Perhaps one thing that was forgotten when Lord Dunmore gave Adult Franchise for all, and also when Sri Lanka became an independent nation, is the stability of the social structure of a country. This is what provides for the establishment of the government, which will ensure security and stability to all. When these matters are talked or written about, the invariable reaction is that we have gone deep into this crisis. Not just cynics, but those who know the ground reality, feel that whatever description is given about this crisis…
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OFFICE FOR REPARATIONS ACT, No. 34 OF 2018 ( Sinhala, English, Tamil,)
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE FOR REPARATIONS; TO IDENTIFY AGGRIEVED PERSONS ELIGIBLE FOR REPARATIONS, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROVISION OF INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE REPARATIONS TO SUCH PERSONS; TO REPEAL THE REHABILITATION OF PERSONS, PROPERTIES AND INDUSTRIES AUTHORITY ACT, NO. 29 OF 1987 ANDTOPROVIDE FORALLMATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO. WHEREAS the Constitution of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka recognizes the inherent dignity and equal and inalienable human rights of all Sri Lankans and the State’s obligation to respect, secure and advance these…
Read MoreASSISTANCE TO AND PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME AND WITNESSES (AMENDMENT) ACT, No. 27 OF 2017 ( Sinhala, Tamil, English)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE ASSISTANCE TO AND PROTECTION OF VICTIMS OF CRIME AND WITNESSES ACT, NO. 4 OF 2015 BE it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows:— read the full act in english read the full act in Sinhala read the full act in Tamil
Read MoreINTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS’ SUBMISSION TO THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF SRI LANKA 2017.
SUBMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS TO THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF SRI LANKA ”Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952, in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council since 1957, and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation…
Read MoreJOINT ALTERNATIVE REPORT From the Sri Lankan NGO Collective to the Committee Against Torture
”2.1 A protracted civil war of 26 years between government forces and the LTTE inflicted devastating consequences at a human, social, and institutional level. In May 2009, a military victory declared by the Sri Lankan Government saw the end of the war”. ”2.3 In September 2010, constitutional reform was rushed through Parliament (18th Amendment to the Constitution), which among other things, effectively removed the two term limit on the Executive Presidency, thereby solidifying the president’s power over the Attorney-General, judiciary and various “independent” commissions. The president was conferred unfettered powers…
Read MoreOFFICE ON MISSING PERSONS (ESTABLISHMENT, ADMINISTRATION AND DISCHARGE OF FUNCTIONS) ACT, No. 14 OF 2016
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE ON MISSING PERSONS; TO PROVIDE FOR THE SEARCHING AND TRACING OF MISSING PERSONS; TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO RELATIVES OF MISSING PERSONS; FOR THE SETTING UP OF A DATABASE OF MISSING PERSONS; FOR SETTING OUT THE PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES APPLICABLE TO THE POWERS AND FUNCTIONS ASSIGNED TO THE SAID OFFICE; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALL MATTERS WHICH ARE CONNECTED WITH OR INCIDENTAL TO, THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS ACT. read the full act
Read MoreRIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT, No. 12 OF 2016 ( Sinhala, English)
AN ACT TO PROVIDE FOR THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO INFORMATION; TO SPECIFY GROUNDS ON WHICH ACCESS MAY BE DENIED; TO ESTABLISH THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION COMMISSION; TO APPOINT INFORMATION OFFICERS; TO SET OUT THE PROCEDURE AND FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH OR INCIDENTAL THERETO. WHEREAS the Constitution guarantees the right of access to information in Article 14A thereof and there exists a need to foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public authorities by giving effect to the right of access to information and thereby promote a society in…
Read MorePolice torture cases Sri Lanka 1998- 2011, Edited by Basil Fernando
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has compiled a report of 1500 cases of police torture in Sri Lanka between 1998 and 2011. This particular report summarizes 323 of the most serious cases of torture. The most notable finding of this report is that almost all of the victims whose cases were summarized were randomly selected by the police to be arrested and detained for a fabricated charge. Perhaps the most shocking aspect of the criminal justice system in Sri Lanka is the overwhelmingly large number of charges which are…
Read MoreLeelawathie Hariot Perera and others vs. N.K. Illangakoon, Inspector General of Police, and others SC /FR/ Application No 372/2015
As submitted on behalf of the Petitioners, one Rumesh Liroshan Fernando who was only 20 years at the time of his untimely demise, was a victim of a stabbing which took place on 24th October 2010. The victim had succumbed to his injuries at Kalubowila Hospital, and the Police Officers 3 who investigated into the death of the above named deceased, had reported the facts before the Hon. Magistrate of Moratuwa on 25.10.2010 under B Report No 1677/10. The 4th Respondent to the present application namely Widanalage Amesh Asantha de…
Read MoreNINETEENTH AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION ( Sinhala, Tamil, English)
AN ACT TO AMEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF SRI LANKA Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka as follows:- read the full amendment in English read the full amendment in Sinhala read the full amendment in Tamil
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