Stories

“Human Rights Day Focuses on Torture Prevention and Legal Reforms to Uphold Justice in Sri Lanka”

December 11, 2024 Editor

On December 11, 2024, the Right to Life Human Rights Center celebrated International Human Rights Day with an impactful event themed “ CHANGE TO PROTECTION HUMAN RIGHTS” at BMICH TULIP Hall. The discussions highlighted critical issues like gender inequality, economic struggles, legal reforms, and transitional justice. With inspiring speakers, engaging discussions, and empowering moments like the book launches, we came together to advocate for a more just and equitable future for Sri Lanka. The commemorative gathering featured prominent human rights advocates and professionals who delivered insightful speeches, highlighting the importance…

Repealing Terror Act and Expanding Prisoner Rights: A Vision for Justice

December 11, 2024December 11, 2024 Editor

Alleged Police Misconduct: A Shocking Incident of Violence and Threats in Kalabada

December 9, 2024December 10, 2024 Editor

On November 21, 2024, around 7 PM, a person attended a party at a friend’s house in his area. After the party ended and everyone dispersed, a personal confrontation occurred between him and his friend. During this confrontation, the friend came with a machete intending to attack him. Madushaan took the machete and was walking home on the Kalabada Road when a person suddenly appeared in front of him, claiming to be from the police. Madushaan dropped the machete in his hand and raised his hands, at which point the…

Scrap Metal Collector Alleges Police Brutality in Bangama: Arrest, Assault, and Controversial Detention

December 5, 2024December 10, 2024 Editor

Chinthaka Prasad Abethunga, a scrap metal collector from Bangama, Akuressa, was reportedly arrested on November 25 while returning from work. According to his family, he was taken to the Bangama Police Station by three officers in a police jeep, with his wife later being informed that the arrest was related to a traffic case. On the morning of November 26, around 7:30 a.m., his wife and mother visited the police station to check on him. She claims to have witnessed the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) lying on her husband’s body as he…

BASL calls for the introduction of the 21st Amendment & a national unity govt

April 25, 2022April 25, 2022 Editor

At a special meeting of the Bar Council to discuss the BASL proposals to restore economic and political stability in Sri Lanka, thirteen proposals were approved unanimously by the Bar Council consisting of representatives of the branches from throughout Sri Lanka. The proposals include: The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) (23) issued a release highlighting a number of proposals to restore political and economic stability in the country. 1. Passing of the 21st amendment repealing the 20th amendment. The 21st amendment should improve on the 19th amendment. It will…

Open Letter to the Protesters – Prof. Indrawansa de Silva

April 25, 2022 Editor

Congratulations, you made history! And you won an early battle. You made history because there hasn’t been a mass protest like yours in recent Sri Lankan history. It is also historical because your protest is not organized by a political party, a charismatic leader or an identified entity, although, as you know by now, many parties, individuals and wizards behind virtual curtains are claiming at least the partial, if not entire, ownership of it. As the saying goes, success has many fathers and failure is an orphan. If, heaven forbid,…

TID officers said I’m a terrorist because I didn’t own Buddhist books: Ahnaf Jazeem

January 20, 2022 Editor

Former PTA detainee poet : says they threatened to detain him for 20 years if he did not sign a confession Ahnaf Jazeem, a poet and teacher from the East of Sri Lanka, was arrested in May 2020 under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 48 of 1979 (PTA). Initially arrested in connection to his Tamil-language poetry anthology, titled Navarasam, which the authorities alleged to be promoting “extremist” ideologies, Jazeem was finally granted bail on 15 December, after over a year in prison. Speaking to the media for…

Recent Police Atrocities Under Militarization in North and East Sri-Lanka

September 11, 2021 Editor

Militarized violence against civilians in North and East of Sri-Lanka has increased in the recent past. Sri-Lanka brief has also published some of the cases related to torture against fishers by the Sri-Lanka navy. Military involvement and its control in civil administration in North and East is nothing new and along with the Covid-19 pandemic military has gained more power to control the civil life. Further, militarization has given power to police and men attached to intelligence to act unlawfully and to commit various forms of violence against civilians of…

Sri Lanka government supports torture by opposing preventive law – Basil Fernando

September 3, 2021 Editor

An amendment to the Code of Criminal Procedure allowing the Magistrates to visit places of detention has been turned into a political issue by a section of the government and by some extreme nationalist elements. What this means is that the opposition to the amendment is supporting the continuous practice of torture in Sri Lanka. Torture is considered in international law as one of the most heinous crimes; it is also considered a serious crime in the Sri Lankan law through the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or…

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

June 26, 2021June 27, 2021 Editor

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…