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  • Ousted Lanka president Rajapaksa summoned in court docket over presidential pardon to homicide convict

    Ousted Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa was issued a discover by the nation’s Supreme Court for granting a presidential pardon to a former lawmaker of his occasion convicted within the homicide of a celebration colleague in 2011.

    Colombo,UPDATED: Nov 24, 2022 17:37 IST

    Ousted Sri Lanka president Gotabaya Rajapaksa. (Photo: Reuters/File)

    By Press Trust of India: Sri Lanka’s ousted President Gotabaya Rajapaksa was issued a discover by the Supreme Court on Thursday over a presidential pardon granted by him to a former lawmaker of his occasion who was convicted within the homicide of a celebration colleague in 2011.

    Rajapaksa, who pardoned Duminda Silva– a former parliamentarian from his Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) occasion, has been issued a second summons since he left workplace in July this yr.

    Silva, who was sentenced to loss of life in 2017 for involvement within the 2011 homicide of a celebration colleague and ex-MP, Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra, and 4 others, was freed in June 2021 after Rajapaksa granted him a presidential pardon.

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    However, the Supreme Court in May this yr quashed the pardoning and ordered Silva to be arrested once more.

    He is predicted to seem as a respondent earlier than the Supreme Court on December 16 for the listening to of a basic rights petition filed by Premachandra’s spouse and daughter.

    Similarly, in mid-October, the best court docket issued a summons to him to seem in court docket over the 2011 disappearance of two rights activists, Lalith Weeraraj and Kugan Murugananthan from the northern province.

    The disappearances came about 12 years in the past quickly after the top of the nation’s lengthy civil warfare when Rajapaksa was a strong official on the Defence Ministry underneath the presidency of his elder brother, Mahinda Rajapaksa.

    At the time, he was accused of overseeing abduction squads that whisked away insurgent suspects, important journalists, and activists, a lot of them by no means to be seen once more.

    He has beforehand denied any wrongdoing.

    Also Read: Sri Lanka’s appearing President declares Emergency, Singapore desires Gotabaya gone | 5 factors

    Rajapaksa, 73, was ousted in a well-liked rebellion in opposition to him in July this yr following months of road protests that known as for his resignation.

    He fled to the Maldives in mid-July and introduced his resignation from Singapore.

    In early September, he returned to the nation from Thailand.

    Posted By:

    India Today Web Desk

    Published On:

    Nov 24, 2022

  • Gotabaya Rajapaksa applies for Green Card to settle in US: Report

    Former Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who fled the nation final month amidst large anti-government protests calling for his resignation, is awaiting to acquire a US Green Card to return to America and settle there together with his spouse and son, a media report stated on Thursday.

    Sri Lankan newspaper Daily Mirror, citing highly-placed sources, claimed that Rajapaksa’s attorneys within the United States had already begun the process final month for his software to acquire the Green Card as he was eligible to use as a result of his spouse Loma Rajapaksa being a US citizen.

    In 2019, Rajapaksa renounced his US citizenship to contest the 2019 presidential polls.

    Rajapaksa took early retirement from the Sri Lanka Army and moved into the sphere of data expertise, earlier than immigrating to the United States in 1998. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2005, The process may even now contain his attorneys in Colombo submitting the extra paperwork right here with a purpose to go forward with the process, the every day stated.

    The 73-year-old former President who’s presently in a lodge in Bangkok alongside together with his spouse will return to Sri Lanka on August 25, cancelling his preliminary plan to stay in Thailand no less than until November, the report stated.

    The every day stated that two days in the past, Rajapaksa consulted his attorneys and determined to return to Sri Lanka later this month as he was not allowed the liberty to maneuver in Thailand as initially anticipated, as a result of safety issues.

    Upon his arrival in Bangkok, Thai police suggested the ousted President to stay indoors for safety causes.

    The Bangkok Post newspaper reported that on the lodge, the placement of which has not been disclosed, plainclothes law enforcement officials from the Special Branch Bureau had been deployed to make sure the protection of Rajapaksa.
    Officials had requested the previous Sri Lankan president to stay throughout the lodge throughout his keep within the nation.

