News
HRCL reports on Rohingya asylum seekers
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), on Friday (31), called for urgent measures to address the conditions of 116 Rohingya asylum seekers, including 57 children, currently detained at the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp.
The group arrived on December 19, 2024 after a multi-day journey on a trawler that drifted towards the coast near Mullivaikkal. Several asylum seekers had perished during the journey before local fishermen provided humanitarian aid and the Sri Lanka Navy escorted the vessel to Trincomalee. The survivors were later detained following an order by the Trincomalee Magistrate.
Following a visit to the Mullaitivu Air Force Camp on January 9, the HRCSL issued a report highlighting legal obligations under both domestic and international law to protect the asylum seekers. It emphasised the principle of non-refoulement, which prevents the return of individuals to a country where they may face grave risks, such as enforced disappearance.
The HRCSL referred to the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, which documented the dangers faced by the Rohingya community, urging the government to meaningfully consider these risks when making decisions about potential repatriation.
The report cited section 5(2) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights Act, No. 56 of 2007, which mandates that the best interests of the child must be prioritised in all matters involving children, regardless of their nationality. The HRCSL stressed that this protection must extend to the Rohingya children currently detained in Sri Lanka. It recommended that state authorities grant regular access to child protection experts to ensure the children’s welfare is safeguarded.
The commission also recommended that the Department of Immigration and Emigration, along with the Sri Lanka Air Force, appoint focal points to ensure the timely delivery of essential aid such as clothing, sanitary products, and food for the asylum seekers, especially for children. Additionally, it urged the authorities to provide access to specialised UN agencies, including UNHCR, to properly vet and register the asylum seekers as needed.
Concerns over the treatment of female asylum seekers were also raised, with the HRCSL calling for adequate sanitary facilities and security provided by trained women police officers. The commission further recommended transferring the asylum seekers to a more appropriate facility equipped to meet the needs of men, women, and children.
Any detention, it stated, should be strictly temporary and limited to the time required to make informed decisions on their status. Those registered as asylum seekers should be promptly released from custody.
The HRCSL expressed alarm over reports that human rights defenders (HRDs) advocating for the Rohingya had been subjected to harassment by law enforcement officials. Complaints forwarded to the commission highlighted intimidation of HRDs engaged in legitimate activities, including organising peaceful protests against government policy on repatriation. The HRCSL urged state institutions to respect the right to peaceful assembly and refrain from threatening or harassing activists. It warned that it would summon relevant parties for inquiries if these issues persist.
The commission also recommended that Sri Lanka ratify key international conventions, including the 1951 Refugee Convention, the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, and the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness. These conventions, it noted, would help establish comprehensive legal protections for refugees and stateless individuals within the country’s domestic legal framework.
The HRCSL’s report underscored the need for immediate action and long-term reforms, stressing that Sri Lanka’s obligations under international law demand a compassionate and lawful response to those fleeing persecution and seeking refuge on its shores.
Three Sri Lankan male passengers who arrived from Muscat by flight no. OV 437 on Saturday (24) have been arrested by officers attached to the NCU at BIA as they were found to be carrying 12,306 grams of Cannabis class narcotics (suspected as Hashish & Kush) valued at 123 million rupees.
Building on its success in seizing major narcotic stocks in 2025, the Navy continued to support the “A Nation United” National Mission in 2026. In continuation of these efforts, during an
operation conducted on the high seas south of Sri Lanka, the Navy apprehended eleven (11) suspects aboard two local multi-day fishing trawlers suspected of drug smuggling.
Based on shared information, by the Sri Lanka Navy and Police, this special operation was conducted off the southern coast, deploying the Navy‟s Offshore Patrol Vessels. The operation
resulted in the interception of a multi-day fishing trawler suspected of smuggling narcotics, and the apprehension of five (05) suspects on board.
During further operations in the same area, naval units seized another multi-day fishing trawler (01), along with communication equipment and six (06) additional suspects, also believed to be involved in drug smuggling.
