By Executive Summary
Extrajudicial Killings : The shooting incident in Kotahena has ignited significant controversy and raised alarms regarding extrajudicial killings in Sri Lanka, as two suspects in police custody have died.
Recent investigations have brought to light extensive police misconduct and brutality, revealing entrenched corruption, violations of human rights, and a significant absence of accountability within law enforcement. Incidents reported nationwide illustrate occurrences of torture, sexual harassment, abuse of authority, and even fatalities occurring in police custody.
The Matara Magistrate’s Court has ordered the arrest of former Police Inspector General Deshabandu Tennakoon and seven others suspected of involvement in a shooting incident outside a hotel in Matara.
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Court Shooting in Aluthkade Court Complex: Underworld figure Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, alias ‘Ganemulla Sanjeewa’, was shot dead during legal proceedings in Colombo. He was detained under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and transferred to Boossa Prison. Video footage circulating on social media raised serious concerns as police officers and prison officials appeared hesitant to assist the wounded Sanjeewa, delaying medical intervention.
Police Misconduct and Brutality: The Vavuniya High Court sentenced ex-SDIG Lalith Jayasinghe to four years in prison for aiding a suspect’s escape in the 2015 gang rape and murder case of 18-year-old schoolgirl Sivaloganathan Vidya.
Rights of Vulnerable Groups: The Cabinet spokesman, Nalinda Jayatissa, announced that the government has sanctioned the operation of temporary care homes managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs across ten districts.
The Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus recently held a meeting focusing on eliminating workplace sexual harassment and addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The discussions shaped an Action Plan for the caucus. The caucus also discussed increasing women’s representation to 25% at provincial level, considering amendments to existing laws, and engaging political parties to push for greater female representation in local government bodies.
US agency NCMEC has filed a complaint against Sri Lankan children’s internet uploads of inappropriate photos and videos, according to the Child and Women Abuse Prevention Unit.
LGBTIQ activists in Sri Lanka have called for legal reforms to decriminalize same-sex relationships among consenting adult women, following a 2022 UN statement stating that such practices contravene the CEDAW treaty, prompting the government to implement necessary reforms.
Prisoners’ rights activists are concerned about potential involvement of Prisons Department officials in the murder of Sanjeewa Kumara Samararatne, a suspected drug trafficker in remand custody in Colombo.
Nationalist organizations strongly oppose the government’s decision to grant refugee status to Rohingyas from Myanmar. They have urged the government to repatriate recent arrivals of Rohingyas in northern Sri Lanka back to Myanmar.
Key recommendations made by the HRCSL included verifying the refugees’ status and risks of persecution, enhancing government support for their basic needs, granting UNHCR access to registration and assistance despite its limited presence in Sri Lanka, and relocating the asylum seekers from the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp to a more suitable facility, ensuring better security, nutrition, and care, especially for children.
The Lanka Estate Services Association claimed that three government estate companies have not paid over 500 million rupees in employee provident funds, service trust funds, and gratuities since 2001, affecting estate workers, staff, and executives.
National People’s Power MP Sugath Wasantha de Silva submitted a motion to adjourn the house through a note composed in Braille, representing a significant milestone in the parliamentary history of Sri Lanka. MP de Silva, a visually impaired individual, emphasized the significance of inclusivity in governance and advocated for a rights-based welfare empowerment program to enhance the lives of disabled individuals.
A key initiative suggested to enhance disability rights is the creation of an autonomous commission focused on addressing the issues faced by individuals with disabilities.
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Legal Amendments and Reforms: A comprehensive law focused on national security and the prevention of terrorism is scheduled to be introduced after the amendment of the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The Cabinet of Ministers authorized the formation of a committee led by President’s Counsel Rienzie Arsekularatne, tasked with proposing suitable resolutions to enhance the amendments to the draft Bill concerning the prevention of terrorism.
The Government has reinforced its counterterrorism measures by issuing an extraordinary gazette banning 15 terrorist organizations, including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and freezing their financial assets. The Ministry of Defense also published a list of 222 individuals linked to terrorism.
