The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) met with the Inspector General of Police, Telecommunications Regulatory Commission of Sri Lanka (TRCSL) Chairman, the Ministry of Defence, State Ministry of Defence Secretary-General, and Ministry of Mass Media Secretary for a special meeting concerning human rights issues, as protest continue across the south of the island.
The officials have reportedly been summoned to investigate several concerns, including indiscriminate police-led attacks on journalists and civilians at the Mirihana protest, the imposition of the island-wide social media ban and a state of emergency to quell public protests.
Immediately following the police attacks at the Mirihana protest, the HRCSL expressed strong condemnation of legal measures being taken against those arrested under the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). Justice Marasinghe expressed that they should be prosecuted under the Public Property Act, if at all.
The HRCSL has expressed concern and condemnation about the police’s handling of arrested protesters and the imposition of a social media ban and state of emergency.
"If anybody misuses social media platforms, the authorities can take legal action against that person, but it is a human rights violation to deprive the access to social media for all users.” HRCSL Chairperson and retired Supreme Court Justice Rohini Marasinghe told the media.
She also expressed that failing to conduct a proper threat assessment to national security before imposing a state of emergency is also a violation of human rights.
While the HRCSL is an institution with the broad objective of protecting and advancing human rights, it is still a state-sponsored (through legislation) and state-funded institution.
In November last year, the HRCSL was downgraded to B status by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), a United Nations Institute of National Human Rights Organisation. The independence of the HRCSL has been called into question following the appointment of an all Sinhalese board in November following the passage of the controversial 20th amendment.