Colombo Additional Magistrate Keminda Perera yesterday (9) ordered the exhumation of the body of Sathsara Nimesh, a youth from Meegahakivula, Badulla, who died while in Welikada Police custody. The Magistrate directed that a full post-mortem examination be conducted by a board of three specialist doctors, and the report submitted to the Colombo Magistrate’s Court. The […]
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has expressed deep concern over the death of Sathsara Nimesh, who died while in the custody of the Welikada Police on April 2. The BASL has called for an immediate and impartial investigation into the incident. In a statement issued on April 5, the BASL raised alarm over
Bar Association Issues Statement on Sathsara’s Death in Police Custody Read More »
A 26-year-old man, identified as Muthuwadige Sathsara Nimesh from Meegahakiwula, Badulla, has died while in police custody at the Welikada Police Station, raising serious concerns about alleged custodial torture. According to police reports, Nimesh was arrested on the night of April 1st in response to a complaint about a house break-in in the Nawala area.
Youth Dies in Custody at Welikada Police Station Amid Allegations of Torture Read More »
The UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals, including three former military commanders, has ignited significant debate. This move comes at a time when large-scale violence continues unchecked in other parts of the world, raising concerns about the application of different standards to different countries. As a non-partisan civil society organization,
Sri Lanka Needs a Comprehensive Solution Not Selective Justice Read More »
Journalists and legal professionals from Anuradhapura and Kantale have raised concerns over a range of pressing civil and human rights issues, calling for immediate action and reforms. Anuradhapura: Land Disputes and Legal Aid At a journalist collective meeting in Anuradhapura, journalists highlighted land-related issues, particularly unauthorized constructions and problems with irrigation channels. Many residents are
Jakarta, March 17, 2025 – A coalition of civil society organizations, including the Right to Life Human Rights Organization, has strongly rejected proposed amendments to Law No. 34/2004 on the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI Law). The revisions would expand military roles in civilian governance and law enforcement, threatening democracy and human rights. OMCT, together
Civil Society Opposes Amendments to Indonesia’s TNI Law Read More »
Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Attorney-at-Law Priyantha Weerasuriya has instructed Sri Lanka Police officers to strictly follow the guidelines issued by the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) to protect the rights of transgender individuals. He emphasized that the HRCSL receives daily complaints regarding instances where police officers allegedly violate the human
Acting IGP Instructs Police to Adhere to Human Rights Guidelines for Transgender People Read More »
The Right to Life Human Rights Centre recently organized a successful Centre Evaluation and Legal Education Program, conducted at the Gampaha Human Rights First Aid Centre (HRFAC). This initiative brought together dedicated Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) to assess progress and enhance their legal expertise, marking another significant step in strengthening their capacity to safeguard human
Empowering Defenders: Gampaha HRFAC Hosts Evaluation & Legal Education Program Read More »
The statistics speak for themselves. Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) as well as child abuse have reached alarming proportions throughout the country; several cases are reported daily in the media. One in five women (20.4%) have experienced physical and/or sexual violence by an intimate partner. Nearly half (49.3%) of these women did not seek
Protecting Women in a Patriarchal Society Read More »
The Ministerial Consultative Committee on Justice and National Integration has been informed that a staggering 1,131,818 cases remain pending in Sri Lankan courts, raising concerns over delays in the country’s judicial system. The revelation highlights the significant backlog across various levels of the judiciary, affecting both civil and criminal cases. Legal experts warn that such
Over 1.1 Million Cases Pending in Sri Lankan Courts, Ministerial Committee Informed Read More »
Colombo, Feb 25 (Daily Mirror) – The Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has asserted that extrajudicial killings are not a viable solution to escalating criminal activity, insisting that upholding the rule of law is essential to effectively curb crime. The BASL is urging the Acting Inspector General of Police to launch a swift, impartial
BASL: Upholding the Rule of Law Key to Curbing Police Encounter Deaths Read More »
The “Advancing and Transforming Human Rights First Aid Centres Programme” was successfully held on 21st February at the Hector Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Centre, bringing together district Human Rights First Aid Centre coordinators from across the country. The primary objective of the program was to evaluate the progress of these centres and develop a strategic action plan
