Category: News

In a recent incident that has sparked outrage, a formal complaint has been filed with The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) against the Yakkalamulla Police in Galle district. The complaint centers around the alleged wrongful arrest and assault of a civilian. The victim, identified as Koggala Wellalage Sisira Kumara, resides on Hospital Road, Aluthwatta, Nakiyadeniya, in Galle. The incident took place on May 9th at around 09:00 to 09:30 p.m. Kumara had visited Dimuthu pharmacy at Yakkalamulla Junction to purchase medicine.…

A heart-wrenching incident has come to light involving the unfortunate demise of Thilina Dhananjaya, a young man from Dehiowita, under circumstances that have raised concerns about custodial deaths and police procedures. The incident that transpired on December 3, 2022, has left the community in shock and demanding answers from authorities. Thilina Dhananjaya embarked on a seemingly routine errand to acquire medicine for his mother on December 3, 2022. After administering the medication, he informed his mother that he intended to meet a friend. However, his family’s world was turned upside…

The life of a seemingly insignificant 17-year-old youth named Sandun Malinga from Meegaskiwula in the Badulla District took a tragic turn. His value as a person appeared to hold little weight to the group of five police officers and a civil defense officer who subjected him to a fatal beating on a dark night in May 2014. However, a rare instance of justice prevailed when the six officers from Kandeketiya Police station, responsible for assaulting Sandun and four others, were held accountable and sentenced to death by the Badulla High…

The Torture Journal is a distinguished publication that delves into the multifaceted field of survivor engagement and rehabilitation in the context of torture survivors. This latest issue serves as a platform for diverse voices and perspectives, featuring a collection of insightful contributions from experts, practitioners, and individuals directly impacted by torture and ill-treatment. Opening with an editorial by Pau Pérez-Sales, the journal sets the stage by tracing the historical roots of survivor engagement, particularly in regions of the Global South. The ensuing special section on Survivor Engagement in the Rehabilitation…

By  Basil Fernando. On the larger questions raised by the arrest of Tharindu Uduwaragedera, a young journalist of very wide reputation. Tharindu Uduwaragedera who was attending a meeting on Friday (28 July) for the purpose of reporting on the meeting was forcibly dragged out of a three-wheeler, grabbed by his hair and roughly manhandled by a group of Police officers despite the journalist loudly explaining that he was merely present to report on the protest meeting that was taking place. In fact, he was seated in a three-wheeler, from where he was dragged…

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka will launch an investigation into the assault and arrest of Executive Committee Member of the Young Journalists’ Association Tharindu Uduwaragedara. In a statement, the HRCSL says that the Rapid Response Team of the Commission visited the Borella Police station and inquired about the condition of Tharindu Uduwaragedara. The HRCSL will call for reports from the relevant parties alleged to have been connected to the incident, and summon all the concerned individuals for an inquiry. Executive Committee Member of the Young Journalists’ Association Tharindu…

By Basil Fernando The draft Bill entitled ‘Contempt of Court, Tribunal or Institutions’, has been included in the parliament’s order paper and the issue of the constitutionality of this Bill will now be subjected to debate. There are several key questions arising from this draft Bill. These are:- Does this proposed law amounts to repeal or amendment of the constitution?  This question arises because of Article 105(3) of the constitution which has already provisions for dealing with the contempt of court. The relevant portion is as follows: “The Supreme Court…

By Philip Dissanayake   “We were waiting near the Ganegama Cooperative shop together with a few others to go to a funeral ceremony. A group of people who came in a cab belonging to Kirindiwela police checked the people who were at that place. After some time, we saw a person got out of the cab. I well recognized that person was David. David got out of the cab and was seen walking a little further. Then a police officer who was there bludgeoned David’s backbone and lower back with…

The Supreme Court decided on July 19, 2022, to dismiss the fundamental rights petition filed by Mr. Philip Dissanayake, Executive Director of the Right to Life Human Rights Center, and Mr. Prasanga Fernando of the same organization against Mr. Deshabandu Tennakoon, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, other responsible police chiefs, the Minister of Public Security, and the Attorney General, without hearing. The petition was, in connection with the attacks that took place near the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s official residence on May 9, 2022, and the subsequent…