man and three others were submitted to Wattala magistrate court yesterday. Ther four of them were COVID-19 positive persons. Prison authorities shot them dead in an incident they claim a prison riot. The prisoners staged a protest before that demanding PCR tests conducted and patients separated from others. 

Eleven prisoners were killed in the incident and Minister of Prisons Lohan Ratwatta earlier told that the cause of the deaths was not shooting. However, the postmortem revealed that the prisoners had died due to gunshot injuries. 

Eight of the killed prisoners are COVID-19 positive. Their postmortems have now been conducted and the postmortems of the three other prisoners are to be conducted. 

Dead bodies of four of the COVID-19 positive prisoners were previously cremated. The Attorney General's Department wanted the bodies of the other four prisoners also cremated with immediate effect but the Committee to Protect the Rights of the Prisoners protested destroying the evidence of a crime. 

The decision regarding the dead bodies was postponed until December 30. 

The slain prisoners are not convicted and they are only suspects. The authorities and the media loyal to them claim that they are drug offenders. Although the authorities try to justify the killing of prisoners, section 13 (4) of the constitution of Sri Lanka highlights “No person shall be punished with death or imprisonment except by order of a competent court, made in accordance with the procedure established by law.”

Amnesty International said issuing a statement on killing of prisoners in Sri Lanka that prison authorities should ensure an end to the use of unlawful and excessive force against prisoners agitating against their detention conditions during the outbreak of COVID-19 within prisons. "Ensure that force is only ever used against prisoners where it is strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate objective," the statement said. 

"The incident at Mahara Prison Complex is the third time this year that lethal force has been used against prison inmates in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. In March, two prisoners were killed and several others injured in Anuradhapura prison in North Central Province, following a protest related to COVID-19. On 18 November, a prisoner was shot dead while trying to escape from Bogambara Prison in Central Province, where more than 100 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19," the statement further said.

Baby farm owner arrested in Sri Lanka

A Sri Lankan man who engaged in trafficking of babies was arrested at Matale on December 21, police media spokesman Deputy Inspector General Ajith Rohana said. The man was released on bail today by the magistrate court.

The suspect known as Manjula Ukwatta was banned recruiting more pregnant women to his baby farms.  

The arrest was made following a comprehensive investigation by the Police Children's and Women's Bureau. Twelve pregnant women were also found from the custody of this person. 

The man is accused of running the baby farm giving wide publicity online using social media. He appears to have close links with media and religion also. 

The women who had unwanted pregnancies were given shelter in this man's centre and their children were sold to wealthy people after the childbirth, police said. Police further said that the man had not followed the laws of Sri Lanka in terms of child adoption. 

A few Sri Lankan social media influencers exposed this racket and the owner of the suspected baby farm counter-argued that he was providing a service. 

The suspected trafficker ran an organization called CSCN - Center For Social Change Nation Lanka

White handkerchief marks protest against forcible cremation by the government of Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan civil society is silently but strongly marking their protest against the government's inhuman forcible cremation of a 20-day old baby against the wishes of the parents. 

For about two weeks, small groups of civil society activists wearing masks and keeping social distances silently tie white handkerchiefs on the iron wall of the general cemetery of Colombo 08 where the babies body was forcibly cremated.

This activism has become a protest against the government's adamant rejection of WHO directions on the disposal of dead bodies of the COVID-19 patients and the disrespect to the people's right for a respectable funeral. Sri Lanka government cremates all COVID-19 dead bodies as a policy. Although the majority Sinhala community cremates their dead bodies, Muslims and some groups in all ethnic communities including some Sinhalese bury the dead bodies as a tradition. A large number of deaths due to COVID-19 in Sri Lanka are of the Muslims.

Baby Shaykh of Colombo 15 was admitted to Lady Ridgway Hospital on the night of December 7. Dr. G. Wijesuriya, the Director at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital said that at the time of admission the infant had been in critical condition with severe pneumonia. The baby was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit and connected to a ventilator. The hospital authorities say they had done their level best to save the life of the baby. 