    Upon his return to Sri Lanka this month, the Cabinet will focus on offering Rajapaksa a state home and safety accorded to a former President, the report stated.

    Rajapaksa fled to the Maldives final month and thereafter to Singapore. He entered Singapore on a medical visa and had it prolonged twice to stay there as a lot as potential. As his visa couldn’t be prolonged additional, Rajapaksa and his spouse left for Thailand and was assured he might stay there until he finalises his third vacation spot.

    At the identical time, the Thai authorities had made it clear to Rajapaksa that he mustn’t have interaction in political actions whereas staying within the nation.

    However together with his actions now restricted in Thailand, he’ll return to the nation, the report stated.

  • Gotabaya Rajapaksa leaves Singapore for Thailand after short-term go to cross expires: Report

    Sri Lanka’s ousted president Gotabaya Rajapaksa left Singapore for Thailand after his short-term go to cross expired on Thursday, in response to a media report.

    Rajapaksa boarded a flight from Singapore to Bangkok, after Thailand confirmed a day earlier than that it had obtained a request from the present Sri Lankan authorities for him to go to the nation.

    Responding to media queries, Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority stated that Rajapaksa left Singapore on Thursday, The Straits Times newspaper reported.

    Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Wednesday confirmed a short lived go to to Thailand by the 73-year-old embattled Sri Lankan chief for humanitarian causes, and stated he promised to not conduct political actions within the kingdom throughout his seek for everlasting asylum abroad.

    Rajapaksa, who’s presently in Singapore after fleeing Sri Lanka in July amid mass anti-government protests, is in search of refuge in Thailand as his Singapore visa runs out on Thursday.

    After flying to the Maldives on July 13, Rajapaksa then fled to Singapore, the place he introduced his resignation a day later after months of protests over the nation’s financial disaster.

    “This is a humanitarian issue. We have made a promise that it’s a temporary stay. No (political) activities are allowed, and this will help him find a country to take refuge in,” Prayut was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper on Wednesday.

    Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai stated the ousted president can keep in Thailand for 90 days as he’s nonetheless a diplomatic passport holder, the report stated.

    Don stated the Sri Lankan authorities didn’t oppose the go to and the Thai authorities wouldn’t make lodging preparations for him. The go to wouldn’t pose conflicts with Colombo as performing President Ranil Wickremesinghe had labored for him when he was in energy, he added.

    The minister stated a situation for Rajapaksa’s keep was that he shouldn’t trigger issues for Thailand.

  • Ousted Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa to remain quickly in Thailand: PM Prayut

    Thailand has agreed to permit Gotabaya Rajapaksa to remain within the nation quickly throughout which the ousted Sri Lankan president will seek for a 3rd nation that may supply him everlasting refuge, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha mentioned on Wednesday.

    Rajapaksa, who’s at present in Singapore after fleeing Sri Lanka in July amid mass anti-government protests, is looking for refuge in Thailand as his Singapore visa runs out on Thursday.

    After flying to the Maldives on July 13, Rajapaksa then fled to Singapore, the place he introduced his resignation a day later after months of protests over the nation’s financial disaster.

    The Prime Minister of Thailand confirmed a short lived go to to Thailand by the 73-year-old embattled Sri Lankan chief for humanitarian causes, and mentioned he promised to not conduct political actions within the kingdom throughout his seek for everlasting asylum out of the country.

    “This is a humanitarian issue. We have made a promise that it’s a temporary stay. No [political] activities are allowed, and this will help him find a country to take refuge in,” Prayut was quoted as saying by the Bangkok Post newspaper.

    Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai mentioned the ousted president can keep in Thailand for 90 days as he’s nonetheless a diplomatic passport holder, the report mentioned.

    Don mentioned the Sri Lankan authorities didn’t oppose the go to and the Thai authorities wouldn’t make lodging preparations for him. The go to wouldn’t pose conflicts with Colombo as performing
    President Ranil Wickremesinghe had labored for him when he was in energy, he added.

