Category: Featured Headlines

Numerous witnesses have testified at the Batalanda Commission, revealing the existence of torture chambers within several houses at the Batalanda Housing Complex.

Many individuals who entered these chambers met their end through brutal means, such as being burned with tires or beaten with rods. However, some managed to escape or narrowly survived.

The commission’s report includes detailed accounts of the conditions within these torture chambers, with significant testimony provided by Dr. Wimal Aththanayake, an Ayurvedic physician.

Dr. Aththanayake, who practiced in Bollagala, Biyagama, often treated police officers free of charge.

In 1990, Police Inspector N.M.S.B. Nissanka and his team visited Dr. Aththanayake, bringing two injured detainees with them. The detainees had severe wounds, which Dr. Aththanayake treated.

Three days later, Dr. Aththanayake was summoned to the Kelaniya Police Station, where Inspector Nissanka showed him one of the previously treated detainees, now in critical condition, and requested that he keep the detainee alive for at least one more day.

Dr. Aththanayake treated the detainee and returned home, only to be taken to the Batalanda Housing Complex two days later.

There, he witnessed six to eight individuals tied to a large iron bed with ropes, all bearing severe injuries. Inspector Nissanka had asked Dr. Aththanayake to treat these individuals as well.

Dr. Aththanayake’s testimony highlighted the appalling conditions and the severe injuries of the detainees, who emitted a strong odor and had wounds infested with maggots.

After treating them, Dr. Aththanayake was taken to Inspector Nissanka’s official residence within the complex and offered tea.

When questioned by the commission, Inspector Nissanka denied asking Dr. Aththanayake to treat the detainees.

Due to inconsistencies in his statements, the commission decided to examine him under oath.

However, shortly before he was to testify, Inspector Nissanka reportedly committed suicide.

Another individual, Vincent Fernando, who provided a confidential statement to the commission, also died under mysterious circumstances.

These testimonies and attempts to silence witnesses reveal the horrifying truth of the torture chambers that claimed the lives of over 3,000 young men and women.

Despite efforts to suppress the truth, living witnesses can still be found to testify about these atrocities.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Ukraine, Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to present her credentials.

The meeting, held at the Presidential Office, focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and exploring joint efforts to bring peace to Ukraine.

In his conversation with the Ambassador of Sri Lanka, the Ukrainian President noted that Ukraine is engaged in constructive negotiations with U.S. representatives and is ready to do everything possible to achieve peace as soon as possible.

Ukraine has proposed steps to lay the necessary foundation for a further negotiation process and counts on the support of this position from other nations, said the Office of the Ukrainian President

“We would be grateful to Sri Lanka for more active support on the path toward securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine based on the UN Charter and international law,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

The President also noted that Ukraine is interested in developing bilateral cooperation, particularly in the areas of trade, education, food security, and medical rehabilitation.

The Ambassador of Sri Lanka had emphasized that her nations sincerely wish peace for the people of Ukraine, said the statement.

More Sri Lankans who are alleged of human rights violations and corruption have been recommended for target sanctions from the United States, United Kingdom, and Europe countries, the International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) said.

A source from the ITJP said the human rights body has “submitted more information and names for other governments” for actions.

The UK on Monday imposed sanctions on four key Sri Lankans who played pivotal roles in the island nation’s 26-year civil war between the government military and Tamil Tiger rebels who are popularly known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) after the recommendations by the ITJP.

The UK imposed travel sanctions on former Commanders of Sri Lanka Army Shavendra Silva and Jagath Jayasuriya, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, and former military commander of LTTE terrorist group Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan, popularly known as Karuna Amman,

The sanctions are aimed at seeking accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses, committed during the civil war, and to prevent a culture of impunity.

The measures, which include UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extrajudicial killings, during the civil war, the UK Foreign office said in a statement.

“The UK government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today,” Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, David Lammy, said in the statement.

“The UK government looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan government to improve human rights in Sri Lanka, and welcomes their commitments on national unity.”

Continuous Push for Justice

The ITJP is a human rights organization that focuses on accountability for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and human rights violations, particularly in Sri Lanka. It was established to document abuses that occurred during and after Sri Lanka’s civil war (1983–2009), with a focus on seeking justice for victims of enforced disappearances, torture, sexual violence, and extrajudicial killings.

In December, ITJP said it had submitted more than 60 sanctions and visa ban requests against Sri Lankan public and security officials to date as well as a series of universal jurisdiction cases.

These requests have been sent to the Governments of the US, UK, Australia, Canada and the EU as well as the UN.

