CPA Comms Officer on 31 March, 2026

Strengthening Sri Lanka’s Prosecutorial Framework: Options for Reform and Institutional Independence

This policy brief by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) builds upon the organization’s previous work examining longstanding debates on reforming the Attorney-General’s Department of Sri Lanka. These debates have intensified in recent years amid growing criticism regarding the allegations of politicisation of the department and the real and perceived conflicts of interest, particularly in relation to its prosecutorial functions. These criticisms are located within the broader structural concerns regarding Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system. This has created a multicursal maze of reform – comprising a complex maze of reform options, with multiple intersecting and non-linear pathways that must be carefully navigated to ensure an equitable and efficient legal system.

The National People’s Power (NPP) government acknowledged some of these concerns, and, in its election manifesto, promised to establish an independent Office of the Public Prosecutor upon coming into power.1 The proposed reform was intended to reduce delays in criminal proceedings, strengthen institutional independence and transparency, and restore public confidence in Sri Lanka’s criminal justice system.2 In early 2025, the NPP-government appointed a committee of technical experts to examine and report on introducing new legislation to establish such an office and to recommend amendments to existing laws where necessary.3 To date, however, the committee has not engaged with the public, and limited information is available regarding its progress.

At the same time, resistance to reform has emerged from within the Attorney-General’s Department, where proposals to create a separate prosecutorial authority have been opposed in favour of publicly unspecified internal reforms aimed at strengthening the Department’s existing functions.4 Broader governance challenges and competing national priorities, such as the necessity of rebuilding after Cyclone Ditwah, have also highlighted the lack of prioritization of this specific reform agenda, pushing it to the backseat. Nonetheless, recent criticism and public protests directed at the current Attorney-General since 2025 have renewed calls for an independent prosecution system as part of wider efforts to strengthen and restore the rule of law in Sri Lanka.

Against this backdrop, this policy brief reassesses the case for reforming Sri Lanka’s prosecutorial framework. The paper suggests core principles which should underpin this initiative, in an effort to avoid past mistakes and prevent further politicization of the Attorney-General’s Department. It examines the feasibility of establishing an independent Office of the Public Prosecutor; explores options for its legal and structural foundations, design choice, and operationalisation; and acknowledges the complexities and challenges involved. The brief draws on multiple stakeholder perspectives from across the country including law students, lawyers, academics, members of parliament, activists and policymakers and serves as a roadmap raising key questions and policy considerations for those engaged in the ongoing reform process. The policy brief begins by briefly outlining the historical evolution of the Attorney-General’s Office and its current role in Sri Lanka, highlighting its inherent conflicts of interest. It then reviews past calls for reform of the Attorney-General’s Department from various actors within and outside Sri Lanka, highlighting key concerns. Thereafter the policy brief analyses international standards and best practices on public prosecution and explores approaches from comparative jurisdictions to enhance independence of prosecutorial authorities. Drawing on these experiences, lessons, both in terms of positive models to emulate as well as negative experiences to avoid, are identified for Sri Lanka. The policy brief concludes by highlighting key principles which should be considered when designing a prosecutorial body and by discussing available options for Sri Lanka which would broadly fall within these principles.

