A Statement by the Fair Justice Campaign, Right to Life Human Rights Centre The Fair Justice Campaign of the Right to Life Human Rights Centre expresses its profound concern regarding the remand of Ven. Balangoda Kassapa Thero and nine other suspects. The legal proceedings witnessed on January 19, 2026, before the Trincomalee Magistrate’s Court, and […]
Colombo, 19 January 2026 — The Right to Life Human Rights Centre has called on the Government of Sri Lanka to urgently reform and repeal outdated colonial-era laws that continue to be used to harass, intimidate, and arbitrarily detain members of the LGBTIQ community. In a formal letter addressed to Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice
Sri Lanka’s legal landscape regarding the LGBTIQ community remains a complex web of colonial-era statutes and modern interpretations. While the constitution guarantees equality, a specific set of “archaic” laws relics of the British Victorian era are frequently weaponized to marginalize, harass, and prosecute individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Below is
Legacy of Injustice: How Archaic Laws Continue to Haunt Sri Lanka’s LGBTIQ Community Read More »
An incident involving the alleged assault, unlawful arrest, and remand of a serving police officer following a wedding reception has been reported from the Gandara Police area, raising serious concerns over police conduct, abuse of authority, and violations of fundamental rights. The victim, Police Sergeant P.D. Upul Thushara, is attached to the Expressway Division, Agunukolapelessa
The documentary film “32”, produced by the Right to Life Human Rights Centre and directed by Visakesa Chandrasekaram, has won the New Asian Currents – Documentary award at the Jaffna International Cinema Festival. The awards ceremony, recognizing outstanding feature, short, and documentary films screened in the competitive sections of the festival, was held recently in
“32” Documentary Wins New Asian Currents Award at Jaffna International Cinema Festival Read More »
[Kalutara, December 31] – Highlighting yet another serious concern regarding the safety of suspects held in state custody under the protection of prison officials, a remand prisoner receiving treatment at the Kalutara Nagoda Teaching Hospital was shot in the morning of December 31. The victim injured in the shooting has been identified as Narayanage Dilip
An investigation has been initiated following allegations that a school student was subjected to inhuman physical punishment by a school principal in Sooriyawewa, Hambantota District. According to the mother of the victim, the incident occurred on 18 December 2025 at Rammuduwewa Vidyalaya, Sooriyawewa. Her son, a 16-year-old Grade 11 student, was allegedly assaulted by the
Investigation Underway Into Alleged Physical Punishment of School Student in Sooriyawewa Read More »
In commemoration of International Human Rights Day, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre (R2L), in collaboration with the Monaragala Human Rights and Social Entrepreneurship Development Centre (HRSEDC), conducted a legal aid clinic in the Monaragala District with the objective of strengthening access to justice at the community level. The clinic was led by Dulan
Right to Life Conducts Legal Aid Clinic in Monaragala District Read More »
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered five police officers to personally pay a total compensation of Rs. 900,000 to a farmer whose fundamental rights were violated through an unlawful arrest, custodial torture, and arbitrary prosecution. The judgment was delivered on 10 December 2025 by a three-judge Bench comprising Justice S. Thurairaja, PC, Justice
Amitha Priyanthi was awarded the Human Rights Defender of the Year 2025 at the International Human Rights Day Commemoration held on 11 December at the BMICH, organised by the Right to Life Human Rights Centre This prestigious recognition honours her unwavering struggle for justice following the killing of her brother, Lasantha, in an attack by
Amitha Priyanthi Honoured as Human Rights Defender of the Year 2025 Read More »
The Right to Life Human Rights Centre stated that civil society, which continuously advocates for the implementation of Sri Lanka’s human rights legal system and protects the rights of victims, must now also incorporate human rights issues arising from natural disasters caused by climate change into its scope. Philip Dissanayake – Executive Director Philip Dissanayake,
Right to Life Human Rights Centre, in partnership with the Uva Shakthi Foundation and the Anuradhapura District Citizen Committee, is proud to announce the launch of our latest initiative: “Sustaining Civic Resilience: Social Entrepreneurship for Human Rights First Aid Centres in Sri Lanka”. Supported by UNOPS under the Vriddhi grant project, this seven-month initiative marks a turning point for grassroots human rights defenders