The submissions cover gross violations of human rights and significant corruption in respect of the Sri Lankan army, navy, air force, police and intelligence officials, Tamil paramilitaries, as well as civil servants including judges and former ministers.

The ITJP’s submissions have covered gross violations of human rights and significant corruption in respect of the Sri Lankan army, navy, air force, police and intelligence officials, Tamil paramilitaries, as well as civil servants including judges and former ministers.

The South Africa-based independent, international, non-profit organisation, however, has not mentioned the names of the officials and people in its submission list.

In December, the US State Department imposed travel bans on Sri Lanka’s ex-envoy to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga and former Sri Lankan Airlines chief executive Kapila Chandrasena among 14.

Both Weeratunga and Chandrasena are facing allegations of corruption. Weeratunga is facing court case against MiG fighter get deal in Ukraine, while Chandrasena has been accused of corrupt Airbus deal.

The ITJP has been collecting testimonies from survivors, whistleblowers, and former members of security forces to provide evidence of war crimes and ongoing violations. It also has been working with international legal bodies to push for accountability, including supporting cases under universal jurisdiction in different countries.

The ITJP, led by Yasmin Sooka, a South African human rights lawyer and former member of the UN Panel of Experts on Sri Lanka, who played a key role in highlighting alleged war crimes committed by Sri Lankan security forces and advocating for international justice mechanisms.

New Govt Yet to Respond

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s new government is yet to respond on the UK’s decision for target sanctions on the three top military officials and the LTTE breakaway leader who worked with the state military to defeat the rebels in the final war.

Since the end of the war in 2009, Sri Lanka has strongly rejected any human rights violation and said it had maintained zero casualties in its final war.

However, ITJP said the submissions looked at state-owned enterprises and misappropriation of public funds that resulted in huge financial losses for the entire country, and contributed to the economic crisis in the country.

The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) passed a resolution in March 2021 that has given a mandate for the global body to establish a mechanism to gather evidence outside the country over alleged human rights violations during and after a 26-year war that ended in 2009.

The resolution has allowed the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) “to collect, consolidate, analyse and preserve information and evidence and to develop possible strategies for future accountability processes for gross violations of human rights or serious violations of international humanitarian law in Sri Lanka.

It is also expected to advocate for victims and survivors, and to support relevant judicial and other proceedings, including in the member states, “with competent jurisdiction”.

External Mechanism

A Sectoral Oversight Committee on National Security in the last parliament summoned representatives of the country’s Foreign Ministry, Defence Ministry, chief of all three forces, and attorney general to review external mechanisms that have been established as per the UN resolution on evidence gathering mechanism.

The Committee has said in line with the mechanism, legal cases can be filed in different countries under international jurisdictions against the military leaders and those officials who gave orders to the military.

The committee expressed its concerns over any legal actions by various countries against those involved could lead to prosecute Sri Lanka’s military and political leaders at the International Court of Justice ( ICJ) and International Criminal Court (ICC).

The US has imposed a travel ban on General Silva and his immediate family members, Navy intelligence officer Chandana Prasad Hettiarachchi, Army Staff Sergeant Sunil Ratnayake, army officer Prabath Bulathwatta, and former Navy chief Wasantha Karannagoda, citing human rights violations.

Travel bans have already been imposed by the US on senior retired military leader Shagi Gallage and the former defence secretary Kamal Gunaratne as well, the previous government has admitted.

Canada in 2023 imposed financial sanctions to freeze the assets of former Sri Lankan presidents Mahinda Rajapaksa and his brother Gotabaya Rajapaksa, citing rights abuses.

Some top Sri Lankan military officials have been deprived of taking part in lucrative UN Peacekeeping Missions due to human rights allegations during the war.

Junior Rajapaksa Responds

Responding to UK’s sanctions, Namal Rajapaksa, the eldest son of former president Mahinda Rajapaksa and an opposition Sri Lankan legislator blamed the West claiming it was selectively targeting Sri Lanka’s war veterans while ignoring those who funded and justified LTTE brutality.

“The latest UK sanctions aren’t about human rights—they’re the result of relentless LTTE-backed lobbying, manipulating foreign governments to act against those who brought lasting peace,” he tweeted.

“These sanctions will lower the morale of our forces, and if another crisis arises, they may lack the courage to fight if we don’t support them now.”

Namal Rajapaksa also has faced US travel sanctions in 2018 over a court case related to corruption.

Human rights analysts say some Sri Lankan political and military leaders are still unaware that they have been blacklisted by Western nations for rights abuses and will only become aware of such measures when they request visas from these countries.

The Rajapaksas and military leaders have denied any wrongdoing, and successive governments have rejected an independent international investigation into alleged human rights violations, citing infringement on the country’s sovereignty.