Download the Full Policy Brief Here

CPA Comms Officer on 27 March, 2026

Vacancy – RESEARCHER & PROGRAMME ASSISTANT– CONSTITUTION TEAM

Centre for Policy Alternatives has a vacancy for an individual to work as:
RESEARCHER & PROGRAMME ASSISTANT– CONSTITUTION TEAM
QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE
A recognised undergraduate degree in Political Science, Law, History, Economics, or other related discipline, or the professional qualification of Attorney at Law of the Supreme Court.
OTHER SKILLS/ATTRIBUTES
• Strong research and analytical skills
• Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills
• Competency in Microsoft Office
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Ability to work/good knowledge of Tamil and/or Sinhala
• Willingness to travel out of station for work if required
BACKGROUND
The programme’s purpose is to consolidate CPA’s reputation as a leading international think tank on comparative constitutional studies and practice, with a distinctive perspective on Sri Lankan constitutional and governance reform.
The programme consists of three workstreams encompassing research, advocacy, network, and knowledge exchange activities:
The Reconstitute Sri Lanka Project;
2. The Constitutional Governance Network; and
3. The Alfred Jeyaratnam Wilson Forum on Commonwealth Constitutionalism.
The programme will attract funding and be sustained beyond the initial five-year period through the production of high-quality outputs from the above three workstreams and the intentional development of CPA as an internationally relevant and respected network hub.
DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
As part of the CPA Constitution Team, the Researcher and Programme Assistant is to assist in implementation of the programme on the ground. This will involve core research, advocacy, publication, and event organisation.
The Researcher and Programme Assistant will assist the Deputy Programme Director in the day-to-day tasks of programme administration and the CPA Constitution Team
APPLICATIONS
Please forward your application together with a resume and contact details of two non-related referees within seven days of this advertisement. The position applied for should be indicated on the envelope/subject line of email.
Address – Centre for Policy Alternatives, 6/5, Layards Road, Colombo 5
26th March 2026
CPA Comms Officer on 19 March, 2026

CPA Statement on the Death of Nicholas Haysom

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) has learnt of the untimely demise of Nicholas ‘Fink’ Haysom in New York on 17 March 2026 with the greatest sadness and regret. Mr Haysom was one of CPA’s most wholehearted and longstanding supporters, beginning his association with us in 2002 as a consultant to our Track 1.5 role in the Sri Lankan peace process. Fink was a warmly cherished personal friend to many at CPA and a transformative mentor to others. An unswerving patriot, he played a significant role in the struggle against apartheid, and a pivotal one in South Africa’s democratic transition, as a gifted public lawyer and trusted aide to President Nelson Mandela. He exemplified the best of his generation of South African constitutionalists in terms of intellect, competence, courage, level-headedness, humaneness, and conviviality. History will record the major roles he played first as a constitution-maker and then as a crisis diplomat all across the Global South in the course of his productive and inspiring life. Mr Haysom will be remembered by all who came into contact with him as one of those rare people who had an unerring ability to project faith, hope, and love in the direst of situations. By his originality, morality, intrepidity, and geniality, he enlarged the possibilities of right thought and action in any situation, when everyone else only saw danger, decay, and despair. At this difficult time, CPA extends its deepest condolences to Mr Haysom’s family. In due time, we will find a more permanent form of tribute to Fink’s esteemed contribution to CPA’s work, and his unsung role in the quest for peace and constitutional democracy in Sri Lanka. Fink was no admirer of Thomas Carlyle, but in our profound sadness, we take refuge in Carlyle’s dictum that, “If a man was great while living, he becomes tenfold greater when dead.”

CPA Comms Officer on 19 February, 2026

Vacancy : Executive Director

The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) is looking for a principled, strategic, and resilient leader to serve as its second Executive Director. In an evolving national and international landscape, the ED will be responsible for renewing and delivering on CPA’s mandate, ensuring financial strength, and maintaining the organization’s standing as an independent and respected voice in Sri Lanka’s public sphere.

The Role

The Executive Director provides the strategic vision and operational discipline required to lead CPA’s multidisciplinary team. You will oversee a diverse portfolio including research and advocacy, public-interest litigation, civic media and outreach.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Strategic Leadership: Develop and execute a 3-5 year strategic plan that identifies new opportunities for growth and visible impact, while continuing CPA’s legacy of decisive public interest interventions.
  • Programmatic Oversight: Ensure all research and advocacy efforts meet high standards of quality, relevance, and policy impact.
  • Organizational Management: Lead the senior staff, oversee financial stewardship, and ensure robust governance and risk management.
  • Resource Mobilization: Diversify income streams and manage relationships with donors and other partners, to ensure long-term sustainability.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Act as CPA’s chief spokesperson, engaging with government, media, academia, and international partners with clarity and dignity.

