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Lanka needs to end unlawful crackdown on peaceful dissent – Human Rights Watch

Published

4 years ago

2022/08/7

The New York based Human Rights Watch has called on Lankan government to end arbitrary arrests, harassment of protesters, activists and journalists immediately.An HRW statement issued from New York says: The Sri Lankan government is using emergency regulations to harass and arbitrarily detain activists seeking political reform and accountability for the country’s economic crisis, Human Rights Watch said today. Since Ranil Wickremesinghe was sworn in as president on July 21, 2022, the police and military have sought to curtail protests through the intimidation, surveillance, and arbitrary arrests of demonstrators, civil society activists, lawyers, and journalists.

Anti-government protests in Colombo and elsewhere in the country led then-President Gotabaya Rajapaksa to flee the country before resigning on July 15. On July 22, President Wickremesinghe ordered security forces to disperse protesters and break up their main site in central Colombo. The police have subsequently targeted perceived protest leaders for arrest and detention.

“The Sri Lankan government’s crackdown on peaceful dissent appears to be a misguided and unlawful attempt to divert attention from the need to address the country’s urgent economic crisis,” said Meenakshi Ganguly, South Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Sri Lanka’s international partners should be clear that they need to be working with a rights-respecting administration to address Sri Lanka’s deeply rooted economic problems.”

Security forces injured more than 50 people in the July 22 early morning raid on the main janatha aragalaya (people’s struggle) site in Colombo. Security forces assaulted and beat three journalists from Xposure News – Chaturanga Pradeep Kumara, Rasika Gunawardana, and Shabeer Mohammed – and at least one other journalist, Jareen Samuel of the BBC, during the raid. Wickremesinghe berated foreign diplomats for criticizing the security forces’ use of excessive force and took no action to hold those responsible to account.

A number of Buddhist monks and Christian clergy had joined the protests. The media reported that the Colombo Magistrates’ Court on July 25 had issued a travel ban on Father Jeewantha Peiris, a Catholic priest who had been prominent in the protests, and several others. Two days later police visited Father Peiris’s church and said that they had orders to arrest him. In a July 31 statement, 1,640 members of the Catholic clergy condemned targeting the priest, saying that they had all backed the protests.

On July 26, the authorities arrested another prominent protester, Dhaniz Ali, from an international flight about to depart from Colombo. On July 27, unidentified men in civilian clothes abducted Veranga Pushpika, a former student activist and journalist who had also been active in the protests, from a bus in Colombo. Police did not disclose his whereabouts to lawyers or the Human Rights Commission for several hours before acknowledging his arrest.

Human rights defenders said that the police sought to obstruct defense lawyers from meeting with four protesters who had been arrested after they handed over to the police a large sum of money taken from the president’s official residence after protesters had occupied it.

Lawyers and media organizations told Human Rights Watch that they have experienced increased intimidation, including threats of violence and surveillance. In one episode, a group of men claiming to be police officers, but not wearing uniform, visited the office of an online publication, Xposure News, on July 27 and demanded that a security guard identify people shown in photographs and show them CCTV footage.

On July 31, a student protester said in a statement on Facebook that he had been detained and interrogated for three hours by security force personnel who warned him that they could plant drugs on him and arrest him. Police summoned the social media activist Rathidu Senarathna, known as “Ratta,” on August 1 and arrested him after questioning. A Colombo magistrate also issued a foreign travel ban on Senarathna and 11 others suspected of illegal assembly and causing damage to property. On August 2, the authorities seized the passport of a British national, Kayleigh Fraser, who had posted about the protests on social media.

The authorities arrested at least seven people for the July 9 arson attack on Wickremesinghe’s private residence. Activists said that at least some of those detained were known to have been bystanders. Police are investigating a hotel that allegedly provided food to protesters and have raided, sometimes without warrants, the homes or workplaces of several protesters who are in hiding.

In a statement, 175 Sri Lankan human rights defenders and civil society organizations expressed concern about “disturbing developments of abduction, arrest, intimidation, and reprisals against protesters.” Members of the Catholic clergy said the government should “stop the repression of those involved and supporting the Aragalaya and focus on listening to grievances and aspirations of people and take actions to address both immediate and long-term problems.”

Under the state of emergency that President Wickremesinghe declared on July 18, the period that a person may be detained before being brought before a magistrate has been increased from 24 to 72 hours. The authorities have been granted sweeping additional powers of search and arrest, and the military has been empowered to detain people for up to a day without disclosing their detention. These provisions increase the risk of torture and enforced disappearance.

Under international human rights law, protections against torture, the excessive use of force, and other fundamental rights must never be violated, including during a state of emergency. Provisions of the state of emergency contrary to international standards should be immediately revoked, Human Rights Watch said.

