By Click here to download the full report
Executive Summary
Context: Sri Lanka’s Tenth Parliament elected Hon. Asoka Sapumal Ranwala as Speaker, Dr. Rizvie Salih as Deputy Speaker, and Hemali Weerasekara as Deputy Chairperson of Committees.
Sri Lanka’s new cabinet, led by Dr Harini Amarasuriya, was officially sworn in on November 18, 2024, with 22 members and 29 deputy ministers.
Sri Lanka has appointed Justice Murdu Fernando as its new Chief Justice, becoming the second woman in the country’s history, having previously served as Senior Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel.
The Human Rights Watch letter to Sri Lanka’s President, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, addresses key human rights issues and provides recommendations for the new government. It calls for progressive tax policies, increased spending on health and education, investigations into enforced disappearances, reform of the Office of Missing Persons, repeal of the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and the establishment of a Directorate of Public Prosecutions. The letter also calls for the end of the Yukthiya Meheyuma campaign, reformed Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act, and decriminalisation of same-sex relations and abortion.
Manoharan Kajendraroopan, from Inuvil West, Chunnakam, was arrested by the Terrorism Investigation Division for uploading a photo of LTTE leader Velupillai Prabhakaran on Facebook.
Former Vedukkunarimalai Adilingeswarar Temple President Sasikumar and former Secretary Tamilchelvan are being summoned by the Counter-Terrorism Investigation Department for interrogation, requiring his rehabilitation documents.
The Vavuniya High Court acquitted three Tamil individuals, Periapuliangulatha Seranda, Sirisubramaniam Krisa, and Kanthapu Kayendran, under the Prevention of Terrorism Act, citing insufficient evidence and a chemical analysis report.
The Maaveerar Naal event in Thirukovil, Ampara district was hampered by strict police surveillance, leading to frustration among the crowd and a brief confrontation between MP Gajendrakumar Gangaser Ponnambalam and the police.
The Mannar Magistrate Court dismissed Murunkan Police’s Section 106 application for a restraining order to prevent Maaveerar Naal commemorations in their jurisdiction, and a similar case has been filed by Vavuniya police.
Dr. Asanga Wickramasinghe confirmed that legal plans to compensate patients affected by substandard medicines are being implemented under the current government.
Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake appointed Retired General Aruna Jayasekara as Deputy Defence Minister. Jayasekara was involved in a Sri Lankan peacekeeping mission in Haiti from 2004 to 2007, where 134 Sri Lankan peacekeepers were accused of sexually exploiting minors, including children as young as nine.
The IMF has agreed to review a US$3 billion loan arrangement with Sri Lanka, subject to IMF approval. The agreement could result in a total disbursement of US$1.3 billion. Sri Lanka’s economy has shown positive growth, with fiscal reforms strengthening public finances. The IMF emphasises governance reforms to address corruption and foster sustainable growth.
Two Palaly Police Station officers are accused of threatening a Tamil woman with intimate photos and demanding a ransom of 1.2 million rupees. The woman filed a complaint, leading to their arrest.
A family in Chunnakam, Jaffna was assaulted by police after a motorcycle collision. The woman and her husband were beaten, and their child was thrown into a bush. The woman’s brother was also attacked. The Jaffna DIG suspended four police officers following an investigation, including a police inspector, sergeant, and two constables from the Chunnakam Police.
A 41-year-old Galkiriyagama police sergeant has been arrested for abusing a 27-year-old mentally challenged woman in legal custody, discovered by her mother. The incident is set to be prosecuted.
A disabled detainee was severely beaten, verbally abused, and injured by a guard at Weerawila Open Prison. Despite treatment, he was denied treatment for seven days, leading to his hospitalization and legal action.
Relatives of a 45-year-old detainee, Pradeepan, have filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, requesting a fair investigation into his death due to a brain injury.
