The governmentās proposed NGO law is a heavy-handed piece of legislation. The governmentās justification is that regulating NGOs is necessary to comply with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which is an inter-governmental body that among other things aims to address issues of terrorist financing and money laundering. Furtherm that there is […]
A Better NGO Law Is Still Possible Read More Ā»
The release of a draft of the Non-Governmental Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Act, L.D.-O. 6/2026, is praiseworthy. This will allow all who care about democratic values to study the text and assess its implications. The implications are serious. If the draft is made law as is and its provisions are fully implemented, the democratic society
NGO Bill: Slouching toward totalitarianism? – Prof. Rohan SamarajivaĀ Read More Ā»
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed deep concern over the violent incidents that occurred at Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6, describing the tragedy as a serious threat to the rule of law and a reflection of long-standing structural problems within Sri Lanka’s prison system. In a statement issued on July
Addressing Parliament today, the Minister of Justice and National Integration, Mr. Harshana Nanayakkara, stated that one of the factors contributing to the severe overcrowding in prisons is the amendment introduced in 2022 to the Poisons, Opium, and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, along with delays in the Government Analyst’s reports. “Before that amendment, if the net weight
Minister of Justice explains steps taken to reduce prison overcrowding Read More Ā»
āAlthough eradicating drugs from a country is an essential matter, destroying the lives of innocent citizens by imprisoning them on fabricated charges in the name of drug suppression can in no way be condoned. One of the most serious tragedies we see today is the misuse of the law by certain corrupt police officers to
The International Day in Support of Victims of Torture and other cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment fell on 26 June. Following a resolution presented to the United Nations General Assembly on 12 December 1997, 26 June has been observed as the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture since 1998. Since 2004,
Media StatementĀ COLOMBO, SRI LANKA ā June 2026 ā The Right to Life Human Rights Centre has formally submitted a comprehensive briefing to the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT). The submission exposes entrenched patterns of police torture, the strategic weaponization of restrictive detention laws, and systemic failures within Sri Lanka’s judicial architecture.
The ‘International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict’, declared by the United Nations, is observed worldwide on 19 June every year. The primary objectives of this day are to condemn the use of sexual violence as a tactic of war or a weapon during periods of armed conflict, to deliver justice to
19 June: International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict Read More Ā»
Philip Dissanayake, Executive Director, Right to Life Human Rights Centre Incidents of child abuse cannot be considered merely crimes committed by a few individuals. Rather, they represent a severe weakness in the protection system that must be collectively built by the state, the education system, religious institutions, and communities. As a state signatory to the
The Sri Lanka Civil Society FATF Network has released a series of briefing notes examining the relationship between Financial Action Task Force (FATF) standards and the regulation of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Sri Lanka. The publication highlights the role of FATF as the global body responsible for setting standards to combat money laundering and
Civil Society Groups Raise Concerns Over the Misuse of FATF Standards in Sri Lanka Read More Ā»
A new milestone in community-based entrepreneurship and sustainable development is set to begin in Monaragala as the āSandhara Monaragalaā social enterprise initiative officially launches on June 10, 2026, under the Sandhara Social Entrepreneurship Network. The initiative is being implemented through the Human Rights and Social Entrepreneurship Development Centre (HRSEDC) ā Monaragala, in collaboration with the
For decades, poverty alleviation in Sri Lanka has been defined by a single word: subsidies. Over the years, programs like Janasaviya, Samurdhi, and the recently introduced Aswesuma have provided relief to millions. However, a profound question remains at the heart of our new documentary video: Are we alleviating poverty, or are we simply sustaining it?
Breaking the Cycle: Moving from Subsidies to True Empowerment Read More Ā»
