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Mirihana mayhem: NGO wants torture allegations probed

Published

4 years ago

2022/04/4

Sri Lanka Collective Against Torture (SLCAT) has said that every allegation of torture of persons, arrested at Mirihana, should be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Affected persons should be provided services for recovery and compensation, SLCAT said in a statement issued yesterday.

The following is the text of the statement: “People had gathered at Mirihana to exercise their basic civic right to highlight the devastating impact of the economic crisis which has led to countrywide power outages and a fuel shortage which has impacted essential services and the supplies of food and medicines.

During the last several weeks, at least three deaths of people, who stood in line waiting for LP gas deliveries or fuel supplies were recorded, and scuffles broke out as people clamoured to access essential supplies.

Emerging video footage of the protest shows, what appears to be, excessive and unprovoked use of force by the police against peacefully protesting persons, bystanders and journalists. For instance, there is footage of police following/chasing persons, who appear to be residents of the area in which the protest was being held and beating them. It has been reported that the use of rubber bullets and tear gas has caused injuries and had an adverse health impact on protestors and bystanders, including children, who accompanied their parents. The government justifies the use of force by pointing to the destruction of public property, but video footage indicates police disregarded acts of violence when they were taking place, although they were present at the site, such as a bus being set on fire. This gives credence to allegations that persons who were not protestors infiltrated the protests and caused violence to which law enforcement turned a blind eye.

By the morning of 1st April 2022, several arrested persons alleged they were beaten in police custody due to which they had sustained injuries. Some detained persons were noted having visible fresh injuries, including baton inflicted welts across their backs and experienced difficulty walking. Despite this, for more than 12 hours they were not provided medical care, which could constitute torture and appears to be part of the punishment inflicted on them (protestors) for participating in the protest. At the time of issuing this statement, close to half the number of persons arrested were hospitalised and could not be physically produced before court.

We reiterate that torture is forbidden under international human rights law, as well as Sri Lankan law, including the Constitution. It is also the right of detained persons to have access to a lawyer, which is in part to protect them from torture or inhuman, degrading treatment or punishment while in custody. Despite this, detained persons were prevented from consulting with lawyers, even nearly 24 hours after they were arrested, which violates their due process rights.

As part of its strategy to legitimize its crackdown on dissent, the government branded the protestors “extremists”, and thereafter a government minister referred to the protests as acts of terrorism, which illustrates a clear attempt to stifle people’s right to expression, peaceful assembly and association. These acts of the government have to be viewed in the context of the deterioration of the rule of law, which is exacerbated by the declaration of a state of emergency by the government on 1 April 2022 that provides wide powers to the executive to curtail rights. These developments raise grave concerns about the potential crackdown on freedom of expression and assembly and dissent, particularly in light of the history of the abuse of emergency powers by the executive in Sri Lanka. The denial by the police they arrested social activist Anuruddha Bandara on 1 April 2022, who was located hours later on 2 April 2022 by the Human Rights Commission at the very police station which denied he was arrested, is a case in point. The police have stated he has been arrested under Section 120 of the Penal Code, a vague and overbroad provision on ‘causing disaffection’ that has been used by successive governments to curtail freedom of expression and stifle dissent.

When officers of the state justify their actions on the basis of national security or protecting public order, they have the onus of proving the precise nature of the threat and security risk. The security and well-being of citizens, in particular their right to challenge their elected representatives and hold them accountable is part of ensuring the security of the country.

When this right is threatened, it undermines social cohesion and harmony. We reiterate that the right to dissent and peacefully protest to hold the government accountable and demand their rights is the inherent right of every citizen. This right must be respected by the government.

The SLCAT called for:

1. Every allegation of torture should be investigated and those responsible held accountable. Affected persons should be provided services for recovery and compensation.

2. Persons arrested and detained against whom there is no evidence of any involvement in unlawful activity should be discharged.

3. The government to respect the right of citizens to engage in peaceful protest and the right of the media.

4. The police to abide by legal standards governing the use of force, i.e. legality, necessity and proportionality.

5. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka to conduct investigations into allegations of torture and issue at least its initial findings in an expeditious manner.

6. The government to publicly apologise for the treatment of protestors and by-standers at the incident of 31st March 2022 at Jubilee Post junction.

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CEB engineers raise alarm over power sector stability

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/27

Thilina Walpola

A senior electrical engineers attached to the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) have warned that unresolved structural and policy issues within the power sector could threaten the long-term stability of the national grid, urging authorities to act swiftly to address mounting technical and administrative concerns.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, they said the electricity network was operating under increasing strain due to delayed infrastructure upgrades, financial constraints, and growing demand.

“The national grid is not something that can be managed casually. It requires systematic planning, preventive maintenance, and timely investment. If these are compromised, the risk to system stability increases,” the engineers said.

