Category: News

Body of Sathsara Nimesh to Be Exhumed for New Post-Mortem

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera has ordered the exhumation of the body of Sathsara Nimesh, a young man from Meegahakivula in Badulla, who died while in the custody of Welikada Police. The order includes conducting a comprehensive post-mortem examination by a panel of three specialist doctors, with findings to be submitted to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The directive came in response to a motion filed by Nimesh’s mother, who raised serious concerns about the initial post-mortem and the circumstances surrounding her son’s death. Representing the family, Attorney-at-Law Lakshan Dias told…

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Thiniyawala Youth Claims Police Assault and Unlawful Arrest

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The youth, identified as Anushka Shehan, a resident of the Thiniyawala area, was reportedly confronted by four police officers on the night of April 6th. According to eyewitnesses and the victim’s family, the officers attempted to arrest Shehan, claiming he was riding a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol. However, Shehan denied being intoxicated and requested the officers to verify whether he had consumed alcohol. His mother alleged that despite this, the officers attempted to physically assault him. The situation escalated until local residents intervened, reportedly preventing further violence. During…

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Youth Dies in Custody at Welikada Police Station Amid Allegations of Torture

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The deceased has been identified as Muthuwadige Sathsara Nimesh, a resident of Meegahakivula, Badulla. According to reports, he was arrested by Welikada Police officers on April 1st. His death has sparked allegations of police brutality, as sources indicate that he succumbed to injuries sustained due to mistreatment while in custody. His mother, who visited the Welikada Police Station yesterday (April 2nd), discovered that her son’s clothing had been removed, and his trousers were found discarded in a nearby trash can. When she inquired about the incident, officers reportedly informed her…

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Acting IGP Instructs Police to Adhere to Human Rights Guidelines for Transgender People

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Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya has instructed Sri Lanka Police officers to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to protect the rights of transgender individuals. He emphasized that the HRCSL receives daily complaints regarding instances where police officers allegedly violate the human rights of transgender people while carrying out their duties. In response, the Acting IGP has directed all officers to ensure that their conduct aligns with the Commission’s guidelines, reinforcing the importance of upholding human rights…

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Inmate Dies Following Assault During Drug Test at Magazine Prison

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Colombo, March 19 – An inmate who was injured in an assault during a drug test at the Magazine Prison has reportedly succumbed to his injuries. According to reports, two prison officers and two fellow inmates have been charged in connection with the brutal attack. The deceased, identified as 54-year-old Hewadheera Don Gemunujith, was a father of one. He had been arrested and remanded by the Maharagama Police on the 23rd of last month on charges of trafficking the drug. According to police sources, the incident took place on the…

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The Push From Batalanda For Accountability

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The Batalanda Commission report which goes into details of what happened during the JVP insurrection of 1987-89 has become the centre of public attention. The controversy has long been a point of contention and a reminder of the country’s troubled past and entrenched divisions that still exist. The events that occurred at Batalanda during the violent suppression of the JVP-led insurgency, remain a raw wound, as seen in the sudden resurfacing of the issue. The scars of violence and war still run deep. At a time when the country is…

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Colombo High Court Sentences Couple to Death for Child Abuse and Murder

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Colombo, March 6 – The Colombo High Court has sentenced a couple to death for the abuse and murder of a two-year-old child following adoption. Delivering the verdict today, High Court Judge Sujeewa Nissanka ruled that the prosecution had proven the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The case, filed by the Attorney General, pertained to an incident that occurred in Maligawatta on May 1, 2018. The couple, both around 35 years old, were found guilty of subjecting the child to severe torture, leading to his death. During the trial, police…

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Sri Lankan Courts Face Massive Backlog with Over 1.1 Million Pending Cases

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The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration has been informed that a staggering 1,131,818 cases remain pending in Sri Lankan courts, raising concerns over delays in the country’s judicial system. The revelation highlights the significant backlog across various levels of the judiciary, affecting both civil and criminal cases. Legal experts warn that such delays undermine public trust in the justice system and hinder access to timely legal remedies. Officials have pointed to multiple factors contributing to the backlog, including a shortage of judges, inefficiencies in court proceedings, and…

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Colombo Court Issues Notice to Dematagoda Police OIC Over Alleged Torture Incident

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The Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court has issued a notice to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Dematagoda Police following allegations of detaining, stripping, and brutally assaulting an individual. The complaint, brought to the court’s attention by the victim’s legal counsel, alleges that a three-wheeler driver was detained for seven days without being produced in court. During his detention, he was reportedly stripped naked and subjected to severe physical abuse by police officers. According to the victim’s lawyer, the incident began on January 2 when the driver was summoned to Dematagoda for…

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HRCSL Addresses Social Media Harassment of Women in Report to UN Committee

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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised critical concerns about the harassment and abuse faced by women on social media platforms. This issue was a focal point in the Parallel Report submitted by the HRCSL to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on January 6, 2025. As a signatory to the CEDAW Convention, Sri Lanka is obligated to safeguard women from all forms of violence, including digital abuse. The HRCSL’s report highlighted the increasing prevalence of online harassment, particularly targeting women…

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