Category: News

Alleged Police Misconduct: A Shocking Incident of Violence and Threats in Kalabada

Editor

On November 21, 2024, around 7 PM, a person attended a party at a friend’s house in his area. After the party ended and everyone dispersed, a personal confrontation occurred between him and his friend. During this confrontation, the friend came with a machete intending to attack him. Madushaan took the machete and was walking home on the Kalabada Road when a person suddenly appeared in front of him, claiming to be from the police. Madushaan dropped the machete in his hand and raised his hands, at which point the…

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Scrap Metal Collector Alleges Police Brutality in Bangama: Arrest, Assault, and Controversial Detention

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Chinthaka Prasad Abethunga, a scrap metal collector from Bangama, Akuressa, was reportedly arrested on November 25 while returning from work. According to his family, he was taken to the Bangama Police Station by three officers in a police jeep, with his wife later being informed that the arrest was related to a traffic case. On the morning of November 26, around 7:30 a.m., his wife and mother visited the police station to check on him. She claims to have witnessed the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) lying on her husband’s body as he…

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Controversy Over Attorney General’s Move to Close Mahara Prison Case

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Welisara Magistrate Thusitha Dhammika Uduwavidana expressed surprise yesterday over the Attorney General’s decision to close the case file concerning the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison unrest. The Magistrate raised concerns about the decision during a hearing at the Welisara Magistrate’s Court, noting that the Attorney General had previously assured the Court of Appeal that indictments against the officials implicated in the incident would be filed within three months. Prominent attorney and rights advocate, Senaka Perera, highlighted the seriousness of the Attorney General’s directive to halt further…

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Supreme Court to Hear Women’s Rights Violation Petition

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The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by a group, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, alleging police misconduct during a peaceful protest in Polduwa in 2023. The petition accuses former Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and several officers of violating the rights of women from the National People’s Power during the protest. The case will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando. The respondents include Deshabandu Tennakoon, Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the Welikada, Thalangama, and Mirihana…

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Disabled Prisoner Hospitalized After Assault by Prison Guard

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A disabled prisoner has been hospitalized following an alleged assault by a prison guard at the Weerawila Open Prison Camp. The prisoner, W.A. Nishan Sanjeewa Hetti Arachchi, a resident of Badalgama, Katukenda, was arrested by the Mattakkuliya Police on October 22, 2024, for possession of 200 milligrams of heroin. On October 23, 2024, the Mattakkuliya Court imposed a fine of Rs. 7,000 on him. Unable to pay the fine, he was sentenced to six months in prison and sent to Welikada Prison, from where he was transferred to the Weerawila…

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16-year-old student dies months after assault by teachers

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A 16-year-old girl from a well-known school in Wennappuwa has passed away following a serious head injury, allegedly caused by two teachers. She had been in the hospital for over three months before she died on November 13 while receiving treatment at the Ragama Teaching Hospital. The post-mortem examination confirmed that the student died from brain bleeding caused by the assault. The incident occurred on August 9 when the teachers punished the student and another classmate for taking over 20 minutes to return to the classroom. The teachers reportedly hit…

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An In-Depth Analysis of Violence Against Children in Sri Lanka: August 2024

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  Child abuse remains a critical issue in Sri Lanka, as highlighted by ECPAT Sri Lanka’s media monitoring report for August 2024. This analysis provides a sobering insight into the various forms of violence affecting children and underscores the pervasive nature of the problem. Overview of Reported Incidents In August 2024, 94 incidents involving 108 victims of child abuse were reported through media coverage. These cases span diverse forms of abuse, each with significant impacts on children’s well-being. Types of Abuse Sexual Abuse: The most reported category, with 41 incidents…

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Decade-Long Fight for Justice: Family of Nimal Chandrasiri Wins Compensation After Police Custody Death

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In a tragic case dating back to April 2012, Nimal Chandrasiri, a fisherman from Thalpitiya, Wadduwa, faced a brutal fate while in police custody. Arrested under suspicious circumstances, he was found in severe pain in the Wadduwa police cell. Despite pleas from his family for medical help, police officers dismissed his agony as mere pretense. Hours later, Chandrasiri was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The case, shrouded in allegations of police brutality, faced prolonged delays, leaving his family in search of justice for over a decade.…

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Attorney’s Legal License Suspended for Five Years

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Colombo High Court Judge Adithya Patabendige ordered a five-year suspension of an attorney’s legal license following an investigation prompted by a complaint filed by the judge himself. According to the complaint, the attorney, who had been appointed by the government to represent a defendant in a criminal case before the Colombo High Court, failed to appear in court for three consecutive days. During the hearing, the attorney admitted to the charges. Subsequently, Supreme Court Judge S. Thurairaja, along with Justices Mahinda Samayawardhana and Arjuna Obeysekara, announced the decision, stating that…

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Strengthening Protections Against Torture and Ill-Treatment in Sri Lanka: Reflections on 30 Years of CAT Ratification

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By Basil Fernando As Sri Lanka commemorates the 30th anniversary of its ratification of the UN Convention Against Torture (CAT), the time has come to reflect deeply on both the progress made and the persistent gaps that hinder the full realization of this vital human rights treaty. Though Sri Lanka has shown some legislative advancement over the decades, the country continues to grapple with endemic torture and ill-treatment, particularly in police custody. Despite the proactive efforts of organizations like the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and other advocates, the state’s…

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