    The minister mentioned a situation for Rajapaksa’s keep was that he shouldn’t trigger issues for Thailand.

    Thailand obtained a request from Rajapaksa to enter the nation, CNN quoted Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Tanee Sangrat as saying on Wednesday.

    Sangrat mentioned that as a holder of a Sri Lankan diplomatic passport, Rajapaksa can enter Thailand and not using a visa for as much as 90 days, emphasising the keep is non permanent and he’s not looking for political asylum.

    Sangrat didn’t point out when Rajapaksa meant on touring to Thailand, the report mentioned.

    Sri Lanka, a rustic of twenty-two million individuals, is underneath the grip of an unprecedented financial turmoil, the worst in seven many years, leaving tens of millions struggling to purchase meals, medication, gasoline and different necessities.

    The large protests that started in March culminated with Rajapaksa’s resignation. The protesters accused the Rajapaksa household, which has dominated Sri Lanka’s political scene for almost 20 years, of plunging the nation into the worst financial disaster because the nation’s independence in 1948 by mismanagement and corruption.

    The nation, with an acute overseas foreign money disaster that resulted in overseas debt default, had introduced in April that it’s suspending almost USD 7 billion overseas debt compensation due for this yr out of about USD 25 billion due by 2026. Sri Lanka’s complete overseas debt stands at USD 51 billion.

    The United Nations has warned that 5.7 million individuals “require immediate humanitarian assistance,” with Sri Lankans experiencing excessive shortages of necessities together with meals, gasoline and medicines.

    The new Sri Lankan authorities led by Rajapaksa’s ally Wickremesinghe faces the duty of main the nation out of its financial collapse and restoring order. Sri Lanka has seen months of mass unrest over the worst financial disaster, with the federal government declaring chapter in mid-April by refusing to honour its worldwide debt.

  • Rights group seeks arrest of former Sri Lanka president Rajapaksa in Singapore

    A rights group documenting alleged abuses in Sri Lanka has filed a felony criticism with Singapore’s legal professional basic, searching for the arrest of former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for his function within the South Asian nation’s decades-long civil battle.

    The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) mentioned Rajapaksa dedicated grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions in the course of the civil battle in 2009 when he was nation’s defence chief, in line with a replica of the criticism seen by Reuters.

    The South Africa-based ITJP argued that based mostly on common jurisdiction the alleged abuses had been topic to prosecution in Singapore, the place he fled after months of unrest over his nation’s financial disaster.

    Rajapaksa submitted his resignation in Singapore, a day after fleeing on July 13. Anti-government protesters had stormed the workplaces and official residences of the president and the prime minister.

    “The criminal complaint that has been filed is (based on) verifiable information on both the crimes that have been committed, but also on evidence really linking the individual in question, who is now in Singapore,” Alexandra Lily Kather, one of many legal professionals that drafted the criticism, advised Reuters by phone from Berlin.

    “Singapore really has a unique opportunity with this complaint, with its own law and with its own policy, to speak truth to power.”

    Rajapaksa couldn’t be reached for remark by Sri Lanka’s High Commission in Singapore. He has beforehand strenuously denied allegations he was liable for rights abuses in the course of the battle.

    In response to questions from Reuters, a spokesperson for the Attorney-General’s Chambers mentioned it had acquired a letter from the ITJP on July 23.
    “We are not able to comment further on this matter,” the spokesperson mentioned.

    The nation’s overseas ministry has mentioned Rajapaksa entered the Southeast Asian city-state on a non-public go to and had not sought or been granted asylum.

    Shubhankar Dam, a professor on the University of Portsmouth School of Law in Britain, who has taught in Singapore, mentioned whereas its courts had been in a position to strive alleged battle crimes, genocide, and torture, it has repeatedly said that such jurisdiction ought to solely be invoked as a final resort.