A 57-year-old man from Chettikulam, Vavuniya, died mysteriously in prison on November 23rd. An autopsy and forensic police investigation are underway to determine if the death was due to foul play or natural causes.
Plantation workers are demanding the Estate Management Authority cease collecting monthly membership fees from them, citing union leaders’ failure to provide benefits and lack of detailed reports.
The Army has removed a military camp in Karkovalam, Jaffna, after nearly 30 years of occupation. The camp, which has been operational since 1995, was part of a broader initiative to return lands to Tamils.
The Elephant Pass military-police outpost, established in 1952 to prevent illegal substance smuggling, was removed after 17 years of operation, causing inconvenience to travellers and gaining satisfaction from Tamil politicians.
A Navy Captain was arrested in connection with the abduction, unlawful detention, and enforced disappearance of Ganeralalage Shantha Samaraweera 13 years ago. Samaraweera was detained in an underground torture chamber at the Trincomalee Naval Base and remains missing. The case is linked to a broader pattern of enforced disappearances, including the Trincomalee 11 abduction case. The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) reports that senior naval officers involved in the case have not been questioned and alleged perpetrators have been protected. This pattern of human rights violations has been largely unaddressed by authorities.
The Frontline Socialist Party has called on the President to investigate and expose crimes against humanity, particularly those committed during the 1988-89 period, including Rohana Wijeweera’s death. The FSP emphasises the need for justice and full disclosure of the truth and calls for swift action to reveal the truth and provide justice.
A complaint has been filed against Dr Archchuna Ramanathan, a first-time Jaffna District MP, with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) over controversial statements he made. Civil activist Gunarathne Adikari criticised the MP for suggesting that Sri Lanka’s North and East could be a separate state, despite his oath to protect the country’s constitution. The Campaign for Free and Fair Elections also condemned his actions, stating they reflect poorly on Parliament.
Click here to download the full report
Case updates: Former Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Arjuna Mahendran is being summoned by the Colombo Magistrate’s Court over a 2015 bond issue involving over Rs. 10 billion in losses, allegedly due to insider leaks.
The Maligakanda Magistrate’s Court has ordered the recording of statements from 18 former Cabinet Ministers regarding the alleged importation of substandard human immunoglobulin vials, including former President Ranil Wickremesinghe, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, and former Ministers.
Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department is investigating a Channel 4 documentary on Easter Bombings, focusing on controversial information and possible conspiracies filed with the Ministry of Public Security.
The Colombo High Court judge ordered Dr Roshan Liyanarachchi to appear in court and present evidence regarding a medical certificate for former MP Wimal Weerawansa. The court criticized Weerawansa’s repeated absences, citing illness as an excuse. The judge ordered Liyanarachchi to submit detailed medical documents, but Liyanarachchi failed to do so.
The Attorney General reported that the Office for Reparations received Rs. 311 million in compensation for victims of the Easter Sunday attacks. The Supreme Court ordered the Additional Solicitor General to submit a report on the disbursement.
Tamil families of the disappeared held a rally in Trincomalee for parliamentary elections, seeking answers about their missing relatives. Despite years of demonstrations, over 280 people died in pursuit of justice, calling on President Anura Dissanayake for genuine measures.
Police withdrew a case against Tamil protesters in Mannar against an Australian sand mining project, despite environmental concerns and displacement concerns, the government organizations have been supporting the ongoing project since 2015.
Former MPs, councillors, and government officers were given a deadline to return firearms issued for personal protection by December 30, 2024.
The Sri Lankan Supreme Court has granted President Anura Kumara Dissanayake the opportunity to present his stance on the appointment of Deshabandu Tennakoon as Inspector General of Police.
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake pledged to investigate and bring justice for Wasim Thajudeen, Lasantha Wickramatunga, and Pradeep Ekneligoda’s murders, emphasising the value of individual life and creating a safer environment.
