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Sri Lanka takes stand, votes against UN resolution on Iran’s human rights

Published

1 year ago

December 24, 2023

editor

Sri Lanka was among the thirty nations that voted against a UN resolution that expressed serious concerns about the human rights situation in Iran at the UN General Assembly this week.

Along with Sri Lanka, fellow South Asian countries India and Pakistan voted against the resolution titled “Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran”, while Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and the Maldives abstained from voting.

The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 78 in favour, 30 against, with 68 abstentions by the Assembly.

The Assembly condemned the targeted repression of women and girls by Iran, both online and offline, and strongly urged Iran to eliminate all forms of systemic discrimination and harassment as well as related human rights violations in public and private life against women and girls.

The Assembly also called on the Iranian government to release unjustly detained human rights defenders and protesters, as well as journalists and lawyers who defend or seek to defend those persons, according to the UN resolution text, which expressed concern at the bill proposed by the government on the use of firearms during protests and called for its withdrawal.

Source – Sunday Times

News

Cost reflective price for MPs’ daily meals proposed

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Leader of the House Bimal Ratnayake said yesterday that a cost reflective price between Rs.2,500 and Rs.3,000 will be proposed for meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea for Members of Parliament.

He stated that the proposal is scheduled to be presented to the House Keeping Committee of Parliament today and that a proposal will also be presented to the Cabinet in the future.

“MPs will have to pay Rs.3,000 for their meals including breakfast, lunch and evening tea. The price of meals for others will also be increased,” he added.

(dailynews.lk)

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

News

Probe into clearing of 323 red-tagged containers – Dy. Minister

Published

2 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

Deputy Minister of Economic Development – Prof.Anil Jayantha Fernando yesterday (Jan. 22) admitted in Parliament that 323 containers with red tags have been released through the green channel by the Sri Lanka Customs.

In response to a question raised, the Deputy Minister said that an investigation will be launched into the incident.

He said there have been occasions where red-tagged containers have been released after being scanned and during some occasions, containers had been released through the green channel even without being scanned.

“We never know whether there have been investigations into those incidents,” he said.

(Excerpts : dailynews.lk)

News

Suspect arrested over alleged online train tickets racket

Published

3 hours ago

January 23, 2025

editor

The Kandy Divisional Crimes Unit has arrested a 37-year-old suspect involved in an alleged major racket involving ‘e-Tickets’ sold for up-country trains including to Ella.

According to the police, the suspect was arrested yesterday (Jan. 22) in the Suduhumpola area of the Kandy Police Division.

The suspect, a resident of the same area, was found in possession of 21 ‘Odyssey’ train tickets purchased online, Rs. 130,670 in cash believed to be proceeds from the illegal sales, 130 notepads documenting previous transactions, and a mobile phone.

Police suspect the individual profited from reselling train tickets, targeting foreign tourists. The suspect has been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further inquiries.

On January 20, the CID had informed the Colombo Magistrate’s Court that they have launched an investigation into the ticket scalping, which was raising serious concerns.

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