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…
Multi-Sectoral National Action Plan to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence 2024-2028 was approved by the cabinet of Sri Lanka. The National Action Plan ( NAP) consists of 13 main sectors with 5 sub sectors, namely Gender Empowerment, Child Affairs, Social Protection & Welfare, Education (General Education, Higher Education, Vocational and Technical Education & Training), Health…
On June 26, 2024, the Right to Life Human Rights Centre, in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT), hosted an Expert Forum at Hotel Janaki to mark the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. The forum, titled “Ongoing Torture Despite Extensive Anti-Torture Legislation,” brought together prominent figures such as Shani…
In observance of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26, 2024, it is imperative to highlight the urgent need for the effective implementation of anti-torture rules and regulations in Sri Lanka. This necessity is underscored by the recent landmark judgment delivered by the Matara High Court under the Convention Against…
In a significant move to enhance human rights advocacy, Mr. Philip Dissanayake, Executive Director of Right to Life Human Rights Centre, has signed a partnership agreement with the Netherlands Embassy. This collaboration aims to strengthen the capabilities of human rights defenders, ensuring more robust and effective advocacy efforts. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to…
In a landmark judgment under the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment Act, the Matara High Court sentenced three police officers, including the former Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Tissamaharama Police, to seven years of rigorous imprisonment each for their involvement in the abduction and torture of five individuals, including…
by Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe The term “judicial cannibalism” is more metaphorical than a formal legal term. It combines the word “judicial,” related to the court system, with “cannibalism,” which means eating one’s own kind. This term can be translated as “judicial self-destruction,” suggesting that the judiciary is undermining its own principles and precedents. President Ranil…
In the Asian social service sector, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Sri Lanka have made significant strides by the year 2024, overcoming challenges that were present in 2022. For the year 2024, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam have been categorized as “Doing Okay.” The 2022 index placed Sri Lanka in the…
