News

SL’s first-ever National Action Plan on WPS presented

Published

2 years ago

December 8, 2022

editor

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka – Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki, and the Head of UN Women in Sri Lanka – Ramaaya Salgado presented Sri Lanka’s first-ever National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) to State Minister of Women and Child Affairs – Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe.

The Action plan was presented on Dec. 06.

“This action plan provides a clear roadmap to provide targeted support for women who have been affected by conflict and crises. Its adoption is a critical step forward in ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in recovery efforts”, said Hon. Geetha Samanmalee Kumarasinghe, State Minister of Women and Child Affairs.

As the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security goes into its twenty second year, its reach – both globally and regionally – has grown significantly, with an increasing number of countries formulating and implementing National Action Plans developed in consultation with G7 countries’ representatives in Sri Lanka including Japan, women’s groups and civil society.

With its own National Action Plan now ready for Cabinet adoption, Sri Lanka stands poised to join the number of states committed to implement the Women, Peace and Security Agenda which calls for greater participation of women in peacebuilding and recovery efforts.

Emphasizing this, Ramaaya Salgado, Head of Office at UN Women Sri Lanka noted, “peace and development can only be sustainable when women have an equal seat at the table and when their voices are included in decisions that affect their lives”.

The National Action Plan is based on consultations in each of the 25 districts with women who were directly and indirectly affected by conflict, local government officials, and representatives from civil society and local activists. It was developed with technical support from UN Women as part of a 3-year joint partnership between the Government of Japan, the Government of Sri Lanka and UN Women on the ‘Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Sri Lanka’ funded by the Government of Japan.

Mr. Mizukoshi Hideaki emphasized; “the Government of Japan encourages the timely adoption of this National Action Plan by the Cabinet and hopes its implementation to ensure practical measures for protection and empowerment of women in Sri Lanka”.

The adoption of the National Action Plan will provide a key framework to address issues affecting women and girls in Sri Lanka, as it is very much relevant to how Sri Lanka adapts and responds to the crisis and its challenges.

News

SC orders to file contempt charges against Immigration Controller General

Published

4 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

The Supreme Court has ordered to file contempt of court charges against the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration for failing to obey the court’s interim order to suspend the implementation of the electronic visa system.

The order was delivered today (13) by a three-member judge bench comprising Justices Preethi Padman Surasena, Kumuduni Wickramasinghe and Achala Wengappuli.

The court also ordered the petitioning party to draft the charges and present it before the court on September 25.

Earlier today, the Supreme Court had directed the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration to appear before the court in person today (13) with regard to his failure to implement the order issued by the court over the electronic visa matter.

The directive was issued by the Supreme Court after considering motions filed over the non-implementation of the interim order issued by the court regarding the issue.

On August 02, the Supreme Court issued an interim order suspending the contract given to private consortium IVS-GBS and VFS Global to operate the visa issuance.

The court had issued this order after considering several Fundamental Rights (FR) petitions filed by a group including opposition MPs M.A. Sumanthiran, Rauff Hakeem and Patali Champika Ranawaka.

(adaderana.lk)

(This story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

2 more Bills come into effect

Published

5 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana has endorsed the certificate on the Bills titled Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill and Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill today (Sep. 13) in accordance with Article 79 of the Constitution.

The said Bills were passed after the second reading debate held in Parliament on 03rd September.

The Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Bill is to make provision for the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement in Sri Lanka of Judgments of Courts of other countries, to repeal the Enforcement of Foreign Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 93) and the Reciprocal Enforcement of Judgments Ordinance (Chapter 94) and to provide for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Reciprocal Recognition, Registration and Enforcement of Foreign Judgements Act No. 49 of 2024.

In addition, the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Bill is to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979. Accordingly, this Bill shall be known as the Code of Criminal Procedure (Amendment) Act No. 50 of 2024.

News

Kaushalya Nawaratne resigns as BASL President

Published

5 hours ago

September 13, 2024

editor

President’s Counsel Kaushalya Nawaratne has resigned from his position as the President of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) with immediate effect.

The Bar Council of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) on August 31 had unanimously decided to call for the resignation of BASL President Kaushalya Nawaratne.

Accordingly, it was reported that the Bar Council in a meeting unanimously approved a proposal calling for the resignation of Kaushalya Nawaratne as the president of the BASL.

On May 18, the BASL Bar Council had appointed a five-member Committee of Inquiry to look into allegations pertaining to the BASL project funded by the JICA relating to the promotion of a transparent and competitive business climate (Anti-Corruption) in Sri Lanka.

President’s Counsel Kaushalya Nawaratne had secured another term as the President of Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) in January this year. He was re-elected uncontested for the period 2024-2025.