News

HRCSL: No prisoners were used in 09 May attacks on protesters

Published

3 years ago

2022/07/1

AG, CJ asked to take action against lawyer for triggering violence

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has declared that a false allegation by President of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners (CPRP) Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera that some prisoners were used to attack anti-government protesters outside Temple Trees and at Galle Face on 09 May triggered violence in many parts of the country.

The HRCSL also faulted Sudesh Nadimal Silva also of the same organisation for propagating unsubstantiated allegations.

Justice (ret.) Rohini Marasinghe, in her capacity as the Chairperson of the HRCSL, said that both Senaka Perera and Sudesh Nandimal had failed to substantiate their allegations made at the Galle Face protest site on 10 May.

The HRCSL, in a statement issued yesterday (29) quoted Justice Marasinghe as having said: “False propaganda as well as misinformation of the alleged use of Prisoners to have attacked the innocent protesters is both a diabolical lie and a deceitful action.”

The HRCSL has recommended that Attorney General Sanjaya Rajaratnam conduct a further investigations into allegations made by Senaka Perera and take necessary action

The HRCSL has requested Chief Justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, PC, to take note of the detrimental statements made by Attorney-at-Law Senaka Perera and take due action.

The HRCSL consists of Ven. Kalupahana Piyarathana Thera, Dr. M.H. Nimal Karunasiri, Dr. Vijitha Nanayakkara and Ms. Anusuya Shanmuganathan.

The HRCSL dealt with the issue in a statement titled ‘The HRCSL condemns the false media broadcast made by the President of the Committee for Protecting Rights of Prisoners’.

The HRCSL issued the statement after the conclusion of a special investigation by an appointed committee of investigators (Col).

CoI consisted of Sanjeewa Weerawickrama, Attorney -at- Law, Miss. lmasha Senadeera, Attorney-at-Law and Dr. Dilshani Bogollagama.

Referring to allegation that prisoners had been used to attack protesters at protest sites at Galle Face and Temple Trees, the HRCSL said that the CoI determined that no prisoners had been used in perpetrating any attack on the peaceful protesters.

The HRCSL asserted that the unsubstantiated allegations caused an irreversible damage to the country.

The HRCSL said that a group of prisoners had been seriously assaulted and subjected to mental and physical torture by an unidentified group on 09 May.

The HRCSL stated: “The unprecedented ruthless nature of the attack on prisoners and officials resulted in injuries and hospitalization of many inmates.” Since the incidents, eight prisoners hadn’t been accounted for so far, it has said.

The prisoners had been made available to the private sector enterprises in terms of an agreement endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers in Oct 2021. On the day of the incidents, a group of prisoners had been taken to a designated work place and were on their way back when gangs intercepted them.

“Attorney at Law Mr. Senaka Perera, the convener of the conference identified himself as a Human Rights Activist. The COI provided the CPRP president Mr. Senaka Perera with the opportunity to justify his statements that caused an outrage in both Sri Lanka and the World at large. For the purpose of submission of any evidence, in either oral statements or picture documentation in support of his statements, Mr. Perera was extended a justifiable time period. However, he expressly affirmed before the Committee that at the time of the statement or even thereafter he did not have any tangible evidence in favor of his expressed views in regard to the alleged incident. Mr. Sudesh Nadimal Silva was also summoned to give evidence before the COl. The Committee explaining the paramount importance of the maintenance of professional ethics provided Mr. Sudesh Nadimal Silva with the opportunity to provide a justifiable explanation for his expressed allegations. However, he was unable to provide any acceptable evidence in support of his statements.

The COI observed that the press conference which was chaired by M. Senaka Perera had dispensed totally false statements without any sustantive evidence.

“Following the above-mentioned facts, the COI has identified the grave consequences of the negligent attitude of making unfounded statements. Inciting agitation in the general public against state departments and personnel has inadvertently led to disruptions to the law and order of the Country.

“The COI further observed that these inaccurate declarations conveyed by the above speakers directly contributed to the series of violent activities and right violations, reported island wide. The combined result of the atrocities that occurred within a mere 48 hours resulted in the loss of 12 human lives with several hundred injured casualties. In addition, intentional damage and arson to both public and private properties surmount to the loss of billions of rupees.

“After a thorough and diligent inquiry, the COI has arrived at the following conclusions. The highly irresponsible misconduct by the Attorney-of-Law Senaka Perera, with his speculative allegations with no substantiated evidence, resulted in disastrous consequences.

“Hence, it is of paramount importance that members of professional bodies need to be guided by the code of conduct or the professional ethics as set out by the respective professional bodies for the due conduct of the members. These conditions of misconduct from individuals of representation and influence should be held accountable by the respective professional bodies.

It is the view of the COI that national media institutions must consciously adhere to responsible reporting and promote journalism with integrity, especially during this volatile period of both political and economic instability. This tantamount to avoidance of direct reporting of incidence without due assessment of this veracity and credibility. The Committee further advocates promotion of investigative journalist practices with the objective of strengthening the democratic fabric of the Country.”

