Author: editor

The Gampaha High Court Trial-at-Bar has acquitted four Sri Lanka Army personnel implicated in the Rathupaswala shooting incident, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals during a protest in 2013. The verdict, delivered over 11 years after the tragic event, was issued by a panel of High Court Judges—Nimal Ranaweera, Nishantha Hapuarachchi, and Sahan Mapa. The acquitted individuals include an Army officer and three soldiers. The incident occurred on August 1, 2013, in the Weliweriya area of Rathupaswala, Gampaha, when villagers were protesting against a factory accused of contaminating…

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Melsiripura police have arrested two individuals, including a school student, on charges of stealing an air rifle and a mobile phone from a house. The student claims he was subjected to police brutality during the arrest. According to the student, he was the only one taken to the police station by three officers, who allegedly handcuffed and beat him while being transported in a police tricycle. The other two arrested individuals were not punished, the student reported. The student also stated that the police demanded all three pay 22,000 rupees…

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On May 17, 2024, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued a landmark order requiring former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake to testify regarding the controversial presidential pardon granted to Ratnayake. This case, involving the 2000 killing of eight civilians, including a child, in Mirusuvil, Jaffna, marks a significant moment in Sri Lanka’s pursuit of transitional justice. The court’s directive mandates that Gotabaya Rajapaksa, who issued the pardon during his presidency, must explain his rationale for the decision. Concurrently, Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake has been ordered to provide…

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Three children in Wijayakatupotha village were allegedly subjected to excessive corporal punishment while in police custody, according to reports. The children were apprehended by officers from the Arachchikattuwa Police’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with a reported theft. The allegations detail that the children were not only beaten but also stripped naked and filmed during their detention. The parents, upon consulting with a lawyer, filed a complaint with the Child Protection Authority and notified the Halawatha Division Children and Women’s Bureau. The children were granted bail after a lawyer…

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In a shocking turn of events, two women were arrested by the Sampur police in Trincomalee’s Sampur area for the act of serving Mullivaikalkanji, a traditional porridge, defying a court order. The Muthur Magistrate had issued a strict ban on the distribution of food, including porridge, and prohibited public gatherings in places like schools and temples. Despite this, the women decided to continue their charitable act of serving porridge to those in need. The police, acting on the court order, visited the homes of the women late at night. They…

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    A chisel worker was hurt in a dispute at the Adamban Mosque in the Bitti Neduvarambu neighborhood. The incident led to the worker being taken to Mannar District General Hospital for care. The police stopped the worker while he was working in the area and asked him questions. They were looking into claims that he was involved in selling wild meat. Later, there was an argument between the worker and someone else about the investigation. The other person told the police, who then searched the worker’s home. They…

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    In a landmark ruling, justice has finally been served for Hemasiri, who endured appalling treatment at the hands of law enforcement officials over a decade ago. The incident traces back to December 19, 2009, when Hemasiri, accompanied by fellow opposition party members, was present in Hakmana town. Encountering posters advertising an upcoming opposition gathering, the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Hakmana Police Station approached Hemasiri and his companions. Despite their attempts to clarify the purpose of the posters, the OIC responded with verbal abuse and forcibly ushered them…

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Public Security Minister Tiran Alles and the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) are embroiled in a heated dispute following controversial remarks made by Alles to a group of Police officers. The BASL has called for Alles’ removal, accusing him of endorsing extrajudicial killings. In a statement, the BASL criticized Alles for his consistent pattern of reckless and misleading comments, demanding corrective action. Alles sparked outrage by reportedly stating, “Eliminating criminals is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing and…

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At their council session on April 27th, 2024, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka strongly condemned a recent statement made at the Katukurunda STF training camp’s passing out parade, which has garnered significant attention across various media platforms. According to reports, the Minister asserted, ‘Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you.‘ Expressing deep concern, the BASL found this statement to be in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles outlined…

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In a landmark ruling, the Anuradhapura High Court on Friday sentenced five police officers to death for their roles in the murder of eight Tamil civilians in the village of Bharathipuram, Kantale, in 1996. High Court Judge Manoj Thalgodapitiya delivered the verdict after a prolonged legal battle that spanned nearly three decades. The convicted officers, who were stationed at the Bharathipuram police post at the time of the incident, included Constable Chandrathna Banadara, Constable Nimal Premasiri Konara, Inspector R.M. Ranaraja Bandara, Sub Inspector Y.L. Somaratne, and Constable Senarath Bandara Medawela.…

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