His antigen test was reported positive by the afternoon the next day but the antigen tests of his parents were negative. After that, they were sent to home quarantine. The lactating mother was also separated from the baby. Baby's father Fahim demanded a PCR conducted for the child but they had been asked to do it privately. Fahim, a three-wheeler taxi driver from an isolated area in Colombo city had no money for the test.  

The baby died in the evening of December 8 and the father said that the hospital had given the news to media even before informing him. 

Fahim was called to the hospital and asked to sign some documents. The distraught man said he would sign only if the body was given for burial. The hospital authorities rejected his appeal and took fast actions to cremate the body of the baby under quarantine regulations. 

The health officials could keep the body in the mortuary until the matter was explained to the bereaved parents. But the authorities did not bother and proceeded without caring the parents would come or not to the crematorium. 

- Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe

(Photo: former Minister of Foreign Affairs participates in the protest)

Postmortems of nine COVID-19 infected prisoners and two others killed in Sri Lanka being conducted

Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of Sri Lanka reported to Wattala Magistrate Court on December 18, 2020, that the postmortem reports of seven remand prisoners killed in Mahara prison would be submitted to the court on December 23. Five of these killed seven prisoners are COVID-19 patients. 

CID cited that the postmortem had been delayed because of the cremation of four other prisoners was delayed. The postmortem of these four remand prisoners was conducted earlier and the cause of death was cited as gunshot injuries. 

The prison officials shot at the prisoners but the Prisons Minister Lohan Ratwatta lied to media that no prisoner had died due to gunfire. 

The lawyers appearing for the rights of the prisoners appealed to the court that the dead bodies of the slain prisoners buried but the CID objected it. The dead bodies were cremated later.

Chaos occurred in the congested Mahara prison in Gampaha district due to the fear of COVID-19. The prisoners demanded PCR conducted among them and the infected persons separated. Eleven prisoners were killed and over 100 were injured as a result of firing by the prison officers. PCR conducted later proved that nine of the 11 killed prisoners had been contracted COVID-19. 

(Photo: A man suspected to be another prisoner deployed without personal protective equipment to attend to the dead bodies while the officials keep a safe distance)    

Sri Lankan authorities remain insensitive about the funeral rights of even the youngest COVID-19 victim

"What was the sin committed by this innocent 20-day-old newborn baby for his body to be forcibly cremated?" former State Minister and former MP for Batticaloa District Ali Zahir Moulana tweeted with a photo of a 20-day old baby whose body was cremated by the authorities without the permission of the parents. 

Baby Shaykh of Colombo 15 was admitted to Lady Ridgway Hospital in the night of December 7. Dr. G. Wijesuriya, the Director at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital said that at the time of admission the infant had been in critical condition with severe pneumonia. The baby was transferred to Intensive Care Unit and connected to a ventilator. The hospital authorities say they had done their level best to save the life of the baby.  

His antigen test was reported positive by the afternoon but the antigen tests of his parents was negative. After that, they were sent to home quarantine. Baby's father Fahim demanded a PCR conducted for the child but they had been asked to do it privately. Fahim, a three wheeler taxi driver from a isolated area in Colombo city had no money for the test.  

The baby died in the evening and the father said that the hospital had given the news to media even before informing him. 

Fahim was called to the hospital and asked to sign some documents. The distraught man said he would sign only if the body was given for burial. The hospital authorities rejected his appeal and took fast actions to cremate the body of the baby under quarantine regulations. 

The health officials could keep the body in the mortury until the matter was explained to the bereaved parents. But the authorities did not bother and proceeded without caring the parents would come or not to the crematorium. 

The authorities of Sri Lanka's national children's hospital are criticized for being insensitive to the grief of the parents of the country's youngest person who died of COVID-19. The family has another daughter who is six years older than the dead brother.

Sri Lanka government continue their unconcern about the human rights of the COVID-19 patients and especially about the funeral rights of the dead persons. Muslims have raised their issue and some reject to accept the bodies of the dead relatives in protest of the government policy. They do not pay for the cremation which is ultimately conducted at the expense of the government. 

