Two Former Police Officers Sentenced to Death for 2005 Custodial Death in Peliyagoda

In a landmark verdict, the Colombo High Court has sentenced two former police officers, a Sub-Inspector, and a Police Constable attached to Peliyagoda Police Station, to death for their involvement in the brutal assault and subsequent death of a 52-year-old suspect while in custody in 2005. The trial, which spanned over 18 years, concluded today as Colombo High Court Judge Navaratne Marasinghe delivered the judgment. The victim, a person suspected of stealing a mobile phone from the residence of a police officer, was unlawfully detained and subjected to severe physical…

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Controversial Appointment of Inspector General of Police Sparks Outcry from Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture

In a scathing media statement released today, the Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture voiced its vehement condemnation of the recent appointment of Mr. Deshbandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police. The collective, comprised of concerned citizens and organizations, expressed strong objections to President’s decision, citing serious concerns about democratic principles and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. Mr. Tennakoon’s appointment has stirred controversy due to his past involvement in a case where the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka found him to have violated a fundamental right – the…

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“International Rights Groups and Civil Society Reject Sri Lanka’s Latest Truth Commission Amidst Ongoing Concerns Over Accountability”

In a joint statement issued by four prominent international rights groups – the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP), World Alliance for Nature (WAN), Freedom of Dissent (FOD), and the Center for Human Rights and Democracy (CHRD) – serious reservations were raised regarding the establishment of yet another government commission in Sri Lanka. The Truth, Unity, and Reconciliation Commission, announced by the Sri Lankan government, has sparked controversy as victims of human rights violations express frustration over the lack of accountability in previous inquiries. The statement emphasizes that Sri Lankan…

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Widow of Carpenter Slain in Narammala Police Shooting Files Rs. 200 Million Compensation Petition

In a significant development following the Narammala police shooting incident, the widow of the deceased carpenter, Roshan Kumarasiri, has filed a Fundamental Rights petition before the Supreme Court. Seeking compensation of Rs. 200 million from the involved police officers, including Acting IGP Deshabandu Tennakoon, the petitioner, Kamani Rupika Priyangani, alleges arbitrary and abusive exercise of power by the law enforcement officials. The tragic incident unfolded as Sub Inspector Gunawardena, on duty in plain clothes, fatally shot Roshan Kumarasiri on his way home from work. In the filed petition, Priyangani recounts…

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Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) Addresses Human Rights Concerns in Recent Meeting

The Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) convened on 13th February to discuss critical issues pertaining to human rights violations, focusing on the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and the Yukthiya anti-drugs operation. SLCAT, established in 2009, comprises 27 organizations collaborating to eliminate torture in Sri Lanka. During the meeting, Philip Dissanayake, a representative of SLCAT, highlighted the organization’s commitment to evaluating the human rights situation in Sri Lanka, particularly in relation to torture, and publishing a comprehensive report this year. The discussion extensively covered concerns about the PTA and…

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Family Demands Thorough Investigation into Govindhasami Krishnakumar’s Untimely Demise

In a shocking turn of events, the demise of businessman Govindhasami Krishnakumar while in custody has sparked a series of unanswered questions and raised concerns about the circumstances leading to his arrest and subsequent tragic end. Dhanapalan Sivashankar, the brother of the deceased, filed a formal complaint, expressing deep distress over the sequence of events that unfolded. Krishnakumar, a businessman from the Ragala region, faced financial challenges due to the economic downturn exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Legal proceedings were initiated against him by a businessman from Negombo, leading to…

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Investigation Launched into Death of 22-Year-Old Drug Suspect in Sri Lankan Police Custody

The Sri Lanka Police have initiated a thorough investigation into the death of a 22-year-old suspect who passed away while in police custody on Tuesday, January 30th. The deceased, a known drug user, was apprehended by the Anuradhapura Range Criminal Investigation Division, and the case is being led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. According to a senior police official, the suspect fell critically ill while detained in a police cell and was subsequently transferred to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, where he later succumbed to his condition. The cause of…

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UN Experts Alarmed by Sri Lanka’s Heavy-Handed Drug Response, Call for Immediate Suspension of Operation ‘Yukthiya’

Geneva, 22 January 2024 – United Nations experts have raised serious concerns over Sri Lanka’s aggressive security-driven approach to combat drug-related issues, urging authorities to suspend and review Operation ‘Yukthiya’ immediately. The experts emphasized the need for a shift towards policies centered on health and human rights, condemning the reported arbitrary arrests and ill-treatment of thousands of drug offenders from marginalized groups. In a joint statement, the UN experts underscored the fundamental human rights of drug users, asserting that they deserve to lead lives free from discrimination and stigmatization. The…

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Tragic Shooting Incident Unfolds in Dampelessa: Driver Killed in Police Gunfire

  In a distressing turn of events, a man lost his life in Dampelessa, Narammala, as a result of police gunfire on the evening of January 18. According to Police Media Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa, the incident transpired when a group of police officers pursued a lorry whose driver failed to comply with a signal to stop at a police checkpoint in the Dampelessa area. After a brief chase, the police successfully intercepted the lorry and initiated an inspection of the vehicle. Unfortunately, during the inspection process, an inadvertent discharge…

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Human Rights Organizations Condemn Sri Lanka’s Anti-Drug Operation “Yukthiya”

A coalition of prominent international human rights organizations has raised alarms over the intensification of anti-drug operations in Sri Lanka, citing significant human rights violations and urging the government to immediately cease the controversial operation named “Yukthiya.” In a joint statement, the organizations expressed deep concern about the reported violations, including arbitrary arrests, invasive searches, and the involvement of the armed forces in the operation. The operation, spearheaded by Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennekoon on December 17, 2023, has drawn widespread criticism for its severe impact on individuals…

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