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…
‘Leave No Child Behind in the Fight against Human Trafficking’ is the theme of the global camping in 2024. The persons who are below the age of 18 are identified as ‘children’ in accordance of law, domestically and internationally. As per the Report of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC’s Global Report) there…
A police officer has been suspended following accusations stemming from a viral video. The officer is charged with failing to secure a packet of cannabis found in a vehicle under inspection and performing his duties in a manner that caused public inconvenience by chewing betel leaves. The incident occurred on the 25th when the officer,…
The Committee for the Protection of Rights of the Prisoners has filed a writ of mandamus in the Honourable Supreme Court under Article 104 (U) (1) of the Constitution. The petition lists the Election Commission and its members among the nine respondents and seeks to address the systemic inadequacies that have deprived prisoners of their…
Ajith Parakum In a significant and progressive step, the Sri Lankan government has issued a formal apology for its controversial “cremations only” policy enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. This policy, which mandated the cremation of all COVID-19 victims, including those from the Muslim community, disregarded both religious beliefs and scientific advice, causing widespread distress. The…
On July 24, 2024, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued a significant interim order regarding the contentious appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police (IGP). This decision came after a series of petitions challenged the constitutionality and appropriateness of his appointment by the President. The cases were initiated by eight organizations and…
July 19, 2024 – In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka has ruled in favour of Madhavi Buddhika Rajaguru, a nurse at Kurunegala General Hospital, who accused Consultant Surgeon Ashoka Wijemanne of assault. The court awarded Rajaguru compensation for the violation of her fundamental rights under Article 11 of the Constitution, which…
Commissioner General of Prisons, Tushara Upuldeniya, has raised alarms over the severe overcrowding in Sri Lankan prisons, revealing that the current inmate population is approximately double the designed capacity. As of July 15, 2024, Sri Lankan prisons house 30,607 inmates, the majority of them drug offenders. This critical situation has led to significant challenges, including…
Human Rights Watch Sri Lankan authorities continue to use the notorious Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) to target perceived opponents and minority communities without credible evidence to support the allegations despite repeated pledges to end the practice, Human Rights Watch said today. While some victims have suffered years of arbitrary detention and torture, others are persecuted even after…
Ajith Parakum Sri Lanka faces significant challenges in bringing escaped criminals back to the island to face justice. As many as 45 Sri Lankan criminals, red-noticed by Interpol, are currently stationed overseas, mostly in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where they continue to orchestrate organized criminal activities back home. The complexities of this issue lie…