Christians, some of the Hindus and some of the Buddhists also do not creamate the dead bodies. However, the majority Sinhala Buddhist community has no cultural issue against cremation of dead bodies. Sri Lanka government does not follow the guidelines of the WHO in terms of the dead bodies of the COVID-19 infected persons and continue to cremate them forcibly if the families protest. 

Sri Lanka government issued a gazette notification on April 11 making cremations mandatory for COVID-related deaths. Twelve Muslim petitioners challenged the regulation in the Supreme Court, claiming it impinged on the fundamental rights of theMuslim minority. However, the petition was rejected. 

(Photo: Baby Shaykh)

Sri Lanka records the highest number of elephant deaths in 2019

It was revealed at Sri Lanka parliament's Committee of Public Accounts (COPA) meeting held last week that the country recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the recent history in 2019. Accordingly, 407 elephants died in 2019 far ahead of the annual average before that which was little above 200. The vast majority of the elephant deaths are killings. 

Meanwhile, 122 humans also were killed in human-elephant conflict.

It was mentioned at the COPA that Sri Lanka had become the country that recorded the highest number of elephant deaths in the world. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka also became the country that recorded the second-highest number of human deaths by human-elephant conflicts in the world. India is the first.   

Sri Lanka has around 4,200 kilometres of fences that block the elephants roaming into human settlements. However, residents in relevant areas say they are not properly maintained. Also, the traditional forest land is encroached by farmers and politically-backed unscrupulous racketeers causing the elephants to lose their habitat. They invade the cultivations by farmers who use firearms and explosive material to chase them away. Most of the deaths of elephants occur due to gunshot injuries.  

Buddhist sect head says Dutch monk's death a suicide; not verified by post-mortem

The death of a Dutch Buddhist monk in Sri Lanka has caused controversy as the head of the sect deceased the monk belonged issued a press statement highlighting the death was a suicide. The press statement was issued by Thirikunamale Ananda Maha Thero, the Prelate of Amarapura Sri Dharmarakshitha Sect. 

The Chief Prelate said that the death of the monk could be suicide and asked media not to highlight it as a homicide. The temple the monk stayed belong to the sect and the temple the Chief Prelate resides. 

However, the post-mortem was conducted on December 10th by Dr. Janaki Warshahennadi, the Judicial Medical Specialist of Karapitiya Teaching Hospital of Galle. The verdict did not verify the death was a suicide and directed police to investigate further.   

Three police teams of Sri Lanka are investigating the death of a Dutch national Buddhist monk who was meditating in a Theravada Buddhist monastery in Sri Lanka. The death was initially suspected murder. 

The dead body of the Netherlands national Buddhist monk was found on December 08, 2020, from a lagoon in Rathgama in Galle district of Sri Lanka. 

The 59 years old Buddhist monk known as Ven. Jinawansa had dedicated life for meditation. He has been living in Katudampe Polgasduwa forest monastery in Rathgama in Galle district since 2011 under visa renewed yearly. The monk used a canoe to come to the village for begging alms. His empty wooden canoe was first found floating on the lagoon. 

The monk's body was found dumped in the lagoon tied to heavy rocks. Sri Lanka Police suspected the late priest might have been murdered elsewhere and drowned in the lagoon. Three police teams are investigating the incident. He was missing since December 05, 2020. 

Post updated on December 12, 2020

Conduct postmortem and reveal the causes of deaths of detainees in Mahara prison

By Anthony Vinoth, Coordinator - Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture 

Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture is highly concerned about the killing of 11 detainees of Mahara prison and injuring 107 detainees, in an incident claimed to be taken place amidst steps to control the chaos in prison on November 29. We express our deepest condolences to the families of the deceased and wish speedy recovery of all the injured detainees and the two prison officials.

We highlight that the security of the prisoners in state custody lie on the government and expect the authorities will provide a credible explanation to the society about the incident.

