Centre for Policy Alternatives on 15 June, 2020 June 15th 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: We, the undersigned from civil society express grave concern regarding the establishment of a spate of Presidential Task Forces in the last few months. Three Task Forces were appointed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a response to COVID-19. One has extensive powers to direct, coordinate and monitor the delivery […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 5 April, 2020 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 […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 30 March, 2020 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 […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 19 July, 2018 19th July 2018, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The undersigned civil society activists and groups in Sri Lanka express our deep concern about the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers to take steps towards implementing the death penalty. The death penalty has not been implemented in Sri Lanka since 1976, though it continues to remain as a punishment […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 4 March, 2014 Download the following statement as a PDF here or read it online here. ### We recognize the framework agreed upon in resolutions 21/1 HRC (2012) and 22/1 HRC 2013 supporting reconciliation and accountability in Sri Lanka and efforts made by member states calling on the Sri Lankan government to address grave violations of human rights and […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 14 December, 2013 The following text was sent as a letter addressing the Chairman, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka today. It was signed by Sudarshana Gunawardana of Rights Now Collective for Democracy on behalf of 16 civil society organisations. This was faxed to the Human Rights Commission today (Friday 13.12.2013) and it will be sent to the […]
Centre for Policy Alternatives on 14 November, 2013 14 November 2013: Over 100 activists from 50 countries meeting in Johannesburg during International Civil Society Week are deeply concerned by Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakshe’s statement at the inauguration of the Commonwealth Peoples Forum in Colombo: “While diversity of opinion is natural in civil society, it is important that one basic quality should underpin […]