The laws in the country to prevent torture is well enough
Let’s eradicate torture, violence and extremism! Public Meeting in Gampaha
Public meeting on the theme of “Let’s Eradicate Torture, Violence and Extremism” is being held in Ja-Ela, Rasanga hall, on June 22nd Wednesday as the first public event after the Press Conference organized by Sri Lankan Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) to highlight torture and its possibility of being extreme in many forms in the country with the past and present experiences. The proposed Anti-Torture Month started off on June 19, 2019 to mark the International Day in Support of Torture Survivors of 2019. There are many programs planned to host around the country through various manner.
The meeting today was mainly to speak on how on earth the extremism has played a role in Gampaha district 6 weeks ago and how people responded to it. Ms. Chamila Thushari, member of SLCAT, Mr. Philip Dissanayake convener of SLCAT, Mr. Lakshan Dias AAL member of SLCAT and human rights lawyer, Mr. Priyankara Rathnayake veteran artist and senior lecturer and Mr. Janaka Edirisinghe lawyer and activist addressed the gathering through various angles on the theme specially how the country is being moving forward without focusing on eradication of torture and its aftermaths.
The recent terrorist attack and the aftermath is also being highlighted at the meeting and the people’s reaction toward the other community. The politicians and governments have been played a crucial role in developing a gap between people because of their own personal agendas and for their benefits especially for the political power says Mr. Philip Dissanayake. The education system in the country has to be developed and also there is a need of upgrading the teaching mechanisms says Mr. Priyankara Rathnayake, the laws in the country to prevent torture is well enough but the implementation and delay in execution is the problem. Torture act no 22 of 1994, ICCPR act in 2007, and victim and witness protection act are some of the special laws in addition to the former laws says lawyer Lakshan Dias. In this juncture it is possible to use the ICCPR act and to arrest us if we are speaking in anyway of harming any religious ideology specially if the leaders say it is against it we have no words says Ms. Chamila Thushari.