We want to remind that local and international civil organizations have focused the attention of the government many times to the elongated issue of congestion in prisons of Sri Lanka. We believe that COVID-19 would not make the prisons so vulnerable if the government had taken steps to provide sustainable solutions to minimize prison congestion. Several civil organizations, including the Committee to Protect the Rights of the Prisoners informed the authorities several times that spread of the epidemic in the prisons might cause panic among detainees. We stress that the cause for the unfortunate situation in prison is the failure of the authorities to take timely action. As a result, chaos has been reported from several prisoners by now.  

Two detainees lost lives in Anuradhapura prison amidst the first corona wave as a result of using live rounds to control the chaos. On November 18, one detainee of Bogambara prison died due to gunshot injuries. We focus the attention to the section 13 (4) of the constitution of Sri Lanka which highlights “No person shall be punished with death or imprisonment except by order of a competent court, made in accordance with the procedure established by law.”

The killings that took place in prisons within a brief period degrade  Sri Lanka in the human rights indices while affecting the dignity of the state internationally.

Even before the postmortem, the new Minister of Prison Management Hon. Lohan Ratwatta said in the parliament that no prisoner had died of gunshot injuries in the Mahara incident. This statement by the Hon. Minister was contradicted when the state counsel representing the Attorney General reported to the Magistrate of Welisara on December 8 that Criminal Investigation Department probes had revealed the use of firearms. The Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture protests the Minister’s statement in this context. We further demand the Department of Prisons to immediately hand over the unedited copies of the videos shown on media together with the equipment used to record them to the Magistrate Court of Welisara for further investigations. 

Also, we demand the government not to cremate the dead bodies of these detainees as per the quarantine regulations. We respect the interim order issued by Hon. Magistrate of Wattala on December 4 preventing the cremations. 

Hon. Magistrate of Welisara has directed the government to provide expert opinion regarding the postmortems, and we urge the authorities to take immediate actions in terms of this direction. In the context of the investigations after the exhumation of the bodies of the murdered persons had changed the initial postmortem reports, we emphasize that the government should conduct fair and independent inquests in terms of these nine killings. The cremation of the dead bodies considering the victims of killings as COVID-19 patients may hide evidence of murder, we stress. Therefore, we urge the government to use suitable techniques such as X-ray and conduct investigations without causing injustice to the victims of a crime and the families of the victims. The responsibility of a democratic government is to conduct murder investigations transparently and independently.

Sri Lanka is lagging regarding delivering justice to the victims of similar crimes that occur in the prisons quite often. The case regarding the killing of 27 prisoners in Welikada prison on November 9, 2012, is yet to be examined. However, accelerating the process of justice concerning exceptional circumstances is unalienable responsibility of the government.

Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture extends its fullest corporation unconditionally to its member organization, Committee to Protect the Prisoners’ Rights, in their struggle to seek justice for the victims of this incident and also to increase the security and facilities in the prisons.

(Translated by Creative Content Consultants)

Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights

Recover Better - Stand Up for Human Rights is the theme of Human Rights Day 2020. 

"This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to the COVID-19 pandemic and focuses on the need to build back better by ensuring Human Rights are central to recovery efforts. We will reach our common global goals only if we are able to create equal opportunities for all, address the failures exposed and exploited by COVID-19, and apply human rights standards to tackle entrenched, systematic, and intergenerational inequalities, exclusion and discrimination," the United Nations announced.

Speaker of Sri Lanka to host the budget party violating quarantine regulations

Speaker of Sri Lanka is planning to host the traditional party after the budget is passed violating quarantine regulations, Lankadeepa Sinhala newspaper reported.  

The budget party is scheduled to be held on December 10th in the official residence of the Speaker. 

As the newspaper reported, all the parliamentarians and their families are invited to the party. The number of guests for the party is around 500 and food and beverages are ordered for 700 persons including the staff. 

Under the quarantine regulations in Sri Lanka, health authorities allow only 50 to 100 people for a similar party organized by ordinary people. 

