November 21, 2023

Tamil Youth Dies in Custody Amid Allegations of Police Torture; Family Points to Human Rights Commission Inaction

November 21, 2023 editor

In a tragic incident that has raised serious concerns about police conduct and human rights in Sri Lanka, a 26-year-old Tamil youth, Nagarasa Alex, was found dead in police custody on Sunday, November 19. Alex, hailing from the war-affected north of Sri Lanka, had been arrested by the police in Vaddukoddai on November 8 on charges related to burglary. The family of the deceased alleges that Alex was subjected to severe torture during his time in custody, and they believe that timely intervention by the country’s Human Rights Commission could…

Ramzy Razeek’s Unlawful Arrest Declared, State Ordered to Compensate and Officials Penalized

November 21, 2023November 21, 2023 editor

On November 14th, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling, declaring that the arrest of Ramzy Razeek in April 2020, under the ICCPR Act, infringed upon his Fundamental Rights. Consequently, the State has been directed to compensate him with Rs 1 million. In a noteworthy move, Chief Inspector B.M.A.S.K. Senaratne, the first respondent, and former CID Director DIG W. Thilakaratne, the second respondent, have been personally instructed to pay Rs 30,000 to the petitioner, Mr. Razeek, within one month from their own funds. Moreover, the Supreme Court has mandated the…