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Executive Summary
Legal Reforms and Amendments: An individual went to the Embilipitiya Magistrate’s court to post bail but was jailed for contempt after his phone rang. He died two days later.
Minister Ananda Wijepala announced that amendments to the Online Safety Act will be presented in Parliament within a month. The draft has been finalized by a committee and is now with the Ministry of Mass Media.
Sri Lanka’s Parliament approved amendments for digital judicial reforms, enabling remote appearances for suspects and witnesses in legal proceedings to enhance safety and efficiency.
HRCSL asked the Ministry of Justice to repeal Sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code, which criminalize same-sex relations. They referenced laws supporting non-discrimination based on sexual orientation. HRCSL also condemned discrimination against the LGBTIQ community and urged Parliament to pass a bill to meet international human rights standards.
The HRCSL plans to amend its founding Act to fix implementation issues and reduce backlogs, with over 8,000 investigations open.
Freedom of the Press: A photo of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a May Day rally was removed from official sites after authorities requested it. The image sparked debate about political symbolism and raised concerns about censorship under the current administration.
The Government Information Department requires only government-accredited journalists to attend post-Cabinet media briefings, facing opposition from the PWJA and SLWJA for restricting media freedom.
Workers’ Rights: May Day 2025 featured strong demonstrations supporting workers’ rights and calling for justice in the North. In Mannar, local groups hosted community events and a mass protest addressed issues like environmental destruction and land grabs. Farmers, fisherfolk, and laborers united to oppose exploitative development projects. A May Day rally in Jaffna led by Joseph Stalin focused on teacher salaries and various social justice demands.
The NEXT apparel factory in Katunayake FTZ closed suddenly, affecting 1,416 workers. Reasons included financial losses and rising costs, but the closure violated labor laws regarding notice. Management offered severance pay, but unions rejected it, raising concerns about employee coercion. Negotiations are ongoing to address the issues.
Prevention of Terrorism Act: Sri Lanka pledged to repeal the Prevention of Terrorism Act during a meeting with the EU, intending to create new counter-terrorism laws that meet international standards.
Despite government promises, no changes have happened concerning the Anti-Terrorism Bill. A committee was formed in February 2025, and public feedback began on 16 May 2025. Skepticism remains, with many opposing new laws, preferring existing ones.
Germany planned to address the PTA, reconciliation, and accountability during President Dissanayake’s visit. Justice Minister Nanayakkara acknowledges public opposition to the PTA.
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Land Encroachment: The government claimed over 1,700 acres of land in Tamil-majority areas, requiring landowners to submit claims by June 28, 2025, after which the land would become state property. This move faced strong backlash from Tamil leaders and displaced communities, many lacking ownership documents. ITAK leaders threatened civil disobedience if the Gazette was not revoked by May 28.
Tamil landowners protested against illegal Buddhist temple constructions on seized lands, despite government reassurances about land release and improvements. Thousands of acres remain under military control, affecting resettlement. Tamil residents submitted petitions for immediate land release in areas like Myliddy and Palali, noting the loss of fishing and agricultural land.
Parliamentary debates reveal ongoing land seizures in Trincomalee district, affecting Tamil farmers’ farmland and livelihoods. ITAK MP Shanmugam Kugathasan claims overlapping claims have inflated land appropriation, causing rice production losses and food security risks. Bureaucratic inertia worsens displacement and economic hardship.
Custodial Deaths: A 28-year-old drug addict, died in police custody in Kosgoda on May 2, 2025. His family claims he was severely assaulted while in custody, leading to his death. The Kosgoda Police have been directed to hand the case over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
| In the last five years (from 2020 to 2025), the HRCSL recorded 49 custodial deaths and 30 encounter deaths. This number does not include the lives lost in prison. For the first quarter of 2025, the HRCSL received 28 complaints regarding torture. Last year, the independent body recorded 737 complaints about torture – an increase from the 546 complaints about torture in 2023. The Morning, 25th May 2025 |
The HRCSL issued General Guidelines and Recommendations No. 1 of 2025 to the Sri Lanka Police, defining custodial deaths as those resulting from police action or inaction during arrest, detention, or transit. HRCSL Chairperson Justice L.T.B. Dehideniya reiterated that the police are legally responsible for the safety and lives of those in their custody and emphasized the constitutional right to life.
The Commission calls for an independent mechanism to investigate custodial deaths due to conflicts of interest. HRCSL recommends an independent committee, as over 8,000 cases remain unresolved and officers are overwhelmed with case files.
Right to Memorialize and Commemorate: Tamils in Sri Lanka and the diaspora commemorated Tamil Genocide Remembrance Day, marking sixteen years since 2009 atrocities. Despite government assurances, suppression, surveillance, and intimidation occurred.
The HRCSL has criticized the Acting Inspector General of Police for misuse of legal provisions to hinder peaceful commemorations, citing the misapplication of ICCPR Act and temporary court orders to block events, despite the government’s public announcement in November 2024 not to interfere with peaceful commemoration.
In Colombo, civil society activists held a peaceful vigil for the third consecutive Mullivaikkal commemoration. However, the event was disrupted by Sinhala Ravaya, an ultranationalist group accused of supporting the LTTE and aligning with Palestine. Despite the police de-escalating the confrontation, the atmosphere remained tense. The disconnect between governmental promises and actions highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Tamils in exercising their rights.
Sri Lanka’s government has strongly opposed the Tamil Genocide Monument in Canada, calling the allegations ‘unfounded’ and ‘misleading’. Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath protested the monument’s approval, arguing that credible claims of genocide during Sri Lanka’s civil conflict are not supported. The unveiling occurred after Canadian MP Gary Anandasangaree was appointed Minister of Public Safety.
Police Brutality and Intimidation: Tensions are high in Kurunthurmalai, Mullaitivu, where Tamil farmers were arrested for cultivating land occupied by an allegedly illegal Buddhist temple.
Police misconduct issues have emerged nationwide. A Gokarella constable was suspended for assaulting a civilian. In Ampara, an officer was arrested for drunk driving, and another officer was suspended for sharing a video of the incident.
The Bar Association of Sri Lanka condemned law enforcement’s attempts to access lawyers’ confidential information without court orders, stating it threatens justice and independence.
Families of the Disappeared: The President of the Association of Families of the Forcibly Disappeared criticized the government for neglecting Tamil families’ justice demands and pushing the issue into bureaucracy. Families reject the OMP and seek international judicial mechanisms.
The Association for Relatives of the Enforced Disappearances (ARED) marked 3,000 days of protest in Vavuniya, demanding truth and justice for Tamil civilians forcibly disappeared during the 2009 war, especially those last seen in military custody.
Tamil families in Ampara District protest for transparency on disappeared relatives’ fate, demanding comprehensive lists, international inquiries, and justice despite intimidation and political neglect.
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