PTA detainees in Sri Lanka: Prospects for justice
Image via 91News The fast by prisoners last month has given rise to fresh debate about justice for them. It is a sad reflection on Sri Lankan people and the new Government…
Author: Ruki Fernando
Court acquits Tamil mother after 15 years of detention under PTA
Image courtesy Last week, Tamil children in the North of Sri Lanka reportedly took to the streets to demand the release of their parents detained for years[1] under anti-terror laws[2]. This was…
9 years after disappearance of Fr. Jim Brown & Mr. Vimalathas
9 years ago, on 20th August 2006, Fr. Jim Brown and Mr. Vimalathas disappeared after having been last seen at a Navy checkpoint in Allaipiddy, Jaffna[1]. Few days before, Fr. Jim Brown had…
800 years of the Magna Carta and Human Rights today
Image courtesy The Remnant Trust To me, the essence of Magna Carta is limiting the sovereignty and powers of the rulers (King at that time) and moving towards reaffirmation of sovereignty and…
Human Rights Challenges in Sri Lanka
Thank you for making me part of this celebration. Practically, felicitations are possible for a few, but many deserve felicitation. Felicitation for me means felicitation for many others I have worked with….
Tamils in North & East Sri Lanka remember those killed despite intimidation and surveillance
Several remembrances events were held across the North and East in Sri Lanka on 18th May 2015 (the day the war ended in Sri Lanka in 2009) by Tamils to remember those…
Valalai (Jaffna): Re-militarisation of released villages with façade of resettlement
Valalai[1] is a Tamil village of about 233 acres[2] that was occupied by the military for nearly 25 years and before it was handed back to villagers in March 2015 by President…
World Press Freedom day 2015 and Freedom of Expression in Sri Lanka
Image courtesy DBS Jeyaraj Amidst killings, disappearances, assaults, threats, intimidations, harassments and restrictions on journalists, widespread self-censorship and exile of journalists critical of the government, surveillance and blocking of websites, and absolute…
Sri Lanka’s emergency assistance to Nepal and return of exiled journalists
Photo courtesy Asianews.it Sri Lankan government has announced that it had dispatched emergency supplies and support personnel to Nepal a day after the devastating earthquake and that there would be further materials…
Human Rights and 50 days of Sri Lanka’s new Presidency
Image courtesy Maithripala Sirisena website It’s now 50 days since Sri Lanka’s new President took oaths on 9th January 2015. This is an attempt to reflect on the first 50 days of…
Pattani Razeek: No justice 5 years after abduction and killing
Photo courtesy AFAD On 11th February 2015, it will be five years since the abduction of Pattani Razeek, a well-known human rights defender in Sri Lanka. His body was exhumed on 28th…
Will there be “Maithree” and “Yahapalanaya” for Navy occupied Mullikulam?
Last week, I went to Mullikulam, a beautiful and resourceful village in the Mannar district, which has been illegally occupied by the Navy for more than 7 years. It was my first…
Pope Francis and struggle for human rights in Sri Lanka
Photo courtesy CNS News Pope Francis is set to arrive in Sri Lanka, on 13th January, despite several appeals by Catholics including me, to postpone the visit. He will arrive few days…
An appeal from a Sri Lankan Catholic to Pope Francis: Please don’t come
Photograph courtesy Api Sri Lankan On 20th Nov. 2014, the President of Sri Lanka officially proclaimed his intention to hold presidential elections and seek a third term. This was when there was…
Disappearances and the struggle for truth and justice
Photo courtesy Human Rights Solidarity 30th August is the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances. Tens of thousands have disappeared in Sri Lanka in last few decades[1]. On this day,…