MEDIA RELEASE – 23 May 2026
Right to Life Human Rights Centre Strongly Condemns the Defamatory Attacks and Verbal Sexual Harassment Targeting the Director of the National Child Protection Authority’s Law Enforcement Division Who Courageously Stood for Justice!
The Right to Life Human Rights Centre strongly condemns the organized defamatory social media attacks and character assassination attempts currently being directed against Attorney-at-Law Ms. Sajeevani Abeykoon, Director of the Law Enforcement Division of the National Child Protection Authority (NCPA), following her courageous and direct submissions before the court on behalf of the minor girl allegedly abused by a powerful religious leader during a recent incident in Anuradhapura.
At a time when certain law enforcement institutions appeared hesitant to act due to the alleged social influence of the suspect, we appreciate Ms. Abeykoon’s professional integrity and courage in fulfilling her duties as a public official by presenting facts openly before the court. We also express concern regarding the silence and inadequate reporting by sections of the mainstream media on this important professional intervention.
Following the court proceedings, several social media activists, claiming to rely on sources from senior police officers, have published hateful, irresponsible, and defamatory statements aimed at damaging the reputation of Ms. Abeykoon. The Right to Life Human Rights Centre identifies these actions, which appear intended to mentally intimidate a public official supporting the pursuit of justice and potentially weaken the investigation concerning the victimized child, as clear acts of verbal sexual harassment and criminal intimidation against a woman.
Therefore, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre urgently calls upon the relevant authorities to immediately take the following actions:
Immediate Investigation:
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) must promptly initiate an impartial investigation into the defamatory social media attacks, character assassination campaigns, and verbal sexual harassment targeting Attorney-at-Law Ms. Sajeevani Abeykoon.
Internal Police Inquiry:
The Acting Inspector General of Police and the National Police Commission must urgently investigate the alleged involvement of senior police officers who are claimed to have provided information that fueled these defamatory statements and take appropriate disciplinary action against those responsible.
Institutional Intervention:
The Chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority, the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and the National Women’s Commission must move beyond issuing statements and take practical measures to ensure the professional dignity, protection, and safety of this public official who fulfilled her duties with integrity and courage.
Any attempt to silence public officials who speak out for victims is a direct attack on the rule of law itself. The Right to Life Human Rights Centre firmly reiterates its unconditional solidarity with Attorney-at-Law Ms. Sajeevani Abeykoon and all those who courageously stand for justice, as well as with the victimized child seeking justice.
Right to Life Human Rights Centre
23 May 2026