Deshabandu with Tiran
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The Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture Denounces the Appointment of Mr. Deshbandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police

ByEditor

The Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) strongly condemns the appointment of Mr. Deshbandu Tennakoon as the Inspector General of Police (IGP). They argue that this decision directly contradicts democratic principles and the rule of law in Sri Lanka. The SLCAT highlights several concerns regarding the appointment process. Firstly, they point out that Mr. Tennakoon…

Deshabandu with Tiran
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Opposition from SJB; Civil Society Split But Not Against the Appointment of Inspector General of Police

ByEditor

In a decisive move yesterday, the Constituent Assembly gave its nod to confirm Acting Inspector General of Police, Mr. Deshbandu Thennakoon, as the Inspector General of Police. Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, MP Sagara Kariyawasam, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, and Dr. Anula Wijesundara (civil society representative) cast their votes in favour of Mr. Tennakoon’s appointment….

A legal battle over 90 perches land ended after 52 years
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A legal battle over 90 perches land ended after 52 years

ByEditor

The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka recently ended a lengthy lawsuit delivering the final decree after 52 years. The case was resolved in favour of the plaintiff. The plaintiff filed the case in the Kurunegala District Court against ousting him from his property, a 90-perch land called ‘Damunugahamulawatta’ in 1972. On 29th March, 1976, the…

accident
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Reducing Road Accidents in Sri Lanka: Awareness, Enforcement, and Infrastructure

ByEditor

Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe Year Total Deaths Fatal Accidents Pedestrian Fatalities Motorcyclist Fatalities Bus Accidents Container Truck Accidents 2021 2,513 2,414 – – – – 2022 2,515 2,395 – – – – 2023 2,557 2,200 740 707 75 14   The silence of island air is often broken by the honking of impatient drivers. 2023 had…

civil
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Plan to shut down civic space continues apace

ByEditor

Dr. Jehan Perera President Ranil Wickremesinghe has been indicating the government’s intention to conduct both presidential and parliamentary elections this year. He is reported to have made this same declaration during his visit to Australia last week. This would be viewed positively by those who are waiting for elections that would ensure a government with…

Clashes over NGO Law: Sri Lankan Civil Society Group Demands Transparency and Wider Consultations
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Clashes over NGO Law: Sri Lankan Civil Society Group Demands Transparency and Wider Consultations

ByEditor

A key Sri Lankan civil society group, the CSO-NGO Collective, has clashed with the government over a proposed law regulating non-governmental organizations (NGOs). While the government claims the legislation, aimed at “Registration and Supervision,” has been under development since 2005, the Collective argues it was blindsided by the draft and demands wider consultations before it…

Deshabandu with Tiran
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Civil society groups demand the removal of Sri Lanka’s acting police chief over torture allegations

ByEditor

Civil society organizations and women’s groups in Sri Lanka have called for the immediate removal of Acting Inspector General of Police Deshabandu Tennakoon, citing his involvement in torture and other human rights violations. In a statement released today, the groups condemned Tennakoon’s appointment and tenure, highlighting a recent Supreme Court judgment that held him personally…

relatives of the disappeared persons
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Government urged not to rush through Truth Commission bill

ByEditor

The National Peace Council (NPC) has called on the government not to rush through the Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation (CTUR) bill in the manner of the Online Safety bill or the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) bill. The NPC expressed concern that the draft law with respect to the CTUR has…

online
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Sri Lanka’s Online Safety Bill and Other Legislation – A Threat to Democracy

ByEditor

Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe In recent days, Sri Lanka has witnessed a concerning trend in government actions, particularly with the introduction and debate surrounding the Online Safety Bill. While the government claims these measures are aimed at addressing online fraud, abuse, and false statements, it is evident that these legislative moves have wider implications, especially for…