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Attacks on Muslims in Digana premeditated: HRCSL

Published

1 year ago

2025/09/8

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has released its report on the violent events in Digana, and surrounding areas, in March 2018, stressing that the attacks on the Muslim community were premeditated rather than spontaneous reactions to local tensions. The report, made public on 01 September 2025, calls for a wide-ranging set of reforms across law enforcement, education, and government institutions to prevent future communal violence.

According to the HRCSL, the Teldeniya Police acted promptly and lawfully in arresting those suspected of assaulting a person named H.G. Kumarasinghe, but false claims of inaction by organised groups incited further violence against Muslims.

The inquiry concluded that while some errant police and STF officers may have supported the attacks, the law enforcement authorities, as a whole, did not actively promote violence. The failure to prevent the attacks stemmed largely from inadequate intelligence, resources, and personnel, forcing the Army to intervene to restore order.

The HRCSL has emphasised that the Digana incident fits a recurring pattern of targeted attacks against Muslim communities in Sri Lanka. It has cited similar episodes in Gintota, Ampara, and historical instances dating back to 1915. It warned that discriminatory policies and practices such as restrictions on religious expression, mandatory cremation policies during the COVID-19 pandemic, and long-term detention under anti-terror laws have created a hostile environment exploited by extremist groups.

The HRCSL s report includes detailed recommendations for 11 government ministries and agencies. Key proposals include the following:

* Ministry of Law and Order: Strengthen intelligence gathering, establish rapid response systems to prevent communal violence, address low morale among police officers, and form inclusive civil committees with monthly meetings involving local police.

* Ministry of Social Services and Welfare: Screen organisations seeking registration to prevent divisive or extremist agendas.

* Ministry of Education: Introduce national reconciliation and coexistence as compulsory subjects, end ethnically or religiously segregated schooling, and provide inclusive curricula promoting human rights and civic values.

* Ministry of Youth Affairs: Implement youth empowerment and training programmes, especially for those implicated in violent incidents, to promote attitudinal change.

* Ministries of Sports and Government Administration: Encourage inter-community participation in sports and community projects, develop networks at local levels to promote reconciliation, and monitor compensation for victims of violence.

* Ministry of Women and Child Affairs: Provide medical, educational, and material support to children and families affected by the Digana violence.

The report also stresses the urgent need for stronger legal mechanisms to hold law enforcement officers accountable for misconduct, including torture, custodial deaths, enforced disappearances, and assaults. It recommends the creation of an independent Office for the Investigation and Prosecution of Serious Crimes by State Officials, empowered to investigate and prosecute human rights violations impartially.

As for the issue of hate speech, the HRC has highlighted that Section 3 of the ICCPR Act criminalising advocacy of racial or religious hatred has not been applied effectively, leaving instigators of violence in Digana largely unpunished. The Commission called for immediate enforcement of the law, particularly against online hate speech, while also addressing deeper social, economic, and cultural drivers of inter-communal tension.

The HRCSL has also noted that segregated schooling and exclusionary historical narratives contribute to prejudice, calling for reforms to create inclusive, diverse learning environments where children from different ethnic and religious communities can build mutual trust and resilience.

The report concludes that sustainable peace and coexistence require coordinated action by national, provincial, and local authorities, alongside law enforcement, civil society, and educational institutions, to prevent the perpetuation of communal violence in Sri Lanka.

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Flood warning issued to the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Due to heavy rainfall received in the upper catchment areas of the Mahaweli River over the past few hours, there is a risk of minor flooding in the low-lying areas surrounding the Mahaweli River within the Divisional Secretariat Divisions of Ganga Ihala Korale, Udapalatha, Doluwa, Udunuwara, Yatinuwara, Gangawata Korale, Harispattuwa, and Pathadumbara.Residents living in the above mentioned areas and motorists using roads passing through these areas are urged to exercise extreme caution and remain highly vigilant regarding the prevailing situation.

Furthermore, residents living in close proximity to the Mahaweli River in these areas are advised to remain highly alert to the situation and take all necessary precautions to protect themselves from any potential flooding.The relevant disaster management authorities are requested to take all necessary measures in response to this situation.

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Landslide Red Alerts issued to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya

Published

7 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

The National Building Research Organisation [NBRO] has issued landslide Red Alerts to the districts of Kandy, Kegalle and Nuwara Eliya effective from 14:00 hrs on 20.09.2026 To 14:00 hrs on 21.09.2026

Accordingly,
LEVEL III [RED] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Pasbage Korale in the Kandy district, Dehiowita, Aranayake, Deraniyagala, Mawanella and Yatiyanthota in the Kegalle district and Kothmale West, Kotmale East, Ambagamuwa and Norwood in the Nuwara Eliya district

LEVEL II [AMBER] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Padukka in the Colombo district, Nagoda, Thawalama and Neluwa in the Galle district, Bulathsinhala, Palindanuwara, Walallawita and Agalawatta in the Kalutara district, Ganga Ihala Korale in the Kandy district, Bulathkohupitiya and Kegalle in the Kegalle district, Akuressa and Pitabeddara in the Matara district, Thalawakele in the Nuwara Eliya district and Pelmadulla, Ratnapura, Ayagama, Kuruwita and Ratnapura in the Ratnapura district.

LEVEL I [YELLOW] Land Slide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secretaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Seethawaka in the Colombo district, Niyagama and Baddegama in the Galle district, Mirigama in the Gampaha district, Ingiriya in the Kalutara district, Udapalatha and Yatinuwara in the Kandy district, Galigamuwa, Warakapola and Ruwanwella in the Kegalle district, Kotapola, Pasgoda and Athuraliya in the Matara district, and Eheliyagoda, Kalawana and Elapatha in the Ratnapura district.

News

Development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common goal – PM

Published

9 hours ago

2026/09/20

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that development projects can deliver results to the people more quickly when the political authority and the public service work together towards a common, people-oriented objective.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in a discussion held on Friday [September 18] at the Western Province Council Auditorium to review the progress of the development project to rehabilitate Rathmalana Kandawala Road and the drainage system on either side of the road, within the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council limits in the Colombo District.

The project, which commenced on September 10, 2026, is scheduled to be completed before June 30, 2027. Implemented by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA), the project includes the construction of a bridge at a cost of Rs. 64 million, the rehabilitation of the drainage system at a cost of Rs. 930 million, and the rehabilitation of the road at a cost of Rs. 115 million.

The Prime Minister also paid special attention to the progress of the responsibilities assigned to the Western Province Council, the Irrigation Department and the Ratmalana Divisional Secretariat in accordance with decisions taken at the previous committee meeting. Attention was also given to the current status of the plans being carried out by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation (SLLRDC), as well as the construction and maintenance activities being undertaken by the Provincial Road Development Authority (PRDA).

Commending the expedite and commendable progress of the project, the Prime Minister particularly appreciated the commitment demonstrated by officials of the relevant government institutions to work in close coordination with one another and in collaboration with the political authority.

The Prime Minister also emphasised the importance of taking measures well in advance to control flooding and minimise its impact on Colombo and several other districts in view of the rainy weather that may affect the Western Province during the latter part of this year.

The meeting was attended by the Chairman of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Lakshman Nipuna Arachchi, Chairperson of the Ratmalana Divisional Coordinating Committee and Member of Parliament Samanmalee Gunasinghe, Chairman of the Roads Sub-Committee of the Colombo District Coordinating Committee Dewananda Suraweera, Mayor of the Dehiwala–Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Parakum Shantha, Chief Secretary of the Western Province K.G. Pradeep Pushpakumara, along with a number of government officials.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]