HUMAN RIGHT COMMISSION OF SRI LANKA - Annual report 2020
Protest carried out by victims of micro finance schemes
(HRC/SUO/MOTU/03/20)
The Commission launched a suo motu investigation in to the violation of the
right to peaceful protest under Article 14(1)(b) of the individuals victimized
by micro credit schemes when it drew the attention of the Commission
through its media monitoring activities. The Commission continued this
investigation to the end of 2020.
Suspicious death of a suspect in police custody
(HRC/SUO/MOTU/19/2020)
An investigation was launched into the suspicious death of Samarasinghe
Arachchige Madush Lakshitha alias ‘Makandure Madush’ who was killed
while in police custody in October 2020. Madush Lakshitha was deported
from Dubai and subsequently detained under the Prevention of Terrorism
Act at the CID for investigations. Four days before his demise he was moved
to the Colombo Crime Division on their request for further investigations.
The commission was informed by various sources that Madush Lakshitha’s
life was in danger, which prompted the Commission to take immediate
action to look extensively into the matter. The Commission notified the
Colombo Crime Division of the possible threat to the victim’s life and
requested a copy of his detention order be sent to the Commission. Two days
after this the victim sustained fatal injuries during an alleged crossfire
between the police and another party. Subsequent to the death of the victim,
the Commission summoned the Director and the Officer-in-Charge of the
Colombo Crime Division for an inquiry, which they failed to comply with. The
Commission requested a comprehensive report from the IGP regarding this
matter. The inquiry into the death continues.
Beach nourishment programme of the Mount Lavinia
Coastline (HRC/SUO/MOTU/06/20)
Pursuant to information released in electronic media, an inquiry was
launched into the environmental impact of the beach nourishment
programme of the Mt. Lavinia beach. The Commission requested the Coast
Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department, Divisional
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