Maarit Kohonen Sheriff, Director of the Global Operations Division at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, has called on the Sri Lankan government to lift unnecessary regulations and restrictions on civil society and independent media to revive civic space. Speaking at the 58th Session of the Human Rights Council, Sheriff emphasized…
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) has issued a circular detailing the procedures for recording and investigating complaints under Section 109 of the Police Ordinance. The directive underscores the importance of accountability, systematic documentation, and strict adherence to legal protocols to ensure justice and fairness in handling complaints. The circular addresses concerns that some police…
Prageeth Ekneligoda disappeared on January 25, 2010. He disappeared after going to meet someone. Nandana Weeraratne, a key person who was in contact with him at that time, is also a witness in the investigation. Sirimal Wijesinghe, who is conducting the interview with Nandana Weeraratne related to this article, is also a close associate of…
Nineteen years ago, on a fateful morning in Trincomalee, Subramaniyam Sugirdharajan, known to his peers as SSR, was silenced. SSR, a journalist freelancing for the Tamil daily Sudar Oli, was gunned down on January 24, 2006, near his home as he waited for transport to work. His death was not just an attack on a…
According to the latest reports from the Department of Prisons, the capacity of prisons in Sri Lanka has exceeded by approximately 300%. The reports reveal that the capacity of remand prisons has surged by 400%. Sri Lanka has 18 remand prisons, with severe overcrowding reported in Magazine Prison, Colombo Remand Prison, and Welikada Prison. Additionally,…
The newly declared detention center at the Mullaithivu Air Force camp has reportedly been used to detain 103 Rohingya refugees rescued recently. Public Security Minister Ananda Wijeyapala stated that an investigation is underway to verify if these individuals are genuine refugees, as there are allegations of connections with human traffickers. The Sri Lanka Human Rights…
Colombo Additional Magistrate Pasan Amarasekara issued a stern warning to prison officials, emphasizing, “Prisoners are humans too,” after witnessing 40 detainees shackled together with a single chain and brought into the courtroom. The Magistrate criticized the inhumane treatment and instructed prison officers to refrain from treating prisoners like animals. The incident occurred during the judicial…
The case related to the deaths of 11 inmates during the Mahara Prison riot in November 2020 has been officially closed. The Attorney General confirmed today (17) before the Welisara Magistrate’s Court that there were no changes to the earlier decision to terminate legal proceedings. Magistrate Thusitha Dhammika Uduwawidana ruled that the case cannot proceed…
The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled that two police officers, responsible for the arrest and detention of fisherman Nimal Chandrasiri in April 2012, must pay Rs. 125,000 each in personal funds, with the State contributing an additional Rs. 250,000. This Rs. 500,000 compensation is to be paid to the victim’s family for the…
The National People’s Power (NPP) government is likely to retain the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act (PTA) without any amendments or repeal, despite prior promises made in their election manifesto. The manifesto pledged to reform the PTA, describing it as a law that had historically been misused and stating the NPP’s commitment to aligning…