Who We Are Looking For

We seek a leader who carries authority through substance – someone who acts with courage, is guided by evidence, and who has the mettle to withstand external pressure. He or she should be deeply rooted in CPA’s values, with the vision and ability to lead the organization’s adaptation in its next phase of life.

Essential Competencies:

  • Leadership: At least ten years of experience in policy research, civil society, or governance-focused environments
  • Expertise: Deep understanding of democratic governance, constitutional reform, human rights, and / or Sri Lankan political dynamics
  • Management: Proven track record in fundraising, budget oversight, leading multidisciplinary teams, and creative problem-solving
  • Communication: Exceptional written and oral skills; fluency in English and one other national language
  • Education: A postgraduate degree

Desirable Attributes:

  • Fluency in both Sinhala and Tamil
  • A doctoral degree and/or significant international exposure
  • Experience in organizational restructuring or work related to CPA’s mandate

Terms & Compensation

This is a full-time role based in Colombo, requiring local and international travel. CPA offers compensation that is competitive within the Sri Lankan civil society sector.

Application

 Apply by 20th March 2026 by emailing a brief cover letter and CV to [email protected]. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CPA Comms Officer on 5 February, 2026

Land Ownership, Use, Alienation & Development: Revisiting the Proposed Kivul Oya Project

Recent media reports indicate the revival of the proposed Kivul Oya Project under the Mahaweli L Scheme, which has implications for land ownership and use for present residents, as well as environmental and other impacts. Furthermore, concerns have been raised that the proposed project will lead to new settlements of Sinhalese communities, which may adversely affect the land and livelihoods of Tamil farmers who have lived in the area for several decades. These concerns were first discussed by the Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) in its 2011 report,titled “Land Issues in the Northern Province: Post-War Politics, Policy and Practices,” which reported on plans to alienate lands to the majority community in the guise of development projects with the potential to alter demographics. While the project stalled in the immediate post war period, documents and interviews indicate that the project is being revived under the present government. As noted in the 2011 report, the Mahaweli L Scheme is perceived by local communities as a tool used in the guise of development to alienate lands to the majority community and introduce new settlements, with it creating fear and apprehension among the minority communities. CPA notes that the 2011 initiative was introduced during the tenure of then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, with new documentation pointing to the project being revived in 2019 and continuing during the presidency of Gotabaya Rajapakse. CPA and others have noted several initiatives introduced during the post war years of 2009-2015 and 2019-2022 that attempted to alienate and acquire land in the North and East of the country that were informed by ethno-nationalism, militarisation and development projects and creating fears among minorities of losing their land and livelihood. With the revival of the Kivul Oya project, questions must be asked whether the present government is persisting with projects commenced under the Rajapakse government that aim to create new settlements in the guise of development with wide implications for land and livelihoods of minority communities, change ethnic demographics and threaten coexistence.

Click Here to Read the Full Statement

CPA Comms Officer on 4 February, 2026

A Brief History of the Prevention of Terrorism Act | Questions and Answers

The Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) was enacted in 1978 as a temporary measure (initially only for 3 years) but was made permanent in 1982. It introduced offences previously not present in the ordinary law which were and are being abused with serious human rights implications for the nearly half century in which it has been in operation. Most noticeably, section 2(1)(h)1 has been severely misused to crush legitimate dissent and target human rights activists, journalists and politicians.

Click Here to download the complete document

CPA Comms Officer on 4 February, 2026

Analysis of the significant concerns on the Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill | Questions and Answers

The draft Protection of the State from Terrorism Bill was published on the website of the Ministry of Justice, and public comments on the Bill have been called for, on or before the 28th of February 2026. This Bill seeks to repeal and replace the Prevention of Terrorism Act, which was a key campaign promise made by the present government. The following commentary provides an initial analysis of the concerns raised by the Centre for Policy Alternatives in relation to this draft Bill.

Click Here to download the complete document