Controversy Erupts as Sri Lankan Minister Faces Criticism Over Remarks on Criminals

Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) are embroiled in a heated dispute following controversial remarks made by Alles to a group of Police officers. The BASL has called for Alles’ removal, accusing him of endorsing extrajudicial killings. In a statement, the BASL criticized Alles for his consistent pattern of reckless and misleading comments, demanding corrective action. Alles sparked outrage by reportedly stating, “Eliminating criminals is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and…

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Bar Association of Sri Lanka Condemns Minister’s Statement on Justice and Public Security

At their council session on April 27th, 2024, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka strongly condemned a recent statement made at the Katukurunda STF training camp’s passing out parade, which has garnered significant attention across various media platforms. According to reports, the Minister asserted, ‘Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you.‘ Expressing deep concern, the BASL found this statement to be in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles outlined…

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Five Police Officers Sentenced to Death for Killing Tamil Civilians in 1996

In a landmark ruling, the Anuradhapura High Court on Friday sentenced five police officers to death for their roles in the murder of eight Tamil civilians in the village of Bharathipuram, Kantale, in 1996. High Court Judge Manoj Thalgodapitiya delivered the verdict after a prolonged legal battle that spanned nearly three decades. The convicted officers, who were stationed at the Bharathipuram police post at the time of the incident, included Constable Chandrathna Banadara, Constable Nimal Premasiri Konara, Inspector R.M. Ranaraja Bandara, Sub Inspector Y.L. Somaratne, and Constable Senarath Bandara Medawela.…

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Alleged Police Assault Leads to Surgical Removal of Young Man’s Testicles

Medawachchiya, April 11 – A disturbing incident has emerged from the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where a young man underwent surgery to remove his testicles following an alleged assault by police officers. The victim, a 23-year-old resident of the Thulawellia area in Medawachchiya, remains under treatment as questions swirl around the circumstances of his injuries. According to the victim’s account, he was driving a mini-lorry with a companion when they were stopped by police officers at a checkpoint. What followed, as per his testimony to the media, was a harrowing ordeal…

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Air Force Corporal Involved in Fatal Shooting Incident at Police Checkpoint

An investigation has been launched by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) into a deadly exchange of fire that occurred yesterday morning at a police checkpoint in Padukka, involving an SLAF Corporal. Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, the Commander of the Air Force, has ordered a thorough inquiry into the circumstances leading up to the incident. The confrontation led to the death of the Corporal, who was part of the Air Force Rugby pool. He succumbed to his injuries after being taken to the hospital, marking a tragic end to the…

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Police Raid on Illegal Gambling Den Results in Shooting Incident in Tissamaharama

Tissamaharama, March 30, 2024 – A late-night operation by the Tissamaharama Police to clamp down on an illegal gambling operation turned violent, resulting in the shooting of a 29-year-old man in the Ranminithenna area. The incident has sparked controversy and raised questions about police procedures. According to official reports, on the evening of March 30, a team comprising a sergeant and two constables, not in uniform, of the Tissamaharama Police, was conducting a raid on a house suspected of hosting illegal gambling activities. It is during this operation that HK…

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Two Former Police Officers Sentenced to Death for 2005 Custodial Death in Peliyagoda

In a landmark verdict, the Colombo High Court has sentenced two former police officers, a Sub-Inspector, and a Police Constable attached to Peliyagoda Police Station, to death for their involvement in the brutal assault and subsequent death of a 52-year-old suspect while in custody in 2005. The trial, which spanned over 18 years, concluded today as Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe delivered the judgment. The victim, a person suspected of stealing a mobile phone from the residence of a police officer, was unlawfully detained and subjected to severe physical…

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Controversial Appointment of Inspector General of Police Sparks Outcry from Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture

In a scathing media statement released today, the Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture voiced its vehement condemnation of the recent appointment of Mr. Deshbandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police. The collective, comprised of concerned citizens and organizations, expressed strong objections to President’s decision, citing serious concerns about democratic principles and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. Mr. Tennakoon’s appointment has stirred controversy due to his past involvement in a case where the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka found him to have violated a fundamental right – the…

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“International Rights Groups and Civil Society Reject Sri Lanka’s Latest Truth Commission Amidst Ongoing Concerns Over Accountability”

In a joint statement issued by four prominent international rights groups – the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), World Alliance for Nature (WAN), Freedom of Dissent (FOD), and the Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) – serious reservations were raised regarding the establishment of yet another government commission in Sri Lanka. The Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation Commission, announced by the Sri Lankan government, has sparked controversy as victims of human rights violations express frustration over the lack of accountability in previous inquiries. The statement emphasizes that Sri Lankan…

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Widow of Carpenter Slain in Narammala Police Shooting Files Rs. 200 Million Compensation Petition

In a significant development following the Narammala police shooting incident, the widow of the deceased carpenter, Roshan Kumarasiri, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court. Seeking compensation of Rs. 200 million from the involved police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, the petitioner, Kamani Rupika Priyangani, alleges arbitrary and abusive exercise of power by the law enforcement officials. The tragic incident unfolded as Sub Inspector Gunawardena, on duty in plain clothes, fatally shot Roshan Kumarasiri on his way home from work. In the filed petition, Priyangani recounts…

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