Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI)
Maja Daruwala, Director, CHRI
September 16, 2011
The decision to hold the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka is strongly rumoured to be a done deal. The dice, it is said is cast. The Heads of Government meeting in Perth this October end is expected to cement the decision as a mere formality. To call it to question is a waste of energy and breath – unless the Commonwealth’s fundamental principles matter. In 2009 at the Trinidad CHOGM, deep concern about the country’s suitability to play host resulted in pushing back consideration of Sri Lanka as host from 2011 to 2013. But two years on the disquiet about the problematic nature of the regime and its human rights record – past and present – persist. Another not inconsiderable concern is that with the next CHOGM 2013 rotating to Sri Lanka, its President – widely alleged as having presided over war crimes – will automatically hold the pre-eminent position of the Commonwealth’s chairperson as well. Can this indulgence be taken lightly? Full Story>>>>
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(Lanka-e-News -19.Sep.2011, 11.55P.M.)
A Buddhist monk has been charged with raping an underage girl in the 1970s, the London Metropolitan police has said.
Pahalagama Somaratana Thera, chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, Croydon, has been charged with four counts of sexual abuse, police said.
The alleged rape and three counts of indecent assault occurred in Chiswick, west London, in 1977 and 1978.
The 65-year-old from Dulverton Rd, Croydon, will appear on bail at Feltham Magistrates' Court on 23 September.
There was no immediate response from Thames Buddhist Vihara, which is one of the major Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in London.
Maja Daruwala, Director, CHRI
September 16, 2011
The decision to hold the 2013 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Sri Lanka is strongly rumoured to be a done deal. The dice, it is said is cast. The Heads of Government meeting in Perth this October end is expected to cement the decision as a mere formality. To call it to question is a waste of energy and breath – unless the Commonwealth’s fundamental principles matter. In 2009 at the Trinidad CHOGM, deep concern about the country’s suitability to play host resulted in pushing back consideration of Sri Lanka as host from 2011 to 2013. But two years on the disquiet about the problematic nature of the regime and its human rights record – past and present – persist. Another not inconsiderable concern is that with the next CHOGM 2013 rotating to Sri Lanka, its President – widely alleged as having presided over war crimes – will automatically hold the pre-eminent position of the Commonwealth’s chairperson as well. Can this indulgence be taken lightly? Full Story>>>>
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Chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara charged with raping underage girl
(Lanka-e-News -19.Sep.2011, 11.55P.M.)A Buddhist monk has been charged with raping an underage girl in the 1970s, the London Metropolitan police has said.
Pahalagama Somaratana Thera, chief incumbent of Thames Buddhist Vihara, Croydon, has been charged with four counts of sexual abuse, police said.
The alleged rape and three counts of indecent assault occurred in Chiswick, west London, in 1977 and 1978.
The 65-year-old from Dulverton Rd, Croydon, will appear on bail at Feltham Magistrates' Court on 23 September.
There was no immediate response from Thames Buddhist Vihara, which is one of the major Sri Lankan Buddhist temples in London.
