Category: News

“21 Years Without Justice – A sister’s long journey to seeking justice” launched today. – K. Sanjeewa.

Editor

Sri Lanka is a criminal state. This story proves it. But we have to change this situation somehow. We have to fight continously… The person who is responsible for this murder is fugitive and is still at large even after 21 years. The case still pending in the Kalutara High Court under case number HC570/13 could be the longest criminal case in the world and still not come to an end. It’s been 21 years and case is still under investigation. What is the truth behind the torture case of…

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The International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture is Today!

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Today, June 26, is International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture. This day is an annual international celebration by the United Nation. It is a day to speak out against the crime of torture and to honor and support victims as well as survivors around the world. The aim is to pay tribute to the victims of various forms of torture, and to dedicate a day to remembering and supporting the many victims of torture around the world. The UN General Assembly has declared today for two reasons,…

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“All relevant authorities shall take active measures to prevent torture” Chairman, HRCSL

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In December 1997, The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 26th June as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, to commemorate the historic day in 1987, in which the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the key international instrument against torture came into effect. It appeals to all member states to implement the Convention in full effect with the intention of eradicating torture in all its forms across the world. It also requests for support from all stakeholders, civil society and individuals to…

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A Statement by SLCAT on International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

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Today as we mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we the undersigned express grave concern about the increasing use of torture in Sri Lanka. During the last year, we witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic cause unimaginable challenges to Sri Lankans. In this context of deep instability and uncertainty, Sri Lankan citizens have been made to feel more insecure through the increasing use of violence by the police. SLCAT recognizes at least 30 reported incidents of torture, 22 and 5 custodial and extra judicial deaths between the period…

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SRI LANKA: A Sister’s 20 Year Long Struggle For Justice For Her Brother Killed By The Police

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On the universal day for torture victims, this year, a book will be launched by The Right to Life organization working in collaboration with the AHRC on a long standing case, which is continuing in courts, regarding a man who was killed extra-judicially, inside a Police station. The author of the book is Amitha Priyanthi, the younger sister of the deceased. When the death took place after her brother was kept at a police station for five days, she was just a school going girl. However, the shock of this…

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Hambantota police assault a father of two

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Weerasekera Kamkanamge Tharuka Lakshan is a married and father of two, residing at No. 03, Nandamithra Village, Ballagaswewa Grama Niladhari Division, Hambantota. He runs a garage to make a living. Tamara Kaushalya, a resident of the same village, had lodged a complaint with the Hambantota Port Police alleging that she had been threatened and blamed by three persons including Tharuka Lakshan. According to the victims, it was a false complaint and the complainant who has violence personality and she is usually arguing with the majority of the residents of the…

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SC orders policemen to pay for youth’s death after assault

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The Supreme Court has ordered six police personnel at the Kandaketiya Police Station to pay compensation of Rs.300,000 to a mother of a 17-year-old deceased son who died after being assaulted by police personnel in 2014. The Supreme Court further ordered the six respondents to pay Rs.60,000 to the petitioner in lieu of litigation costs. The six respondents have been found guilty of murder of the deceased, being members of an unlawful assembly and they were sentenced to death by the Badulla High Court in a judgement dated January 9,…

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A suspect has died in police custody in Batticaloa

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A suspect arrested by the Batticaloa Police has died in police custody yesterday (03). The deceased has been identified as Chandran Vidushan (21), a resident of Irudayampura, Batticaloa. He was arrested by the Batticaloa Police at night on 2nd June over a tip received by the Batticaloa Police that he was selling cannabis. According to Vidushan’s relatives, the police arrived at around 10.30 pm and searched the whole house while he was handcuffed and tied to a tree. Though nothing was found there, the police has arrested him and taken…

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A Man Who went in Search for food for his family beaten and killed – Basil Fernando

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Basil-Fernando

An incident reported from Waligama, Matara demonstrates the kind of very saddening situations which has been experienced by people in terms of the spread of Covid-19. A young girl in a family was detected of having been infected with the virus and was taken to hospital for treatment. The rest of the family was asked to quarantine themselves by staying in their own house. They stayed for three to four days using all that they had in terms of food and other necessities and finally that came to an end…

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