police torture

Allegations of Police Brutality in Weerawila

April 11 – A serious incident of alleged police brutality involving officers attached to the Weerawila Police Station has raised significant concerns over the abuse of power and violation of fundamental rights. According to reports, the incident occurred on the night of April 11, when a group of young men from Tissamaharama were returning home after attending a musical event in Weerawila. The group was traveling in a safari jeep when they were stopped by police officers for inspection. The police alleged that the driver was under the influence of…

A woman from the Habaraduwa area alleges that the Habaraduwa Police are committing inhumane assaults, false cases and threats against her family. She states that after filing a fundamental rights case against the Habaraduwa Police under the number SCFR/01/25 in January 2025, the police pressured her to withdraw the case in various ways. She also states that after rejecting those demands, her family has been facing threats and harassment. Accordingly, on March 17, 2026, she alleges that several police officers not wearing uniforms entered her house from behind, arrested the…

Kobeigane, Sri Lanka — Serious allegations of police brutality have emerged from the Kobeigane area, where a local mason, Pradeep Kumara, was reportedly subjected to inhumane treatment during a police investigation into a theft. According to reports, the incident began after homeowners lodged a complaint regarding the theft of gold items from their residence. Mr. Kumara, who had reportedly visited the house on a previous occasion for work, was asked to appear at the police station to assist with the investigation. Demonstrating willingness to cooperate, he voluntarily presented himself to…

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…

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…

Serious allegations have been leveled against officers of the Yakkalamulla Police Station following claims that they physically and mentally abused a fully disabled man during an alleged attempt to frame him for producing and distributing illegal alcohol. The victim, Eriyana Bandara Indika Prabath, a 36-year-old resident of Mbivitawatta, Magedara in Galle, has been paralyzed from the waist down since a life-changing accident in 2020. Confined to a wheelchair and cared for by his elderly mother and brother, Indika now accuses police officers of conducting an illegal search of his home…

A disturbing incident of police brutality has been reported from Darga town, Aluthgama, where a man riding a motorcycle was allegedly assaulted and injured by officers from the Aluthgama Police. The victim, Thirimadura Thilak Wasanna Kumara de Zoysa, had hosted a political meeting at his residence on April 19 at around 5 p.m. Later that evening, he went to a nearby shop with his brother, and he was not wearing a helmet. On their return, a police cab arrived, prompting Wasantha to stop the motorcycle and dismount. According to eyewitness…

On August 16th, 31-year-old Udesh Madhushanka, a resident of the Ja-Ela Tudella area, was falsely arrested by the Ja-Ela Police. The arrest was made in connection with an incident that occurred on August 14th, when Udesh was taken to a house that had allegedly been broken into by thieves, based on false information provided by an individual. He was later handed over to the Ja-Ela Police. When Udesh’s mother visited the Ja-Ela Police Station on August 19th, Udesh informed her that he had been tortured. He claimed that the police…

Tag: police torture

Allegations of Police Brutality in Weerawila

Police Brutality Allegations Reported in Habaraduwa

Allegations of Police Assault in Kobeigane Spark Calls for Justice

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

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

Physically Disabled Man Allegedly Assaulted by Yakkalamulla Police.

Brutal Assault by Aluthgama Police

The Wattala police, who tortured a person in custody on a false charge, also ignored the court’s order to hospitalise him.