Kuliyapitiya Chief Police Inspector Vajira Indrajith has been ordered to be remanded by the Kuliyapitiya Additional District Judge due to allegations of misconduct during an investigation.
The Chief Magistrate criticized the CID for failing to follow legal procedures in Arjun Aloysius’ case, including not submitting a B report, providing additional documentation, and making a proper oral presentation. The Magistrate emphasised the need for more responsible handling of such cases.
Three Tamil suspects arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act for possessing six claymore bombs were acquitted and released by the Vavuniya High Court, citing improper Attorney General’s Department pursuit.
Minister Vijitha Herath stated that the government has not decided to modify the Muslim Marriage Act or other religious legislation, but discussions with religious leaders will lead to potential legal reforms. 18 Muslim civil society organisations and 135 citizens sent an open letter to the President and Prime Minister, arguing the Act violates Article 12 of the Constitution and requires government intervention.
The Kurunegala Magistrate’s Court acquitted Senior House Officer Dr Shafi Shihabdeen of charges related to his 2019 arrest, including unauthorized sterilisation surgeries, illicit wealth amassing, and terrorist links.
Dr Shafi Sihabdeen, a Kurunegala Teaching Hospital doctor, has filed a complaint against the Ministry of Public Security for false accusations of political conspiracy, seeking accountability and preventing future injustices.
The Supreme Court has ordered the High Court to summon former Police Inspector General Pujith Jayasundara and Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando after their acquittal in a 2019 Easter Sunday terrorist attack case.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando withdrew a writ petition related to an unregistered BMW car found at a Colombo hotel, stating he had already been granted bail. The Appellate Court accepted the withdrawal and dismissed the case.
Former Minister Johnston Fernando was recalled from an arrest warrant due to his failure to attend a corruption case hearing. The court granted him bail with a cash sum of Rs. 25,000 and a surety of one million rupees. The case involves allegations of government loss.
Click here to download the full report
Election Situation: The National People’s Power won a two-thirds parliamentary majority in Sri Lanka, becoming the first party to achieve this through the proportional representation system. They won 159 seats, including 141 district and 18 National List seats, and elected 21 female MPs, while Samagi Jana Balawegaya became the main opposition party.
The election campaign was uneventful due to exhaustion and resource limitations, with voter turnout being lower than in previous elections, ranging between 60-65%.
Over 100 high-level government appointments violated election regulations, raising concerns about undue influence and bribery, prompting calls for clearer guidelines from the Election Commission.
There was a lot of physical and online animosity directed at female candidates. Sasikala Raviraj, one of the candidates, was the target of harassment and attacks. Additionally, the Prime Minister was subjected to ongoing harassment on social media based on her gender, which brought attention to the larger problem of women’s delegitimisation in politics.
During the election period, political discourse was dominated by majoritarianism, disregarding marginalized voices and resulting in media coverage of women at just 7%.
Repression of Media and Journalists: Tamil journalist S. Satheeskumar was attacked during the 2024 parliamentary elections in Bogawantalawa, suffering head injuries. Allegations suggest the intoxicated attacker is a United Democratic Voice candidate.
Freedom of assembly and association: Cabinet Minister Vijitha Herath ruled out trade union actions causing public inconvenience for political reasons, addressing a planned strike by railway station masters, ensuring solutions post-parliamentary elections.
Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs, Ananda Wijepala, has clarified that honouring the LTTE organization is not allowed due to its classification as a prohibited organization. Despite police harassment, some families of the LTTE have continued these commemorations.
Police removed Velupillai Prabhakaran’s photograph from a 70th birthday celebration banner in Valvettithurai, Tamils continued the celebration despite challenges and six police interrogations.
Repressive Legal and Policy Action: Other Incidents: The Theatermates drama group in the Malayaga Tamil community has reported harassment and intimidation from individuals falsely claiming to be linked to the Army and Criminal Investigation Department. They have filed complaints with Bogawantalawa Police and HRCL, but have not received any action.
Comments