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Dear Friends, The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) wishes to forward to you the following press release from the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. Asian Human Rights Commission Ho...

Basil Fernando A few decades ago, Bunty De Soysa was one of Sri Lanka’s leading criminal lawyers; at one point, he was also president of the country’s Bar Association. In one case, he represented a ...

Chandradasa was a young man living in an urban area making a living through various kinds of odd jobs. He was engaged in various kinds of buying and selling, such as the selling of vegetables and fish...

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that police in Chilaw illegally arrested, tortured and falsely accused a three-wheeler driver of carrying drugs. After ejecting the...

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) would like to report a case of police brutality against members of the United National Party who were in possession of lawful posters for a ra...

The former commander of the Sri Lankan army, retired general Sarath Fonseka is today under military detention in much the same way that tens of thousands of Sri Lankans from the south, north and east ...

Basil Fernando In talking about Sarath Fonseka’s case and Prof. G.L. Peiris’ media conference some argue that justice should not only be done but must also be seen to be done. However, a course of a...

Basil Fernando Peter Mountford who returned from a visit to Sri Lanka writes in an article ‘Sri Lanka’s hr and free speech problems need international attention? (Seattle Times Editorial 27th Februa...

SRI LANKA: Diary of Terror — Part 14, February 23, 2010  Sri Lankan Human Rights Watch Amy officers raping a nine year old girl; can the new army commander maintain army discipline? (February ...

In the Bar Council elections held this week the lawyers voted overwhelmingly against a candidate who was openly promoted by the government. Shibly Aziz won the election with a majority of 450 votes ag...

At a press conference held on behalf of the Sanga Convention monks of the three leading Buddhist chapters explained the reasons for postponing the National Convention of Buddhist Monks which was to be...

Press Release issued by the Lawyers for Democracy (LfD) Lawyers for Democracy (LfD), a body of lawyers representing over 300 lawyers around the country, committed to democratic values, are deeply conc...

A Wife’s Challenge SRI LANKA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH (February 13, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) If there was coup attempt arrest me also, Sarath Fonseka’s wife, Anoma, challenged the authorities. Speakin...

Dear friends,  The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has learned that police in Kandy have failed to adequately investigate an unprovoked attack on a young man in Madalkelle.  CASE DETAILS:  Acc...

Even some analysts supporting the president have stated that the arrest of the common candidate for the opposition, Sarath Fonseka, was unwise. They have said that this action will create unfavourable...

Basil Fernando The voice of Manorani Saravanamuttu was heard loudly during the last decade of the twentieth century, protesting strongly against disappearances in Sri Lanka. The voice of Sandya Ekanal...

The Sri Lankan President, Mahinda Rajapakse, has begun his second term in office. The system of governance in which he works is one that falls clearly outside constitutionalism. The basic principle un...

A Secret Trial before a Kangaroo Tribunal Why is the Sri Lankan government avoiding the country’s courts? (February 10, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) The case against Sarath Fonseka, the common candid...

E01/02/2010 CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT ATTACKS ON PEACEFUL PROTEST “…all parties that have hitherto shared in government must share in some measure the responsibility for these despicable tende...

Basil Fernando During the last week, three women have tried to speak to their nation about the tragedy each of them faced. One is Sandya Eknaliyagoda, the wife of Prageeth Ekanaliyagoda, the disappear...