torture act sri lanka 1994

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…

May 4 – A suspect arrested on drug-related charges was shot and injured while allegedly attempting to escape from police custody near the Galgamuwa Police Station yesterday. According to reports, the suspect was among several individuals being escorted to the Galgamuwa Court when the incident occurred. Police stated that while officers were loading the suspects into a jeep at the police station, two suspects who had been handcuffed together attempted to flee. The suspects reportedly ran nearly 75 meters from the police station gate before police opened fire in an…

May 4 – A 40-year-old inmate of the Welikada Prison, identified as Oshadha Sanjeewa, has reportedly died following an alleged assault by prison officers, raising concerns over the treatment of prisoners in Sri Lanka’s prison system. According to the Committee for the Protection of Prisoner Rights, the deceased was a resident of Magazine Road, Borella, who had been serving a prison sentence on a drug-related charge. Reports state that he had previously escaped while assigned to duties outside the prison premises and was later re-arrested at his residence. The organization…

April 27 – A tense situation unfolded at Magazine Prison when a violent altercation between inmates resulted in injuries to two prisoners and a prison officer, all of whom were subsequently hospitalized. According to the Prisons Department, one of the injured inmates is currently in stable condition. Authorities also confirmed that a 38-year-old inmate from Grandpass, who had been remanded on drug-related charges, has died following the incident. Initial reports suggest that the conflict began when two inmates attempted to move out of their assigned cell and enter others. The…

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…

Tag: torture act sri lanka 1994

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

Drug Suspect Shot While Allegedly Attempting to Escape Police Custody in Galgamuwa

Welikada Prison Inmate Dies Following Alleged Assault by Prison Officers

Violent Clash at Magazine Prison Leaves One Inmate died

Allegations of Police Brutality in Weerawila