Protecting the rights of others is our divine duty that we are all called upon to perform - Bishop Valence Mendis "At the final judgment our creator will ask “I was hungry, naked, hospitalized, was in prison; did you visit me? (Matthew 25:35-40) God is aware of our daily struggle and very specially the struggle of the poor. Protecting the rights of the victims is our divine duty that we are all called upon to perform”. Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis, the Bishop of Kandy stated during his homily, at the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration organized by the Human Rights Office Kandy in conjunction with the International Human Rights Day 2023 and the 15th anniversary of the Human Rights Office. Further, the Bishop commended the work done by the staff of the Human Rights Office under the leadership of Fr. Nandana Manatunga, the director, for the past 15 years. “The Human Rights Office has journeyed with the victims in their struggle to seek justice when they were vulnerable & voiceless”. A large number lay faithful including victims, lawyers, support group members, civil society activists, Rev. Fathers and Rev. sisters joined the thanksgiving Eucharistic celebration in praising and thanking God.
In his keynote address, the President's Counsel Hon. Saliya Peiris pointed out the importance of voicing against torture done by the officials of the government institutions, including police officers. He further questioned the unethical appointment of Acting Inspector General of Police and said it is for the first time in history, that an Inspector General of Police (IGP) who was convicted for violating fundamental rights and who was ordered by the Supreme Court to pay compensation with his private money was appointed an IGP Further Hon. Saliya Peiris said that the Minister of Public Security in one of his speeches directly criticized the appearance of lawyers on behalf of the aggrieved parties in the proceedings in cases of unlawful arrest made by the police. “Police officers who follow illegal orders of the superiors face the consequences related to such offenses and become the victims and will suffer alone as they will not be helped by the senior officers”.
The gathering was also addressed by Rt. Rev. Dr. Kumara Ilangasinghe, the Bishop Emeritus of the Anglican Church in Diocese of Kurunegala, Human Rights activist Mr. Ruki Fernando and some of the survivors. During their sharing’s, they appreciated the commitment and the consistency of the director and the staff of the Human Rights Office in assisting and journeying with the victims of Torture, Rape and gender based violence, families of the disappeared, the prisoners and their families and victims of all human rights violations. The work carried out by the Human Right Office for the past 15 years was appreciated by the participants as well.
Rev. Fr. Nandana Manatunga thanked the Bishops, priests, the religious, the lawyers, doctors, educators, lecturers, counselors, artists, the international partners and all those who supported the Human Rights Office during the past 15 years, very specially those who were in solidarity during the most difficult and challenging times. The programme was colored with items such as performing Art and dances.
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The Human Rights Salutation 2022 of the Human Rights Office Kandy was held at the Good Shepherd Convent Kandy on the 11th December 2022 with the theme “Protect freedom of expressions to uphold democracy". Rt. Rev. Dr. Valence Mendis the Bishop of the Central Province was the chief guest and Hon. Ruby Woodside, the political officer of the US embassy to Sri Lanka was the guest of honor. Three prominent Human Rights Activists were awarded this year for their commitment in protecting and promoting Human Rights midst of nemours challenges. The winners of the inter school - Kandy district art and essay competition were also awarded during the Human Rights Day celebration. Fr. Nandana Manatunga, the Director of the Human Rights Office, welcoming the chief guest and the guest of honor, congratulated the award winners and the school Art and Essay competition winners. Explaining the purpose of the International Human Rights day event, he recalled the efforts of the people expressing their desire for a democratic country free of corruption and political stability. However, he said now people have lost the democratic space to freely express and therefore the Human Rights Office selected the theme "Protect freedom of expressions to uphold democracy". Bishop Valence, in his keynote address explained the Fundamental Rights enshrined in the constitution that are essential for the Human Person to live a fuller human Life. Further, he said that Human Rights should not be in conflict with religious values. In his address, Bishop Valence mentioned that Justice was still to be delivered to the victims of the Easter Sunday attack and our country was experiencing the worst Economic crisis due to the mismanagement of funds and political decisions. The Bishop reiterated that the people have only two options that is to seek God's intervention and work together with harmony. Hon. Ruby Woodside, the political officer of the US embassy to Sri Lanka addressing the gathering pointed out the urgency to uphold democratic values, especially the freedom of expression and she explained U.S. - Sri Lanka relations based on shared democratic values and a rules-based regional and international order. Current U.S policy in Sri Lanka aims to support Sri Lanka’s democratic institutions, encourage its economic development and promote a free, open, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region the US assistance. Rt. Revd. Kumara Illangasinghe was awarded for his commitment as a Religious Leader in protecting & promoting Human Rights, especially for defending the Rights of the Poor and the Marginalized. Mrs. Visaka Dharmadasa was awarded for her commitment in defending the Rights of the War Affected Women and becoming a voice for the voiceless. Mr. Tharindu Jayawardhana was awarded for his commitment in safeguarding the freedom of expression and information, and for the untiring work defending the rights of the defenseless as a Journalist and a Human Rights Activist There were 538 Sinhala Essays and 436 Tamil Essays for the essay competition while there were 1233 Arts from all age groups. In total 2207 participated in Art & essay competitions from 138 schools from Kandy district. The arts competitors were further encouraged by displaying the selected Arts of all age categories and the selected essays were compiled into a book and were given to the essay competitors and the special invitees. Further, the 2022 International Human Rights day event was made meaningful with video presentations on the efforts made by HRO, the cultural items and the preforming art on freedom of expression. The birth of Christ, the Prince of Peace was reminded with a fusion of carols by the choir of the Good Shepherd Convent Kandy.
