PTA Archives - Ceylon Independent

Sri Lanka must immediately redress serious human rights violation during and after war – UN Report

25Jul

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Sri Lanka must immediately redress serious human rights violation during and after war – UN Report

Sri Lanka must urgently implement the commitments made in UN resolution 30/1 to address the legacy of widespread and serious human rights violations that occurred in the context of the internal armed conflict in the country, the United Nations said in a new report released Monday. "The pervasive climate of impunity and the lack of accountability for serious human rights violations that occurred both during the conflict and in the aftermath requires immediate redress," the report said. Although Sri Lanka turned a corner in 2015 and set out key goals for reconciliation, transitional justice, accountability and reform of the security sector, including the counter-terrorism framework, progress in achieving the key goals seems to have ground to a virtual halt, the report of the Special Ra...

Human Rights Watch says Sri Lanka is ‘all talk no action’ on repealing draconian PTA

29Jan

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

Issues

Human Rights Watch says Sri Lanka is ‘all talk no action’ on repealing draconian PTA

The international human right organization, Human rights Watch (HRW) says the Sri Lankan government has been "all talk but no action" on repealing the draconian Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The HRW in a report released on Sunday, said the Sri Lankan government has failed to fulfill its pledge to abolish the abusive PTA. For decades, the PTA has been used to arbitrarily detain suspects for months and often years without charge or trial, facilitating torture, and other abuse, it said. "The Sri Lankan government has been all talk and no action on repealing the reviled PTA," said Brad Adams, Asia director. "Replacing this draconian counterterrorism law with one that meets international standards should be an urgent priority if the government is serious about protecting human rights...

UN damns Lanka 14,000 minors in childcare centres Calls for urgent reforms

16Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL, Main Story

UN damns Lanka 14,000 minors in childcare centres Calls for urgent reforms

By Sulochana Ramiah Mohan A delegation from the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention visiting Sri Lanka, yesterday (15), expressed deep concern over 14,000 girls and boys under the age of 18 who are currently deprived of their liberty and living in 425 childcare institutions out of which 26 are run by the State. The Group also pointed out that Sri Lanka's legal framework regarding children falls short of international best practices in several areas. The five-member delegation led by Chair Rapporteur Elina Steinerte and Jose Guevara, Leigh Toomey etc., after touring the island for two weeks listed several alarming shortcomings in the justice system under which people are arrested and detained in the country. After visiting over 30 places including Police Stations, ...

Appeal against the acquittal of suspects in TNA MP’s murder to be heard on February 16

12Dec

By Faraz ShauketalyNo Comments

LOCAL

Appeal against the acquittal of suspects in TNA MP’s murder to be heard on February 16

The Court of Appeal today fixed the date to hear the appeal filed against the verdict issued by a lower court in exonerating all the suspects in the murder of Tamil National Alliance parliamentarian Nadarajah Raviraj. Appeal Court Judge, Kumudini Wickremasinghe fixed February 16th to hear the petition when it was taken up before the court today. The petition filed by the wife of late MP Shashikala Raviraj seeks an order to set aside the verdict of the Colombo High Court to acquit and release all accused from the case. The petitioner says the case of the murder was filed under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) and therefore, it was against the law for the case to be heard before a jury. The Colombo High Court on 23 December acquitted all suspects including three Navy intelli...