Category: News

Colombo Court Issues Notice to Dematagoda Police OIC Over Alleged Torture Incident

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The Colombo Additional Magistrate’s Court has issued a notice to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Dematagoda Police following allegations of detaining, stripping, and brutally assaulting an individual. The complaint, brought to the court’s attention by the victim’s legal counsel, alleges that a three-wheeler driver was detained for seven days without being produced in court. During his detention, he was reportedly stripped naked and subjected to severe physical abuse by police officers. According to the victim’s lawyer, the incident began on January 2 when the driver was summoned to Dematagoda for…

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HRCSL Addresses Social Media Harassment of Women in Report to UN Committee

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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has raised critical concerns about the harassment and abuse faced by women on social media platforms. This issue was a focal point in the Parallel Report submitted by the HRCSL to the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) on January 6, 2025. As a signatory to the CEDAW Convention, Sri Lanka is obligated to safeguard women from all forms of violence, including digital abuse. The HRCSL’s report highlighted the increasing prevalence of online harassment, particularly targeting women…

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Petition Filed Seeking Legal Action in 2020 Mahara Prison Riot Deaths

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A petition has been submitted to the Court of Appeal, urging the resumption of legal proceedings concerning the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison riots. The petition also seeks directives for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and other relevant authorities to take further action. This legal move follows a letter from the Attorney General’s (AG) Department to the CID, describing the incident as an act of self-defense by the police under Section 77 of the Prisons Ordinance. The AG’s Department had subsequently indicated its intention to close…

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HRCSL Marks Human Rights Day 2024 with Four Key Publications

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Colombo, December 10, 2024 – The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) celebrated International Human Rights Day at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) with the theme “Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now.” The event emphasized the need for immediate action on human rights challenges to build a more sustainable and inclusive future. A key highlight of the event was the launch of four significant publications, underscoring HRCSL’s commitment to advancing human rights in Sri Lanka. Overview of the Publications Guidelines and Recommendations Two dedicated documents provide actionable…

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Controversy Over Attorney General’s Move to Close Mahara Prison Case

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Welisara Magistrate Thusitha Dhammika Uduwavidana expressed surprise yesterday over the Attorney General’s decision to close the case file concerning the deaths of 11 inmates during the 2020 Mahara Prison unrest. The Magistrate raised concerns about the decision during a hearing at the Welisara Magistrate’s Court, noting that the Attorney General had previously assured the Court of Appeal that indictments against the officials implicated in the incident would be filed within three months. Prominent attorney and rights advocate, Senaka Perera, highlighted the seriousness of the Attorney General’s directive to halt further…

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Supreme Court to Hear Women’s Rights Violation Petition

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The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a fundamental rights petition filed by a group, including Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya, alleging police misconduct during a peaceful protest in Polduwa in 2023. The petition accuses former Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon and several officers of violating the rights of women from the National People’s Power during the protest. The case will be heard by a bench comprising Justices Yasantha Kodagoda, Achala Wengappuli, and Priyantha Fernando. The respondents include Deshabandu Tennakoon, Officers-in-Charge (OICs) of the Welikada, Thalangama, and Mirihana…

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Disabled Prisoner Hospitalized After Assault by Prison Guard

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A disabled prisoner has been hospitalized following an alleged assault by a prison guard at the Weerawila Open Prison Camp. The prisoner, W.A. Nishan Sanjeewa Hetti Arachchi, a resident of Badalgama, Katukenda, was arrested by the Mattakkuliya Police on October 22, 2024, for possession of 200 milligrams of heroin. On October 23, 2024, the Mattakkuliya Court imposed a fine of Rs. 7,000 on him. Unable to pay the fine, he was sentenced to six months in prison and sent to Welikada Prison, from where he was transferred to the Weerawila…

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16-year-old student dies months after assault by teachers

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A 16-year-old girl from a well-known school in Wennappuwa has passed away following a serious head injury, allegedly caused by two teachers. She had been in the hospital for over three months before she died on November 13 while receiving treatment at the Ragama Teaching Hospital. The post-mortem examination confirmed that the student died from brain bleeding caused by the assault. The incident occurred on August 9 when the teachers punished the student and another classmate for taking over 20 minutes to return to the classroom. The teachers reportedly hit…

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An In-Depth Analysis of Violence Against Children in Sri Lanka: August 2024

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  Child abuse remains a critical issue in Sri Lanka, as highlighted by ECPAT Sri Lanka’s media monitoring report for August 2024. This analysis provides a sobering insight into the various forms of violence affecting children and underscores the pervasive nature of the problem. Overview of Reported Incidents In August 2024, 94 incidents involving 108 victims of child abuse were reported through media coverage. These cases span diverse forms of abuse, each with significant impacts on children’s well-being. Types of Abuse Sexual Abuse: The most reported category, with 41 incidents…

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Decade-Long Fight for Justice: Family of Nimal Chandrasiri Wins Compensation After Police Custody Death

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In a tragic case dating back to April 2012, Nimal Chandrasiri, a fisherman from Thalpitiya, Wadduwa, faced a brutal fate while in police custody. Arrested under suspicious circumstances, he was found in severe pain in the Wadduwa police cell. Despite pleas from his family for medical help, police officers dismissed his agony as mere pretense. Hours later, Chandrasiri was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The case, shrouded in allegations of police brutality, faced prolonged delays, leaving his family in search of justice for over a decade.…

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