The government has planned to introduce legislation allowing witnesses to provide online statements in court.
The Attorney General has announced plans to introduce amendments to the Online Security Act in response to four fundamental rights petitions.
The Ministry of Labor has launched a thorough review of current labor laws to update and modernize outdated provisions.
The Government has decided to establish an Independent Prosecutor’s Office. The Government clarified that the Attorney General’s Department would not be abolished. Instead, the Independent Prosecutor’s Office would function alongside it to enhance prosecutorial independence and efficiency, addressing concerns about the AG’s dual role as legal advisor to the government and prosecutor in criminal cases.
Saroja Savithri Paulraj, Minister of Women and Child Affairs, presented the country’s progress since submitting its 9th periodic report to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. The launch of the Multi-sectoral National Action Plan for 2024-2028 aims to combat Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and online gender-based violence, highlighting the need for urgent action.
In addition, CEDAW urged Sri Lanka to criminalize marital rape under Sri Lanka law. Also urged the removal of the Ministry of Defense clearance requirement for NGOs and said it is seen as a barrier to civil society participation.
The Cabinet of Ministers has approved an amendment to the Personal Data Protection Act, extending its enforcement date by six months.
According to Commissioner Gamini B. Dissanayake, the court directed the Prisons Department to produce the deceased in two cases and initiate a Departmental inquiry under an Assistant Prisons Superintendent. In this context, the Ministry of Defence has directed the Department of Prisons to enhance jamming technology in order to combat drug trafficking and organized crime within correctional institutions.
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Repression of Freedom of Assembly: Tamil political parties and organizations have defied court orders to stage protests for land rights against the alleged construction of Tissa Maha Viharaya on lands rightfully belonged to Tamil people in Jaffna. This act of defiance led to a summons for Gajendrakumar Ponnambalam, MP, who had led the protest, for contempt of court.
The judiciary has played a key role in facilitating the suppression of protests.
State mechanisms have also targeted individuals expressing dissent through other forms of protest, including cultural expression.
Former Public Security Minister Sarath Weerasekera has called for the arrest of Tamil university students who protested against the hoisting of black flags on Sri Lanka’s Independence Day.
Victims of the Aragalaya (People’s Movement) have demanded the Government to review all pending cases, including arrests, torture, prosecutions, and travel bans. They also requested the Attorney General to review Magistrate’s Court and High Court cases initiated during the protests, within six months.
Relatives of the disappeared in Kilinochchi urged public support for the anti-Independence Day protest, arguing that independence celebrations are meaningless as political prisoners remain incarcerated and land grabbing persists.
Eight years of roadside protests have been held in Kilinochchi by Tamil families seeking their relatives who were allegedly forcibly disappeared by security forces.
Tamil families of the disappeared in Vavuniya have been protesting for 3,000 days, calling for international intervention and displaying photos of their loved ones.
The Teacher Principals’ Association has protested against the Ministry of Education, requesting that the remaining two-thirds of the teacher-principal salary discrepancy be addressed in the new budget.
The nursing service’s overtime rate has been reduced from 1/160 to 1/200 of monthly salary, causing one nursing officer to take on the work of three. This results in a monthly loss of Rs. 6,500 for entry-level officers, prompting calls for demonstrations in public hospitals.
Students at the University of Jaffna protested against Independence Day celebrations, declaring it a ‘Black Day’ and demanding the end of Tamil occupation and answers for surrendered Tamils. They replaced Sri Lanka’s national flag with a black one.
The Medical Faculty Students’ Action Committee has given the Government two weeks to clarify its stance on private medical colleges and repeal related Cabinet decisions following a protest in Colombo.
Sri Lankan authorities canceled an environmental impact assessment for a proposed mineral sand mining project in Mannar due to significant resistance from the local Tamil community.
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Reconciliation and Accountability: Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath reiterated the country’s commitment to human rights, reconciliation, and sustainable development at the 58th UNHRC session in Geneva. The Minister proposed initiatives to improve domestic institutions, including the Office for Missing Persons, Reparations, and National Unity and Reconciliation, and established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
TGTE Prime Minister Rudrakumaran has urged the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances to demand that the Sri Lankan State disclose the list of LTTE surrendered members.