They noted that several transmission and substation modernisation projects were behind schedule, while ageing thermal plants continued to shoulder a significant portion of the country’s base load demand.

“Engineers are committed to ensuring an uninterrupted supply. But professional expertise must be respected in decision-making. Technical matters cannot be subjected to short-term political considerations,” the engineers added.

Meanwhile, the powerful Ceylon Electricity Board Engineers’ Union (CEBEU) echoed similar concerns, warning that failure to address long standing professional and structural issues could have serious consequences for the power sector.

In a statement, the CEBEU has said that engineers have repeatedly called for reforms that safeguard the integrity of the utility and ensure that operational decisions remain grounded in technical evaluation.

“The electricity sector is a critical national asset. Any attempt to weaken institutional safeguards or bypass professional consultation will directly impact service reliability and long-term sustainability,” the union said.

The CEBEU has stressed the importance of transparent engagement between policymakers and technical personnel, noting that morale among engineers could be affected if their concerns continue to go unheard.

Industry analysts point out that the power sector plays a central role in Sri Lanka’s economic recovery efforts, particularly as the country seeks to expand industrial activity and attract investment. Stability in electricity supply remains a key determinant of business confidence.

The senior engineer stressed d that the objective of raising concerns is not confrontation but preservation of the grid’s integrity.

“Our responsibility is to the public. Electricity powers hospitals, industries, and homes. Safeguarding the system is a national duty,” he said.

With tensions simmering within the sector, stakeholders say meaningful dialogue between authorities, engineers, and trade unions will be crucial in ensuring that Sri Lanka’s power infrastructure remains resilient in the face of growing challenges.

By Ifham Nizam

News

CB identifies 24 pyramid scams in Sri Lanka

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/27

Thilina Walpola

The Central Bank (CBSL) yesterday announced that investigations had identified 24 companies and applications operating prohibited pyramid schemes.

In a public notice issued under Section 83C of the Banking Act, No. 30 of 1988 (as amended), the CBSL said the following entities had been “ascertained and determined as prohibited schemes”: Tiens Lanka Health Care (Pvt) Ltd, Best Life International (Pvt) Ltd, Mark–Wo International (Pvt) Ltd, V M L International (Pvt) Ltd, Global Lifestyle Lanka (Pvt) Ltd, Fast3Cycle International (Pvt) Ltd, Sport Chain App / Sport Chain ZS Society Sri Lanka, OnmaxDT, MTFE App / MTFE SL Group / MTFE Success Lanka / MTFE DSCC Group, Fastwin (Pvt) Ltd, Fruugo Online App / Fruugo Online (Pvt) Ltd, Ride to Three Freedom (Pvt) Ltd, Qnet / Questnet, Era Miracle (Pvt) Ltd and Genesis Business School, Ledger Block, Isimaga International (Pvt) Ltd, Beecoin App and Sunbird Foundation, Windex Trading, The Enrich Life (Pvt) Ltd, Smart Win Entrepreneur (Pvt) Ltd, Net Fore International (Pvt) Ltd / Netrrix, Pro Care (Pvt) Ltd and Shade of Procare (Pvt) Ltd, SGO / sgomine.com and I.C.A.N Advertising (Pvt) Ltd and its affiliates icanonlineadvertising.com, bannercuts.com, bannercuts.lk, bannercuts.net and bannercuts.org

The CBSL said pyramid schemes, also referred to as multi-level marketing or direct selling schemes in certain instances, operate as recruitment-based programmes in which members enlist others into an expanding “downline” structure resembling a chain letter.

Under such arrangements, a portion of the fees paid by new recruits is channelled upwards to earlier participants, known as the “upline”, who are fewer in number.

The Central Bank warned that such schemes are inherently unsustainable, with the vast majority of participants at the lower tiers eventually losing their investments, while only a small number of early entrants are able to recover or profit from the funds contributed by subsequent recruits. It noted that when a pyramid scheme collapses, up to 99 per cent of those in the lower levels risk losing their money.

News

Church urges patience, warns against interference with Easter attacks probe

Published

11 hours ago

2026/02/27

Thilina Walpola

Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Colombo, Rev. Fr. Cyril Gamini Fernando, yesterday expressed confidence that ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks would yield meaningful results and urged the public and all stakeholders to exercise patience and allow the probe to proceed independently.

Addressing a media briefing in Colombo yesterday, Fr. Fernando called on all parties to refrain from interfering with the investigations, warning that any attempt to obstruct the process would amount to a grave injustice to the victims.

He said he believed there was credible evidence to warrant the arrest of military intelligence veteran Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Suresh Sallay.

Referring to the coordinated bombings on April 21, 2019, which targeted churches and hotels and claimed nearly 300 lives, Fr. Fernando described the attacks as a “barbaric” act and a “massacre” that killed worshippers attending Easter services as well as individuals from different religious and ethnic communities.

By Norman Palihawadane