Category: News

Police Brutality Alleged: Weligama Resident Beaten and Falsely Charged During Arrest

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A resident of Pitaduwa, Weligama, was allegedly subjected to violent arrest and false charges by Midigama Police. Janak Jeevan, a father of two, was with a friend on December 14th last year near his friend’s house when a police three-wheeler and motorcycle approached and stopped them. Fearing arrest due to not having identification, they attempted to flee. During the arrest, Janak claims: Six police officers were present They beat him inhumanely with iron rods on his feet and body His hands were tied with a wire While transporting him in…

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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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Police Brutality Allegations Surface at Mawanella Police Station: Innocent Man Assaulted and Threatened.

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On January 11th, when Mr. Piyantha Anura Bandara was waiting near the bus stop to visit his son’s house in Kondeniya, three individuals approached him and threatened him, demanding he hand over two bags they claimed he had stolen. At that moment, he stated that he hadn’t stolen anything and asked to be taken to the police. These individuals then took him to the Mawanella Police Station in a three-wheeler. After arriving at the police station, when one officer was taking him upstairs, another officer who was present asked why…

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19-Year-Old Man Tortured with Chili Powder by Police

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A news report from the Godigama Telwatta area states that a person was assaulted by the police with chili powder applied to his entire body until he confessed to a theft. The victim, Sewwanda Diloshan, is a 19-year-old married individual who has been working at a private institution for over a year. On December 17th, he was arrested by the Thelikada Police at his workplace without informing the institution. He was arrested in connection with a shop theft, and after taking him into custody, the police applied chili powder to…

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Nine terror suspects detained in Sri Lanka

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Sri Lankan police have arrested nine individuals, including two Maldivians, and an ex-LTTE cadre, over a foiled terror plot targeting tourists at the Arugambay surfing resort. The suspects, including six others accused of gathering intelligence and video footage of the area, are suspected to be linked to an international network. Two additional suspects—a Maldivian and an Afghan—are being pursued through Interpol red notices. Police’s terrorist investigation division on January 18 produced before Colombo Fort Magistrate Court the three suspects, two Maldivians and a local resident, arrested in connection with the…

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21-Year-Old Hospitalized After Severe Beating by Prison Officers in Agunakolapelessa

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A case of brutal assault by prison officers on a young man has been reported from the Hambantota area. According to reports, Hasitha Lakshan Wijesuriya, a 21-year-old resident of Hambantota, was allegedly beaten by prison officers. On November 27, the young man had gone to a relative’s house in Agunakolapelessa but hadn’t returned home by night, and his phone was inactive. The next day, his family received a call from the Agunakolapelessa Police stating that the young man was in police custody and would be produced in court. When his…

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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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“Prisoners Are Humans Too,” Magistrate Warns Prison Officials.

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued a stern warning to prison officials, emphasizing, “Prisoners are humans too,” after witnessing 40 detainees shackled together with a single chain and brought into the courtroom. The Magistrate criticized the inhumane treatment and instructed prison officers to refrain from treating prisoners like animals. “These are human beings, not animals,” Amarasena declared, addressing prison officers directly. His intervention highlighted growing concerns about prisoner dignity and human rights within Sri Lanka’s judicial system. The magistrate explicitly ordered prison officials to cease the practice of restraining suspects…

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Petition Filed Seeking Legal Action in 2020 Mahara Prison Riot Deaths

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A petition has been submitted to the Court of Appeal, urging the resumption of legal proceedings concerning the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison riots. The petition also seeks directives for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other relevant authorities to take further action. This legal move follows a letter from the Attorney General’s (AG) Department to the CID, describing the incident as an act of self-defense by the police under Section 77 of the Prisons Ordinance. The AG’s Department had subsequently indicated its intention to close…

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Prison Torture Claims: 21-Year-Old Victim Reduced to Constant Falling After Brutal Beatings

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In the Mawatwewa area of Anuradhapura, a 21-year-old man named Indika Kumara was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a woman. During his time in prison, prison officers have been beating him daily and have even inserted a stick into his anal passage. After being released on bail and returning home, he has now been reduced to a state of constant leg paralysis, unable to walk and frequently falling down. Prior to his imprisonment, he had no pre-existing medical conditions, and according to doctors, this medical condition has arisen solely…

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