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…
Colombo, Feb 10 (Daily Mirror, Kelum Bandara) – In the wake of reports that as much as over half of funds received by various NGOs are spent without any monitoring, the government is in the final stage of evolving a new law that provides for compulsory registration of all such organizations with the National NGO…
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…
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…
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…
Dilshan’s Tale of Police Brutality Raises Concerns Over Unchecked Power In a shocking turn of events, the recent shooting incident in Thelijjawila has brought to light the troubling narrative of police misconduct and abuse of power. The victim, Dilshan Madhusankha, who had previously lodged complaints against the police, now faces further trauma with a shooting…
Tragedy struck the Alavwa area of Narammala yesterday evening when a man, identified as a 40-year-old father of three, was shot and killed during a police pursuit. Two plainclothes officers from the Narammala Police reportedly chased a lorry and, upon stopping it, fired a shot that fatally struck the driver. While police maintain that the…
Sri Lanka faces mounting international pressure to halt its controversial anti-drug operation, “Yukthiya,” after accusations of mass arbitrary arrests, humiliating public searches, and forced military-run rehabilitation. Launched in December, the operation has seen thousands detained, primarily from marginalized communities, often without evidence or drugs in their possession. Critics, including 34 international rights groups, call for…
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…
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…
