IORA Workshop on “Cooperation for Maritime Security” successfully concluded
A three-day Workshop on “Cooperation for Maritime Security” organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Max Planck Foundation for International Peace and the Rule of Law and Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) concluded on 23 March. The workshop provided an insightful analysis on IORA Member States to identify gaps between domestic legislation and United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The focal points of maritime safety and security of the IORA Member States, namely Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Somalia, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Yemen and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard attended the event. Participants from Dialogue Partners of IORA, Germany, Italy, Japan and USA also joined the workshop virtually. Professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and President of the Australian Branch of the International Law Association Natalie Klein, Senior Research Fellow, Max Planck Foundation, Arron N. Honniball, Research Fellow, Max Planck Foundation, Egor S. Fedorov, Programme Support Officer, Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Asyura Salleh along with experts from Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard conducted the session. The Workshop was held on the sideline of the 3rd Meeting of IORA Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security on 20 March 2023 inaugurated by Foreign Secretary Aruni Wijewardane and attended by the Heads of Mission of IORA Member States and Dialogue Partner countries based in Colombo, Senior Officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Fisheries, Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Air Force, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Ports Authority, Merchant Shipping Secretariat, Disaster Management Center and Marine Environment Protection Authority, the UNODC, and officials of the Max Planck Foundation as well as representatives of the GIZ.
Mahanayake Theros urge President to ease people’s hardships and hold elections on time
Sri Lanka’s most senior Buddhist monks, known as Mahanayake Theros, have written a letter to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, asking him to take immediate steps to ease the economic and social difficulties faced by the people and to conduct the local government elections on time12. The Mahanayake Theros of the three main Buddhist sects – Malwathu, Asgiri and Ramanna – said that they are deeply concerned about the rising cost of living, unemployment, poverty, corruption and environmental degradation that have affected millions of Sri Lankans1. They said that these issues have been aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the mismanagement of public funds by successive governments1. The Mahanayake Theros also expressed their dissatisfaction with the delay in holding the local government elections that were due in 2018 but have been postponed several times due to various reasons1. They said that holding free and fair elections is a democratic right of the people and a duty of the government1. The Mahanayake Theros reminded the President that he was elected by a majority of voters who expected him to fulfil his promises and uphold good governance1. They urged him to listen to their proposals that they had submitted earlier on April 4, 2022, which included constitutional reforms, electoral reforms, judicial reforms and national reconciliation3. The Mahanayake Theros warned that if their proposals are ignored or rejected, they will be compelled to issue a Sangha Order (a religious decree) that will mobilise all Buddhist monks and lay followers against the government1. They said that they are ready to take any action necessary to protect Buddhism and safeguard the rights and welfare of the people1.
Sri Lanka’s local government elections face delay no funds for ballot papers
Sri Lanka’s local government elections scheduled for March 9 may be postponed due to a shortage of funds for printing ballot papers, according to the Government Printer. A senior officer from the Government Printer said that they have not received any allocation from the National Election Commission (NEC) for the printing process and that they cannot commence it without funds12. The officer said that they need at least Rs. 200 million ($1 million) to print around 15 million ballot papers for 341 local authorities across the country1. He said that they have already prepared the designs and layouts for the ballot papers but they are waiting for the NEC to provide them with funds and finalise the candidates’ lists1. The NEC has acknowledged that it has not allocated any funds for the Government Printer yet and that it is facing a financial crisis due to a delay in receiving its annual budget from the Treasury2. The NEC has said that it is trying to resolve the issue as soon as possible and that it hopes to hold the elections on time2. The local government elections have been delayed several times since 2018 due to various reasons, including legal challenges, constitutional amendments and COVID-19 pandemic3. The elections are seen as a crucial test for President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his ruling Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) party who are facing public discontent over their handling of the economy, health crisis and human rights issues3. The opposition parties, including the United National Party (UNP), Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) and Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP), have accused the government of deliberately delaying the elections to avoid a defeat at the grassroots level3. They have also criticised the government’s decision to use electronic voting machines instead of paper ballots in some areas, alleging that it could lead to fraud and manipulation3.