The emergency regulations also introduce extreme new sentencing rules for several offenses, including damage to property and trespassing, which can now result in a life sentence and carry a minimum term of 20 years in prison. Among the offenses subject to harsher sentencing is a provision of the penal code that has previously been used to prosecute same-sex conduct. The decree provides that bail will not be available for those accused of offenses under the emergency regulations.

The state of emergency also gives the president and the police broad powers to ban public gatherings, allows the police or military to order anyone to leave any public place or face arrest, and makes it an offense to cause “disaffection” or to spread “rumors.” These provisions are vague, overly broad, and disproportionate in violation of the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, association, and movement.

In a statement following the assault on protesters on July 22, the European Union noted that it “expects the new Government to work in full compliance” with its human rights commitments, made in exchange for tariff free access to the EU market under the bloc’s GSP+ program. The World Bank said in a statement that the government should address “the root structural causes that created this crisis to ensure that Sri Lanka’s future recovery and development is resilient and inclusive.” Earlier, the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee stated that any agreement with the International Monetary Fund “must be contingent on … strong anti-corruption measures and promotion of the rule of law.”

“The people of Sri Lanka are reeling under an economic crisis that has plunged millions into food insecurity, the closure of schools, and shortages of medicine, fuel, and other necessities,” Ganguly said. “The government needs to end its repressive policies and practices and act urgently to address people’s basic needs, win public trust, and uphold the rule of law by holding those responsible to account.”

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President chairs 2027 Pre-Budget talks on Agriculture Ministry

Published

7 hours ago

2026/07/8

Priyan

A discussion to review the progress of projects being implemented under the 2026 budget allocations for the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation, and to consider the Ministry’s budgetary requirements for 2027, was held on Tuesday (07) morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the chairmanship of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

During the meeting, the progress of projects implemented in 2026 by institutions under the Ministry, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Agrarian Development, the Department of Export Agriculture and the Institute of Post-Harvest Technology (IPHT), was reviewed individually. Attention was also focused on institutions requiring restructuring to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

The President instructed that all irrigation projects maintained by various institutions, departments and local authorities should be regulated through a single district-level unit. He also directed that irrigation rehabilitation projects being implemented across the island be comprehensively mapped.

Emphasising the need to maximise the utilisation of funds allocated under the 2026 Budget, the President instructed officials to further promote concessionary bank loan facilities available to young entrepreneurs in the agriculture and industrial sectors.

The President also instructed officials to submit a report containing proposals for the integrated and systematic management of extension services currently operating under various ministries. He further highlighted the importance of holding separate discussions on individual subject areas to ensure seamless coordination between the Provincial Councils and the Central Government.

The President also directed officials to submit new proposals and projects aimed at promoting export agricultural crops and increasing the value of related products.

The meeting also reviewed projects launched in recent years with foreign loan assistance. As many had exceeded their scheduled completion dates, the President instructed officials to expedite their completion. He further emphasised that, in future, no project financed through foreign loans should be approved without a clear understanding of its intended outcomes.

It was also noted that the Government had incurred a significant financial burden due to the failure to complete certain projects initiated in previous years within the stipulated timeframe. Accordingly, it was decided to review projects that had not been completed on schedule.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of replacing outdated projects and programmes that have continued for many years without delivering tangible results with more productive agricultural programmes.

Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation K.D. Lalkantha; Minister of Labor and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando; Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Namal Karunaratne; Deputy Minister of Land and Irrigation Aravinda Senarath; Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Secretary to the Treasury and Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development, Dr.Harshana Suriyapperuma; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Kapila Janaka Bandara; Secretary to the Ministry of Energy and Senior Additional Secretary to the President Russell Aponsu; Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation D.P. Wickramasinghe; and officials of the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Land and Irrigation were also present at the discussion.

News

Committee Appointed to investigate unrest at Negombo Prison

Published

7 hours ago

2026/07/8

Priyan

A Committee of Inquiry was appointed on Tuesday (07) by Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, with Cabinet approval, to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the unrest that occurred at Negombo Prison on 5 and 6 July and to report on the circumstances that led to the incident.

The Committee is chaired by retired Supreme Court Judge Priyantha Fernando. Its other members are Additional Solicitor General and President’s Counsel Milinda Gunatilake and President’s Counsel Mohan Weerakoon. Senior Assistant Secretary to the President K.L.D. Asela has been appointed Secretary/Convener of the Committee of Inquiry.

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“Badhu Shakthi 2026” National Tax Week begins

Published

14 hours ago

2026/07/8

Priyan

The inaugural ceremony of “Badhu Shakthi 2026” (“බදු ශක්ති 2026”) National Tax Week, organised by the Revenue Administration Reform and Modernisation Unit of the Presidential Secretariat with the objective of strengthening State revenue generation and accelerating the country’s future development process, was held on Monday (06) morning at the Presidential Secretariat under the patronage of Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne.

