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Kantale School Principal Accused of Brutally Assaulting Ninth Grade Students

An incident has been reported from Kantale, where the principal of Agrabodhi Vidyalaya allegedly brutally assaulted several Grade 9 students for eating their meals outside the classroom. The incident occurred on July 28. According to reports, a student named Nisel Nekawiru had brought his breakfast to school in a lunch sheet. His class teacher later called his mother, informing her that the principal had objected to this and asked her to come to school. The teacher advised the mother not to send food in a lunch sheet in the future,…

A fisherman from Rekawa East, Tangalle, has accused police officers of assaulting him after he refused to bow down and apologize to a neighbor during a dispute. The victim, identified as Koku Hannedige Prabath Priyantha, a resident of Pokunu Goda, Netolpitiya, Rekawa East, alleges that on August 2, three officers from the Hungama Police Station forcibly entered his home, dragged him outside, and demanded that he apologize to a neighboring woman in public. When he refused, the officers allegedly beat him with a stick, causing injuries to his leg and…

Chandradasa Ranasinghe, a young law student and activist from Weerapane, Opatha, Matara, remains one of the many who disappeared during the turbulent period of 1989 in Sri Lanka. At the time of his disappearance, he was just 23 years old and in his first year of studies at the Open University. Ranasinghe was not only a student but also a committed political activist. In 1988, he contested the first Provincial Council election from the Matara District for the Southern Provincial Council under the banner of the United Socialist Party…

A shocking incident has been reported from Ranajayapura Maha Vidyalaya, Anuradhapura, where a Grade Seven student was allegedly assaulted by the school principal. The victim, identified as D. M. Ravindu Sathsara, was among three students summoned to the principal’s office on June 24 over an issue that had arisen about a school educational trip. Without conducting any inquiry, the principal allegedly assaulted all three students. According to reports, the principal struck Ravindu on the head and near his spinal cord before forcing the students to kneel in the sun…

25-year struggle for justice in the Lasantha Jagath Kumara case reveals systemic failings A public discussion titled “Delays in Sri Lanka’s Justice System and the Functioning of Anti-Torture Mechanisms” was held on July 15, 2015, at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute in Colombo, drawing attention to longstanding issues within Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system. The event featured several prominent legal professionals, activists, and scholars. One of the key cases highlighted during the event was Sriyani Silva vs. Iddamalgoda, described as a landmark judgment in Sri Lankan legal history, particularly in the recognition of the right to life by the judiciary.…

In a significant show of media recognition, the Daily Mirror has featured a detailed article highlighting the efforts of the Right to Life Human Rights Centre (R2L) in raising awareness on torture in Sri Lanka, coinciding with the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26. The article titled “In support of tortured victims – Realities of torture in Sri Lanka” sheds light on the alarming increase in torture complaints and the lack of effective implementation of Sri Lanka’s anti-torture laws, while placing a spotlight on the…

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has revealed that 79 individuals have died in police custody or in incidents following arrest between 2020 and March 2025, according to complaints received by the Commission. In an inquiry conducted by Anidda newspaper journalist Lasantha Ruhunage, HRCSL Commissioner and Attorney-at-Law Nimal G. Punchihewa confirmed that 49 of the reported deaths occurred directly while in police custody. A further 30 individuals reportedly died in incidents following arrest, such as during alleged attempts to retrieve hidden weapons or in other post-arrest operations involving…

In a landmark judgment that reinforces the importance of accountability in law enforcement, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ordered six police officers attached to the Thambuttegama Police to pay Rs. 1.2 million in compensation to a youth who was brutally assaulted during a protest in 2012. The compensation must be paid personally by the officers, marking a rare instance where law enforcement officials have been held individually liable for the violation of fundamental rights. The Court also instructed the Attorney General to examine the possibility of initiating criminal…

Serious concerns have emerged following the death of a remand prisoner, who was in custody at the Angunukolapelessa Prison after being charged with contempt of court for possessing a mobile phone. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Weerasekara Arachchige Asanka Indunil, a married father of one from New Town, Embilipitiya. According to family members, Asanka had visited the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s Court on April 30, 2025, to post bail for a friend involved in a traffic-related case. During court proceedings, his mobile phone reportedly rang, leading to his immediate arrest…

The Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the evidentiary hearing into the controversial death of 26-year-old Sathsara Nimesh, who allegedly died after being assaulted while in police custody, commence on May 16. The directive was issued today by Colombo Additional Magistrate Manjula Ratnayake, following a formal request from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which is currently conducting investigations into the incident. According to submissions made by CID officials, Nimesh’s body was exhumed on April 23 in accordance with a court order, and a three-member medical board conducted a fresh post-mortem…

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Kantale School Principal Accused of Brutally Assaulting Ninth Grade Students

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