police torture

Deadly Unrest at Negombo Prison Highlights Urgent Need for Prison Reforms and Accountability

July 08 – A violent unrest that erupted at the Negombo Prison on July 5 and 6 has resulted in one of the deadliest prison incidents recorded in Sri Lanka, leaving 27 people dead and 104 others injured. According to prison authorities, the unrest initially broke out on July 5 following a confrontation between two groups of inmates, many of whom were reportedly being held in connection with drug-related offences. Thirty-five inmates injured during the initial clash were admitted to hospital, while two inmates died. By the evening, authorities stated…

July 02 – COLOMBO, SRI LANKA The Right to Life (R2L) Human Rights Centre, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT), hosted a vital stakeholder consultation and policy dialogue at Hotel Ramada, Colombo. Held under the theme “The Urgency of Torture Eradication and Our Collective Responsibility,” the event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders to discuss practical, cross-sector solutions to end torture in Sri Lanka. The Persistence of Torture and Misuse of Law Opening the dialogue, Philip Dissanayake, Executive Director of R2L, stressed the necessity of…

Media Statement COLOMBO, SRI LANKA — June 2026 The Right to Life Human Rights Centre has formally submitted a comprehensive briefing to the United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT). The submission exposes entrenched patterns of police torture, the strategic weaponization of restrictive detention laws, and systemic failures within Sri Lanka’s judicial architecture. Drawing from over 23 years of grassroots advocacy, R2L’s submission details how state-inflicted violence remains a systemic issue rather than a series of isolated incidents. Key Findings Highlighted in the Submission: Weaponization of Detention Laws: Law enforcement…

June 09 – Media Statement Alongside the developments following the arrest of former Military Intelligence Chief Major General Suresh Sallay under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, public discussion regarding the legislation has once again emerged. Mr Suresh Sallay is not the only person to be arrested and detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act since the current government came to power. From the Arugam Bay bomb scare to the putting up of posters against Israel, among various other grounds, the Prevention of Terrorism Act has been implemented without hindrance during…

The Supreme Court has scheduled October 16 to hear a Fundamental Rights (FR) petition filed by the father of a youth who allegedly died while in police custody after being arrested in connection with a shooting incident reported in Kotahena in March 2025. The petition was considered by a three-member bench comprising Justices Mahinda Samayawardhena, Arjuna Obeysekera, and Gihan Kulatunga. The petitioner, identified as the father of Warna Lakmal, claims that his son was among two young men arrested in relation to a shooting incident in the Kotahena area on…

May 25 – The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has granted leave to proceed in a Fundamental Rights application (SCFR No. 28/2025) filed by Mr. Dinesh Madhusanka Liyanage of Yagirala, Neluwa Mahagedarawatta, alleging unlawful arrest, illegal detention, and torture by officers attached to the Ittapana Police Station. The petition was taken up on 25 May 2026 before a three-judge bench comprising Justices Janak de Silva, Arjuna Obeyesekere, and Dr. Sobitha Rajakaruna. Mr. Liyanage was represented by Attorneys-at-Law Ms. Ermiza Tegal and Ms. Nisara Wickramasinghe, acting under the instructions of Attorney-at-Law…

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…

Tag: police torture

Deadly Unrest at Negombo Prison Highlights Urgent Need for Prison Reforms and Accountability

Multi-Stakeholder Consultation Highlights Urgent Need for Collective Action to Eradicate Torture in Sri Lanka

Right to Life Human Rights Centre Brings Urgent Concerns on Police Torture and Systemic Justice Failures to UN Subcommittee

Repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act, Which Permits Torture and Repression, and Subverts Justice

Supreme Court to Hear FR Petition Over Death of Youth in Police Custody

Supreme Court Grants Leave to Proceed in Fundamental Rights Case Alleging Torture and Unlawful Detention

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