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Business

Amal Niroshan Attanayake appointed Chairman Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited

Published

8 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Amal Niroshan Attanayake, a highly experienced business professional with both local and international experience, has been appointed the new Chairman of Sri Lanka Thriposha Limited by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.

The official letter of appointment was presented to Mr Attanayake on Friday (13) by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, at the Ministry premises.

Mr. Attanayake, an alumnus of Dharmaraja College, Kandy, brings over 25 years of high-level experience in local and international business fields. During his school years, he served as a President’s Scout and later graduated with honours from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. He has also served as the Secretary of the University Sports Association and represented Sri Lanka in international tennis tournaments.

In addition to creating a number of local and international brands, Attanayake has organised and managed several international exhibitions in South Asia and Sri Lanka. He also has extensive expertise in modern technology and digitalisation.

News

“Shrama Meheyuma” initiative to be launched on 4th July

Published

8 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the low engagement of inexperienced labor force in vocational training is largely due to the unattractiveness of training institutions and emphasized the need to address and rectify this situation.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while participating in an awareness program held at the Orugodawatta Tech Institute which focused on the upcoming “Shrama Meheyuma” initiative, scheduled to be implemented islandwide on July 4, 2025, utilizing 311 national, district, and regional vocational training centers. This initiative is part of a broader national program aligned with the vision of a Clean Sri Lanka, built upon environmental, social, and ethical principles.

The Prime Minister further stated:

“A young person who receives vocational training in a high-demand field will encounter no obstacles in securing a well-paying job, either locally or internationally. However, we continue to witness a lack of participation in vocational training by the unemployed, inexperienced labor force. The lack of attractiveness of training institutions is a significant contributing factor to this issue. Therefore, it is imperative that we implement long-term measures and plans to transform this reality.

Nevertheless, we cannot afford to remain silent. The vocational education sector holds immense potential. It possesses a wide range of technical and professional expertise, as well as the necessary tools and resources. Approximately 125,000 young trainees are currently enrolled in these institutions. As such, a unique opportunity has emerged to launch a large-scale initiative in alignment with the environmental pillar of the Clean Sri Lanka program.”

The Prime Minister also highlighted that public institutions and community stakeholders can be engaged in support of this initiative.

“Let us commence this national initiative with the inauguration on July 4 and ensure its continued implementation. By undertaking minor maintenance and environmentally friendly approach by excluding major construction or renovations, we can transform our training centers into appealing spaces for youth.

Moreover, it is essential that we cultivate social and ethical transformation within ourselves and within our institutions

If we are able to reduce the proportion of inexperienced labor which currently stands at approximately 72% of the inactive labor force by 25% within the next five years, and if at least one member from each economically vulnerable household can be directed towards vocational training, these households will then have the opportunity to earn a monthly income ranging from LKR 50,000 to 75,000.

Therefore, on July 4, you will not merely be cleaning your vocational training center. Through your actions, you will also be contributing to encouraging youth to engage in vocational training, thereby enabling their families to overcome poverty and helping the country address its economic challenges.”

The event was attended by S.P.C. Sugishwara, Additional Secretary to the President at the Clean Sri Lanka Operations Secretariat, as well as heads of institutions and senior officials from the Vocational Education Division of the Ministry of Education.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

News

Preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives – PM

Published

9 hours ago

2025/06/13

Priyan

Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya emphasized that preventing road accidents should be approached not merely as a legal obligation but as a personal responsibility to save lives while efforts must be undertaken with awareness and dedication, not just adherence to rules and regulations.

The Prime Minister made these remarks while attending the inauguration ceremony of the awareness program held at Royal College, Colombo on road safety titled ’Take Care – Let’s Be Safe on the Road,’ organized jointly by the Clean Sri Lanka Program, the Ministry of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education, and the Sri Lanka Police.

Police officers should conduct awareness sessions on road accident prevention for schoolchildren and distribution of equipment necessary for school transport safety to 25 selected schools across 25 districts was taken place under the patronage of the Prime Minister.

Addressing the event, Prime Minister stated:

“This is another significant initiative under the Clean Sri Lanka Project. Road accidents have become a major national crisis. The tragic reality is that most of these incidents are preventable if we have the will and dedication.

About seven people die every day due to road accidents. We must stop this tragedy. Every deceased, disabled, or injured victim of road accidents is a citizen of this country. They are someone’s mother, father, brother, sister, or child. When someone becomes a victim, the whole society is affected. The statistics on accidents are not just numbers—they carry deep stories and pain.

Preventing road accidents is not only about obeying laws. It’s about thinking of others, acting with empathy, and treating the preservation of life as our own duty. We need to build a society that functions with compassion and responsibility. That is the kind of beautiful country the government is striving to create.

It is important that education must come before punishment, setting an example must precede enforcement of the law, cautious before precede accusations. Parents must set a good example, drivers must be committed to saving lives, children must be given a clear understanding of traffic rules while the police must prioritize public education before enforcing laws.”