The International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is observed annually on 30th August, as proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2010 (Resolution 65/209). The day aims to raise awareness of enforced disappearances where individuals are secretly abducted or detained by state authorities or their agents, followed by a refusal to disclose their fate or whereabouts and to recognise the suffering of victims, their families, and communities. This day also reaffirms the global call on states to prevent enforced disappearances, investigate reported cases, punish perpetrators, ensure truth and accountability, and provide reparations to victims. It further promotes the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which came into force in 2010. Sri Lanka ratified this Convention in 2016 and subsequently enacted the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance Act, No. 5 of 2018. The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) acknowledges the deep and continuing suffering endured by victims and their families, many of whom still live with unanswered questions about the fate of their loved ones. Enforced disappearances remain one of the gravest violations of human rights, undermining dignity, liberty, and justice.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL), under its mandate to ensure national laws comply with international human rights standards, has reviewed the Muslim Marriage and Divorce Act (MMDA) and related personal laws, identifying several provisions that are discriminatory and incompatible with the principles of equality and the best interests of the child. Despite notable progress in women’s health and education, Sri Lanka continues to face serious gender-based discrimination and limited legal protections for women and children. The Commission has analysed the MMDA, the Kandyan Marriage and Divorce Act (KMDA), and the Jaffna Matrimonial Rights and Inheritance Ordinance, with a view to ensuring compliance with constitutional guarantees and international obligations. The HRCSL urges urgent legislative reform of the MMDA to guarantee gender equality, eliminate discriminatory practices, and safeguard the best interests of women and children while respecting religious and cultural diversity.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has addressed a letter, dated 18 August 2025, to the Inspector General of Police. The purpose of this communication is to highlight the allocation of resources and the institutional reforms required for the Sri Lanka Police to effectively carry out its mandate. The Commission emphasizes that these measures are necessary to ensure the police service is performed in line with human rights norms and principles.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) has written to the Ministry of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs regarding the draft Non-Governmental Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Bill, which we understand is being formulated by your Ministry. The Commission further understands that the proposed Bill seeks to provide for the registration and supervision of non-governmental organisations, and to repeal the Voluntary Social Services Organisations (Registration and Supervision) Act, No. 31 of 1980. In this regard, we respectfully request that a copy of the draft Bill be shared with the Commission, in order to enable us to discharge our mandate under section 10(c) of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 of 1996. This provision empowers the Commission to “advise and assist the Government in formulating legislation… in furtherance of the promotion and protection of fundamental rights.”
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) wishes to reiterate the legal obligation of all state institutions to implement the Commission’s recommendations issued following inquiries conducted under the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 of 1996. On 19 June 2025, the Commission issued an official communication to all secretaries to ministries, provincial and chief secretaries, heads of departments, heads of corporations, and statutory boards, reminding them of this obligation. In accordance with section 15(7) of the Act, the HRCSL has the authority to set a final date by which state institutions must inform the Commission of the steps taken to implement its recommendations. This requirement is legally binding on all public authorities. Furthermore, Public Administration Circular No. 17/2005 issued by the Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs also directs public institutions to ensure the implementation of HRCSL recommendations.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) wrote to Hon. Harshana Nanayakkara, Minister of Justice and National Integration in terms of its mandate under section 10(d) of the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act, No. 21 of 1996. In its letter, the Commission recalled its previous letters dated 22 November 2023 and 13 August 2024 sent to the Ministry with reference to sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code (Chapter 19). The said sections relate to ‘unnatural offences’ and ‘acts of gross indecency between persons’ and have been used to criminalise sexual activity between persons of the same sex. The Commission recalled that a Private Member’s Bill was recently presented with the stated intent to repeal / amend the said provisions in the Penal Code. The Commission was of the view that the passage of the Bill would ensure full compliance with Sri Lanka’s obligations under international law, including under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which under articles 2 and 26 guarantees the right to non-discrimination. The Human Rights Committee, the treaty body tasked with supervising the implementation of the ICCPR, has observed that the right to non-discrimination includes non-discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation.
