In most cases, they die electrocuted, blown up or shot at in an increasingly difficult relationship with humans. A 2020 protection plan has remained unimplemented due to the country’s economic crisis.
Rescued at sea in October 2021, the few dozen Sri Lankan exiles, including children, applied for asylum in the Chagos Islands, which is still an uninhabited British overseas territory (with a large military base). The UK refused to accept them, despite complaints about their conditions, and view the current humanitarian solution as temporary.
In northern and eastern Sri Lanka, people held a peaceful day of remembrance on 27 November for their civil war dead. Despite bad weather, they laid flowers, candles, and fruit in Maaveerar Thuyilam Illam, heroes’ final homes. No restrictions were imposed under the new government. Muthukumara, a businessman from Colombo told AsiaNews, that “everyone is a human being,” urging the government “to go ahead with peace.”
The People's Alliance for Land Rights has delivered a report to the new government highlighting the injustices faced by farmers: families have lost ownership over land, which is dedicated to this monoculture even when it is unsuitable.
Ramisha Dinithi Thamel had returned late to class and, according to her teachers, had given inconsistent explanations. The teachers beat her and called for help only after an hour, even though she was unconscious. Even though the Ministry of Education condemns the practice, corporal punishment in schools is still widespread in Sri Lanka.
In the inaugural session of the new Parliament, the president of Sri Lanka announced an imminent new debt agreement with the International Monetary Fund. Tourism, trade, and new technologies are the leading sectors for a type of development that distributes benefits to all. He also stressed that “racist politics would not be allowed to re-emerge”.
