Hatch, recognised as a leading organisation in Sri Lanka’s innovation and entrepreneurship domain, welcomed Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal to their co-working space during her official visit to Sri Lanka. The tour of Hatch offered her an immersive experience into the dynamic entrepreneurial spirit of Sri Lankan startups. In conjunction with the…
Asia Internet Coalition (“AIC”), a body comprising internet and technology companies in the world, and its members, expressed concern about the Online Safety Bill and called for extensive revisions and overhaul of it. Managing Director AIC Jeff Paine said in writing to Public Security Minister Tiran Alles that while his office appreciates the efforts made…
Sri Lanka’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) market is set to welcome a new player! Indian giant Pune Gas has partnered with 3DH Group to form Lanka Gastech, a joint venture poised to shake up the sector. This move comes as Sri Lanka’s industrial and commercial sectors increasingly seek sustainable energy solutions. Jesal Sampat, Executive Director…
Telecom giants Reliance Industries and Lycamobile are among three potential buyers vying for a stake in Sri Lanka’s state-owned Sri Lanka Telecom (SLT), setting the stage for a high-stakes bidding war. The island nation’s State-Owned Enterprises Restructuring Unit confirmed initial interest from Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance, and Pettigo Comercio International, linked to the…
Sri Lanka faces mounting international pressure to halt its controversial anti-drug operation, “Yukthiya,” after accusations of mass arbitrary arrests, humiliating public searches, and forced military-run rehabilitation. Launched in December, the operation has seen thousands detained, primarily from marginalized communities, often without evidence or drugs in their possession. Critics, including 34 international rights groups, call for…
Volker Turk is urging Sri Lanka to review the operation and implement a rights-based approach to combatting illicit drugs The UN human rights agency on Friday criticised an ongoing anti-narcotics crackdown in Sri Lanka that has resulted in the arrest of over 30,000 suspects and sparked allegations of widespread abuses by the authorities. Police in…
We are very concerned that authorities in Sri Lanka are adopting a heavily security-based response to the country’s drugs problem, instead of public health policies grounded in human rights. A staggering 29,000 people have reportedly been arrested on drug related matters since 17 December, with allegations that some have been subjected to ill-treatment and torture….
Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption commission must prioritize high-profile cases and move beyond petty infractions to regain public trust, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) now has broader powers under the Anti-Corruption Act, but faces mounting pressure to deliver results. The public frustration stems from the deep-rooted…
By C. A. Chandraprema Whenever we hear the term Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), what comes to mind is the body by that name established in South Africa in 1995, headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The South African TRC may not have been the first of its kind, but it was undoubtedly the one that…
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) expresses deep concern about the ‘Yukthiya’ Operation, a two-week police crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking. While its stated objective is noble, reports of widespread human rights violations paint a disturbing picture. Excessive Arrests and Torture Allegations: The operation saw over 20,000 arrests in just two…
