News

Sri Lanka signs agreement reiterating commitment to UNCLOS

Published

3 weeks ago

February 21, 2025

editor

Sri Lanka became a signatory to the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) at the United Nations headquarters in New York on 20 February 2025.

This Agreement that was negotiated by the Intergovernmental Conference on Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction was adopted on 19 June 2023 and it is implemented under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Sri Lanka is the 109th signatory to the Agreement, which has been ratified by 17 countries.

Following the signing of the Agreement, the Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL) will establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee to oversee the ratification of the agreement and implementation of the Agreement’s provisions. The Committee is expected to commence and coordinate the drafting of legislation with international assistance to develop the necessary domestic legal framework aimed at early ratification.

Joining the BBNJ Agreement will enhance Sri Lanka’s potential to receive assistance for capacity-building projects, transfer of technology, and knowledge sharing in the country’s efforts in marine conservation. Signing this Agreement demonstrates Sri Lanka’s continued commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and ensuring ocean governance through multilateral collaboration.

(Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment & Tourism, Colombo)

News

Boossa Prison jailor remanded over ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’ murder

Published

49 minutes ago

March 17, 2025

editor

A Jailor at the Boossa Prison, who had brought underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararathne also known as “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” to court on the day he was killed inside the Hulftsdorp court premises, has been arrested by the Colombo Crimes Division (CCD).

Subsequently, he has been ordered to be remanded until March 21, after being produced before the Colombo Magistrate’s Court, Ada Derana reporter said.

Presenting the suspect to the court, the Colombo Crimes Division officials have stated that the murdered suspect, “Ganemulla Sanjeewa”, had been brought to court by the arrested Jailer on the day of the assassination.

Police informed the court that investigations are underway to determine whether the crime was committed due to the Jailor’s dereliction of duty.

Police also pointed out to the court that investigations have revealed that the suspected prison officer had not taken any steps to arrest the individual who shot at “Ganemulla Sanjeewa” within the court premises and fled.

During the trial, police also requested permission to obtain a record of the suspect’s mobile phone calls for further investigations.

The court granted permission for the requests and ordered the suspect to be remanded until March 21.

(adaderana.lk)

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