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In a joint statement released today, a coalition of civil society organizations in Sri Lanka has expressed reservations about the proposed Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) bill, urging the government to allow more time for thorough discussion and dialogue before its passage into law. The ONUR bill aims to establish an institution dedicated […]

In a recent gathering organized by Religions for Peace International and its Sri Lankan chapter on December 19, former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga emphasized the public’s disinterest in another conflict, attributing the tensions to political manipulation rather than inherent racism among the Sri Lankan people. Kumaratunga asserted that the majority now favors a political solution

The Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) has issued a resounding call for immediate action following the recent Supreme Court judgment in SCFR 107/2011, underscoring the imperative need to address institutionalized violence within the Sri Lankan Police Department. The statement, released in response to the judgment dated 14th December 2023, highlights grave concerns about the

In a shocking turn of events, legal professionals and academics in Sri Lanka have issued an open letter to the President, urging immediate action following a landmark Supreme Court decision in the case of Sumangala v Bandara and Others (SCFR 107/2011). The three-judge bench unanimously ruled that Respondents, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, violated fundamental

To mark International Human Rights Day – 2023, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre launched the quarterly torture monitoring report titled as TRUTH (Targeting Rights: Unraveling Torture’s Harm). The objective of this quarterly newsletter is to monitor the aspect of torture in Sri Lanka and report on the prevalence, measures for prevention, and legal

In an effort to address a critical issue affecting vulnerable populations, an upcoming webinar titled “Screening, Documentation, and Monitoring of Torture in Children” is set to take place on December 6, 2023, at 3 PM CET. The event aims to shed light on the importance of identifying, documenting, and monitoring cases of torture among children.

In a press release issued today, the Right to Life Human Rights Center of Sri Lanka (R2L) has demanded justice for the untimely death of 25-year-old Nagarasa Alex, who reportedly succumbed to injuries inflicted during his custody by the Sri Lankan police. This tragic incident has ignited a fervent call for comprehensive police reform and

In a historic ruling on November 14, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka found former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, former Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, and several other high-profile figures guilty of violating public trust and breaching Article 12 (1) of the Constitution. The judgment, a result of a Fundamental Rights Petition (SC/FRA/212/2022) filed by Transparency International

In a bid to foster national unity and reconciliation, the government has proposed the establishment of an Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) through an Act of Parliament. The draft law, known as the ONUR bill, aims to ensure equal opportunities for all citizens across economic, social, cultural, and political spheres, while preserving individual

By Dr.Thushara Wickramanayake “History will judge us by the difference we make in the everyday lives of children” – Nelson Mandela Three decades after ratifying the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), the treaty signed by the largest number of countries in the world, Sri Lanka’s rhetorical promises to protect and promote