Sri Lanka’s Intransigence
Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Tuesday that his government would not cooperate with the United Nations investigation begun last month into suspected human rights abuses, including possible war crimes, committed during Sri Lanka’s civil war. Mr. Rajapaksa’s intransigence puts Sri Lanka in the company of North Korea and Syria, two countries that also barred access to United Nations human rights investigators.
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Visa for US journalist ‘put on hold’ says Sri Lanka
24 August 2014
Sri Lanka’s president, Mahinda Rajapaksa, said Tuesday that his government would not cooperate with the United Nations investigation begun last month into suspected human rights abuses, including possible war crimes, committed during Sri Lanka’s civil war. Mr. Rajapaksa’s intransigence puts Sri Lanka in the company of North Korea and Syria, two countries that also barred access to United Nations human rights investigators.
FULL STORY>>>
24 August 2014
Sri Lanka’s External Affairs ministry has confirmed that a visa for US journalist Gardiner Harris has been “put on hold” following advice from the Sri Lankan High Commission in India, reports the Sunday Leader.
Harris, South Asia Correspondent for The New York Times, tweeted that he had applied for a visa more than 50 days ago, yet was still waiting to hear from Sri Lankan authorities.
“The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said it was the opinion of the ministry that allowing foreign journalists to visit Sri Lanka to report against the country at this particular time cannot be allowed,” said The Sunday Leader.
Earlier this month an editorial from the Sri Lankan state-owned Daily News called for authorities to reject Harris’ visa application, labelling him an "inveterate liar" with “vituperative and sinister intent”.
See the full piece, entitled "They are welcome to keep out", here.
