By Basil Fernando As Sri Lanka commemorates the 30th anniversary of its ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT), the time has come to reflect deeply on both the progress made and the persistent gaps that hinder the full realization of this vital human rights treaty. Though Sri Lanka has shown some legislative advancement […]
The Attorney General has withdrawn the case concerning the deaths of 11 inmates at Mahara Prison during the COVID-19 pandemic. Following a detailed investigation, it was concluded that the Special Task Force (STF) officers acted lawfully to safeguard both officers and inmates. The investigation determined that the officers did not exceed their legal rights to
A media organization has urged the government to enforce court rulings issued against police officers involved in the torture of suspects. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, the Young Journalists’ Association highlighted the failure to implement multiple Supreme Court and Human Rights Commission rulings over the
Call for Implementation of Court Rulings on Police Brutality and Torture Read More »
A two-day workshop series for district coordinators of the Right to Life Human Rights Center was held on September 29-30, 2024 in Negombo. Attorney Danushka Silva, Attorney Dulan Dasanayake participated as resource persons for the workshop. The first day of this workshop was dedicated to raising awareness about the Prevention of Terrorism Act. Accordingly, a
Two-Day Workshop on Human Rights and Counter-Terrorism Held in Negombo Read More »
A public dialogue titled “Countering Terrorism while Safeguarding Social Security and Human Rights” was held on September 26, 2024, at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The event featured Professor Rohan Samarajeeva, journalist Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe, and lawyers Dulan Dassanayake and Danushka Silva as resource persons. During the event, two significant publications
Do you remember the time when violence erupted in our country during the peak of the economic crisis in 2022, with houses and vehicles set ablaze and even murders taking place? Many predicted that the worsening economic crisis would lead to an increase in poverty, which in turn could fuel violence, chaos, and even terrorism.
Aswesuma, Poverty, and Terrorism Read More »
By Dr.Jehan Perera The extraordinary events that took place during 2022 have reached their denouement at the recently concluded presidential election. The Aragalaya protests that lasted for over three months in the middle of 2022 that were spearheaded by youth and became a mighty protest movement by tens of thousands of people from all walks
Fulfilment of Aragalaya at Presidential Election Read More »
On September 10, 2024, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre filed a fundamental rights case on behalf of Ranawila Arachchilage Shanaka Chaminda, a 33-year-old resident of Hokandara, who has accused the Malabe police of severe brutality during his arrest. Shanaka Chaminda alleges that police officers coerced him into making false statements implicating his brother-in-law,
A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ruled yesterday (10th) that the fundamental rights of Mrs. Bimshani Jasinghaarachchi, the current Senior Superintendent of Police and the first female officer to hold the position of Acting Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Community Police Unit in Sri Lanka, had been violated. As a result, the court
Sri Lanka has reaffirmed its commitment to engaging constructively with the United Nations Human Rights Council and other human rights bodies, though it strongly opposes certain international measures. Himalee Arunatilaka, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, voiced objections to Human Rights Council Resolution 51/1, which established an external evidence-gathering mechanism without the
During the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Gaurav Kumar Thakur, Counsellor at the Permanent Mission of India, expressed optimism that the forthcoming elections in Sri Lanka would advance the cause of national reconciliation. Thakur emphasized India’s long-standing commitment to supporting Sri Lanka, particularly since 2009, by aiding in the island
India Hopes for National Reconciliation in Sri Lanka Through Upcoming Elections Read More »
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council’s interactive dialogue on the OHCHR report concerning Sri Lanka, the European Union (EU) delivered a statement acknowledging the report on the country’s human rights situation. The EU acknowledged Sri Lanka’s efforts in tackling the challenges of the past two years, particularly the financial crisis of 2022.