A public protest was organized by the Kandy Human Rights office on the 26th June 2022 in Kandy city in collaboration with families and the victims of Torture, families of the disappeared, the families of the prisoners and the members of the support group along with religious leaders of all faiths to commemorate the International day in support of the Torture victims and campaign against Torture. There were more than 250 people gathered in front of the Kandy Gotagogama premises at George De Silva park at the heart of Kandy city with posters calling the law enforcing agencies to respect the Rights of the innocent people “To be free of Torture”. HRO prepared a statement on the present police Torture especially against the innocent people who wait in queues for fuel, gas and other essential items. The statement against the police brutality & torture, printed in a format of a leaflet was distributed to the people who attended the protest and also those who passed by. Having made a silent protest for two hours from 10.00 a.m. till 12.00 noon, the purpose of the protest was explained to the mass gathering by Fr. Nandana Manatunga and Suren D. Perera AAL with the use of public address system. The event was covered by journalists and electronic media and it was highlighted by them in their main news as an event challenging the Law enforcing agencies against Torture, in human, degrading treatment and punishment. BASL, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka filed a Fundamental Rights petition on behalf of citizens suffering shortages of essentials including fuel, gas and medicine claiming that among the other rights the citizens’ right to protection from Torture is also being violated. The background to this Fundamental Rights petition was also explained to the people at the protest. The Bar Association of Sri Lanka which is the apex body and organization for all lawyers too warned against police assaults and Torture on suffering consumers waiting for days in fuel queues as the country suffers the worst currency crisis in the history of the islands. There has been unrest at several filling stations especially as police officer’s personal vehicles were given priority for fuel. In a statement made by the Bar association they reiterated that “Law enforcement officers must in all instances act with fairness and impartiality. Any acts seen as being biased and unfair will add to the distrust which already exits”. Further, Sri Lanka Army says that a five-member Court of Inquiry (CoI) has been appointed to investigate and make recommendations on the incident where an army officer had assaulted a civilian at a filling station. Police said four civilians and three soldiers were wounded when the army opened fire, marking the first time that the military has used gunfire to quell unrest linked to the worsening economic crisis.
With COVID 19 health restrictions and guidelines, the workshop of the Religious and Priests for Human Rights (RPHR) was held at Fatima Retreat House, Lewella Kandy from the 14th - 17th February 2022 with 28 participants from different parts of the country. The participants had an exposure to the Katugastota - Thekkawatte garbage dumpsite and dolomite mining site at Digana on 15th February. Following the exposure there were discussions in small groups and several recommendations were made by the participants in protecting the environment especially with regard to the disposal of garbage. With the exposure, the participants had a firsthand experience and therefore were able to reflect on the massive destruction of the environmental due to the negligence of the people and short-term political ambitions of politicians. Rev. Fr. Sagara Jayamanne SSS made a scriptural in put on the theme “Prophetic call” while the present situation of the North and the East was highlighted by Rev. Fr. Jeyabalan Croos. The unexpected critical economic crisis in the country and the causes in relation to women were discussed with the facilitation of Mrs. Vishaka Dharmadasa. Bishop Kumara Illagasinghe explained the challenges faced by the plantation people followed by a lively discussion. In spite of various challenges and obstacles, possible initiatives within a limited democratic space were pointed out by Mr. Rukshan Fernando and some legal initiatives on the amendment to the PTA (Prevention of Terrorism ACT) were introduced by Mr. Suren D. Perera AAL for which the participants consented to become petitioners. Therefore, the petition to be filed in the Supreme Court was explained. The Director of CSR Rev. Fr. Rohan Silva OMI facilitated a discussion about the aftermath of the Easter Sunday Attack and requested the participants to study the recommendations made by the commission and invited the