Public trust in government and police has eroded – SLCAT writes to IGP

The Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture says that when government authorities abuse power with arbitrary enforcement of the law against marginalised people in the society and In refusing to provide security to those people caused to erode public in state institute including government and police. They have stated this addressing IGP Mr. Wickramaratne in a letter titled as “preventing arbitrary detentions and deaths in custody”. The signatories of this letter are Anuradhapura Citizen’s Committee, Center for Policy Alternative, Centre for Human Rights and Development, Dabindu Collective, Human Rights Office Kandy,…

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Fears of a new wave of disappearances in Sri Lanka – Brito Fernando

A leading organization fighting against forced disappearances warns that the recent abduction of a social activist, carried out by a group clad in plain clothes during the night, could be the beginning of a new wave of disappearances in Sri Lanka Family members of Movement for Public Rights Protection (MPRP) Convenor Asela Sampath allege that a group of around 20 persons clad in plain clothes abducted Sampath at his residence on the night of 25 June without citing any reason whatsoever. The incident took place when the President was addressing…

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“21 Years Without Justice – A sister’s long journey to seeking justice” launched today. – K. Sanjeewa.

Sri Lanka is a criminal state. This story proves it. But we have to change this situation somehow. We have to fight continously… The person who is responsible for this murder is fugitive and is still at large even after 21 years. The case still pending in the Kalutara High Court under case number HC570/13 could be the longest criminal case in the world and still not come to an end. It’s been 21 years and case is still under investigation. What is the truth behind the torture case of…

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The International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture is Today!

Today, June 26, is International Day for the Support of Victims of Torture. This day is an annual international celebration by the United Nation. It is a day to speak out against the crime of torture and to honor and support victims as well as survivors around the world. The aim is to pay tribute to the victims of various forms of torture, and to dedicate a day to remembering and supporting the many victims of torture around the world. The UN General Assembly has declared today for two reasons,…

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“All relevant authorities shall take active measures to prevent torture” Chairman, HRCSL

In December 1997, The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 26th June as the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, to commemorate the historic day in 1987, in which the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the key international instrument against torture came into effect. It appeals to all member states to implement the Convention in full effect with the intention of eradicating torture in all its forms across the world. It also requests for support from all stakeholders, civil society and individuals to…

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A Statement by SLCAT on International Day in Support of Victims of Torture.

Today as we mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, we the undersigned express grave concern about the increasing use of torture in Sri Lanka. During the last year, we witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic cause unimaginable challenges to Sri Lankans. In this context of deep instability and uncertainty, Sri Lankan citizens have been made to feel more insecure through the increasing use of violence by the police. SLCAT recognizes at least 30 reported incidents of torture, 22 and 5 custodial and extra judicial deaths between the period…

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SRI LANKA: A Sister’s 20 Year Long Struggle For Justice For Her Brother Killed By The Police

On the universal day for torture victims, this year, a book will be launched by The Right to Life organization working in collaboration with the AHRC on a long standing case, which is continuing in courts, regarding a man who was killed extra-judicially, inside a Police station. The author of the book is Amitha Priyanthi, the younger sister of the deceased. When the death took place after her brother was kept at a police station for five days, she was just a school going girl. However, the shock of this…

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Hambantota police assault a father of two

Weerasekera Kamkanamge Tharuka Lakshan is a married and father of two, residing at No. 03, Nandamithra Village, Ballagaswewa Grama Niladhari Division, Hambantota. He runs a garage to make a living. Tamara Kaushalya, a resident of the same village, had lodged a complaint with the Hambantota Port Police alleging that she had been threatened and blamed by three persons including Tharuka Lakshan. According to the victims, it was a false complaint and the complainant who has violence personality and she is usually arguing with the majority of the residents of the…

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A suspect has died in police custody in Batticaloa

A suspect arrested by the Batticaloa Police has died in police custody yesterday (03). The deceased has been identified as Chandran Vidushan (21), a resident of Irudayampura, Batticaloa. He was arrested by the Batticaloa Police at night on 2nd June over a tip received by the Batticaloa Police that he was selling cannabis. According to Vidushan’s relatives, the police arrived at around 10.30 pm and searched the whole house while he was handcuffed and tied to a tree. Though nothing was found there, the police has arrested him and taken…

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Yakkalamulla police assault a man on the road…!

යක්කලමුල්ල පොලීසිය පොට පටලවාගෙන මහ මඟ සිටි අයෙකුට පහර දෙයි!…

A complaint has lodged to The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), against Yakkalamulla Police in Galle district with regarding case of arresting and assaulting a civilian. The victim is Koggala Wellalage Sisira Kumara, a resident of Hospital Road, Aluthwatta, Nakiyadeniya, in Galle.On 9th May, he has gone to Dimuthu pharmacy at Yakkalamulla Junction to buy some medicine at around 09.00 – 09.30 p.m . While he was there, he has heard the sound of exploding firecrackers near the Yakkalamulla junction, 30…

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