This morning (25 Jan 26), the two intercepted fishing trawlers, along with fourteen (14) sacks laden with suspected narcotics and the suspects, were brought to the Dikovita Fisheries Harbour.
An expert examination by the Police Narcotic Bureau confirmed that the fourteen (14) sacks contained more than 184 kilograms of heroin and over 112 kilograms of ‘Ice’ (crystal methamphetamine).
The Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General (Retd) Aruna Jayasekara, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, and the Inspector General of Police, Priyantha Weerasuriya, inspected the narcotics at the Dikovita harbour.
The Deputy Minister of Defence said that the current administration has initiated several projects for national development. As a flagship initiative, under the directives and guidance of the President, and under the supervision of the
Ministry of Defence, well-coordinated anti-narcotic raids have been launched.
This effort, part of “A Nation United” National Mission, involves the tri-forces, police, and all intelligence agencies working together under a coordinated plan to ensure that drug smugglers have no opportunity to bring narcotics into the country, he opined. He further stated that despite the national disaster situation, the state machinery, including the tri-forces, the police, and the public at large, remains united in rebuilding the nation, no room will be left for drug trafficking, which poses a severe threat to national security and public safety. Those
who engage in or support drug trafficking, under the cover of fishing activities, will find no escape, he added.
The Deputy Minister also reaffirmed that the tri-forces, police, and all law enforcement agencies are fully committed to their duty of suppressing this menace.
The Deputy Minister of Defence reported that, throughout 2025, a series of highly successful operations were conducted leading to numerous arrests. This was achieved through close coordination and mutual cooperation among the tri-services, the police, the Special Task Force, Police Narcotics Bureau, local law enforcement and international agencies. He noted that this
same spirit of cooperation and commitment has continued into 2026, resulting in the seizure of a large stockpile of drugs.
On behalf of the Honourable President, he extended gratitude to all who contributed to these efforts, specifically acknowledging the Commander of the Navy, the Inspector General of Police, the Police Narcotic Bureau, and the crews of the Navy’s Offshore
Patrol Vessels.
Moreover, the Deputy Minister declared that drug smuggling has become a national crisis, fueled by youth involvement and social crime. With borders secured under the “Nation United” National Mission, he warned traffickers to cease operations and urged users to abandon the destructive habit.
The Deputy Minister urged the public to report suspected drug smugglers to law enforcement via the hotlines 1818 or 1997 and also commended the role of media institutions and journalists in raising public awareness about the dangers of narcotics through responsible reporting.
Meanwhile, the two (02) multi-day fishing trawlers, along with a haul of narcotics, eleven (11) suspects, and communication equipment, were handed over to the Police Narcotic Bureau for
further investigation and legal proceedings.
The Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’, which arrived in Sri Lanka for logistics replenishment and a goodwill mission, departed the island on 23 Jan 26.
The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the stay in Sri Lanka, crew members of the ship visited some popular tourist destinations within the city of Colomb
Three arrested with narcotics valued at Rs123 million at BIA
Navy intercepts 02 narcotics-laden trawlers with 11 suspects in southern seas
Indonesian Naval Ship ‘KRI SULTAN ISKANDAR MUDA – 367’ departs island
U19 World Cup: Japan defeat Tanzania by nine wickets
U19 World Cup: Ambrish’s four-fer powers India to third straight win
Josh Hoey breaks world 800m short track record with 1:42.50 in Boston
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
Features7 days agoExtended mind thesis:A Buddhist perspective
-
Opinion6 days agoAmerican rulers’ hatred for Venezuela and its leaders
-
Business20 hours agoComBank advances ForwardTogether agenda with event on sustainable business transformation
-
Opinion4 days agoRemembering Cedric, who helped neutralise LTTE terrorism
-
Business4 days agoCORALL Conservation Trust Fund – a historic first for SL
-
Opinion3 days agoA puppet show?
-
Opinion6 days agoHistory of St. Sebastian’s National Shrine Kandana
-
Opinion20 hours agoConference “Microfinance and Credit Regulatory Authority Bill: Neither Here, Nor There”