participants to work in solidarity to bring about Justice to the victims of Easter Sunday Attack. The 03-day workshop was concluded with a thanksgiving mass on the 17th February. Focusing on the theme "When Women lead, others follow” the Human Rights Office Kandy organized the International Women's day on the 12th March 2022 at the Parish hall of Fatima Shrine Padiwatte Kandy Sri Lanka. More than 100 participants from the families of the disappeared, families of the prisoners, the survivors of torture, rape, sexual and gender based violence and their families, the members of the support group and the staff of the Human Rights Office participated in the day’s programme. The guest speaker Ms. Geeva Nilmalgoda, Attorney at Law highlighted the theme and provided examples how women lead not only the families, but in many other spheres taking up responsibilities with determination. "Women as leaders have the capacity to lead others while they suffer silently but still have the courage to endure challenges”. The women who participated lit lamps in honour of all the suffering women, mothers who give new life to this earth, widows, daughters, child victims of sexual abuses, unborn babies, women labourers, women displaced by the war. Fr. Nandana Manatunga the Director of the HRO explained the purpose of gathering women to celebrate the Women’s day with the theme "When Women lead, others follow". He said it is because the women sustain initiatives until completion that there are so many women’s organizations and therefore he invited the participants who were present to face the challenges that are before them due to the economic downfall of the country. The participants were then divided in to groups and were asked to discuss their own experiences and the initiatives that they have taken to meet the unexpected challenges with the economic crisis, which resulted a severe inflation experienced during the last few weeks and which may continue in the coming months. The Human Rights Office prepared a meaningful way of the cross for the season of lent in 2022 as in previous years with visuals, based on the suffering and death of Christ comparing to the sufferings of the people in Sri Lanka and also in many other countries specially of the suffering people of Ukraine. The visual way of the cross, helped the faithful to reflect on our own lives, the crosses that we carry and the society in which we live and into enter in to the paschal mystery of Christ. The programmes were held in 30 different venues: in parishes, seminaries, houses of formation and in schools. Along with the way of the cross, based on Human Dignity Legal clinics were also held in some parishes with awareness programmes on Torture, Domestic violence, gender-based violence, Right to Information Act and Child Rights. The Human Rights Office joined the suffering people to protest against the present regime. Silent peaceful protests were held in Kandy on the 30th March and in Matale on the 02nd of April 2022. Several priests, nuns, professionals and civil society activists came together to express their dissatisfaction towards the political leaders who have shown a deaf ear to the cries of the people who are suffering without the most basics, such as power, fuel, gas, milk foods and even other essentials items. Although people wanted to make their voices and cries heard, they were afraid of the ruthless militarized regime. However, with our initiative to make our voices heard in public, the ordinary citizens, religious, professionals, university students have started protesting in public and so much so that the President declared a state of emergency and imposed curfew on the 03rd April 2022 fearing the public outrage against him and his cabinet of ministers. The Human Rights Office in Kandy held the International Human Rights Day 2021 at the Good Shepherd Convent Kandy on the 08th January 2022 with the theme “Ensure the Prisoners their Dignity and Rights to Human Conditions". The 2021 Human Rights day event scheduled for the 11th December 2021 was postponed as the Kandy Police ban the event with a court order citing the Section 106 (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act. While the event was held at the Kandy Convent hall, a few protestors were seen outside the convent premises claiming that the event was “sympathizing with terrorists". During the celebration prominent Human Rights Activists late Sr. Alexander Molligoda and the Committee for Protecting the Rights of Prisoners (CPRP), led by Attorney-At-Law (AAL) Senaka Perera were awarded for their committed service to the prisoners. On behalf of Sr. Alexander, the provincial of the CSJM Rev. Sr. Ajitha Fernando and Mr. Cecil Molligoda the brother of Sr. Alexander received the award from the chief guest Ms. Dinushika Dissanayake. Late Sr. Alexander Molligoda was a frequent visitor to the Galle Prison as well as Boossa high security detention center and she went out of her way to assist the prisoners, specially by finding funds to pay the fines of prisoners and bail for the poor prisoner families who were unable to secure the money. She also made it a point to give gifts to all the prisoners for Christmas irrespective of their religion. She made no Judgement on prisoners when assisting prisoners and there is a huge vacuum with her untimely demise that is deeply felt even today. Mr. Senaka Perera AAL and his team of the “Committee for Protecting Rights of the Prisoners” c ame into the lime light in 2012 with the Welikada Prison massacre and continued their commitment to uphold the Fundamental Rights of the prisoners. Along with the families of the prisoners they campaigned for the Basic - minimum standard in prisons and voiced on behalf of the prisoners during the Covid 19 pandemic for their safety & health. The team also use legal mechanisms to ensure the Rights of the prisoners and have taken up certain important issues to the UN forums. Ms. Dinushika Dissanayake, AAL the Deputy South Asia Director, Research at Amnesty International the chief guest addressing the gathering said “In the entire world, prisoners are downtrodden and silenced. Amnesty International has named a number of ‘Prisoners of Conscience’ – including Hejaaz Hizbullah, who was arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism (Temporary Provisions) Act No. 28 of 1979 in 2020. However, there are also many prisoners who only often have their family and lawyers speaking up for them. An extremely minimum number of people speak up for prisoners. In Sri Lanka, prisons endure a capacity of 190%, of which 60% are remand prisoners,” Amnesty International South Asia Deputy Director Dinushika Dissanayake said at the event. troducing the day and welcoming the guests, Fr. Nandana Manatunga, the director of the Human Rights Office said that it was an honor to have Dinushika Dissanayake as the chief guest who always had a special interest in ensuring the Rights of the Prisoners as a committed human rights lawyer. Fr. Nandana thanked all those who supported to have this event in spite of several challenges due to misinterpretations given by certain extreme groups. Fr. Nandana explained the work that HRO does for the families of the prisoners and also paused the question that if a daughter of a prisoner excels in education or sports and if she is to be awarded will the Police ban the event ? As long as the families of the prisoners are not proven guilty of any offence, they should have all the Rights and privileges as any other person in the society. Further, he said in the prison group of families who work for Justice and Fare trial, there are Sinhala members as well as Tamil members and they were to be appreciate for the commitment in seeking Justice for nearly 20 years. Most of these prisoners who were accused of crimes were either were with fabricated charges or detained due to the miscarriage of Justice as many were released without charges after being in remand prison for 08-10 years The event was attended by Bishop Kumara Illangasinghe, the former Anglican Bishop of Kurunegala, Ven. Nawala Wimalasara Thero, the National Director of Commission for Prisons, Mrs. Visaka Dharmadasa the founder and chair of Association of War Affected Women and Parents of Servicemen Missing in Action, the Principal & the Superior of Good Shepherd Convent Kandy, former Human Rights Award Winners, Priests, Religious, Human Rights activists, survivors who still fight for Justice, families of the disappeared and the prisoners and the members of the support group. oThe 2021 Human rights day event was made meaningful with video presentations on the efforts made by HRO to ensure the inherent dignity of prisoners and their value as Human Beings also a story of a victim of miscarriage of Justice. With cultural items, Human Rights day’s event was made colourful
Mrs. Deepika Navaratne was the guest speaker, a reputed teacher at the Good Shepherd Convent Kandy. As customary invoking blessing on all the participants, the traditional oil lamp was lit, followed by an introduction to the theme on “Empowerment of Women” by Fr. Nandana Manatunga, the director of the Human Rights Office.
Participants from different categories, shared their own life stories and road towards achieving their successes. Further the families of the disappeared staged a short drama on women’s power and a song in expressing their sentiments of gratitude to the organizers. The day's programme was concluded with a fellowship lunch shared by all the participants.
72nd International Human Rights Day 2020 was celebrated at the Human Rights Office Kandy on the 10th December 2020 with limited participants due to health restrictions. "Accept the present realities and include everyone - Human Rights for All” was the theme for Human Rights Day. Speaking about the Prisons in Sri Lanka, Mr. Charaka Dharmasiri in his keynote address, remarked that the riots and violence erupted in Mahara Prison was a reaction by the prisoners against overcrowding, unhealthy conditions and inhuman treatment. “Prisoners reacted with fear and frustration due to the COVID 19 pandemic being spread among the prison inmates”. He further said that our prison system does not provide opportunities for rehabilitation. Mr. Charaka Dharmasiri - Senior Legal Counsel, former Senior State Counsel focused on the Extrajudicial killings and the Rights of Prisoners. At the very outset he explained how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights came into to existence 72 years ago. “Human Rights are inherent to every human being and therefore people do not have to beg for their Rights”. Mr. Charaka highlighted the reasons for people to be imprisoned. Suspects should have an inherent right for a fair trial adhering to the standard criminal procedure and the suspects have the constitutional right under the prevailing law to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. “The suspect should be informed of the charges before he is arrested. Unfortunately, which does not usually happen in Sri Lanka“. Explaining about the prisoners, he said that there are different categories of prisoners such as remand prisoners, sentenced prisoners and prisoners pending their appeal in an Appellate Court. He then went on to explain how leaders of several countries served prison sentences such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi and how they turned their prison wards into a place of learning. Further he said that remand prisoners are only detained as suspects and they are at no pint should be branded as criminals until proven guilty. Prisons have four major purposes: retribution, incapacitation, deterrence and rehabilitation. Retribution means punishment for crimes against the society. Depriving criminals of their freedom is a way of making them pay a debt to the society for their crimes. Finally, he invited everyone to continue this dialogue and to voice to improve the prison conditions to treat the Prisoners as Humans. At the inauguration of the International Human Rights Day 2020, the traditional oil lamp, was lit followed by religious observances and silence observed in respect of the slain Human Rights Activists and Victims who fought for Justice. The participants who represented the families of the disappeared, the families of the prisoners, the Torture victims and victims of miscarriage of Justice and the members of the support group and the lawyers were welcomed by the director of the Human Rights Office, Fr. Nandana Manatunga. Commemorating the International day of the Victims of the Enforced Disappearances 2020, the families of the disappeared along with the Human Rights Office organized a Human Rights market place on the 30th August 2020 at St. Paul the Hermit Church in Digana, Kandy Sri Lanka. The Human Rights market place comprised of fruits, vegetables, eatables and products of the families of the disappeared that attracted the people to the market place. The photos of the disappeared that were exhibited behind each stall explained the sad story of each disappeared person and the very purpose of the families of the disappeared to organize a market place. Further memories of the disappeared persons were recalled when they narrated the cruel disappearing incidents by the family members, while the business at the market place continued. “There is not a day that passed by without the memories haunting” the mothers lamented while tears flowed down their cheeks. It was an opportunity for the families of the disappeared to speak about their loved ones who were made to disappear. Further they explained the reason for their campaign; they all wanted to know “THE TRUTH”. What really happened to them. Mrs. Sandya Eknaligoda whose husband Prageeth Eknaligoda was made to disappear ten years ago also joined the campaign at the market place and there were several journalists who interviewed her and the other members of the families of the disappeared. Soon after the Sunday service at Digana Church, people walked into the market as they were already prepared during the service. The disappearances day was explained at length during the introduction and the theme was connected to the day’s liturgy and the homilies given by the celebrants Fr. Nandana Manatunga & Fr. Christy Paul in Sinhala and in Tamil. The market place was declared opened by the Parish Priest of Digana, Rev. Fr Christy Paul. Families of the disappeared demand the consecutive governments to deliver justice, truth and reparation to the families of the forcibly disappeared. Speaking to Media, Fr. Nandana said that “The commemoration is a sad reminder of the painfully long wait of families of forcibly disappeared for answers about their loved ones; they have been denied the truth about their whereabouts”. Further he said the Office of the Missing Persons is also gradually disappearing and the allocated funds by the previous budget as reparation were not received by the families and their future hopes are deemed. Some families in the north of the forcibly disappeared have been holding outdoor vigils continuously for over 1,300 days’ search for justice and answers remains elusive. It is only by keeping alive the memories of the disappeared and the event could prevent further repetition of events. The poster printed by the HRO was distributed widely, invited the citizens to commemorate the disappeared and prevent disappearances.
"I have Dignity just like you", focusing on the Dignity of women, the International Women's day was held on the 07th March 2020 at Fatima Shrine Padiwatte Parish hall organized by the Human Rights Office in Kandy along with the women headed families. 125 participants from the families of the disappeared, the families of the prisoners, the survivors of torture and their families, the members of the support group and the staff of the Human Rights Office participated in the day’s programme. Mr. Mahinda Namal was the guest speaker, a reputed resource person, instructor at the Holy Cross Convent Kalutara. As customary the traditional oil lamp was lit, invoking blessing on all the participants followed by an introduction to the theme on “Dignity of Women” by Fr. Nandana Manatunga, the director of the Human Rights Office. Welcoming the participants, a welcome dance was staged by the children of the families of the disappeared. The guest speaker Me. Mahinda Namal then took over the stage and made a very powerful presentation on the worth of womanhood & her dignity. He spoke at length and made clear that it only the woman who could give life and at any stage of the life of a woman, she should not regret being a woman. Further he said the women should not under estimate their strength. The differences between man and woman should be understood and he sighted several examples of women who changed the whole society having understood their strength and challenged the evil structures. The Kandy families of the disappeared then staged a drama depicting instances where women lose dignity when they are weak. Women’s groups also presented few other items, capturing the theme of the day. Women's groups that were present introduced their members while some of the participants shared their stories. The day's programme was concluded with a fellowship lunch shared by all the participants
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