The government today (25 March) handed over a motion to the Speaker to remove Inspector General of Police (IGP) Deshabandu Tennakoon from office.

Tennakoon is currently in remand over a case related to a shooting incident near the W15 hotel in Weligama. He has been suspended from his duties as IGP by the Supreme Court since July last year, but he remains the official IGP. Senior DIG Priyantha Weerasooriya has been serving as Acting IGP in his place.

The National Police Commission does not have the authority to interdict the IGP. Since the position is appointed by the Constitutional Council (CC) on the President’s recommendation, disciplinary action against the IGP falls under the jurisdiction of the President and the CC. However, his removal requires an impeachment motion to be presented in Parliament.

The removal of an IGP must follow the procedure outlined in the Removal of Officers (Procedure) Act, No. 5 of 2002, which was certified on 26 March 2002. This Act establishes a structured and transparent process for the dismissal of high-ranking officials, including the IGP. It was published as a supplement to the Gazette on 27 March 2002 and aims to ensure accountability and due process for officers appointed to key positions listed in Part II of the Schedule to Article 41C of the Constitution.

Grounds for Removal

The Act specifies eight grounds on which the IGP may be removed from office:

1.Insolvency – Being adjudged insolvent by a competent court.
2.Ill Health – Being unfit to continue due to physical or mental infirmity.
3.Criminal Conviction – Conviction for an offence involving moral turpitude, treason, or bribery.
4.Misconduct or Corruption – Being found guilty of such acts.
5.Abuse of Power – Gross misuse of authority.
6.Neglect of Duty – Significant failure to perform responsibilities.
7.Partiality – Displaying gross bias in office.
8.Loss of Citizenship – Ceasing to be a citizen of Sri Lanka.

These grounds are categorised into two procedural tracks based on their nature and severity. Continue reading →

The UK yesterday sanctioned figures responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

The UK said sanctions have been imposed on former Sri Lankan commanders and an ex-Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) commander responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses during the civil war and said sanctions aim to seek accountability for serious human rights violations and abuses committed during the civil war and prevent a culture of impunity.

The UK Government has imposed sanctions on four individuals responsible for serious human rights abuses and violations during the Sri Lankan civil war, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and/or perpetration of sexual violence.

The individuals sanctioned by the UK include former senior Sri Lankan military commanders and a former LTTE military commander who later led the paramilitary Karuna Group, operating on behalf of the Sri Lankan military against the LTTE.

Those sanctioned are: former Head of Sri Lankan Armed Forces Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda, former Sri Lanka Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya, and former military Commander of the terrorist group LTTE Vinayagamoorthy Muralitharan. Also known as Karuna Amman, he subsequently created and led the paramilitary Karuna Group, which worked on behalf of the Sri Lanka Army.

The measures, which include UK travel bans and asset freezes, target individuals responsible for a range of violations and abuses, such as extrajudicial killings, during the civil war.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs State Secretary David Lammy said: The UK Government is committed to human rights in Sri Lanka, including seeking accountability for human rights violations and abuses which took place during the civil war, and which continue to have an impact on communities today. I made a commitment during the election campaign to ensure those responsible are not allowed impunity. This decision ensures that those responsible for past human rights violations and abuses are held accountable.”

“The UK Government looks forward to working with the new Sri Lankan Government to improve human rights in Sri Lanka, and welcomes their commitments to national unity,” Lammy added.

During her January visit to Sri Lanka, Minister for the Indo-Pacific MP Catherine West held constructive discussions on human rights with the Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, civil society organisations, as well as political leaders in the north of Sri Lanka.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said for communities to move forward together, there must be acknowledgement and accountability for past wrongdoing, which the sanctions listings introduced today will support.

“We want all Sri Lankan communities to be able to grow and prosper. The UK remains committed to working constructively with the Sri Lankan Government on human rights improvements as well as their broader reform agenda including economic growth and stability. As part of our Plan for Change, the UK recognises that promoting stability overseas is good for our national security,” it added.

The UK has long led international efforts to promote accountability in Sri Lanka alongside partners in the Core Group on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council, which includes Canada, Malawi, Montenegro, and North Macedonia.

The UK has supported Sri Lanka’s economic reform through the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program, supporting debt restructuring as a member of Sri Lanka’s Official Creditor Committee and providing technical assistance to Sri Lanka’s Inland Revenue Department.

The UK and Sri Lanka share strong cultural, economic, and people-to-people ties, including through their educational systems. The UK has widened educational access in Sri Lanka through the British Council on English language training and work on transnational education to offer internationally accredited qualifications.