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»
The official opening ofĀ Sandhara KegalleĀ onĀ 26 May 2026Ā marks an important milestone in promoting quality local production, empowering small-scale entrepreneurs, and strengthening community-based economic development in the Kegalle District. Established under theĀ Right to Life Human Rights Centreās āSandharaā Social Entrepreneurship ProgrammeĀ in collaboration with theĀ People Development Foundation, Sandhara Kegalle is a community-centered social entrepreneurship initiative aimed at
For decades, the standard operation for grassroots Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka has been defined by a familiar pattern: identifying systemic violations, drafting project proposals, securing short-term foreign grants, and executing time-bound projects. However, as the global and local political landscapes shifted, the traditional aid-dependent model encountered a severe sustainability crisis. The gradual reduction
Dr Viranjana Herath of the Media Law Forum pointed outĀ that, rather than relying on mere macro solutions to overcome the challenges faced by the current media sector andĀ journalists, micro solutions should be tested through various collectives ofĀ journalists. He stated this while delivering a guest lecture at the general assembly of the ‘Journalists for Rights’ organisation,
In the heart of Kotagala, a new model of community empowerment is taking shape through the Sandhara Kotagala outlet, a social enterprise initiative that brings together economic opportunity, local production, and human rights. The initiative was officially launched on 09 May 2026 in Kotagala Town, marking an important milestone in community-driven development within the plantation
Sandhara in Kotagala: Empowering Communities Through Social Enterprise and Human Rights Read More Ā»
Sri Lanka has lost one of its most courageous and enduring voices for human rights and social justice. Suriya Wickramasinghe, secretary of the Civil Rights Movement of Sri Lanka (CRM), former chair of the International Executive Committee of Amnesty International, a courageous activist who stood up for political prisoners and a silent but unwavering advocate
Suriya Wickremasinghe: A Life in Service of Justice, Rights and Human Dignity Read More Ā»
āāTorture is a terrible crime. It leaves both physical scars and deep mental wounds. For victims trying to get justice, the biggest challenge is often just proving that the abuse actually happened. āAt the Right to Life Human Rights Centre (R2L), we see this problem every day in our fight against police brutality. When the
Unveiling the Truth: How the Istanbul Protocol Helps Us Fight Against Torture Read More Ā»
In the face of the current global crises and the context of war, both the worldās and Sri Lankaās economy are experiencing severe impacts. Consequently, there is a possibility that poverty levels may rise further in the future. We have entered an era where the fight against poverty must be intensified more than ever before.
