human rights in Sri Lanka

Calls for Justice as Kandana Police Accused of Torture and Illegal Detention

Colombo, October 3 – Justice Demanded for Alleged Torture and Illegal Detention by Kandana Police Colombo. Serious allegations have emerged against the Kandana Police for violating basic rights, raising urgent calls for accountability. This not only violated the basic rights of the individual and criminal laws, but also ignored the recommendations from the Hon. Supreme Court and the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, as well as the circulars issued by the Inspector General of Police. Thilina Chanaka Fernando, 34, a resident of Suduwella, Ja-Ela, was reportedly unlawfully arrested…

The Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to take quick action against police officers found guilty by the Supreme Court of violating fundamental rights. This includes the torture of a child. On World Children’s Day, SLCAT sent a letter calling for the immediate removal of the officers involved in the Supreme Court case SC/FR/87/2023. The Court determined that the former Acting Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Hatharaliyadda Police Station was responsible for the unlawful arrest, torture, and detention of a 16-year-old boy. SLCAT emphasized that…

Seventeen years after the brutal torture of 14-year-old schoolboy Buddhi Ewantha Gunasekara from Eranawila, Mitiyagoda, the Balapitiya High Court yesterday (11) handed down long-awaited sentences to four accused, including senior police officers and a civil guard. The tragic case dates back to March 7, 2008, when Buddhi, then a Grade 9 student, was arrested on allegations of stealing money from a neighbor’s house. He was taken into custody by Sub-Inspector Saman Palitha Athukorala and Civil Guard Lalith de Zoysa, based on a complaint lodged with the Mitiyagoda Police. Soon after,…

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…

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…

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…

Prior information had been received that attempts are underway to kill Hewalunuwilage Lasantha alias ‘Tinkar Lasantha’ while in Police custody, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) revealed today. Lasantha, who is the chief suspect wanted over the murder of underworld figure ‘Sunshine Suddha’ was killed in a shootout with the Police this morning while being escorted to recover hidden weapons. Issuing a statement, the BASL said the President of the Association had informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) via email and text message in this regard, and yet…

Senaka Perera, Attorney-at-Law, Chairman of the Committee to Protect the Rights of Prisoners, says that despite the slogan ‘Prisoners are human beings’, law enforcement officials themselves have a low opinion of prisoners / suspects. He said that there are 28 prisons in Sri Lanka and there are about 25,000 suspects and prisoners in them at present and they are not treated as human beings in prisons in any way. He pointed out that although there have been a number of murders in prisons so far, there is still no culprit, citing…

Tag: human rights in Sri Lanka

Calls for Justice as Kandana Police Accused of Torture and Illegal Detention

SLCAT Urges President to Dismiss Police Officers Involved in Torture of Minor

Balapitiya Court Delivers Verdict After 17 Year Long Torture Case Involving 14 Year Old Schoolboy

Tangalle Fisherman Assaulted by Police After Refusing to Apologize to Neighbor

Public Dialogue Highlights Delays in Justice and Anti-Torture Mechanisms in Sri Lanka

30 Years of the Torture Act: R2L’s Call for Reform Featured in Daily Mirror

Supreme Court Orders Thambuttegama Police Officers to Personally Pay Rs. 1.2 Million to Assault Victim

BASL reveals attempts were taken to stop Police killing suspect in custody

Police Torture | “One who lives with Dhamma is protected by the Dhamma”