Tag: HumanRights

Sri Lanka’s Crackdown on Dissent Escalates – INFORM Report Highlights Alarming Human Rights Violations

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The INFORM Human Rights Documentation Center has released its December 2024 Suppression of Dissent Report, raising concerns over the growing repression of civil liberties, freedom of expression, and political activism in Sri Lanka. The report details state-led crackdowns on protests, media restrictions, and intensified surveillance on activists and civil society organizations. According to the report, security forces used excessive force against demonstrators, including the violent suppression of school development officers protesting for permanent jobs, where four protesters were arrested, and police officers were injured. In the Northern Province, Tamil activists…

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Basic Rights of a Person Under Arrest

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The Constitution’s Article 13(1) guarantees that no person shall be arrested except according to the procedure established by law. Article 13(2) stipulates that any person who is arrested must be informed of the reason for their arrest, and Article 13(3) ensures the right to consult with a lawyer after the arrest. A person under arrest has the right to inform a family member or a lawyer about their detention. If the person complains of mistreatment or shows signs of injury, they can request a medical examination. Furthermore, it is unconstitutional…

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11 youths were kidnapped and disappeared after ransom demands

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In 2008, 11 young men were abducted and disappeared from areas around Colombo. The abductors demanded ransom from the victims’ families. The main suspect arrested in connection with these abductions and disappearances was Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, a Navy sailor. Reports indicate that the abducted youth were held at Navy camps in Colombo and Trincomalee. Navy Commander Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda was reportedly fully aware of the detention of these 11 youth. According to Criminal Investigation Department investigations, they were held at locations where former Navy spokesperson D.K.P. Dassanayake and Commander…

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Inhumane beating of a suspect by Puttalam Police officers, accused of motorcycle theft

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On December 29th, around 6:30 PM, a neighbor called Ruwan Chamara while he was at his mother’s house. The neighbor informed him that police officers had arrived at his residence and were seeking him in connection with a motorcycle theft. The officers provided their contact number and asked to be contacted. Subsequently, a relative of Ruwan called the neighbor’s provided number, inquiring about the reason for his needed presence, and informed that they would visit the police station the next morning. On December 30th, at around 9:30 AM, while Ruwan…

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Police Brutality Alleged: Weligama Resident Beaten and Falsely Charged During Arrest

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A resident of Pitaduwa, Weligama, was allegedly subjected to violent arrest and false charges by Midigama Police. Janak Jeevan, a father of two, was with a friend on December 14th last year near his friend’s house when a police three-wheeler and motorcycle approached and stopped them. Fearing arrest due to not having identification, they attempted to flee. During the arrest, Janak claims: Six police officers were present They beat him inhumanely with iron rods on his feet and body His hands were tied with a wire While transporting him in…

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19-Year-Old Man Tortured with Chili Powder by Police

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A news report from the Godigama Telwatta area states that a person was assaulted by the police with chili powder applied to his entire body until he confessed to a theft. The victim, Sewwanda Diloshan, is a 19-year-old married individual who has been working at a private institution for over a year. On December 17th, he was arrested by the Thelikada Police at his workplace without informing the institution. He was arrested in connection with a shop theft, and after taking him into custody, the police applied chili powder to…

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“Prisoners Are Humans Too,” Magistrate Warns Prison Officials.

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Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued a stern warning to prison officials, emphasizing, “Prisoners are humans too,” after witnessing 40 detainees shackled together with a single chain and brought into the courtroom. The Magistrate criticized the inhumane treatment and instructed prison officers to refrain from treating prisoners like animals. “These are human beings, not animals,” Amarasena declared, addressing prison officers directly. His intervention highlighted growing concerns about prisoner dignity and human rights within Sri Lanka’s judicial system. The magistrate explicitly ordered prison officials to cease the practice of restraining suspects…

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Prison Torture Claims: 21-Year-Old Victim Reduced to Constant Falling After Brutal Beatings

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In the Mawatwewa area of Anuradhapura, a 21-year-old man named Indika Kumara was arrested on suspicion of sexually abusing a woman. During his time in prison, prison officers have been beating him daily and have even inserted a stick into his anal passage. After being released on bail and returning home, he has now been reduced to a state of constant leg paralysis, unable to walk and frequently falling down. Prior to his imprisonment, he had no pre-existing medical conditions, and according to doctors, this medical condition has arisen solely…

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

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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…

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Three Police Officers Suspended After Brutal Assault on Two Young Men

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A strong protest was recently held by local residents against the Pamunugama Police Station, opposing the cruel and inhumane assault on two young men who were detained without proper investigation regarding a gold chain theft. On the 24th, 24-year-old Nirash Madhushanka from Kapumgoda, Pamunugama, and 20-year-old Anton Dilshan from Seththapaduwa, Pamunugama, were assaulted by a group of Pamunugama police officers who arrived at their workplace. The officers arrested them and continued to beat them while en route to the police station and later at the Pamunugama Police Station while questioning…

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