GENEVA (8 August 2022) – UN human rights experts* today condemned the extensive, prolonged and repeated use of state of emergency measures since 2 April 2022 by Sri Lankan authorities to crackdown on peaceful protesters and prevent them from voicing their grievances amidst an economic collapse in the country. On 15 July, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigned […]
By BASIL FERNANDO Illegal arrests and illegal detentions do not only harm individuals, they also cause irreparable damage to the legal system as a whole. The recent wave of arrests of those who have participated in peaceful demonstrations has not only caused serious damage to the life and liberty of these individuals but they have
Illegal arrests and illegal detentions damage the legal system Read More »
The Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) is gravely concerned about the statement issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) dated 30 June 2022 titled ‘HRCSL condemns the false media broadcast made by the President of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners’. The Commission, at the conclusion of its inquiry into
Expressing concern over the statement issued by the HRC Read More »
The Right to Life human rights center and the Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture held the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on the occasion of “Are You a victim of Torture?” A panel discussion was held on the 27th at the BMICH. Former Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission Ambika Sathkulanathan, retired
“Are You a victim of Torture?” A panel discussion Read More »
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has advised the Attorney General to Investigate and file appropriate criminal proceedings against SSP K. B. Keerthiratne with regard to the Rambukkana Shooting. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka also directed the Inspector General of Police to take disciplinary action against Former SSP for Kegalle K. B.
HR Commission tells AG to file criminal action about Rambukkana shooting Read More »
Today is the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture That Sri Lanka is a country where torture is rife has been well documented by several international organisations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) and Freedom From Torture. According to Freedom from Torture, despite being a top
Bringing Justice and Relief to Torture Victims Read More »
The Supreme Court yesterday(16) granted leave to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by Suranjith Wickremanayake alleging that he was brutally beaten and arbitrarily arrested by officers of the Baduraliya Police Station. The Supreme Court has allowed the petition to be heard in violation of the Constitution’s right to refrain from torture and cruel, inhuman
Permission to hear the Fundamental Rights Petition against the Baduraliya Police Read More »
It is being revealed that the shooting that took place at the protest rally in Rambukkana on April 19 demanding fuel was not a shooting to disperse the protesters. Chaminda Lakshan, 41, was shot dead and 14 others were shot dead by police. Meanwhile, it is reported that another group has been brutally assaulted by
Victims of Rambukkana police shooting to go to Supreme Court! Read More »
The decision to amend the Voluntary Social Service Organizations Act in the recent past has led to discussions at the district, local and national levels among NGO and civil society leaders scattered throughout Sri Lanka. In support of this, we discussed with civil society organizations and civil society leaders in four districts selected under the
Is your organization safe? Read More »
One of the most popular phrases that is being talked about in Sri Lanka is the need for a system change. Often in media interviews, various people are asked about what they mean by a system change. Varying answers are given by persons depending on their ideologies, perspectives and above all, on the thought that
The changing meanings of system change Read More »
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) is gravely concerned of the declaration of a state of emergency by His Excellency the President with effect from midnight on the 6th of May 2022. As was stated earlier on the 2nd of April 2022, when the President declared a State of Emergency for a brief period
Sri Lanka Police arrested a group of youth who were protesting near the Parliament premises on Wednesday (4) afternoon. Police Spokesperson SSP Attorney-at-Law Nihal Thalduwa speaking to News 1st said 10 men and two women were arrested. SJB MP Manusha Nanayakkara alleged that the Police had abducted a group that was peacefully protesting near the
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