A Sri Lankan man claims for the invention of a syrup that gives lifetime immunity for COVID-19

District Secretary of Kegalle of Sri Lanka temporarily suspended distributing a syrup that a local physician claimed a cure for COVID-19. Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, other Ministers and some health professionals also promoted this medication as a cure for coronavirus through media. 

However, the syrup is yet to be approved by the health authorities.  

However, heavy traffic was reported from Kegalle in Sri Lanka's Sabaragamuwa Province due to the flow of hundreds of thousands of people from all over the country who rushed to grab the syrup believed a cure for COVID-19. No quarantine regulation or social distancing was followed and the 'doctor' and his helpers did not wear face masks. Even the police failed to control the crowds. 

The inventor of the medicine is not a registered traditional medical practitioner in Sri Lanka. People flocked in the inventor's house to grab the product he sold in small bottles enough for a family of four to six persons. 

The drug was distributed free of charge. The inventor who introduced himself as Dhammika Bandara said that two table spoonfuls of the syrup in the morning and in the evening for two days would give a man immunity from the deadly virus for the entire life. The patients need to take the medicine only for three days to cure, as he claims.

He says the drug was produced using bees' honey and several domestic spices. 

(Picture: The inventor distributing the drug)

Japanese girl who eloped with a Sri Lankan suspected of raped by step-father with the connivance of her mother

A 24-year old Sri Lankan who was suspected of trafficking a Japanese girl was released on bail by Negambo Magistrate Court of Sri Lanka. 

The man was arrested based on a complaint by the mother of the Japanese girl. The Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka also involved in the case. However, K.C. Pathirana the counsel appearing for the plaintiff said that the mother would consent for the man to marry the girl. 

Waruna Weerasuriya, the counsel who appeared for the suspect said the girl told to Kochchikade police that she had been raped twice by her step-father with the connivance of her mother. The lawyer said that the Japanese language sworn translator had ignored the translation of that part to police and demanded an investigation on that matter. 

The girl continues to be held under the probationary custody. She is five-month pregnant and under Sri Lanka's law sex with minors below 16 years of age even with consent is considered statutory rape. The offence will result in a ten-year mandatory sentence and a fine against the rapist. 

Sri Lankan health authorities work hard to end child pregnancy and the Japanese embassy of Sri Lanka assist to such projects sometimes. Sri Lanka's challenge is around 5% of total pregnancies are considered teenage pregnancy. 

The Sri Lankan man who migrated into Japan under student visa had started the affair while he was working in the girl's house as a temporary worker. He returned to Sri Lanka with the Japanese girl five months ago.   

The case was postponed until 18 March 2021. 

Psychiatrists of Sri Lanka reject government's claim that psychiatric drugs caused violence among prisoners

Sri Lanka College of Psychiatrists says that the publicity given in the media on the connection between the violent and aggressive behaviour of prisoners and the abuse of the drugs used in psychiatric practice has no rational basis. 

"The drugs used in psychiatric practice in Sri Lanka are also used all over the world and these drugs are brought under the guidance of regulatory authorities. In Sri Lanka, psychiatrists have been using these drugs during the last seven decades with great benefit to patients. These drugs are prescribed based on well-accepted guidelines. Nome of these drugs are responsible for violent or aggressive behaviour and in fact, many of these drugs promote calmness and cause mild drowsiness," the statement further said. 

Sri Lankan Minister Wimal Weerawansa and Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Kamal Gunarathna were two of the bigwigs who said that the prisoners had been under the influence of psychiatric drugs stolen from a medical store in the prison. 

 

Prisoners killed in Sri Lanka are COVID-19 patients

Amnesty International said issuing a statement on killing of prisoners in Sri Lanka that prison authorities should ensure an end to the use of unlawful and excessive force against prisoners agitating against their detention conditions during the outbreak of COVID-19 within prisons. "Ensure that force is only ever used against prisoners where it is strictly necessary and proportionate to a legitimate objective," the statement said. 

