Volker Turk is urging Sri Lanka to review the operation and implement a rights-based approach to combatting illicit drugs The UN human rights agency on Friday criticised an ongoing anti-narcotics crackdown in Sri Lanka that has resulted in the arrest of over 30,000 suspects and sparked allegations of widespread abuses by the authorities. Police in…
Sri Lanka’s anti-corruption commission must prioritize high-profile cases and move beyond petty infractions to regain public trust, Transparency International Sri Lanka (TISL) said. The Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) now has broader powers under the Anti-Corruption Act, but faces mounting pressure to deliver results. The public frustration stems from the deep-rooted…
Sri Lanka’s financial landscape is clouded by a rising storm of non-performing loans, a grim reality gripping over 13% of the banking sector after a recent currency crisis. This has fueled a fervent debate surrounding Parate execution, a controversial but powerful tool in the hands of banks battling loan defaults. This law, unique to Sri…
By C. A. Chandraprema Whenever we hear the term Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), what comes to mind is the body by that name established in South Africa in 1995, headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The South African TRC may not have been the first of its kind, but it was undoubtedly the one that…
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) expresses deep concern about the ‘Yukthiya’ Operation, a two-week police crackdown on organized crime and drug trafficking. While its stated objective is noble, reports of widespread human rights violations paint a disturbing picture. Excessive Arrests and Torture Allegations: The operation saw over 20,000 arrests in just two…
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe Sri Lanka’s proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is facing intense scrutiny, with its potential to unearth past human rights violations clashing with concerns about its limited power to ensure justice. Though equipped with robust investigative tools, the TRC’s inability to directly prosecute perpetrators casts a shadow over its ability to deliver…
While commending the bill’s goals of national unity and equal opportunity, a joint statement signed by 18 prominent civil society organizations calls for more time and dialogue before the passage of the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) bill. They raise three key concerns: Board composition: The bill gives the Minister too much control…
In a saddening announcement that resonated deeply nationwide, the passing of Dulika Marapane’s mother, a central figure in a significant legal case, has been revealed. Her legacy, however, endures, leaving an indelible mark on Sri Lanka and beyond, a testament to her strength and perseverance in the face of challenges. The story traces back to…
Fathima Rikaza and her four children found refuge in Sri Lanka, leaving behind a heart-wrenching decision and their Palestinian husband in war-torn Gaza. Rikaza and Abdul Lateef, a scholar who met and married in Sri Lanka, had built a life in Gaza surrounded by Abdul’s family. But with Israeli airstrikes turning their days into a…
This is the postage stamp ceremoniously issued by India to commemorate the 200-year history of Indian-origin Tamils in Sri Lanka. BJP national president JP Nadda released the stamp, in late December, at the BJP central office, marked by speeches highlighting the community’s hardships and the Modi government’s commitment to their welfare. The timing of the…