    “While neutrality is not officially enshrined in Singapore’s foreign policy, it has long cultivated a form of even-handedness,” Dam mentioned.

    “Any decision to prosecute a former foreign head of state has to be balanced against its foreign policy objectives.”

    Sri Lanka ended a 25-year civil battle between separatist insurgents from the ethnic Tamil minority and authorities forces in 2009. Rights teams accused either side of abuses in the course of the battle.

    The ITJP assisted in two civil lawsuits in opposition to Rajapaksa, proceedings for one in every of which had been served in a California car parking zone in 2019. Rajapaksa was a U.S. citizen on the time.

    Both circumstances had been withdrawn after Rajapaksa was granted diplomatic immunity upon turning into president later that yr.

  • Sri Lanka state-owned channel goes off air after protesters enter constructing

    Sri Lanka’s state-owned tv channel suspended its operations after protesters entered the constructing. The channel has now resumed its companies.

    The protesters had been supplied round quarter-hour to convey their aspect of the story to the viewers, in response to native media, (Photo: Screengrab)

    Sri Lanka’s state-owned tv channel Rupavahini resumed service after suspending its operations for a quick interval as protesters entered the constructing on Wednesday.

    The channel claimed that they needed to droop their dwell and recorded telecasts because the company premises was surrounded by protesters. However, protesters stated they solely entered the workplace after discussions with channel authorities.

    Earlier within the day, a bunch of protesters entered the premises and demanded that they run solely information associated to “anti-government protests” and leisure programmes, a channel official was quoted as saying by Newswire Lanka.

    READ | #GotaGoHome tendencies in Maldives as Sri Lankan President flees nation amid disaster

    “Until the struggle is over, the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Cooperation will only telecast programs of the Jana Aragalaya,” a protester stated throughout a dwell broadcast. The National TV channel is now off-air. pic.twitter.com/jsIcdnEyUq

    — NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) July 13, 2022

    “The protesters had behaved in a calm manner and had left the premises without engaging in any forms of violence, while the SLRC is back in the hands of the authorities and security forces,” the official stated.

    The protesters had been supplied round quarter-hour to convey their aspect of the story to the viewers, after which the channel suspended transmission, the report stated. Later, the channel resumed its transmission.

    Meanwhile, because the political and financial disaster deepened, protesters stormed the gates of the PM workplace. The safety forces needed to fireplace tear gasoline shells to disperse the gang.

    Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, who was appointed because the performing President after Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the nation, has ordered forces to arrest folks concerned in rioting.

    The protesters, who stormed the three major buildings within the capital, the President’s House, the presidential secretariat and the prime minister’s official residence, demanding the resignation of President Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Wickremesinghe, are nonetheless occupying them.

    — ENDS —

  • Missing Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa again in motion; orders gasoline distribution

    In current months folks have been blocking roads throughout the nation in a determined bid to power the federal government to deal with the difficulty of acute gasoline shortages.

    President Rajapaksa has instructed the officers to hold out the unloading and distribution of gasoline as the primary ship arrives at Kerawalapitiya this afternoon. A second ship carrying 3,740 metric tonnes of gasoline is due on July 11 and a 3rd carrying 3,200 metric tonnes of gasoline will arrive on July 15, in response to Sri Lankan media.

    A big gathering of protesters proceed to occupy the president and prime minister’s iconic administrative buildings which additionally operate as official residences. No main breaches of safety reported on Sunday, the police stated.
    President Rajapaksa was not current within the presidential House when a mob stormed the constructing on Saturday.

    Sri Lanka, a rustic of twenty-two million folks, is underneath the grip of an unprecedented financial turmoil, the worst in seven a long time, crippled by an acute scarcity of overseas change that has left it struggling to pay for important imports of gas, and different necessities.

    The nation, with an acute overseas foreign money disaster that resulted in overseas debt default, had introduced in April that it’s suspending practically USD 7 billion overseas debt reimbursement due for this 12 months out of about USD 25 billion due by means of 2026.

    Sri Lanka’s complete overseas debt stands at USD 51 billion.