The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following letter from Mr. Nagananda Kodituwakku to The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Asian Human Rights Commission
Hong Kong
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AHRC-FLT-001-2022
April 18, 2022
A Letter from Mr. Nagananda Kodituwakku forwarded by the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
Palais des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 10
Switzerland
16th April 2022
Sri Lanka Government’s attempt to suppress nonviolent protests demanding the resignation Of the President
The United Nations Human Rights Council is fully aware Of the breakdown Of the rule Of law in the Republic Of Sri Lanka and adopted the resolution, A/HRC/46/20 Of 27thJanuary 2021, following a series Of such resolutions demanding the government to restore the independence of the judiciary and accountability.
The political culture Of Sri Lanka is such that the rulers, irrespective oftheir political affiliations simply ignore the United Nations Convention on Corruption which has been in force since 2004.
As at the moment, the Government has no ability to provide even the basic services to the people due to corruption and other serious lapses in the administration, resulting in islandwide protests, which are being held peacefully without any violence. The biggest protest campaign is being conducted in the capital city Of Colombo for the 8th consecutive day demanding the resignation of the President Gotabhaya Rajapakse and the dissolution Of the Parliament forthwith.
It has now been observed that the government is contemplating to disrupt this campaign by employing the police and the military personnel. Today (16th April 2022) the police had deployed a fleet of trucks (evidence marked Xl enclosed) at the entrance to the protest site, apparently to intimidate the citizens exercising their right to protest against the corrupt regime. Previously on 02nd April 2022, an Army rider team in full battle gear confronted the protesting public at the entrance to the parliament (evidence marked X2 enclosed). And it is also learnt that plans are underway to deploy pro-government goon squads to assault the unarmed peaceful protesters.
Being an activist and a public interest litigation lawyer, I bring this serious threat to the nonviolent protest that could lead to loss of lives of innocent citizens who exercise their constitutional right to protest against the corrupt regime.
Nagananda Kodituwakku
General Secretary, Vinivida Foundation
