In a pivotal move toward accountability and justice, the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released a comprehensive report highlighting the widespread issue of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka. This report, titled “Accountability for Enforced Disappearances in Sri Lanka,” sheds light on the persistent challenge of holding perpetrators accountable while emphasizing the need…
Matara, July 17, 2024 – During an awareness conference held under the People Unite for Justice and Accountability (PUJA) program, Specialist Psychiatrist Prasad Mohotti emphasized the crucial role of cultural and spiritual activities in healing society after serious human rights violations. He highlighted the importance of religious activities such as lighting lamps, chanting “Pirith,” Bodhi Poojas,…
At the 56th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Sri Lanka Core Group, represented by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador Rita French, delivered a statement on June 19, 2024, in Geneva. The statement, issued by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Ambassador French, reflects the concerns of the Core Group nations—Canada,…
UN Human Rights Office report released in May 2024 calls on the Government to acknowledge the involvement of State security forces and affiliated paramilitary groups, and to issue a public apology. The report highlights that Sri Lanka’s Government must take meaningful action to determine and disclose the fates and whereabouts of tens of thousands of…
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka issued a significant order on May 17, 2024, directing former President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Army Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake to testify regarding the controversial presidential pardon granted to Ratnayake by the former President. This case, which involves the killing of eight civilians, including a small child, in…
On May 12th, four individuals were arrested in the Sampur area of Trincomalee district for allegedly distributing porridge in remembrance of their deceased relatives. The arrests, carried out by the Sampur police, included Kamleswaran Vijitha (40), Kamaleswaran Themila (22), Selva Vinod Kumar Sujani (40), and Navaratna Raja Harihara Kumar (43). Reports indicate that the police…
The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) commenced its 18th cycle with the election of Morocco’s esteemed representative, Mr. Omar Zniber, as the President for the year 2024. Established in March 2006, the UNHRC succeeded the UN Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR), marking a significant milestone in the global pursuit of human rights advocacy. Scheduled…
Dr. Jehan Perera The election of Sivagnanam Shritharan as president of the ITAK has the potential to bring Tamil nationalism to the fore again. The ITAK is the largest Tamil political party and the mainstay of the now fragmented TNA which was an alliance of political parties that came into existence during the latter phase…
By C. A. Chandraprema Whenever we hear the term Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), what comes to mind is the body by that name established in South Africa in 1995, headed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu. The South African TRC may not have been the first of its kind, but it was undoubtedly the one that…
Ajith Perakum Jayasinghe Sri Lanka’s proposed Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) is facing intense scrutiny, with its potential to unearth past human rights violations clashing with concerns about its limited power to ensure justice. Though equipped with robust investigative tools, the TRC’s inability to directly prosecute perpetrators casts a shadow over its ability to deliver…
