Chandradasa Ranasinghe, a young law student and activist from Weerapane, Opatha, Matara, remains one of the many who disappeared during the turbulent period of 1989 in Sri Lanka. At the time of his disappearance, he was just 23 years old and in his first year of studies at the Open University. Ranasinghe was not only […]
Colombo, Sri Lanka | 25 July 2025 – Marking a decisive move to combat all forms of violence against children, the International Conference on Child Protection (ICCP’25) commenced today in Colombo and will continue until July 27. This is the first international conference of its kind hosted in Sri Lanka and brings together over 250
Sri Lanka Hosts Landmark International Conference to Tackle Violence Against Children Read More »
The Right to Life Human Rights Center, which has been actively working for over two decades to protect human rights and combat torture in Sri Lanka, has once again demonstrated the power of public engagement and social media in raising awareness. A video posted by the organization on its official Facebook page on Monday, July
Colombo, July 2, 2025 – The Civil Society Organization – Non-Governmental Organization (CSO-NGO) Collective has called on the Sri Lankan government to ensure that any new legislation related to NGOs upholds the fundamental freedoms of association, assembly, and expression. This appeal was made following a meeting held on June 11, 2025, between representatives of the
CSO-NGO Collective Urges Government to Protect Fundamental Freedoms in Proposed NGO Law Read More »
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming an integral part of our daily lives, from social media recommendations to government services. While these technologies can bring great efficiency and progress, they also create serious risks, especially in the form of deepfakes and manipulated media. This is a critical challenge for Sri Lanka, and the Right to Life
Unmasking the Deepfake Threat: A Human Rights Crisis in Sri Lanka Read More »
On this International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre reaffirms its unwavering commitment to stand with survivors of torture, to advocate for justice and accountability, and to push for meaningful structural reforms that prevent future abuses. This day, observed annually on June 26, was proclaimed by the
The Right to Life Human Rights Centre solemnly observed the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 25, 2025, by organising a high-level intellectual forum at Tulip Hall, BMICH. Titled “Beyond the Law: The Hidden Darkness in Sri Lanka’s Anti-Torture Justice,” the event brought together survivors, legal experts, institutional representatives, and human rights activists
Victims of Torture with Call for Independent Investigations and Structural Reforms Read More »
Colombo, June 18, 2025 – A pivotal press briefing was held today at Hotel Janaki in Colombo, commemorating 30 years since Sri Lanka’s Torture Act came into force. The event drew attention to the critical need for renewed reforms, as speakers condemned the persistent use of torture by state actors and questioned the effectiveness of
30 Years Later: Reassessing the Torture Act and the Road to Reform Read More »
Colombo, 19 June 2025 — The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has formally written to Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration, urging the Government to expedite the repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, No. 48 of 1979 (PTA). This intervention comes as part of the Commission’s continuing efforts to
HRCSL Urges Justice Minister to Repeal PTA, Citing Rights Violations in Key Case Read More »
Impactful programs on Advocacy for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists was successfully held in Jaffna and Mannar This eye-opening session focused on strengthening advocacy skills, equipping participants with the right tools, strategies, and confidence to lead meaningful campaigns and stand up for human rights. It was an inspiring space where defenders of truth and
Advancing Advocacy Capacity for Human Rights Defenders and Journalists Read More »
When I visited Sri Lanka recently, a decade had passed since my first visit to the island. At that time, as now, there was a sense of possibility in the air. The people of Sri Lanka had cast off the Rajapaksa clan’s control over the nation. New alliances were forged transcending ethnic, religious, and regional