"The incident at Mahara Prison Complex is the third time this year that lethal force has been used against prison inmates in Sri Lanka since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. In March, two prisoners were killed and several others injured in Anuradhapura prison in North Central Province, following a protest related to COVID-19. On 18 November, a prisoner was shot dead while trying to escape from Bogambara Prison in Central Province, where more than 100 inmates had tested positive for COVID-19," the statement further said.

Prisons Commissioner of Sri Lanka Thushara Upuldeniya said to media that nine of the 11 prisoners killed in Mahara prison had been COVID-19 positive. The reports of the PCR tests conducted on the dead bodies revealed this and the reports of the other two deceased are to be received. The unrest in Mahara prison started with the demand of the prisoners to conduct PCR tests and to treat the patients. 

Sri Lanka's prisons are about three-fold overcrowded and the remanded prisoners in many prisons agitate demanding bail, PCR tests and quarantine. The COVID-19 cluster in prisons has exceeded 1,000 now but the number of PCR tests is still low. 

The prison authorities say that prisoners in Mahara rioted, attempted to escape, set ablaze the record room and other buildings, took two officials hostage and the prison officers shot at the prisoners to control them.

By now, 11 prisoners have been killed and more than 100 prisoners have been injured due to the attacks on November 29, according to prison sources. Deputy Director of Ragama Hospital Dr. Sarath Premasiri said on November 30 that the condition of 10 of the prisoners was critical. Three prisoners of them have already died now.

Many of the patients are COVID-19 positive. The agitation started with the demand of the prisoners to conduct PCR tests and quarantine them. A large number of naked prisoners were seen transported in hired buses out of the prison yesterday. The prisoners said to the relatives who had gathered near the prison that they had been transported somewhere for quarantine. 

Wives, mothers, children, siblings and other relatives of the prisoners were seen weeping near the prison and Ragama hospital pleading police and other officials to inform them of the plight of their loved ones. 

Some women were shown on television channels begging the authorities to stop shooting the prisoners. In one scene, a video showed the shock of a young mother carrying a baby when she heard police announced the death of her husband.

The slain prisoners are not convicted and they are only suspects. 

Cyclone Burevi: Indian Meteorological Department issues RED warning

Under the influence of the potential cyclone Burevi, widespread rainfall is forecast across Sri Lanka, Tamil Nadu, South Andhra Pradesh and Kerala between Tuesday and Friday with a likelihood of isolated extremely heavy rainfall on Wednesday and Thursday.

Indian Meteorological Department forecast very heavy rains across Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While both the states have been kept under a ‘red warning’ by the IMD for Thursday, an ‘orange alert’ is also in place from Tuesday to Friday.

"The IMD’s red warning urges residents and authorities to take action, while an orange alert recommends residents to ‘be prepared’. In particular, the districts of Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, Ramanathapuram and Sivaganaga from Tamil Nadu and Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha from Kerala are under a red warning for Wednesday and Thursday," reported weather.com.

Meteorological Department of Sri Lanka issued the following statement: 

WEATHER FORECAST FOR 02nd DECEMBER 2020 Issued at 12.00 noon on 01st December 2020 

The deep depression is expected to intensify further into a cyclonic storm and very likely to cross Sri Lanka. Due to this situation, the rainy and windy condition is expected to enhance considerably over the island. The depression area in the south-east Bay of Bengal has concentrated into a deep depression and lay centred 500 km southeast to Trincomalee at 1130 hrs today (01st December). The system is very likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 24 hours. The system is very likely to move west-northwestwards and cross eastern coast of Sri Lanka between Batticaloa and Point-Pedro around tomorrow (02nd December) evening/night. Intermittent showers/thundershowers will occur in the Eastern, Northern, Northern-central, North-western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. Very heavy rainfall above 200mm can be expected at some places. Showers or thundershowers at times will occur elsewhere. Heavy rainfall above 100mm can be expected at some places. Very strong gusty winds (80-90) kmph can be expected in Northern, North-Central, Eastern, North-Western, Western, Central and Sabaragamuwa provinces. Strong gusty winds (60-70) kmph can be expected elsewhere.