“Badhu Shakthi 2026” is a year-round national programme aimed at transforming the negative public perception of taxation into a positive one while fostering a culture of voluntary tax compliance. To mark its commencement, a National Tax Week will be observed across the island from 6 to 10 July.

A nationwide media and public awareness campaign will be conducted in parallel, including the distribution of leaflets and a range of promotional activities designed to educate the public directly and encourage greater tax compliance.

Addressing the inaugural event, Speaker Dr Jagath Wickramaratne stated that “Badhu Shakthi 2026” is not simply a tax collection campaign but a national initiative aimed at cultivating responsible citizens who love their country.

Further elaborating, the Speaker said:

“Today marks a significant milestone in our country’s future development and economic stability. The strength and sustainability of any sovereign nation depend on its economic independence. Taxation is one of the key instruments for strengthening State revenue and driving national development.

However, taxation has long been viewed negatively by many people. That perception was largely shaped by those responsible for collecting taxes and by successive administrations. When people develop a sense of national responsibility, their attitudes begin to change. For many years, taxes were regarded as a burden. History has shown us that tax evasion occurred on a significant scale, and it must be acknowledged, however reluctantly, that such practices often enjoyed political patronage.

In the past, the public had little understanding of how their tax contributions were utilised. Taxpayers lacked a clear vision of the benefits derived from the taxes they paid. The present Government has succeeded in changing this situation by fostering a more positive public attitude towards taxation. I wish to pay tribute to all taxpayers who contribute towards the Government’s national development agenda.

Today, people have confidence that the taxes they pay are being put to good use. Expressways, highways and power infrastructure projects are now being implemented using domestic funds. There is a sense of pride among the public that construction of the Kandy Expressway has commenced without obtaining loans from any external source. Cabinet approval has also been granted to commence work on the Kurunegala–Galewela Road.

Today, Sri Lanka has grown stronger as a nation capable of financing development activities through domestic resources rather than relying on foreign borrowing.

In ancient times, the country’s great stupas, reservoirs and irrigation networks were built through the collective contribution of the people. Likewise, Sri Lanka can become a prosperous and developed nation only through collective effort. The taxes collected today are being utilised for the welfare of the people. This was clearly demonstrated when the Government allocated Rs. 500 billion in response to Cyclone Ditwah. In addition, substantial benefits are now being provided to the public through the President’s Fund. Educational assistance is being extended to schoolchildren across every corner of the country. All of these initiatives are being financed through domestic resources.

It is essential that the public are made aware of the real benefits derived from tax revenue and of the development projects being implemented. This will strengthen public confidence in the transparent use of tax revenue. The primary objective of this national programme is to broaden the country’s tax base, improve tax compliance, reduce tax evasion and foster a positive attitude towards taxation. If everyone pays their fair share of taxes, the tax burden borne by others can be reduced.

We do not build a beehive with a single bee. It is created through the collective effort of thousands of bees, making it a remarkable achievement. Likewise, ‘Badhu Shakthi 2026’ is not merely a tax collection campaign. It is a national movement to cultivate responsible citizens who love their country. I extend my sincere appreciation to everyone who has dedicated themselves to making this important initiative a success.”

Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Anil Jayantha Fernando:

Labour Minister and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Anil Jayantha Fernando said that a proper understanding of taxation among citizens would enable Sri Lanka to make greater progress towards economic and social transformation.

He noted that while individuals naturally pursue their own personal goals and aspirations, many of these objectives cannot be achieved in isolation. The success of any society depends on cooperation and collective effort.

He further stated:

“Today, paying taxes has become a much simpler process. As a result, tax collection is now carried out more efficiently and systematically. At the same time, the Government recognises its responsibility to ensure that tax revenue collected fairly is managed prudently and utilised for the benefit of society. If the Government fails to demonstrate sound financial discipline, people will lose confidence and become reluctant to pay taxes. This was evident in the past.

Accordingly, the Government has introduced a tax administration system founded on strong fiscal discipline. We will not tolerate fraud, corruption or waste. If we are to rebuild this country, every citizen must contribute willingly and with a sense of national responsibility. This should not be driven solely by legal obligation. We are confident that the people of Sri Lanka will fulfil this responsibility.”

Deputy Minister of Economic Development Nishantha Jayaweera, Director General of Customs Wimal Liyanagama, Director General of Excise M.B.N.A. Premaratne, and Commissioner General of Inland Revenue Rukdevi Fernando also addressed the gathering.

Among those present were Director General of Public Relations to the President Dharmasiri Gamage, senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat, the Ministry of Finance, Sri Lanka Customs, the Department of Excise, the Inland Revenue Department, as well as taxpayers and other invited participants.