Capacity-building programmes implemented over the past few months to improve human resources and technical facilities at the Government Analyst’s Department have significantly reduced severe congestion in remand prisons. According to the Ministry of Justice, the department issued 17,506 reports in August and September alone. The majority of these reports relate to cases backlogged since 2025, […]
Four United Nations Special Rapporteurs have raised concerns with the Government of Sri Lanka over the proposed Non-Governmental Organizations (Registration and Supervision) Bill 2026, warning that several provisions may conflict with freedom of association and international counter-terrorist financing standards. The joint communication, dated 28 September 2026 under reference OL LKA 5/2026, was issued by UN
UN Experts Raise Concerns Over Sri Lanka’s Draft NGO Bill Read More »
September 23, 2026 Media Statement The Right to Life (R2L) Human Rights Centre urgently calls upon the President of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to initiate immediate, high-level executive diplomacy to save the life of Anojan, a young Sri Lankan migrant worker currently facing execution in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The
When severe human rights violations such as police torture, harassment, or unlawful detention occur, the critical window for effective legal intervention often closes within hours. Currently, vulnerable and marginalized communities across Sri Lanka face language barriers, complex legal systems, and a profound fear of reprisal that prevent them from safely seeking justice. We are building
Today We premiered our latest documentary ’54’ at Sandhara Colombo, from 3:00 PM onwards. The documentary explores Dulanjali Abeyratne’s harrowing 390-day experience in remand custody and sheds light on the misuse of Section 54 of the Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (PODDO). Following the screening, an insightful panel discussion featuring Professor Rohan Samarajeeva, Danushka
54: Hunting the Innocent Through Legal Loopholes Read More »
COLOMBO, SRI LANKA On July 2, 2026, the Right to Life (R2L) Human Rights Centre, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT), hosted a vital stakeholder consultation and policy dialogue at Hotel Ramada, Colombo. Held under the theme “The Urgency of Torture Eradication and Our Collective Responsibility,” the event brought together a
09/06/2026 Media Statement Alongside the developments following the arrest of former Military Intelligence Chief Major General Suresh Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, public discussion regarding the legislation has once again emerged. Mr Suresh Sallay is not the only person to be arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act since the current
The Supreme Court has fixed October 16 for the hearing of a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by the father of a youth who allegedly died while in police custody following his arrest in connection with a shooting incident in Kotahena in March last year. The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench comprising
The collective struggle to seek justice for enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka is gaining massive international recognition. The prestigious Per Anger Prize, awarded by the Swedish government for human rights and democracy, was recently presented to Comrade Brito Fernando, the convener of the Families of the Disappeared. This award is not merely an ornament; it
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has granted leave to proceed in the Fundamental Rights application bearing No. SCFR/28/2025 filed by Mr. Dinesh Madhusanka Liyanage, a resident of Yagirala Neluwa Mahagedarawatta, alleging unlawful arrest, illegal detention, and torture by officers attached to the Ittapana Police Station. The petition was taken up before a three-judge bench
MEDIA RELEASE – 23 May 2026 Right to Life Human Rights Centre Strongly Condemns the Defamatory Attacks and Verbal Sexual Harassment Targeting the Director of the National Child Protection Authority’s Law Enforcement Division Who Courageously Stood for Justice! The Right to Life Human Rights Centre strongly condemns the organized defamatory social media attacks and character
A 28-year-old mother from Kappalthurai, area in Trincomalee has allegedly lost her newborn child due to serious medical negligence at the Trincomalee General Hospital during a government doctors’ strike. S. Thilakshika, who had been residing with her husband in Bulathsinhala, had returned to her mother’s home in Trincomalee for the delivery of her first child.
Trincomalee Mother Loses Newborn Amid Alleged Medical Negligence During Doctors’ Strike Read More »
