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In a recent gathering on February 13th, the Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) convened to discuss pressing issues related to human rights violations, with a particular focus on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Yukthiya anti-drugs operation. SLCAT, formed in 2009 and consisting of 27 organizations working together to combat torture in […]

In a bold move, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) actively engaged in the co-creation of Sri Lanka’s third National Action Plan have collectively decided to withdraw from the Open Government Partnership (OGP). This withdrawal serves as a powerful expression of opposition to recent actions taken by the Sri Lankan Government, notably the passage of the controversial

In a press statement released today, the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) expressed deep concern over the process followed in enacting the Online Safety Act (OSA) in Sri Lanka. The organization raised serious questions about the implications of the law-making process on constitutional democracy in the country. The CPA highlighted the lack of transparency in

In a highly anticipated virtual event on February 29, 2024, Freedom House launched its flagship report, “Freedom in the World 2024: The Mounting Damage of Flawed Elections and Armed Conflict.” This annual report has been a critical barometer of political rights and civil liberties globally since its inception in 1973. The event, conducted on Zoom

In a joint statement released today, a coalition of citizens, civil society organizations (CSOs), and women’s groups expressed deep concern and condemnation over the appointment and continued tenure of Deshabandu Tennakoon as the Acting Inspector General of the Police (IGP) in Sri Lanka. The statement comes two weeks after a Supreme Court judgment on December

In a press release issued today, the National Peace Council (NPC) expressed deep concern over the recent passage of the Online Safety Bill in the Sri Lankan Parliament. The NPC highlighted the irregularities in the parliamentary proceedings, emphasizing that the bill was approved without a vote during its third reading, despite the opposition’s call for

In a recent educational workshop organized by the We Have a Dream Collective on January 19, 2024, Mr. Sarath Jayamanne, President’s Counsel and former Director General of the Bribery Commission, shed light on the main features of the groundbreaking Anti-Corruption Act No. 9 of 2023. The Act, designed to combat bribery and corruption, introduces several

GENEVA, Jan 22 (2024): UN human rights experts have condemned Sri Lanka’s heavy-handed anti-drug operation, “Yukthiya,” calling for its immediate suspension and urging a shift towards health and human rights-based policies. “Drug users have human rights,” the experts declared, highlighting numerous disturbing practices under Yukthiya, including: Mass arrests: Thousands of alleged offenders, primarily from marginalized communities, have been

The ongoing anti-narcotics crackdown in Sri Lanka, resulting in the “arbitrary arrest” of 30,000 suspects, has faced condemnation from the United Nations and various rights organizations. Sri Lankan police initiated the operation Yuktiya (meaning justice in Sinhala) in mid-December, aiming to eliminate the illegal drug trade in the country. However, law enforcement has been accused

In a joint statement released today, a coalition of prominent international organizations expressed profound concern over the intensification of anti-drug operations in Sri Lanka, citing widespread human rights violations and urging the government to immediately cease the controversial “Yukthiya” operation. The statement, signed by organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the International Drug

In a press notice issued today, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka expressed deep concern over the implementation of the ‘Yukthiya’ Operation by the Sri Lanka Police and the Ministry of Public Security. The operation, aimed at combating drug trafficking and organized crime, has come under scrutiny for alleged human rights violations, including torture,

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