Special UN Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism Ben Emmerson yesterday visited the political prisoners arrested under the the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA).
Emmerson, who is on five day visit held talks in Vavuniya with officials on the human rights situation in the North, local media reported.
His visit is aimed at gathering first-hand information on counter-terrorism initiatives and assess how they affect the promotion and protection of human rights.
Emmerson's visit comes at a time when the Sri Lankan government is in the process of formulating its new counterterrorism bill to replace the PTA, which was enacted in 1979.
Mr. Emmerson will share his preliminary observations with the media during a press conference at the UN building in Colombo today a statement by the UN said.
A Sri Lankan man was apprehended at Suvarnabhumi airport for attempting to smuggle wildlife out of the country after three ball pythons were found hidden in his underwear, the Bangkok post reported.
The UK government has unveiled a package of reforms to simplify imports from developing countries which allows for more garments manufactured in Sri Lanka to enter the UK tariff-free.
Read these and more on tomorrow’s edition of the Sunday Times
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