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A recent tweet by Erik Solheim, former Norwegian special envoy to Sri Lanka, has given an insight into the inquiry report on alleged war crimes in Sri Lanka that will be presented to the UN Human Rights Council in September. Mr. Solheim, a former Minister for International Co-operation and now head of the Paris-based Development Co-operation Secretariat of the Organisation of Economic and Development (OECD), said in a tweet that the report will contain “surprises.” He added, “the High Commissioner (for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein) assured me that the UN Sri Lanka report will be made public as announced in September.”

Ahead of this report, President Maithripala Sirisena told the media a week ago, that a domestic inquiry would be launched this month. The Government is now examining whether such a mechanism should consist of only eminent local judges or include those from abroad. A Government source said the domestic inquiry would be focused on specific areas and hence would not be time consuming.

The appointment of the UNHRC’s panel followed a US-backed resolution, which was pushed through a UN Human Rights Council meeting in March requesting an international inquiry. The three-member UN probe team on Sri Lanka consists of Martti Ahtisaari, former Finland president of the UN’s Kosovo special envoy, who was involved in the process that led to the creation of a US-backed state in Kosovo; Silvia Cartwright, a former New Zealand governor-general and high court judge, who was a member of the Cambodia Tribunal on Khmer Rouge war crimes; and Asma Jahangir, UN Special Rapporteur and a former president of Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission.

Rajitha has two springboards to reach presidency
Health Minister and official Government spokesperson Dr. Rajitha Senaratne who returned last week after attending a World Health Organisation (WHO) event in Geneva has been rather vocal about the queries he received from the participants there.

Representatives of other countries asked him about the former Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, who is now the President. Many were impressed that he had risen from the post of Health Minister to become the President of Sri Lanka, he said. Dr. Senaratne made this known at an event held on Friday at the BMICH, where he quipped that while one former Health Minister is the President the other is the Opposition Leader.

He also remarked that former President Mahinda Rajapaksa was a former Fisheries Minister, a portfolio also once held by Dr. Senaratna.
Hence he was in no uncertain terms hinting that as someone who has held both the Fisheries as well as the Health Minister portfolios, he too could become President

South Africa revives reconciliation diplomacy
South Africa has come in again to help Sri Lanka in reconciliation efforts. This time, the Government in Pretoria, which is preparing itself to play a role with President Maithripala Sirisena’s new initiatives, invited a team from the Global Tamil Forum (GTF) from its headquarters in the UK.

The invitation to GTF was extended by Nomaindiya C Mfeketo, Deputy Minister of Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
The Deputy Minister was accompanied by the High Commissioner to the UK, Obed Mlaba; Deputy Director General for Asia & Middle East, Dr. Anil Sooklal; Special Advisor to the Deputy President, Nokukhanya Jele; Deputy Director for South Asia, Tielman Furter; and several other officials.
The GTF team led by Father Emmanuel included its spokesperson Suren Surendiran.

More women, don’t cry
Dr Rajitha Senaratne, the official Government spokesperson, believes that the proposed electoral reforms will help to improve attendance of Members of Parliament. Dr. Senaratne was explaining to the media about the proposed 20th Amendment and its features.

He said one of the proposal was to increase women’s representation in Parliament. Another was to pay more attention to women candidates when appointing members from the National List. So many women will be in Parliament next time. Therefore, Minister Senaratne’s logic is that more male MPs will attend Parliament.

Multiple entry visas for German diplomats
Complaints from Germany about obtaining periodic visas for their diplomats have led to a new directive. The Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin has been directed to provide multiple entry visas to German diplomats.

An official of the Department of Immigration and Emigration said the new move would obviate the need for German diplomats to seek visas every time they needed to visit Sri Lanka.

Gold-Shot Ranjan takes aim at Rattaran
Ratnapura district UNP Parliamentarian Ranjan Ramanayaka was true to form as an actor when he participated in a television talk show this week where his political opponent was to have been a UPFA MP, fondly known as “Rattaran.” Even though Mr. Ramanayaka showed up on time for the show, the UPFA member cancelled his appearance at the last minute.

Having been informed that there would be no show by “Rattaran”, the UNP MP called in one of his aides to hand over his gold chain, ring and watch he had left in his custody. That was all on camera. “When he comes to Parliament, I make sure not to wear gold jewellery on those days,” the UNP MP said.
The rather embarrassed programme host did his best to get off the air but the whole scene played out on live television much to the amusement of the viewers.

Retired CBK has no say; UPFA has its way
The political role of former President Mahinda Rajapaksa figured at a news conference held by UPFA leaders.
One of the questions asked was the position taken up by former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga that Rajapaksa should not be involved in political campaigns.

“She retired from politics ten years ago,” quipped the Leader of the Opposition Nimal Siripala de Silva. He said party members “have a different opinion.”
Pointing out that “people can decide” Mr. de Silva added, “you should assess public opinion on this issue” He said discussions were being held by UPFA leaders. They want to invite the former President to play a role, he said.

Spokesperson’s debut debunked: Too many spokes in the wheel
The first briefing by the Foreign Ministry’s newly appointed Spokesperson, Mahishini Colonne, did not get off to a good start.
The initial invitation to the briefing that was sent out stated that “there would be no live camera filming” and TV Stations /Online News Outlets were requested to send reporters and news editors as appropriate and not cameramen.

The prohibition on filming the briefing, however, was revised shortly after an outcry from electronic media institutions. There were more hiccups. The briefing was in English and some of the participants were not happy. It has now been decided that the briefing will be both in Sinhala and in English.