Government of Sri Lanka

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

June 26, 2021June 27, 2021 Editor

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…

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…

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

June 22, 2021June 22, 2021 Editor

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…

BASL issued statement on circulation of fake news by Sri Lanka Police.

June 14, 2021June 14, 2021 Editor

The Executive Committee of the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has issued a statement that commenting on the recent media release titled “circulation of fake news, photographs, videos causing disunity, hate and obstructing the Covid-19 programme” by the Sri Lanka Police. “Whilst the BASL has no objection to enforcing laws relating to hate speech and incitement to violence, it is important to ensure that authorities do not use such laws to stifle genuine expressions of dissent and criticism” the BASL said. They further stated that, “The BASL is deeply…

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

June 11, 2021June 14, 2021 Editor

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,…

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

May 30, 2021May 31, 2021 Editor

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…

Yakkalamulla police assault a man on the road…!

May 28, 2021June 3, 2021 Editor

යක්කලමුල්ල පොලීසිය පොට පටලවාගෙන මහ මඟ සිටි අයෙකුට පහර දෙයි!…

A complaint has lodged to The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), against Yakkalamulla Police in Galle district with regarding case of arresting and assaulting a civilian. The victim is Koggala Wellalage Sisira Kumara, a resident of Hospital Road, Aluthwatta, Nakiyadeniya, in Galle.On 9th May, he has gone to Dimuthu pharmacy at Yakkalamulla Junction to buy some medicine at around 09.00 – 09.30 p.m . While he was there, he has heard the sound of exploding firecrackers near the Yakkalamulla junction, 30…

Covid -19 and the constitution

May 11, 2021 Editor

Basil Fernando Arundhati Roy, prominent writer and social activist in India has written several important articles in the recent few days on the problem of the spread of Covid and the vast numbers of deaths that are taking place in India. In an article written just a few days back, Arundhati Roy directly addresses the prime minister of India, Narendra Modi and points to the fact that the Covid crisis in India is a problem of governance in India. System of governance have failed and it is now threatening the…

“Don’t try to act macho”- Magistrate warns activist; Impartiality of the Magistrate questioned

May 10, 2021 Editor

Colombo Additional Magistrate Mrs. Rajindra Jayasuriya has reprimanded the youth who encouraged fellow citizens to honk vehicle horns in protest of stopping vehicles in order to let elite personnel pass. When the youth was produced in court, Mrs. Jayasuriya had told him to not to act macho. “Don’t try to act macho. Behaving like lunatics for everything,” she has said. Drivers, who were encouraged by the youth, objected by sounding vehicle horns protesting the stopping traffic on the main road by the police for a VIP convoy to pass following.…