Category: News

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The Attorney General has withdrawn the case related to the deaths of 11 inmates at Mahara Prison during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.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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Implement Court Rulings on Police Brutality Against Torture

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A media organization has requested the implementation of court rulings issued against the police for torturing suspects. In a letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security, Ravi Seneviratne, the Young Journalists’ Association pointed out that, despite numerous rulings by the Supreme Court and the Human Rights Commission over the years against illegal arrests, detentions, and torture by the police, these rulings have yet to be implemented, allowing police brutality to persist. Over the past few years, the Human Rights Commission has delivered 51 rulings against police…

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Attorney Dhanushka Silva Explores History and Impact of the Prevention of Terrorism Act

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Attorney Dhanushka Silva recently presented his insights on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) during a two-day conference organized for regional leaders by the Right to Life Human Rights Centre. The event, held at the Camelot Hotel in Negombo, attracted many regional representatives and staff members of the Right to Life Human Rights Centre. In his presentation, Attorney Silva explored the historical and contextual background of the PTA, highlighting its introduction to Parliament in 1979 by the former State Minister, Lalith Athulathmudali. Silva explained that Minister Athulathmudali, in justifying the…

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Amita Kumari’s Fight for Justice After Abuse in Kuwait

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M.W. Amita Kumari, a 30-year-old woman from Dahaiyagama, Anuradhapura, went to Kuwait last May through the ‘Pujaneeya’ Foreign Employment Agency. After working for a month in a house, she had blood in her urine. She told the people she worked for, and they reported it to the Kuwait Foreign Employment Agency. The agency then informed the Sri Lankan agency, but instead of helping, they scolded her. Things got worse when her employers took her phone while she was talking to her husband and hit her with a glass perfume bottle.…

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Bentara Police Accused of Assaulting Hotel Employee in False Arrest

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Beruwala – Hasitha Malinga, a 24-year-old hotel employee from Beruwala, was allegedly assaulted by Bentara Police officers after being falsely accused of theft. Malinga, who works at a hotel in Bentara, completed his shift and returned home in the early hours of August 9, 2024. Later that morning, around 9:00 AM, he received a call from his workplace, asking him to return. Upon his arrival, police officers were waiting for him and arrested him on allegations of misplacing a foreign guest’s wallet. During his detention, Malinga was reportedly subjected to…

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Supreme Court Rules Fundamental Rights of First Female Acting DIG Violated; Orders Reconsideration of Appointment

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A three-member bench of the Supreme Court ruled yesterday (10th) that the fundamental rights of Mrs. Bimshani Jasinghaarachchi, the Senior Superintendent of Police and the first female officer to serve as Acting Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Community Police Unit in Sri Lanka, had been violated. As a result, the court directed the National Police Commission to reconsider her appointment as Acting DIG of the Community Police Unit, effective from October 5. Mrs. Jasinghaarachchi was appointed Acting DIG of the Community Police Unit on December 14, 2020. However, after…

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The Wattala police, who tortured a person in custody on a false charge, also ignored the court’s order to hospitalise him.

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On August 16th, 31-year-old Udesh Madhushanka, a resident of the Ja-Ela Tudella area, was falsely arrested by the Ja-Ela Police. The arrest was made in connection with an incident that occurred on August 14th, when Udesh was taken to a house that had allegedly been broken into by thieves, based on false information provided by an individual. He was later handed over to the Ja-Ela Police. When Udesh’s mother visited the Ja-Ela Police Station on August 19th, Udesh informed her that he had been tortured. He claimed that the police…

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IGP and Police Commission Found Guilty of Failing to Enforce Anti-Torture Directives

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To protect individuals in police custody from being subjected to torture, the court had previously issued several directives. However, these measures have not produced the intended results, as stated by Justice S. Thurai Raja, Chairman of the three-judge Supreme Court bench, on August 26. Justice Thurai Raja made this declaration during the consideration of a fundamental rights petition related to a case of severe torture. Despite the court’s various orders, warnings, and guidelines aimed at preventing such abuses during police arrests, incidents of torture continue unabated. The National Police Commission…

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Principal of Debokkawa Maha Vidyalaya Accused of Assaulting 7th Grade Student

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A serious allegation has emerged from the Hambantota district as the principal of Debokkawa Maha Vidyalaya faces accusations of assaulting a 7th-grade student. The complaint, lodged with local police and supported by the Hambantota Human Rights First Aid Center, claims that despite the student’s parents reporting the assault three months ago, no investigation has been initiated. The incident has raised concerns about the handling of such cases and the safety of students within the school. The Hambantota Human Rights First Aid Center has expressed its commitment to seeking justice for…

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A 16-year-old student was allegedly brutally attacked by police officers after being stopped for not wearing a helmet

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On August 7th , Tarut Dinal, a 16-year-old school student, was riding his father’s motorcycle after visiting a shop with his brother. Upon returning, Payagala traffic officers noticed that his brother was not wearing a helmet. The officers stopped the motorcycle and harshly reprimanded them, shouting “stop, stop.” Frightened, the student drove to a nearby house close to a temple. According to reports, the two police officers followed the student to the location, where they allegedly punched him in the ear and kicked him with a booted foot, causing him…

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