In 1931, Sri Lanka earned the right to the universal franchise, a milestone that allowed the nation’s citizens to participate in the electoral process. However, not all Sri Lankans fully enjoy this right even today. Among those excluded are Buddhist nuns, prisoners, and approximately 10% of the immigrant population. Recently, the Committee for Safeguarding Prisoners’…
Vidattaltivu Nature Reserve in northern Sri Lanka is an important coastal ecosystem that contains all the main blue carbon habitats, from mangroves to seagrass meadows to salt marshes and tidal flats. Despite this, the government recently ordered the removal of protection for a section of the reserve, which observers say is meant to free up…
The display of posters for the presidential election has already begun, causing not only environmental pollution but also a violation of election laws. According to Article 74 of the Presidential Elections Act No. 15 of 1981, the display of flags, banners, posters or other campaign material in private or public spaces for election campaigning purposes,…
Chethana Gomis According to the Sri Lanka Constitution, there are fundamental qualifications that a presidential candidate must meet, including age and citizenship criteria. Here are the key qualifications for a presidential candidate in Sri Lanka: Citizenship: The candidate must be a Sri Lankan citizen. Dual Citizenship: Individuals with dual citizenship are not eligible to contest…
The Election Commission has announced that the maximum expenditure limit for a candidate will be declared within five days from the date of nomination acceptance for the upcoming presidential election on the 15th. Chinthaka Kularatne, the Additional Election Commissioner (Legal, Investigation, and Planning), stated that the spending limit will include costs for advertising through media,…
Praveen Jayawickrama, the Sri Lankan left-arm spinner, finds himself at the center of a corruption scandal as the International Cricket Council (ICC) charges him with multiple breaches of its anti-corruption code. The charges, which relate to alleged corrupt approaches during international matches and the Lanka Premier League (LPL), open the door for possible legal action…
In a pivotal move toward accountability and justice, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released a comprehensive report highlighting the widespread issue of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka. This report, titled “Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka,” sheds light on the persistent challenge of holding perpetrators accountable while emphasizing the need…
The following is based on a presentation by President’s Counsel Sarath Jayamanna, former Director-General of the Bribery Commission, during an educational workshop organized by the We Have a Dream Collective on January 19, 2024. Introduction Sri Lanka, a nation endowed with vast resources, is strategically located as a bridge between Europe and Asia. However, despite…
Ajith Parakum Bangladesh and Sri Lanka have recently faced dramatic uprisings that have reshaped their political landscapes. Bangladesh, once considered a model of development in South Asia, is now grappling with widespread public dissent. Fueled by economic hardship and political dissatisfaction, citizens took to the streets in both nations, demanding accountability and change. While the…
Ajith Parakum In Sri Lanka, corporal punishment is common in school settings. This practice, intended to discipline children by causing physical discomfort or pain, raises significant ethical and legal concerns on a global scale. Under international law, particularly the United Nations Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), torture is defined as any act by which severe pain…
