Right to Life Human Rights Centre
The Right to Life Human Rights Centre (R2L) is a leading civil society organisation in Sri Lanka dedicated to promoting and strengthening fundamental human rights. Through legal assistance, financial support, and advocacy, we strive to secure social justice for the most vulnerable members of our society.
From factory floors to a national human rights movement
“We in the Zone”
Our journey began as an organisation focused on the labour rights of employees in the Katunayake Free-trade Zone. For a decade, we empowered workers with knowledge of labour laws and guided them on acquiring justice through legal frameworks.
Right to Life Human Rights Center (Guarantee) Ltd.
Responding to the changing trajectory of the country, we re-registered and significantly expanded our mandate to address grave human rights violations, including police torture, enforced disappearances, health negligence, and Fundamental Rights violations.
Legal awareness is the first line of defence
We believe that victimisation often stems from a lack of legal awareness. To combat this, R2L conducts extensive awareness and advocacy programs aimed at safeguarding vulnerable communities.
At the heart of our operations is an island-wide network of over 20 Human Rights First Aid Centers (HRFACs). Through these centers, we train and mobilise grassroots Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) who serve as the first line of defence for victims in their communities.
Climate Justice
Adapting to global challenges, we have expanded our advocacy to include Climate Justice. Our network of Human Rights First Aid Centres now also functions as help centres for disaster victims and communities vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Social Entrepreneurship: “Sustaining Civic Resilience”
In an era of shrinking civic space, R2L is pioneering a new model for sustainability. We are transforming our Human Rights First Aid Centres into self-sustaining Human Rights and Social Enterprise Centres.
By equipping our grassroots defenders with social entrepreneurship skills, we are launching ethical, community-led businesses, ranging from local value-added products to a Colombo-based retail and exhibition hub.
“Justice-linked entrepreneurship”
This approach ensures that our critical desk-based human rights services remain financially resilient and independent, allowing us to continue serving victims of injustice regardless of external challenges.
Collaboration for the public good
R2L actively networks with international, state, and non-state organisations.
Civil Society Coalitions
- National NGO Collective
- Collective Against Torture
- Journalists for Rights
- Lawyers for Human Rights
State Engagement
- Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka
- National Police Commission
- Right to Information Commission
- Ministry of Public Security
- Ministry of Justice
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs