by INFORM Human Rights Documentation Centre, Colombo, August 18, 2016
Full report at http://www.forum-asia.org/?p=21357
Human Rights Situation in Sri Lanka
August 17, 2015 – August 17, 2016
Introduction
The January 2015 presidential elections didn’t just defeat Mahinda Rajapakse. It was an electoral rejection of Rajapakse politics and way of ruling by Sri Lankan people, ending also a period of “state capture” by one family and their cronies. The results of the parliamentary elections of the August 2015 reinforced this. 18th August 2016 will mark one year since the results of this historic parliamentary elections.
On this occasion, INFORM attempts to asess developments and trends during this period, August 2015 – August 2016, from a rights perspective.
This is not intended to be a comprehensive assessment of the human rights situation in Sri Lanka for the period, as such an exercise will require much broader look at different rights of different individuals and communities, based on solid research and analysis.
Instead, we invited activists working in different fields to contribute their assessments of specific trends, specific rights and specific communities, based on their experiences and knowledge. We have published them without editing, even if opinions and expressions may not reflect those of INFORM…
Contents
Introduction and acknowledgements ………………………………………………………………………………. 3
List of Writers……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4
Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
1. The New Constitution Must Enhance Democracy and Ensure Greater Socio-Economic Protection to People and Resources S.C.C.Elankovan ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 9
2. Sri Lanka’s Transitional Moment and Transitional Justice Ruki Fernando …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
3. Freedom of Expression, Association and, Assembly Sunanda Deshapriya…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 15
4. (Right to Information Bill) …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 20
5. (Religious Freedom) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24
6. (Education) ………………………………………………………………………………………………… 27
7. (Up-Country – Plantation People and Access to Good Governance)………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31
8. (Labour rights) …………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34
9. Sexual orientation and Gender Identity Rights in Sri Lanka. Damith Chandimal……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 38
10. Political Prisoners & the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA) Marisa De Silva …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 42
11. Latest measures to address disappearances in Sri Lanka Ruki Fernando & Shenali De Silva……………………………………………………………………………….. 46
12. (Enivironment and Agriculture). …………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 49
13. New Government’s economic policy – Isn’t economy a part of the good governance agenda ? Sandun Thudugala ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 53