Author: editor

In a joint statement issued by four prominent international rights groups – the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), World Alliance for Nature (WAN), Freedom of Dissent (FOD), and the Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) – serious reservations were raised regarding the establishment of yet another government commission in Sri Lanka. The Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation Commission, announced by the Sri Lankan government, has sparked controversy as victims of human rights violations express frustration over the lack of accountability in previous inquiries. The statement emphasizes that Sri Lankan…

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In a significant development following the Narammala police shooting incident, the widow of the deceased carpenter, Roshan Kumarasiri, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court. Seeking compensation of Rs. 200 million from the involved police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, the petitioner, Kamani Rupika Priyangani, alleges arbitrary and abusive exercise of power by the law enforcement officials. The tragic incident unfolded as Sub Inspector Gunawardena, on duty in plain clothes, fatally shot Roshan Kumarasiri on his way home from work. In the filed petition, Priyangani recounts…

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The Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) convened on 13th February to discuss critical issues pertaining to human rights violations, focusing on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Yukthiya anti-drugs operation. SLCAT, established in 2009, comprises 27 organizations collaborating to eliminate torture in Sri Lanka. During the meeting, Philip Dissanayake, a representative of SLCAT, highlighted the organization’s commitment to evaluating the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to torture, and publishing a comprehensive report this year. The discussion extensively covered concerns about the PTA and…

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In a shocking turn of events, the demise of businessman Govindhasami Krishnakumar while in custody has sparked a series of unanswered questions and raised concerns about the circumstances leading to his arrest and subsequent tragic end. Dhanapalan Sivashankar, the brother of the deceased, filed a formal complaint, expressing deep distress over the sequence of events that unfolded. Krishnakumar, a businessman from the Ragala region, faced financial challenges due to the economic downturn exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Legal proceedings were initiated against him by a businessman from Negombo, leading to…

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The Sri Lanka Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the death of a 22-year-old suspect who passed away while in police custody on Tuesday, January 30th. The deceased, a known drug user, was apprehended by the Anuradhapura Range Criminal Investigation Division, and the case is being led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. According to a senior police official, the suspect fell critically ill while detained in a police cell and was subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where he later succumbed to his condition. The cause of…

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Geneva, 22 January 2024 – United Nations experts have raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s aggressive security-driven approach to combat drug-related issues, urging authorities to suspend and review Operation ‘Yukthiya’ immediately. The experts emphasized the need for a shift towards policies centered on health and human rights, condemning the reported arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment of thousands of drug offenders from marginalized groups. In a joint statement, the UN experts underscored the fundamental human rights of drug users, asserting that they deserve to lead lives free from discrimination and stigmatization. The…

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  In a distressing turn of events, a man lost his life in Dampelessa, Narammala, as a result of police gunfire on the evening of January 18. According to Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa, the incident transpired when a group of police officers pursued a lorry whose driver failed to comply with a signal to stop at a police checkpoint in the Dampelessa area. After a brief chase, the police successfully intercepted the lorry and initiated an inspection of the vehicle. Unfortunately, during the inspection process, an inadvertent discharge…

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A coalition of prominent international human rights organizations has raised alarms over the intensification of anti-drug operations in Sri Lanka, citing significant human rights violations and urging the government to immediately cease the controversial operation named “Yukthiya.” In a joint statement, the organizations expressed deep concern about the reported violations, including arbitrary arrests, invasive searches, and the involvement of the armed forces in the operation. The operation, spearheaded by Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon on December 17, 2023, has drawn widespread criticism for its severe impact on individuals…

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