Author: Centre for Policy Alternatives

Parliamentary Election 2020 – Joint Announcement of Election Monitoring Organizations

All active election observation missions in Sri Lanka, including CMEV, have issued a joint statement urging all relevant authorities to resolve their issues regarding a new election date with the mutual understanding of not creating a constitutional crisis against the backdrop of COVID19. The joint statement points out that: It is undesirable to head into […]

Regarding Notice Issued by the Police Media Division

7 April 2020 C.D. Wickremaratne Acting Inspector General of Police Police Headquarters Colombo 1. CC: Kamal Gunaratne, Secretary, Ministry of Defence Chairperson, National Police Commission Chairperson, Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Re: Notice Issued by the Police Media Division On 1 April 2020 the Media Division of the Sri Lanka Police, upon the instructions […]

Structures to Deal with COVID-19 in Sri Lanka: A Brief Comment on the Presidential Task Force

8 April 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: In response to the COVID-19 health emergency, Sri Lanka has witnessed the activation of existing structures and the establishment of new ones. One such new entity is the Presidential Task Force established to direct, coordinate and monitor the delivery of continuous services and for the sustenance of overall community […]

Disposal of bodies of deceased persons who were infected with and suspected of being infected with COVID-19

4th April 2020 H.E. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, President of the Democratic, Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka CC:
Hon. Pavithra Waniarachchi, Minister of Health Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General Health Services Dr. Sudath Samaraweera, Chief Epidemiologist, Epidemiology Unit Dr. Hasitha Attanayake, Director, Infectious Diseases Hospital Dr. Ajith Tennakoon, Chief Judicial Medical Officer Dr. Deepika Udagama, Chairperson, Human Rights […]

CPA Statement on the Election Commission’s Request for a Special Reference by the President to the Supreme Court on the Law Relating to Parliamentary Elections

3rd April 2020, Colombo, Sri Lanka: The Centre for Policy Alternatives (CPA) notes several news reports on the Election Commission’s concerns that it will be unable to hold parliamentary elections within the time-period stipulated by law due to the Covid-19 crisis. The Commission has accordingly requested the President to seek the opinion of the Supreme […]

The Pardon in the Mirusuvil Massacre: Sri Lanka’s Elusive Quest for Justice

On 26th March 2020, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa pardoned former Army Staff Sergeant R. M. Sunil Rathnayake, a convicted death row prisoner. The pardon was met with mixed reactions in Sri Lanka. At one end of the spectrum was concern and condemnation for pardoning a convicted criminal while others welcomed the pardon and for releasing a […]

Mirusuvil Massacre – Accused Pardoned; No Reparations for Victims’ Families

On March 26, 2020, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa granted a presidential pardon and released convicted death row prisoner and mass murderer, former Army Staff Sergeant R. M. Sunil Rathnayake.  While the country is on lockdown due to COVID-19, the President has seized this opportunity to deal a lethal blow to the rule of law to show […]