Kovil behind ‘Temple Trees’ to be shifted

2013-06-10 
The 80-year old Sri Pumari Amman Kovil located at the rear end of Dharmakithyarama Viharaya in Colpetty, Colombo 03 (behind Temple Trees) is to be relocated and shifted elsewhere with effect from today. The Colombo Municipal Council has planned to set up a Vehicle car park at the location. Pix by Ariyaratne Ganegoda

Sri Lanka says it has made progress on reconciliation

COLOMBO, June 10 (Xinhua) -- The Sri Lankan government on Monday said it has made progress in addressing human rights concerns and reconciliation which it says has been acknowledged by many in the international community.

A government statement said it was surprised by claims made by Canada last week at the UN Human Rights Council currently meeting in Geneva that there are ongoing violations of human rights in Sri Lanka and that there is also a lack of reconciliation in the country.

"The many facets of reconciliation including resettlement of displaced persons, demining, rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-combatants including child soldiers, resolution of land issues, infrastructure development, housing, implementation of the language policy, as well accountability issues are being addressed in a comprehensive manner taking into consideration the aspirations of the affected communities," the government said.

The government also said that as a founding member of the Commonwealth, Sri Lanka is firmly committed to its values and principles.

"Sri Lanka's long-standing engagement and commitment to the Commonwealth is known and demonstrated by the undertaking to host the next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in November this year, for which preparations are underway. The reference to the Commonwealth by Canada in this forum is rather puzzling, considering its membership not being universal," the government statement said.

It also noted that the progress achieved in the implementation of the recommendations of the Lessons Learned and Reconciliation Commission, a post war commission appointed by the government, is well documented in the public domain in a transparent and easily accessible manner