(English) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has established a unit to investigate allegations of human rights violations by government officials in the context of the 2020 Parliamentary Election. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full notice in Sinhala, Tamil and English
(English) It has come to the attention of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) that some mischief makers have made representations to the police fraudulently posing as officers of the HRCSL. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full notice.
(English) The Commission makes an appeal to fellow citizens to be responsible and mutually respectful in the fight against COVID-19. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read in full (English and Tamil Translations Pending).
(English) Taking into consideration the serious health concerns resulting from the New Corona (Covid -19) outbreak, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) wishes to inform the following to the general public. Click DOWNLOAD to read full notice in Sinhala, Tamil or English.
(English) The Commission has established a unit to investigate allegations of human rights violations by government officials in the context of the 2019 Presidential Election. Click below to read the full notice.
(English) The Commission writes to the public appealing to prevent harassment and discrimination against persons based on their clothing. It has come to the attention of the Commission that women who wear clothing such as the Abaya, Hijab with the face opened etc are prevented from accessing public institutions, public and essential services, even though they are not in contravention of the Emergency Regulations of 2019, which only prohibits full face coverings. The Commission emphasizes on the harassment, humiliation and ill treatment faced by these women in their daily lives and request the public in ensuring every citizen’s rights are protected. Read the full document
(English) The Commission is holding a mobile service for residents of Maskeliya to ensure that people living in the tea estate areas have access to the Commission and its services, to raise awareness on human rights and the mandate of the Commission. People from the area can lodge complaints and seek advice from officers of the Commission. The mobile services will take place at Luccombe Tamil Maha Vidyalaya on 11 May 2019 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm and Gavaravilla Tamil Maha Vidyalaya on 12 May 2019 from 9.00 am to 4.00 pm.
(English) The Commission vehemently condemns the violent attacks perpetrated on April 21 and appeals to the public to recognize our duty as citizens in building our common future with responsibility. The Commission emphasizes that the trauma and the pain of the Easter Attack should not be converted into hatred and retaliatory counterviolence. The citizens of the country should give leadership to build a society in which we all can live in human dignity as equals. The best response to extremism and extremist violence is to work towards a just social order. Click below to read the full letter.
(English) The Commission has concluded its inquiries and investigations into the matter and the Commission’s recommendation has also been approved. However, as the petitioner has lodged a Fundamental Rights petition at the Supreme Court, the Commission has suspended issuing its recommendation. The Commission will however forward the recommendation to the Supreme Court, if the Court so requires, and calls for it from the Commission.
(English) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) is pleased to announce that it has been designated an ‘A’ status human rights commission by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) in May 2018. Applications for re-accreditation to ‘A’ were not successful in both 2007 and 2009. GANHRI assesses whether a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) deserves full membership of the Forum, based on compliance with the Paris Principles (1993). The Paris Principles were adopted by the UN General Assembly as the global standards by which the credibility and effectiveness of a NHRI is to be assessed.
(English) The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka will investigate complaints made by the public with regard to the aforementioned issue by virtue of the powers vested under the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act No.21 of 1996. As the initial step of the investigation, written information and evidence will be collected from persons affected by the violent incidents and any other interested party. Written submissions should not exceed three (03) pages and must include the date, place and time of incidents and names of persons or institutions identified related to the issues addressed by the written submissions. Photographs or videos of the incidents can also be attached to the submission. Written submissions must be forwarded on or before 21 April 2018 via registered post to the following address: Regional Coordinator Kandy Regional Office Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka No.8/1, Primrose Road Peradeniya Road Kandy For further details, please contact the Regional Coordinator of Kandy Regional Office on 081 2228009 or 070 365 49 01.
(English) The Commission issues a public notice regarding the misrepresentation of the Commission’s stance in the media with regards to the current limitations on access to social media. The Commission is very attentive to the human rights situation in the country and depending on the gravity and the severity of the violations, the Commission undertakes necessary actions on its own motion, without waiting for individual complaints to be lodged. The media spokesperson for the Commission is Commissioner Mr. Saliya Pieris PC and all official communications and statements are posted on the Commission’s website www.hrcsl.lk
(English) Regarding Election complaints desk. 30 January 2018.
(English) The general e-mail address of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka has changed from sechrc@sltnet.lk to sechrcsl@gmail.com with immediate effect. Please send all mails to the new address. The previous e-mail address has been disabled.
(English) Human Rights Commission establishes an election complaints unit for the presidential elections. 24 October 2019. Human Rights Commission appeals to the public to prevent harassment and discrimination of persons based on their clothing. 17 May 2019. Human Rights Commission mobile service in Maskeliya. 10 May 2019. Human Rights Commission appeals to the public to work towards a just social order as the best response to extremism and extremist violence. 26 April 2019 Regarding the Inquiry into the allegation that Chief Minister of the Uva Province had harassed and intimidated the principal of the Badulla Tamil Balika Vidyalaya. 10 October 2018. Public Statement: Human Rights Commission receives ‘A’ status Accreditation. 30 May 2018. Human Rights Commission inquiry on violent incidents based on religious hatred in Kandy District. 08 May 2018. Misrepresentation of the Commission’s views in the media on limiting access to social media. 13 March 2018. Regarding Election complaints desk. 30 January 2018. Public Notice: New email address of the Human Rights Commission. 29 December 2017. Regarding the Misrepresentation of the Commission in the media. 07 November 2017. The Commission issues a public statement regarding the misrepresentation of HRCSL and its interventions in incidents of human rights violations. The media has misled the public and discouraged the public from approaching the HRCSL by carrying out erroneous reports on an inquiry held on 2017.10.30 at the head office regarding a female school student from Anuradhapura.
(English) The Commission issues a public notice on unscrupulous organizations and individuals posing as the HRCSL and its representatives, and charging money for ‘services’ they claim they are rendering as the Commission.
(English) Human Rights Commission The Commission has drafted its Strategic Plan for 2016-2019 and invites comments and suggestions from interested parties and citizens. Please send your comments to the Chairperson of the Human Right Commission of Sri Lanka on or before 15 August 2016. By post: Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka, No 165, Kynsey Road, Colombo 08, Sri Lanka. Fax: (+94) 011 2694924 Email: sechrc@sltnet.lk Download the draft strategic plan on the Commission’s strategic plan 2016-2019. 29 July 2016.
(English) The Commission welcomes the Directives issued by HE President Maithripala Sirisena on the arrest and detention of persons under the Prevention of Terrorism Act No 48 of L979 (PTA) and a state of emergency when in force. The Directives would facilitate the Commission exercise its powers, functions and duties in this regard and would without doubt reinforce the protection afforded to persons subject to arrest and detention under extraordinary laws. The Commission also welcomes the government’s decision to repeal the PTA and wishes to bring to the attention of the government the need to ensure that the national security legislation, which is being proposed to replace the PTA, adheres to international human rights standards. The Commission recommends the following elements that have been identified by the UN Special Rapporteur on Protecting and Promoting Human Rights While Countering Terrorism (hereinafter the Special Rapporteur, which should be an integral part of any future national security legislation that is drafted. Read the full statement.
(English) Rights to Education of 5 years old child who has denied school admission in Kuliapitiya. 09 March 2016.
(English) Press release – Human Rights Commission writes to the Hon. Attorney General conveying its grave concern about the rights of the detainees and remandees under the Prevention of Terrorism Act and the Emergency Regulations. 27 November 2015