Govt. tightens grip on foreign aid workers: officials

AFP: Sri Lanka has ordered foreign and local aid workers to obtain approval from the Defence Ministry to operate on the island, authorities said Wednesday.

The government Information Department said there were 250 international and some 1,000 domestic aid agencies working in Sri Lanka, which would now have to register with the Defence Ministry following a change in the law.

It added that the Defence Ministry — which is headed by the president’s brother — will also process foreign aid workers’ visa applications.

Sri Lankan authorities have long been suspicious of international and local non-governmental agencies, which were sometimes seen as sympathising with the rebel Tamil Tigers during the country’s 37-year civil war. The conflict ended in May last year when the rebels were wiped out in a military campaign that has since been dogged by allegations of war crimes, which the government denies.

Independent media and aid groups have been kept out of the conflict zone in the north and east of the country.

The US and the United Nations have led international calls for Sri Lanka to allow relief agencies unhindered access to thousands of war-affected civilians who are struggling to rebuild their livelihoods.

The battle-scarred nation is ruled by all-powerful President Mahinda Rajapaksa, whose family members hold key positions in the government. His brother Gotabaya is the Defence Secretary.

Joining the cause

Ceylon Workers’ Congress (CWC) Nuwara Eliya District Parliamentarian V. Radhakrishnan yesterday announced that he had joined the Upcountry People’s Front (UPF) at a press conference – Pic by Indrarathna Balasuriya