Sri Lanka
Sunday 9.10.2022 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Protesters continue to face arrest, excessive force in Sri Lanka as new UN resolution maintains international scrutiny
Over the last month, protesters have continued to face excessive force – including tear gas and water cannon - from security forces. Dozens have also been arrested. Activists such as Lahiru Weerasekara have also continued to be picked up. A regulation to restrict protest was introduced and then revoked after massive criticism from civil society groups. Tamil activists and journalists continue to face harassment. Read more
Thursday 25.8.2022 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Sri Lankan President continues crackdown on activists and protesters, including use of anti-terror law
Over the last month, sweeping emergency powers were once again imposed to restrict protests and clampdown on protesters. Security forces used excessive force to forcibly remove parts of a rolling peaceful protest site in front of the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo. Protesters have been harassed, arrested and detained. Three student activists have been detained under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act. Read more
Wednesday 13.7.2022 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Protest movement pushes Sri Lankan president to resign despite harassment, arrests and attacks
Over the last month, the security forces have continued to harass and restrict activists, with arrests of peaceful protesters and use of excessive force, tear gas and water cannon to disperse protests. Journalists have also been targeted for their reporting on the crisis and protests. Read more
Tuesday 31.5.2022 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Protesters in Sri Lanka face excessive force, arbitrary arrests and attacks with impunity
Over the last two months, human rights groups have documented the use of excessive force by the police against protesters in Sri Lanka, including the use of water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets. Hundreds have been arbitrarily arrested and there have also been incidents of torture or ill-treatment in detention, including denial of access to medical care and lawyers. Journalists have also been targeted and some are facing charges. The authorities also used state of emergency regulations to curtail protests and also shut down social media networks. Pro-government mobs were also unleashed to attack protesters and protest sites with impunity. Read more
Tuesday 29.3.2022 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Assault on civic freedoms continue in Sri Lanka as an economic crisis hits the country
In recent months activists have been arrested or faced threats and intimidation from the authorities, while journalists have been attacked or faced harassment. The authorities also disrupted gatherings and protests in the North and North Eastern parts of the country. Read more
Tuesday 5.10.2021 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Sri Lanka authorities crack down on protests, stifle critics and accused of torturing detainees
In recent months the authorities have cracked down on protests and activists advocating for education rights, intimidated individuals critical of the government and detained them under the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). There have been reports of political prisoners tortured in custody and concerns about amendments to the NGO law. Read more
Tuesday 13.7.2021 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Despite UN concerns Sri Lanka continues to detain critics, arrest protesters and entrench impunity
Violations of civic freedoms in Sri Lanka have persisted in recent months including the ongoing detention of activists, harassment of journalists, attempts to criminalise “fake-news” and a crackdown on peaceful protest under the guise of dealing with COVID-19. Read more
Tuesday 16.3.2021 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Ahead of new Sri Lanka resolution, civil society and UN highlight ongoing rights concerns
The Human Rights Council (HRC), which is currently holding its 46th session, is negotiating a new resolution on Sri Lanka on the implementation of the HRC’s recommendations related to reconciliation, accountability and human rights. Human rights groups have warned of a deteriorating human rights situation in Sri Lanka. In recent months, there have been restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly against civil society members, journalists in the North and East while human rights lawyer, Hejaaz Hizbullah remains in detention. Further a journalist is at risk of arrest for her Facebook posts, a former police investigator targeted for exposing human rights abuses is still in detention while a parliamentarian has been sentenced to a four year prison term for contempt of court. Read more
Saturday 31.10.2020 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Civic freedom violations persist in Sri Lanka as the President expands his powers
In recent months human rights groups have reported and increasing suppression of dissent, human rights lawyer Hejaaz Hizbullah continues to face judicial persecution and there have been ongoing attacks on journalists. Groups seeking transitional justice for crimes during civil war held protests seeking answers especially on the disappeared but face harassment from the authorities. Read more
Friday 17.7.2020 Sri Lanka - Latest Developments -
Ahead of Sri Lanka elections, lawyers, journalists and activists arrested, threatened and harassed
In the last few months, human rights lawyers and journalists have faced arrests, threats and harassment. A report by the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association published in May 2020 shows that civil society faced challenges to register and operate while there have been various barriers to protests. In June 2020, authorities cracked down on a Black Lives Matter solidarity protest. Read more
