8 April 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, Sri Lanka has witnessed the activation of existing structures and the establishment of new ones. One such new entity is the Presidential Task Force established to direct, coordinate and monitor the delivery of continuous services and for the sustenance of overall community […]
4th April 2020 H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic, Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka CC:
Hon. Pavithra Waniarachchi, Minister of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General Health Services Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit Dr. Hasitha Attanayake, Director, Infectious Diseases Hospital Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Chief Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Deepika Udagama, Chairperson, Human Rights […]
3rd April 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) notes several news reports on the Election Commission’s concerns that it will be unable to hold parliamentary elections within the time-period stipulated by law due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Commission has accordingly requested the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme […]
On 26th March 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardoned former Army Staff Sergeant R. M. Sunil Rathnayake, a convicted death row prisoner. The pardon was met with mixed reactions in Sri Lanka. At one end of the spectrum was concern and condemnation for pardoning a convicted criminal while others welcomed the pardon and for releasing a […]
On March 26, 2020, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa granted a presidential pardon and released convicted death row prisoner and mass murderer, former Army Staff Sergeant R. M. Sunil Rathnayake. While the country is on lockdown due to COVID-19, the President has seized this opportunity to deal a lethal blow to the rule of law to show […]
26 March 2020 To:H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri LankaHon. Jayantha Jayasuriya, Chairman of the Judicial Services Commission, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Sri LankaHon. Nimal Siripala De Silva, Minister of JusticeMr. T. M. J. W. Thennakoon, Commissioner General of PrisonsMr. Kalinga Indatissa PC, President of the Bar […]
The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has prepared this brief guide to raise several legal issues and highlight consequences in the context of Covid-19 in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has taken swift action in recent weeks to contain Covid-19 outbreak. These actions have been taken in the backdrop of Parliament being dissolved by President Gotabaya […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 8 April, 2020