Sri Lanka Red Cross Society pledges technical assistance and capacity-building support to the Office on Missing Persons, according to the President’s Media Division. Severine Chappaz, ICRC Head, discussed continued assistance for the government’s policy framework.
The human rights issue of Tamil political prisoners in Sri Lanka persists, with calls for their release through Presidential Amnesty. Arasu Party MP Sritharan’s parliamentary question on Tamil political prisoners emphasized their long-term detention without due process.
Human skeletal remains were discovered again near the Chemmani mass grave.
Archaeologist Professor Raj Somadeva announced that the excavations conducted at the mass graves located at Colombo Port have revealed the remains of 16 individuals, which include the skeletons of two young children.
The Attorney General has paid Rs. 245 million to victims of the Easter Sunday terror attacks, following a Supreme Court order regarding their Fundamental Rights petitions.
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Press Freedom and Accountability for Crimes against Journalists: Journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan was assaulted during an investigation into illegal sand mining in Mullaitivu District, leading Tamil journalists to condemn the incident and urge Sri Lanka’s media minister to take action.
The Moratuwa Magistrate acquitted Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. journalist Rekha Tharangani Fonseka of taking photographs in the courtroom. The seven-year case was deemed unfounded due to police failure to provide evidence.
Press Freedom and Accountability for Crimes against Journalists: Journalist Shanmugam Thavaseelan was assaulted during an investigation into illegal sand mining in Mullaitivu District. Tamil journalists condemned the incident and called for action from media minister Nalinda Jayatissa, arguing it was part of a larger trend. They have also contended these incidents to be seen as part of a larger trend of violence and intimidation targeting journalists in the North-East.
The court acquitted Wijeya Newspapers Ltd. journalist Rekha Tharangani Fonseka of taking photographs in courtroom defiance, after seven years of a lengthy case.
AG Parinda Ranasinghe informed the Director CID that the prosecution will not pursue further legal action against three suspects in connection with magisterial inquiry case B/92/2009 of the murder of Lasantha Wickrematunge. The AG instructed the CID Director to report on the court action within 14 days, citing lack of evidence.
Sri Lankan authorities interrogated Tamil journalists Kandasamy Bharathan and Thambithurai Pratheepan for six hours over a Facebook post allegedly promoting the destruction of Tissa Vihara, a controversial Buddhist temple.
Colombo High Court Judge Manjula Thilakaratne has ordered the court registrar to present a report on the investigation into Facebook posts by journalists Poddala Jayantha and Sanath Balasuriya.
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Land Rights: Forest Department officials attacked residents of Kattumurivu, Batticaloa, causing a violent attack that set fire to their homes. Officials have claimed jurisdiction over a village, intimidated and assaulted locals, and set fire to their homes, demanding immediate evacuation.
The construction of Tissa Viharaya, a Buddhist temple located in Jaffna, has been a subject of continuous controversy, as it is claimed to have been built unlawfully on privately owned Tamil land. This situation has sparked significant protests, political discussions, and involvement from the government.
Jaffna District Secretary Maruthalingam Pratheepan Sri Lanka’s military and police are occupying over 2,500 acres of private Tamil land, preventing displaced families from returning home and occupying 2,624 acres of previously designated ‘High Security Zones’.
The Deputy Minister of Defense stated plans to release essential lands occupied by security forces, raising concerns about selective and minimal land releases, while large portions of Tamil land remain under state control.
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Other: The Local Authorities Elections (Special Provisions) Act No. 01 of 2025 has confirmed that the term of office for Municipal Councils, Urban Councils, and Pradeshiya Sabhas will begin on June 2, 2025.
The Ministry of Justice addressed the serious situation at the Magistrate’s Court, stating plans to engage stakeholders to ensure the safety of judges, lawyers, and citizens.
The Coalition Against Partition of Sri Lanka (CAPSL) protested against U.S. Envoy Julie Chung, accusing her of breaching diplomatic protocols and using USAID funds to threaten Sri Lanka’s sovereignty.
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