crisis

Elderly Woman Allegedly Assaulted by Police While Trying to Protect Son-in-law

September 13, 2023September 13, 2023 editor

Matugama, Sri Lanka – September 10, 2023: In a shocking incident that unfolded on the evening of September 7, 2023, a 65-year-old woman named Kusumavati, residing in Karanpatara Navuttuduwa, Matugama, was allegedly assaulted by police officers while attempting to protect her son-in-law, Asanka Suresh, aged 27, from being taken into custody. According to reports, Asanka Suresh, who works in a nearby tea estate, was on his way home from work when he was apprehended by two police inspectors, Chandima and Sadaruwan, both from the Matugama police force. Asanka…

Rupavahini Incident: Unanswered Questions

February 24, 2021March 31, 2021 Editor

In a separate article, I reported a recently delivered judgment by the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka regarding an arbitrary termination of broadcast by the Rupavahini Corporation in 2008. The purpose of this article is not to recapture the findings of that judgment but to go into some of the factual information reconfirmed by the judgment. A Rupavahini Program invited three panelists to discuss some matters of public interest, relating to a gazetted notification. It announced some new regulations relating to broadcasting. While the panel discussion was going on, the…

A NATION IS NOT MERELY TERRITORY OR AN IDEOLOGY BUT A COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS

October 10, 2019March 31, 2021 Editor

Legalistically speaking, a nation is a people living together in a particular geographical region. But legal definitions do not create a nation. The meaning of nation is far deeper than any legal definition of it. Often politicians define a nation in terms of ideologies. For example, if a nation at a given time adopts the ideology of Communism, it is called a communist nation. If the ideology adopted is Capitalism it is called a capitalist nation. If the nation adopts a Fascist’s ideology it will be called a fascist nation.…

How the poor pay for the national debt and for corruption?

September 5, 2019March 31, 2021 Editor

he one of the most frequent practices in the public hospitals now is that patients have to pay for everything. For example, a patient undergoing an operation has to buy everything from outside shops, even the plaster that is used to cover the wound caused by the operation. This explains to the extent to which public health system has become privatized to the great disadvantage of the poorest section of the Sri Lankan society. Virtually, many other things such as the needle used for the operation and most of the…

Debate on restoring security is diverted to suit political ends

May 23, 2019March 31, 2021 Editor

Late Mr. Tarzie Vittachithe, winner of many prestigious awards for journalism, had a favourite saying that, “Everything is about something else”. In a similar manner, the parliamentary discussion on two no-confidence motions is also clearly about other issues, rather than the brutal carnage that took place on Easter Sunday and the causes thereof. The government is looking at these motions to prevent its fall from power, while the opposition is looking at them with the view to topple the government from power. No one is debating the factors that led…

Facing not merely a security problem but also an acute constitutional crisis

May 13, 2019March 31, 2021 Editor

Although there was a two day parliamentary debate held to discuss the Easter Sunday carnage caused by the bombs that were exploded in three churches and several tourist hotels, no consensus has yet emerged as to the primary causes that led to the complete breakdown of the security situation and such an abject failure on the part of the state to protect the lives of the people. If there is to be a solution to such colossal failures, there has to be a consensus in the political establishment, as well…

Facing not merely a security problem but also an acute constitutional crisis

May 13, 2019March 31, 2021 Editor

INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS’ SUBMISSION TO THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF SRI LANKA 2017.

November 5, 2017March 18, 2021 Editor

SUBMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS TO THE UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW OF SRI LANKA ”Composed of 60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world, the International Commission of Jurists promotes and protects human rights through the Rule of Law, by using its unique legal expertise to develop and strengthen national and international justice systems. Established in 1952, in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council since 1957, and active on the five continents, the ICJ aims to ensure the progressive development and effective implementation…

Report of the Special Rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, Juan E. Méndez A/HRC/19/61/Add.3

March 1, 2012March 29, 2021 editor

This document contains information provided by States, and other stakeholders, including National Human Rights Institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), relating to the follow-up measures to the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur and his predecessors made after conducting country visits. In paragraph 5 d) of its resolution 16/23 on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment of March 2011, the Human Rights Council urged States ―To ensure appropriate follow-up to the recommendations and conclusions of the Special Rapporteur.‖ The report submitted to the fifty-ninth session of the Commission…