The Commission makes recommendations to Commissioner General of Prisons regarding the protection of prisoners in light of the current COVID-19 outbreak. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the full recommendation in English.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Colombo North Teaching Hospital (Ragama) via email regarding bodies of the remandees from the Mahara Prison.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the letter. Sinhala and Tamil translations are pending.
Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the President and relevant authorities about Sri Lankan Migrants Stranded Overseas due to COVID19. HRCSL letter the President about Sri Lankan Migrants Stranded Overseas due to COVID19 26_11_2020 HRCSL letter to SLBFE about Sri Lankan Migrants Stranded Overseas due to COVID19 26_11_2020 HRCSL letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs about Sri Lankan Migrants Stranded Overseas due to COVID19 26_11_2020 Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the recommendations in English. Sinhala and Tamil translations are pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Commissioner General of Prisons on the concerns regarding health and threats to life of Remandee, G.S. Abeysekera (aka Shani Abeysekara) who has apparently contracted the COVID-19 virus while at the Mahara Prison.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full letter. Sinhala and Tamil translation are pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Secretary and Director General of Health Services of the Ministry of Health with observations and recommendations on the disposal of dead bodies in the context of COVID-19.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the full letter in English. Sinhala and Tamil translations are pending.
Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view related attachments available in Sinhala.Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Health - 20th May 2020
Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view related attachments available in Sinhala.Letter to Secretary, Ministry of Health - 29th May 2020
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Commissioner General of Prisons on the rights of the Remandee G. S Abeysekera (aka Shani Abeysekera, former head of the Crime Investigation Division of the Police).Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the full letter. Sinhala and Tamil translations pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka wrote to the Inspector General of Police on detentions under the Prevention of Terrorism Act.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the full letter in English. Sinhala and Tamil translations are pending.
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The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Commissioner General or Prisons requesting immediate steps to be taken to increase all security measures relating Remandee Fathima Sadiya.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the letter in English. Sinhala and Tamil translations are pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Inspector General of Police on custodial deaths.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full letter in Sinhala. Tamil and English translations are pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka sends its recommendations to the Ministry of Public Administration on proposed amendments to Establishment Code.Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the recommendations in Sinhala. English and Tamil translations are pending.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka issued recommendations/proposed action addressed to the Chairman of the National Election Commission. The recommendations were issued based on election monitoring carried out by HRCSL during the last Presidential Election 2019 and the regulations imposed by the Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine on 17/072020 under Clauses 2 and 3 of Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka writes to the Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs, Board of Investment and the Election Commission requesting for paid leave to be granted to both public and private sector employees to cast their votes at the parliamentary election on 5th August 2020. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the letter sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Public Administration and Home Affairs.
Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the letter sent to the Secretary, Ministry of Labour.
Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the letter sent to the Chairman, Board of Investment.
The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka makes appeal to Political Parties and Independent Groups on Parliamentary Election 2020. HRCSL made this appeal based on the “Code of conduct for contesting political parties/independent groups and election candidates” set by the Election Commission of Sri Lanka on 03/06/2020. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to view the appeal in Sinhala and Tamil.
The Commission writes to the Director General of the Government Information Department requesting a directive be given to television media about the use of sign language for the benefit of the hearing impaired (deaf) community. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full letter in Sinhala (Tamil and English translations are pending).
The Commission writes to the IGP on taking severe legal action against individuals engaged in hate speech. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full letter in Sinhala (Tamil and English translations are pending).
The Commission writes to His Excellency the President on the granting of a Presidential Pardon to Former Army Corporal Sunil Ratnayake. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the full letter in English.
The Commission urges His Excellency the President to take urgent action to provide protection to the prison population in view of COVID-19 health concerns. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read full letter.
HRCSL Statement to United Nations Human Rights Council on the Report of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the statement.
HRCSL Statement to United Nations Human Rights Council on the High Commissioner's Report. Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the statement.
The Commission writes its observations on "Hathe Ape Potha". Click 'DOWNLOAD' to read the full letter in Sinhala. Tamil and English translations will be uploaded soon.
The Commission writes to the Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine on the right of interning doctors to vote, as the Commission has received information that these interning doctors are faced with an imminent infringement of this right. The Commission requests the Ministry to take necessary steps and to inform the Commission of any such actions taken. Click below to read the full letter.