Category: News

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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Three Police Officers Suspended After Brutal Assault on Two Young Men

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A strong protest was recently held by local residents against the Pamunugama Police Station, opposing the cruel and inhumane assault on two young men who were detained without proper investigation regarding a gold chain theft. On the 24th, 24-year-old Nirash Madhushanka from Kapumgoda, Pamunugama, and 20-year-old Anton Dilshan from Seththapaduwa, Pamunugama, were assaulted by a group of Pamunugama police officers who arrived at their workplace. The officers arrested them and continued to beat them while en route to the police station and later at the Pamunugama Police Station while questioning…

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Police Constable Remanded for Ragging Three Trainee Officers at Tissamaharama Station

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An incident of ragging where three trainee police officers were stripped naked has been reported from the Tissamaharama Police Station. Following an investigation into the incident, a police constable was arrested and produced before the court, where he was ordered to be held in remand custody until the 29th of this month. Investigations have revealed that this ragging incident took place at the bachelor officers’ quarters of the Tissamaharama Police Station. The suspect constable was arrested and produced before court on several charges. The three trainee police officers who were…

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Key Discussions Held on Convention Against Torture Act

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October 25, 2024 – Colombo: A significant meeting took place today at Mirage Hotel, Colombo, to discuss updates on the Convention Against Torture Act. Participants gathered to review a recent study report, focusing on challenges and opportunities for progress under the Act. Prominent human rights advocate Basil Fernando, Chairperson of the Asian Human Rights Commission, shared his perspective on the Act’s origins, shedding light on its historical development and purpose. Adding to the discussions, lawyer Dulan Dissanayake outlined his approach to the study report, providing insights into how the findings…

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Alleged Police Misconduct and Custodial Violence Against Three Brothers in Talpe

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M.A. Shehan Kumar, M. Gimhana Tarusha Kumar, and M.A. Samira are brothers living in the same house in the Talpe area. On June 8th, around 8:00 PM, while they were watching television, five officers in civilian clothes arrived and began assaulting Shehan Gayantha Kumar, the second child of the family. At this time, the eldest son questioned why his brother was being taken by the police, to which they responded it was due to an issue with a gas cylinder. The mother arrived home at this time and stated that…

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Alleged Police Brutality in Midigama: Young Man Claims Assault and False Drug Charges

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D.Nipun Mahinsa, 23 years old, is a resident of Weligama. On 16th September 2024 at around 8.00 pm, he was staying with six other people at his relative’s house and playing cards for money. At that time, six police officers came and arrested all of them. All of them were taken to the Midigama Police Station and put in jail on the grounds that a ganja case would be filed against them. There, the officer named Saman Lal took the national identity card of the youth named Nipun Mahinsa and…

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Attorney General Withdraws Case on Mahara Prison Inmate Deaths During COVID-19 Period

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The Attorney General has withdrawn the case related to the deaths of 11 inmates at Mahara Prison during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Attorney General, it was concluded following a comprehensive investigation that the police Special Task Force officers had acted lawfully to protect both officers and inmates during the incident. Furthermore, the investigation revealed that officers had not exceeded their right to personal safety, as established under law. Consequently, the Attorney General indicated that no further legal action would be necessary, and the case would…

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